Apparatus, system and method for use with utility tunnels
AssigneeBritish Telecommunications public limited company
InventorsDaniel GILKS, Violeta NOVAKOVIC, Malcolm HUBERT
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Abstract
An apparatus for lining for a borehole (105), said apparatus comprising a/an: eversible structure (115) configured to be everted into a distended structure (400) defining a lumen (410) and to grow apically; cavity provided within the eversible structure and arranged to surround the lumen; and curable material (150), provided within the cavity, for setting into a solid under a curing action, thereby to form a solid structure (440).
Claims15
An apparatus for lining for a borehole, said apparatus comprising a/an:
- eversible structure configured to be everted into a distended structure defining a lumen and to grow apically;
- cavity provided within the eversible structure and arranged to surround the lumen;
- curable material, provided within the cavity, for setting into a solid under a curing action, thereby to form a solid structure;
- and
- non-excavating drill, wherein the drill is arranged to be urged by apical growth of the eversible structure.
A system for forming a supporting lining for a borehole, said system comprising:
- an apparatus comprising a/an:
- eversible structure configured to be everted into a distended structure defining a lumen and to grow apically;
- cavity provided within the eversible structure and arranged to surround the lumen;
- curable material, provided within the cavity, for setting into a solid under a curing action, thereby to form a solid structure;
- and
- non-excavating drill, wherein the drill is arranged to be urged by apical growth of the eversible structure;
- a pump for pumping a fluid at the eversible structure so as to cause eversion and apical growth of the eversible structure;
- and
- a curing apparatus for causing the curing action thereby to set the curable material into a solid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.