Modular Tunneling Boring Robot
Decreased friction Increased cost efficiency Increased safety Autonomous Minimal disruption to surfaces and activities above boring location
Drilling horizontal tunnels and laying new underground utility lines or fiber optic cables Boring and constructing tunnels for underground transportation systems
RoMeLa researchers at UCLA have developed a "first in, last out" (FILO) process that could be used to alleviate some of the problems with friction and increased energy use encountered in conventional methods. In the UCLA tunneling method, short tube modules are inserted into the ground one at a time. Each successive module is collapsed, and then sent through the first, expanding on the other end upon extending the tunnel. This process is repeated until the tunnel is complete. Each module only has to overcome the friction force associated with one module rather than the friction force of the entire chain of modules. In addition, each module reinforces the tunnel structure, making this process safer than currently available processes. The design also includes an efficient means of removing dirt from the freshly bored tunnel.
State Of Development This technology is in the proof-of-concept stage. Background Creating underground channels for cable runs or transportation systems is a difficult task that requires the displacement of significant amounts of soil, rock, and other terrain. The trenches typically dug in this process break up roads and sidewalks, causing a lot of unnecessary work, repairs, and disruptions to traffic and businesses. Mechanical horizontal drilling processes can overcome these problems. Conventional horizontal tunneling is a "first in, first out" (FIFO) type process. The drilling tool is the first item sent into the ground to create the tunnel and is pushed through until it exits. Anything trailing behind the drill, such as an auger or a cable, will exit in the order that it entered the tunnel. The friction, and thus power, needed to continue drilling increases as the drilled length increases. There is also a risk of the tunnel collapsing if the walls are not reinforced. And cables that are pulled through a long tunnel can break because of the large forces needed to move the cable as length of travel increases. A method of horizontal tunnel boring that reduces the friction associated with deeper drilling would be more cost-efficient. Related Materials Patent Application WO2017143232 Additional Technologies by these Inventors Tech ID/UC Case 29600/2016-232-0 Related Cases 2016-232-0
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