Methods and systems for deploying materials and equipment underground.

Abstract

Jet grouting involves injecting grout into the soil material to improve its quality. This includes the use of grout, but the use of grout requires the injection system to be located relatively close to the area to be improved. It is limited to situations in which it can be applied. This is because (for example, heavily built-up areas, rough terrain, Alternatively, it may be difficult to implement in places such as under the seabed, or (closing the tunnel) There are inconveniences (for example, when it is necessary to do so). [Solution] The present invention allows a material and / or equipment to penetrate the hole in the lining of the bore 43. To deploy within the foundation ground, the deployment equipment 41 is made to descend into the bore. Thus, underground assets are repaired from the outside, which is impossible with conventional ground treatment technologies. Alternatively, it can enable repairs in costly situations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a method and system for deploying materials and equipment underground, and in particular, although not exclusively, finds utility in stabilizing ground materials adjacent to structures and underground assets.

Background Art

[0002] Pressure grouting and jet grouting are known techniques where grout is injected into ground materials (such as soil, sand, and / or rock) to improve their quality, for example, to correct faults, improve their strength, and / or reduce the water flowing through them. Such grouting techniques are often used around the foundations of large structures (such as buildings, bridges, etc.) and around underground assets including large pipes and tunnels. Generally in pressure grouting, the grout is injected into the ground material to stabilize it without disturbing the existing material and fill any interconnected pores and voids. In contrast, jet grouting is generally achieved using relatively high-speed jets of grout. It is used to erode the ground material and significantly mix the ground material in-situ, often forming specific shapes (columns and / or platforms).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, the use of grout is limited to situations where the injection system can be positioned relatively close to the area to be improved. This can be difficult to achieve in (for example, heavily built-up areas, rough terrain, or under the seabed, etc.) or can be inconvenient (such as when it is necessary to close a tunnel).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for underground deployment is provided, which includes: the step of drilling an underground bore through a foundation ground; the step of lining the bore with a pipe; the step of lowering a deployment device through the pipe to a predetermined location; and the step of deploying a material and / or equipment through the hole in the pipe into the foundation ground.

[0005] In this way, underground assets can be repaired from their external locations, enabling repairs in situations where conventional ground treatment techniques are impossible or costly. Specifically, a water column of grout composite is injected so that an interconnected and stabilized structure is formed around the asset, thereby ensuring sufficient stability for subsequent work.

[0006] Additionally, equipment such as monitoring devices may be deployed even closer to the assets. This is either impossible or costly with conventional grouting techniques.

[0007] "Underground" can refer to any location below the ground surface. "Surrounding ground" refers to the ground material adjacent to the given location and may be within the foundation ground.

[0008] Deployment means moving something to a designated location and may include the deployment of materials and / or equipment. Deployment may also include injection.

[0009] The substance may comprise grout, and / or modifying materials such as epoxy resin, polyurethane foam, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, cement-based grout, and aqueous solutions. The grout may be cement-based, resin-based, or a chemical mixture solution.

[0010] The deployment may include measures that could include stabilizing the foundation ground. In this way, if the material outside the area is relatively fragile, contains voids, is unstable, or is submerged, the material can be stabilized. The equipment can be installed below the bore to stabilize the foundation ground outside the pipe.

[0011] Deployment may include deploying material and / or equipment. Deployment may include injecting material.

[0012] The substance may include grout and / or modifying material. The grout may be cement-based, resin-based, or a chemically mixed solution. The modifying material may include epoxy resin, polyurethane foam, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, cement-based grout, and aqueous solutions.

[0013] Stabilization may be achieved through ground freezing technology, for example, by pumping a coolant through holes in pipes. The freezing technology may be temporary. Permanent stabilization may be achieved by injecting a chemical stabilizer, for example, through a chemical delivery nozzle (e.g., in a retractable arm). The amount and type of stabilizer used will be determined by the ground to be stabilized and can be controlled as needed, and may include any other material such as cement, or microcement, mineral grout (known as colloidal silica), hydrosensitive polyurethane (a fast-reacting foaming resin that resists water penetration), any fast-reacting non-hydrosensitive polyurea silicate system (an expanding foam for filling voids), acrylic resin, jet grout, or Soilcrete®, which is a well-known in-situ construction method that hardens the ground to the designed properties.

[0014] Stabilizing the foundation ground may not completely prevent water infiltration, but it can significantly reduce further water penetration.

[0015] Drilling underground bores through the foundation ground may involve using directional boring techniques, such as those used in the mining, oil and gas, and construction industries. For example, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is used to set up pipes and the like. HDD can suitably drill precise bores up to 800m in length with diameters of only 100-1200mm. Alternatively, directional drilling is used in the oil and gas industry and can drill longer bores.

