Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for penetrating particulate substrates

US8496410B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

29References

3Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

Amos G. Winter · Somerville, US
Anette E. Hosoi · Cambridge, US
Alexander H. Slocum · Bow, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 1, 2009
Grant date	Jul 30, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Feb 21, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
CPC primaryE02D3/054
WIPO fieldCivil engineering
WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to penetrating a particulate substrate using a compact, low-energy, reversible, and dynamic device for burrowing through particulate substrates. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one vessel and a displacement module coupled with the vessel. The actuation of the displacement module fluidizes the particulate substrate proximate to the vessel and thereby reduces resistance of the particulate substrate to movement of the vessel and causes further penetration of the apparatus through the particulate substrate. The example embodiment utilizes volume contraction and localized fluidizing to move through substrates.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.