Millimeter-Wave Excavation Beam for Deep, Focused Earth Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser and long-wavelength microwave technologies are inefficient for excavating earthen materials due to low power conversion efficiency, short penetration depths, and scattering issues, while optical radiation lacks focused beams and high electric field strengths.
Innovation Solution
Employing a high-power millimeter-wave (MMW) source, such as a gyrotron, to generate and deliver MMW radiation with wavelengths between 0.1 mm to 30 mm, focusing the beam to achieve high power densities for fracturing, melting, or vaporizing earthen materials, and using a transmission line to guide the beam to the excavation site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If lasers are used for excavation, then focused beam capability is achieved, but electrical-to-laser power conversion efficiency is low and penetration length in earthen materials is very short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from optical range to millimeter-wave range (0.1mm to 30mm), which fundamentally alters the interaction with earthen materials. This parameter change enables both deeper penetration and higher power conversion efficiency, as millimeter-waves can penetrate soil and rock more effectively while gyrotron sources provide efficient electrical-to-radiation conversion.
2Power
If long-wavelength microwaves are used for excavation, then high power delivery is achieved, but small-area collimated and focused beams cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter to millimeter-wave range (0.1mm to 30mm), which is intermediate between optical and long-wavelength microwave ranges. This enables both good beam focus capability and high power delivery, as the shorter millimeter-wave wavelengths can be collimated and focused to small areas while still maintaining the high power characteristics of microwave systems.
3Shape
If optical radiation is used for excavation, then focused beams are achieved, but penetration depth in earthen materials is very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from optical range to millimeter-wave range, which fundamentally improves penetration depth in earthen materials. Millimeter-waves can penetrate soil, sediment, and rock to much greater depths than optical radiation, while still maintaining the ability to provide focused beams through appropriate antenna and transmission line design.
4Power
If high power densities are delivered to earthen materials, then fracturing and melting are achieved, but scattering from airborne particles reduces effective power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter to millimeter-wave range, which is less susceptible to scattering from airborne particles compared to optical radiation. The longer millimeter-wave wavelengths experience reduced scattering effects, allowing high power densities to be delivered to the excavation site more effectively while maintaining the ability to fracture and melt earthen materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Efficient delivery of high power densities up to 10 kW/cm² allows for effective fracturing, melting, or vaporizing of earthen materials, reducing the need for mechanical or chemical means and enhancing excavation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A high-power millimeter-wave (MMW) excavation beam produced by a powerful MMW source (such as a gyrotron) can excavate or assist in excavation of earthen material by fracturing, melting, and/or vaporizing the earthen material at an excavation site
Implementation Method 2
a transmission line, coupled to the MMW source, to guide the MMW radiation to an excavation site having the earthen material and to launch the guided MMW radiation as an excavation beam from a distal end of the transmission line into the earthen material
Implementation Method 3
The MMW source and the transmission line can be configured to deliver at least 10 kW/cm2 of the MMW radiation in the excavation beam to the excavation site such that the earthen material at the excavation site is at least fractured by the excavation beam
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described for excavating earthen material with millimeter-wave (MMW) radiation or a combination of MMW radiation and mechanical apparatus. The MMW radiation can reduce costs and hazards associated with excavation using mechanical means only and/or explosives. MMW-assisted excavation has significant energy advantages over optical or long-wavelength microwave excavation techniques.