[0016] The pipe may include a liner for lining the bore. In this way, the integrity of the bore can be protected. The lining may include lining the entire bore or lining only a portion of the bore. This liner may have solid walls.

[0017] A hole may include a single hole or multiple holes. A hole may include any form of opening, such as a circular through hole or a slot.

[0018] The method may further include: lowering equipment (such as a drilling device or some other form of equipment for making holes) down into a bore along a predetermined path to a predetermined location; and / or using the equipment to make a hole by at least partially penetrating the pipe at a predetermined location. The hole may be made by drilling, puncturing, milling, punching, grooving, cutting, and / or any other preferred method.

[0019] In this way, it is possible to deploy materials / equipment by passing them through pipes.

[0020] The equipment may include a carriage for mounting a drill or other form of device for making holes. The drill / device may be retractable (e.g., longitudinal extension and / or pivot). The device may include, for example, a milling head that repeats motion. The milling head may be configured to create a single or various shapes of openings in a pipe.

[0021] This method may further comprise the step of using equipment to create a hole at a given location by penetrating the pipe at most partially.

[0022] In this way, external substances and / or water can be prevented from entering the bore uncontrollably. In detail, the bore can extend through almost the entire pipe wall (for example, less than 2 mm from the outside of the pipe wall, and especially less than 1 mm).

[0023] In an alternative arrangement, the drill / device can be configured to create holes through the entire pipe and to open holes in the surrounding ground.

[0024] The pipe can contain holes before being inserted into the bore.

[0025] For example, the pipe can be pre - drilled. In this way, on - site time and costs can be avoided in situations where the underlying ground is well understood. A pre - drilled liner can include an outer sleeve covering the holes. In this way, external substances and / or water can be prevented from entering the bore in an uncontrolled manner.

[0026] Deploying substances and / or devices through the holes can include extending a probe through the hole to pass outside the pipe. In some cases, the probe can protrude into the surrounding ground.

[0027] This probe can be configured to punch through the pipe wall. Specifically, this probe can be configured to punch through either the thin thickness of the pipe wall remaining after hole - drilling or the sleeve for a pre - drilled pipe.

[0028] This probe can include a needle. This needle can be configured to allow substances to flow through it. Alternatively, this needle can be configured to retract and substances can be injected directly through the holes.

[0029] The pipe and / or liner can be composed of plastic materials known in the art.

[0030] Various pieces of equipment (including drilling equipment and / or deployment equipment) can be driven through the pipe in a conventional manner to perform work at any desired location. For example, carriages may be provided to which specific pieces of equipment can be attached, and / or which may form part of specific pieces of equipment. A train of carriages may be provided, thereby allowing various pieces of equipment to be lowered down the pipe to a predetermined location as a single train. For example, a single train may have a first carriage configured to determine a location along the pipe, a second carriage configured to drill holes by penetrating the pipe, and a third carriage configured to inject grout by penetrating the holes. As can be understood, multiple pieces of equipment may be mounted on a single carriage, thereby allowing the above effects, similar effects, or different effects to be achieved with fewer (or more) carriages.

[0031] Two or more carriages and / or trains can be lowered down a single pipe to perform similar and / or collaborative work, for example, simultaneously and at different predetermined locations along the pipe, or consecutively at different times.

[0032] Similarly, multiple carriages and / or trains can work together, either simultaneously or sequentially at different times. They can also work in different / separate pipes / bores, just as they can work together in the same pipe / bore. For example, if multiple bores are drilled and arranged around a single asset, each carriage / train can descend through each bore (e.g., simultaneously injecting grout). And / or, two or more carriages / trains can descend through a single bore / pipe (e.g., monitoring an asset from two or more predetermined points along a single bore / pipe).

[0033] The carriage / train may be configured to recover a faulty carriage / train, for example, by supplying power to it or by attaching it to the faulty carriage / train in order to remove it from the bore / pipe.

[0034] To avoid any ambiguity, the specified location may include a single location or multiple locations.

[0035] The deployment equipment may be configured to deploy monitoring equipment outside the bore, outside the inside of the pipe, outside the outside of the pipe, and / or in the surrounding ground. This may be an addition or a replacement for the deployment material. The monitoring equipment may be configured to provide feedback on ground conditions around the asset and / or adjacent to the pipe (e.g., to support the pipe continuously or intermittently).

[0036] Pipes installed in the ground around the asset can be kept undamaged and usable after repair work is carried out. The pipes can then be used to monitor the permanent asset (by installing sensors within or adjacent to the workpiece) for subsequent outcome evaluation (using remote sensing technology), as drainage channels, or filled with concrete and / or rebar to provide additional strength to the structure.

