There are provided high power laser cutting tools, optics assembly and laser beam configurations having long stand off distances, which provide high power laser beams, greater than 1 kW, to cut and volumetrically remove targeted materials. There is also provided methods of using these tools using a beam delivery angle that provides for molten material to be removed by flowing out of the targeted material.

Provided is a TBM tunneling test bench for microwave-assisted rotary rock breaking including a tunneling test bench body and a microwave-assisted rock breaking system, wherein the tunneling test bench body includes a base, a turnover bracket, a movable bracket, turnover oil cylinders, a pushing oil cylinder and a cutter head; the turnover bracket is hinged to the base; the turnover oil cylinders are connected between the base and the turnover bracket; the movable bracket coaxially sleeves the turnover bracket; the pushing oil cylinder is connected between the turnover bracket and the movable bracket; the cutter head is coaxially located in the movable bracket, and rotates freely; cutter head rotation driving motors are mounted in the movable bracket; the microwave-assisted rock breaking system is mounted between the movable bracket and the cutter head; and a rock sample bearing and placing box is arranged on the turnover bracket on an opposite side of the cutter head.

Systems, devices, and methods for a microwave energy applicator. The applicator may define an internal channel having one or more longitudinal ridges inside the channel configured to focus energy. The ridges may be moveable. A reflector may be located near an exit of the applicator. In some embodiments, the applicator may define a channel having a decrease in cross-sectional area with a dielectric filler therein, acting to transition from a lower to a higher permittivity material. The various embodiments of the applicator may be attached to a waveguide, which may be an articulable robotic arm having rotatable waveguide segments attached with a microwave generator. The applicator may alter an energy level of microwaves travelling therethrough, for example, to concentrate the energy for application at a rock face in a mine site.

Novel hybrid tunnel boring methods, systems, and apparatuses are described. Example hybrid methods integrate (a) thermal processing, e.g., preconditioning and/or thermal spallation (which may be used as pre-treatment), and (b) mechanical processing while boring tunnels in rock and other formations. Thermal processing and mechanical processing may be used alternatively or simultaneously. For example, the preconditioning may use thermal energy to induce thermal shock and weaken the rock (e.g., cause expansion stress, micro-fractures, thermal spallation, etc.). This preconditioning changes the relevant properties of the rock relative to the additional (e.g., mechanical) excavation, including, among other things, effective compressive stress, abrasion properties, and hardness. This preconditioned rock can therefore be efficiently removed using mechanical drilling tools, resulting in, for example, faster boring speeds, reduced tool wear, enhanced precision, and longer deployment lengths (e.g., in comparison to conventional TBM and especially MTBM approaches).

A system for excavating a rock face using microwaves. The system may include a microwave generator, an articulable robotic arm with a plurality of rotatably connected rigid waveguide segments, an applicator attached to a distal end of the robotic arm, and a robotic control system. The system produces microwaves with the microwave generator and moves the robotic arm such that the applicator moves along the rock face as the microwaves exit the applicator to precondition the rock face for excavation. Various patterns of microwave treatment, and controls based on sensor feedback, may be implemented.