US 12,497,839 B2 · Bioinspired horizontal self-burrowing device

Abstract

A burrowing apparatus may comprise an anterior segment and a posterior segment coupled by a linear actuator that is configured to extend and contract the distance between the anterior segment and the posterior segment to effectuate horizontal translation of the burrowing apparatus in a granular medium. The anterior segment may further comprise a conical tip. The conical tip may be configured to rotate relative to the anterior segment, and the conical tip may be an auger. The rotation of the conical tip while the linear actuator extends and contracts may create kinetic asymmetry that may be beneficial to the net horizontal translation in the granular medium. The burrowing apparatus may be advantageously used in applications, for example, in geotechnical subsurface investigation, extraterrestrial exploration, underground contamination detection, and precision agriculture.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for burrowing, comprising:

an anterior segment;
a posterior segment;
a coupling cylinder coupling the anterior segment to the posterior segment and having an outer diameter which is at least one of equivalent to or less than an inner diameter of the anterior segment;
a linear actuator disposed within the coupling cylinder and configured to expand and contract a distance between the anterior segment and the posterior segment by sliding the coupling cylinder into and out of the anterior segment;
and
a first conical tip coupled to the anterior segment.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bioinspired horizontal self-burrowing device

Life of this patent

Bioinspired horizontal self-burrowing device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20