Method and system of coal mine roof stabilization

Abstract

The present application relates to a system for supporting a roof of a portion of a mine. The system includes a first plurality of stabilizing members disposed above the roof at a first elevation. The first plurality of stabilizing members originate from a first common location and terminate at a second elevation that is higher than the first elevation. The system further includes a second plurality of stabilizing members disposed above the roof and the first plurality of stabilizing members at a third elevation. The second plurality of stabilizing members originate from a second common location and terminate at a fourth elevation that is higher than the third elevation. The second plurality of stabilizing members are disposed generally perpendicular to the first plurality of stabilizing members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for supporting a roof of a subterranean mine, the system comprising:
 a first plurality of stabilizing members disposed underground above the roof of the subterranean mine at a first elevation, the first plurality of stabilizing members terminating at a second elevation;   a second plurality of stabilizing members disposed above the roof of the subterranean mine and above the first plurality of stabilizing members at a third elevation, the second plurality of stabilizing members terminating at a fourth elevation;   wherein, the second plurality of stabilizing members are disposed generally perpendicular to the first plurality of stabilizing members; and   wherein weight of the roof of the subterranean mine is distributed to a surrounding structure via the first plurality of stabilizing members and the second plurality of stabilizing members.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first plurality of stabilizing members comprises a first plurality of cables; and   the second plurality of stabilizing members comprises a second plurality of cables.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first plurality of cables are contained within a first plurality of boreholes; and   the second plurality of cables are contained within a second plurality of boreholes.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one cable of the first plurality of cables comprises a plurality of bulbs disposed along a length of the at least one cable. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one cable of the second plurality of cables comprises a plurality of bulbs disposed along a length of the at least one cable. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of bulbs are spaced approximately five feet apart. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one cable of the first plurality of cables and the second plurality of cables is disposed in an inter-layered fan pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one cable of the first plurality of cables and the second plurality of cables is secured via a fastener plate assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one cable of the first plurality of cables and the second plurality of cables is secured via a fish hook assembly, the fish hook assembly comprising an end cap having at least one barb projecting therefrom. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first plurality of stabilizing members comprise a first plurality of sacrificial drill rods; and   the second plurality of stabilizing members comprise a second plurality of sacrificial drill rods.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first plurality of sacrificial drill rods and the second plurality of sacrificial drill rods comprise directional drilling motors. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one sacrificial drill rod of the first plurality of sacrificial drill rods and the second plurality of sacrificial drill rods is arranged in an inter-layered fan pattern. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first elevation and the second elevation are equal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first elevation and the second elevation are not equal. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the third elevation and the fourth elevation are equal. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the third elevation and the fourth elevation are not equal. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming subterranean mineworkings, the method comprising:
 installing a first plurality of stabilizing members in a roof region at a first elevation, the first plurality of stabilizing members terminating at a second elevation;   installing a second plurality of stabilizing members in the roof region above the first plurality of stabilizing members at a third elevation, the second plurality of stabilizing members terminating at a fourth elevation;   wherein the second plurality of stabilizing members are disposed generally perpendicular to the first plurality of stabilizing members; and   creating a subterranean mine in a region of earth underlying the roof region.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first plurality of stabilizing members comprises a first plurality of cables; and   the second plurality of stabilizing members comprises as second plurality of cables.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 drilling a first plurality of boreholes for placement of the first plurality of cables therein; and   drilling a second plurality of boreholes for placement of the second plurality of cables therein.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising arranging at least cable one of the first plurality of cables and the second plurality of cables in an inter-layered fan pattern.