Underground Exploration via Pipeline Electromagnetic Wave Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying underground cavities and buried objects, such as those using electromagnetic waves, are hindered by obstacles like railway tracks, which prevent effective wave transmission and make it difficult to accurately locate these features.
Innovation Solution
An exploration method and system that involves an electromagnetic wave receiving/transmitting device placed in interconnected manholes, transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, and calculating intensity distributions based on wave intensity and round-trip propagation time, allowing for accurate identification of underground features even with obstacles present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic waves are transmitted from the ground to identify underground cavities and buried objects, then the positions of underground features can be identified, but obstacles on the ground (such as railway tracks) prevent transmission of the electromagnetic wave and make identification difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level electromagnetic wave transmission to underground pipeline-based transmission. By moving the electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving device from the ground surface into the underground pipeline system, the method bypasses ground obstacles (such as railway tracks) that block surface-based electromagnetic wave propagation, enabling identification of underground features even when ground access is obstructed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the underground pipeline as an intermediary medium for electromagnetic wave transmission. Instead of transmitting waves directly from the ground surface, the system uses the pipeline (which extends beneath obstacles) as a conduit to guide electromagnetic waves to the target underground areas, effectively using the pipeline infrastructure as a mediator to overcome ground-based obstructions.
2Reliability
If electromagnetic wave transmission is performed from the ground, then underground features can be detected, but the presence of obstacles increases device complexity and operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the system by relocating the electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving device from the ground surface to the underground pipeline environment. This dimensional shift eliminates the need for complex obstacle navigation systems, as the pipeline provides a pre-established, protected pathway that naturally bypasses ground obstacles, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection reliability.
3Measurement precision
If ground-based electromagnetic wave exploration is used, then underground cavities and buried objects can be identified, but time is lost due to obstacle prevention and difficult access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the underground pipeline infrastructure as a pre-established pathway that has already been constructed for other purposes (such as utility conduits). By deploying the electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving device through this existing pipeline network, the system avoids the time-consuming process of creating new access paths or navigating around obstacles, as the pipeline provides immediate, ready-made access to underground exploration zones.
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
Enables the precise identification of underground cavities and buried objects even in the presence of obstacles, improving safety and infrastructure assessment by providing detailed intensity distribution maps.
Implementation Method 1
emitting an electromagnetic wave from the ground into the ground and receiving a reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave
Implementation Method 2
transmitting an electromagnetic wave in a pipeline that allows a plurality of manholes to be interconnected and receiving a reflected electromagnetic wave
Data Source
AI summary
An exploration method according to the present disclosure includes: a step (S11) of disposing, in a pipeline (PL) that allows a plurality of manholes (MH) to be interconnected, an electromagnetic wave receiving/transmitting device (1) that transmits an electromagnetic wave and receives a reflected electromagnetic wave that is a reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave; a step (S13) of transmitting the electromagnetic wave; a step (S14) of receiving the reflected electromagnetic wave that is the reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave; and a step (S18) of calculating an intensity distribution of the reflected electromagnetic wave on the basis of an intensity of the reflected electromagnetic wave and a round-trip propagation time from when the electromagnetic wave is transmitted to when the reflected electromagnetic wave is received.