[0037] The bore drilling data can be recorded and used to inform the operator of the type of material that will be drilled. This allows for a more complete view of the underlying geology.

[0038] The drilling work can be carried out from the pre-constructed tunnel entrance and / or exit, from a shaft located in the middle, and / or from the ground surface.

[0039] The bore may comprise a hole and / or shaft having a substantially circular cross-section and a girder extension greater than its diameter. For example, each bore may have a diameter of 100 to 1200 mm. Each bore may have an extension of at least 25 m, at least 50 m, at least 100 m, and at least 200 m or more.

[0040] This method may include determining a first predetermined route (and optionally a second predetermined route). However, this is done using conventional methods.

[0041] The bore may have an extension of at least 25 m, or less than 25 m. For example, the first bore may have an extension of at least 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, and / or 20 m. However, other features in the second embodiment may be common to those in the first embodiment.

[0042] A second aspect of the present invention provides a system for carrying out any of the above-mentioned methods for underground deployment. The system comprises: a directional drilling device for drilling an underground bore through a foundation ground; a pipe for lining the bore drilled by the directional drilling device; a pipe-lining device for lining the bore with the pipe; and a deployment device configured to descend through the pipe to a predetermined location and to deploy material and / or equipment through the hole in the pipe into the foundation ground.

[0043] The above and other characteristics, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings illustrating the principles of the present invention. This description is given for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Reference figures referred to below refer to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an environment in which underground deployment systems and methods may be used. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an underground deployment system used adjacent to underground assets. [Figure 3] This is a partially cut-out perspective view of a piece of equipment located at the bottom of the bore within the lining pipe. [Figure 4] This is a partially cut-out perspective view of a piece of deployment equipment located at the bottom of the bore within the lining pipe. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] The present invention is described with reference to specific drawings, but the invention is limited only by the claims and not by those drawings. The drawings shown are schematic and non-limiting. Each drawing may not contain all features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the sizes of some elements may be exaggerated and may not be to scale for illustrative purposes. Dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions for the implementation of the invention.

[0046] Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and do not necessarily represent any temporal or spatial order in ranking or any other way. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable in appropriate contexts, and their operation may be in orders other than those described or illustrated herein. Similarly, it can be understood that method steps described or claimed in a particular order may operate in a different order.

[0047] Furthermore, terms such as "up," "down," "above," and "below" in this specification and the claims are used for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily indicate relative position. It should be understood that these terms are interchangeable in appropriate contexts, and their actions may be in directions other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0048] It should be noted that the terms “comprising” as used in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the means listed thereafter, nor should they exclude other elements or steps. Therefore, they should be interpreted as specifying the existence of the stated feature, integer, step, or component, but not as excluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, or components, or groups thereof. Accordingly, the expression “a device comprising means A and means B” should not be limited to a device composed solely of components A and B. With respect to the present invention, it simply means that A and B are merely relevant components of the device.

[0049] Similarly, it should be noted that the term "connected" as used herein should not be interpreted as being limited only to direct connections. Therefore, the expression "device A connected to device B" should not be limited to a device or system in which the output of device A is directly connected to the input of device B. It means that a path exists between the output of A and the input of B, which may include other devices or means. "Connected" can mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but still cooperate or interact with each other. For example, a wireless connection is considered.

[0050] Throughout this specification, any reference to “embodiments” or “aspects” means that any particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with an embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Therefore, phrases such as “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in an aspect” appearing at various points throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to all of the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to various embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, any particular feature, structure, or characteristic in any one embodiment or aspect of the present invention may be combined in any preferred manner with any other particular feature, structure, or characteristic in another embodiment or aspect of the present invention, which will be evident from one or more embodiments or aspects to those skilled in the art.

[0051] Similarly, in the description, various features of the invention will sometimes be grouped together in a single embodiment, drawing, or description for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure and understanding one or more different embodiments of the invention. However, the method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are explicitly enumerated in each claim. Furthermore, any individual drawing or description of an embodiment does not necessarily have to be considered an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as reflected in the claims below, embodiments of the invention will be fewer than all the features of a single embodiment disclosed above. Accordingly, the "claims" following "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention" are here explicitly incorporated into this "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention," and each claim stands on its own as a distinct embodiment of the invention.

[0052] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features from different embodiments fall within the scope of the present invention and, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, form yet another embodiment. For example, any claimed embodiment may be used in any combination within the following claims.

