Methods and systems for tunnel profiling
US11592457B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2022 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C21/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Described herein are new methods and systems for profiling tunnels. A method comprises moving a shuttle within a shuttle track extending between a boring apparatus (inside a tunnel) and a base station (outside the tunnel). The shuttle is equipped with a movement sensor, which records various movement parameters (e.g., linear and/or angular accelerations) while the shuttle moves within the shuttle track. These movement parameters are then transferred to a tunnel profiler (e.g., a base station) and the profile of the tunnel is determined based on these movement parameters. For example, a shuttle track can be a flexible tube (e.g., continuous or segmented) with the shuttle positioned within the tube. The shuttle can be removed from the tube or remain in the tube while the movement parameters are transferred and, in some examples, while the shuttle is recharged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.