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US 11,142,957 B2Granted
Tunneling for underground power and pipelines
AssigneeArcByt, Inc.
InventorTroy Anthony Helming
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application describes a rapid burrowing robot (RBR) that can dig tunnels using ultra high temperature rotating plasma torches.
Claims20
A tunnel boring machine, comprising:
- a propulsion system;
- a torch support structure carried by the propulsion system;
- and
- a set of plasma torches:
- carried by the torch support structure;
- configured to gasify a first portion of subterranean material from a face of a tunnel;
- and
- configured to melt a second portion of subterranean material from the face of the tunnel to form a vitrified-rock wall lining the tunnel;
- wherein the set of plasma torches melts the second portion of subterranean material comprising up to 60% of subterranean material encountered in the tunnel by the set of plasma torches.
6 more elements
A tunnel boring machine, comprising:
- a propulsion system;
- a torch support structure carried by the propulsion system;
- a set of plasma torches:
- carried by the torch support structure;
- configured to gasify a first portion of subterranean material from a face of a tunnel;
- and
- configured to melt a second portion of subterranean material from the face of the tunnel to form a vitrified-rock wall lining the tunnel;
- a set of power, supply, and communications cables extending to a base station outside the tunnel;
- and
- a protective tube:
- housing the set of power, supply, and communications cables;
- and
- comprising a refractive protection over a first length trailing the propulsion system.
10 more elements
A tunnel boring machine, comprising:
- a propulsion system;
- a torch support structure carried by the propulsion system;
- a set of plasma torches:
- carried by the torch support structure;
- configured to gasify a first portion of subterranean material from a face of a tunnel;
- and
- configured to melt a second portion of subterranean material from the face of the tunnel to form a vitrified-rock wall lining the tunnel;
- a sensor;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- detect a mineral content of the first portion of subterranean material, gasified by the set of plasma torches, based on an output of the sensor;
- and
- indicate need for a secondary liner in the tunnel, in addition to the vitrified-rock wall, based on the mineral content.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.