[0053] Many specific details are described in the description provided herein. However, it should be understood that embodiments of the present invention can be carried out without these specific details. In other examples, known methods, structures, and techniques are not described in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0054] In this description of the present invention, unless otherwise stated, disclosure of alternative values ​​at the upper or lower limits within the acceptable range of a parameter is interpreted as an implicit expression that one of those values ​​is preferred over the other, and that each intermediate value of the parameter between the preferred and less preferred alternatives is preferred in itself to the less preferred value and to each value between the less preferred value and the intermediate value.

[0055] The term "at least one" can mean only one in certain contexts. The term "any" can mean "all" and / or "each" in certain contexts.

[0056] The principles of the present invention will now be described by at least one drawing of "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention" relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements may be constructed according to the understanding of those skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching. The present invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0057] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bridge 1 crossing a river 3. The bridge 1 has a first support 5 on the first river bank 7 and a second support 9 on the second river bank 11 on the opposite bank of the river 3. The first river bank 7 is partially cut off by line 13, showing the base of the first support 5 underground.

[0058] Two pipes 15 are shown within a bore (not shown) with directional holes, extending from the surface and terminating adjacent to the first support 5.

[0059] Deployment equipment (not shown) may be used to lower each pipe 15 until it is adjacent to the first support column 5, and then to deploy material and / or devices. This avoids the need for excavation adjacent to the first support column 5, which could cause problems such as ground subsidence and / or water infiltration.

[0060] Figure 2 shows an underground asset 21 associated with above-ground facilities 23. A bore 27 is formed by directional drilling from facilities 23 to adjacent to the asset 21. The bore 27 is lined, but this is not clearly shown.

[0061] The deployment device 29 is located within the bore 27 and is controlled by the ground-level facility 23 via means 30. The deployment device 29 is configured to move along the bore 27. The drawing shows 17 locations where material is deployed adjacent to asset 21 31. The paths 33 of the material at the 17 locations are further shown from 10 independent locations of the deployment device within the bore 27.

[0062] Figure 3 is a partially cut perspective view of a piece of drilling equipment 41 located below the bore within the lining pipe 43. The drilling equipment 41 has connections to the upper end 45 and the lower end 47 of the bore and includes a drill bit 49 extending through the pipe wall 43. The drill bit 49 is retractable into the casing of the drilling equipment, allowing the drilling equipment to penetrate the lining pipe 43.

[0063] Figure 4 is a partially cut perspective view of a piece of deployment equipment 51 located at the bottom of the bore within the lining pipe 53. The deployment equipment 51 has connections to the upper end 55 and the lower end 57 of the bore and includes a joined probe 59 that extends through the hole 61 of the pipe 53. This probe may be equipped with a conventional material injection device or may be configured to deploy equipment to the outside of the pipe 53.

[0064] The deployment equipment 51 also includes, as part of it, a drilling equipment 63, which in detail has a retracted drill bit 65.

[0065] The deployable equipment 51 can be moved to a position within the pipe 53 for the drill bit 65 to drill the hole 61, and then the deployable equipment 51 can be moved further to allow the probe 59 to extend through the hole 61.

Claims

1. A method for stabilizing the ground material near underground assets, The steps include drilling an underground bore through the foundation ground surrounding the aforementioned asset, The steps include lining the underground bore with pipes, A step of lowering a row of carriages performing similar and / or joint tasks into the pipe to a predetermined location, A step of deploying a substance into the foundation ground through a hole in the wall of the pipe to stabilize the foundation ground around the pipe, comprising extending a probe having a needle through which the substance flows through the hole, wherein the substance includes one or more of grout, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, and cement-based grout. Methods that include...

2. The steps include: lowering a hole-punching device, which penetrates the pipe to create a hole, down the pipe along a predetermined path to a predetermined location; and using the hole-punching device to penetrate the wall of the pipe at the predetermined location to create a hole; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pipe has a hole drilled in the wall before being inserted into the underground bore.

4. A system for carrying out the method described in claim 1, A directional drilling device for drilling a hole in an underground bore through the aforementioned foundation ground, The underground bore, which has been drilled by the aforementioned directional drilling device, is lined with a pipe, A pipe lining device for lining the underground bore using the aforementioned pipe, A substance containing one or more of the following: grout, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, and cement-based grout, A row of multiple carriages, configured to descend within the pipe to a predetermined location, Each carriage performs similar tasks and / or collaborative tasks with the others. A row of multiple carriages, each comprising at least one carriage having a probe through which the material flows, the probe extending through a hole in the wall of the pipe, and the material being deployed through the hole into the foundation ground surrounding the asset, A system that includes these features.

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