In-situ Detection Robot for Undisturbed Geological Stress Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-situ geological information detection methods disturb the in-situ stress, leading to inaccurate detection of geological information, especially for parameters like density, modulus, and water content, which are crucial for predicting geological disasters.

Innovation Solution

An in-situ detection robot equipped with a self-excavation capability and a detection unit that measures geological information without releasing the in-situ stress. The robot includes a sleeve with a drilling unit at the top, a dumping unit inside, and a support propulsion unit outside, which allows for self-propelled drilling and detection without stress disturbance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If indoor testing with soil sampling is used, then testing can be performed with professional instruments, but the original soil structure is destroyed and in-situ stress is released leading to inaccurate geological information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeological information accuracyVSAvoidin-situ stress disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical drilling and sampling systems with an in-situ detection robot that uses a detection instrument to measure geological parameters directly within the borehole. The robot carries sensors that detect soil density, modulus, water content, and other parameters without extracting samples, thereby eliminating mechanical disturbance to the soil structure and in-situ stress state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an in-situ detection robot as an intermediary between the detection goal and the geological formation. The robot serves as a mediator that enables measurement of geological parameters through the borehole wall without direct contact with or extraction of soil samples, thus preventing stress release while obtaining accurate in-situ data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If large drilling equipment is used to create detection holes, then in-situ detection can be performed, but the drill bit disturbs the geological information around the hole and releases in-situ stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-situ detection capabilityVSAvoidgeological information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection function from the drilling function. The drilling equipment creates the borehole, while the in-situ detection robot separately performs the measurement function within the borehole. This segmentation allows the drilling process to be completed without the detection instruments interfering with or disturbing the geological formation, preserving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based detection methods with sensor-based detection that operates through the borehole wall. The detection instruments measure geological parameters remotely without requiring mechanical interaction with the soil, thereby eliminating drill bit disturbance effects on the surrounding geological information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If mechanical drilling is performed, then detection holes can be created, but the hole wall soil structure changes and in-situ stress is partially released

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection hole creation efficiencyVSAvoidsoil structure integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs detection after drilling is complete but before significant stress redistribution occurs. The in-situ detection robot is deployed into the freshly created borehole and immediately begins measurements, capturing geological parameters before the soil structure has time to relax or reorganize around the borehole wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The in-situ detection robot acts as an intermediary that enables measurement through the borehole wall without requiring direct mechanical interaction with the soil. This allows productivity benefits of drilling to be maintained while preserving soil structure integrity through non-contact detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12312950B2In-situ detection robot and detection method for geological information without disturbance of in-situ stress

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 CHANGAN UNIV

AI summary

An in-situ detection robot and method for geological information without disturbance of in-situ stress, including a sleeve, a drilling unit set at the top of the sleeve, a dumping unit set inside the sleeve, and a support propulsion unit is set outside the sleeve, the top of the dumping unit extends into the drilling unit, a detection unit is set between the drilling unit and the support propulsion unit, and the robot tail is connected to a control unit; the dumping unit is used to discharge soil drilled from a hole of the drilling unit to the ground, the support propulsion unit is used to realize support, the detection unit is used to detect geological information of surrounding environment of the robot, the control unit is used to control the drilling unit, the support propulsion unit and the detection unit, and the control unit collects and processes the geological information.