Autonomous Soil Stabilizer with Segmented Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional soil stabilization methods lack a cost-effective means to deliver injection fluids to deep geological locations without compromising structural support and soil stability, and they require drilling holes that can lead to soil instability issues, resulting in significant property damage and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A soil stabilizer device that autonomously burrows into the earth using an auger-type drill head and a coiled hose to inject chemical solutions directly into unstable soil, solidifying it and enhancing its stability, equipped with a computer controller, motor, and a high-pressure pump system for efficient fluid delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If traditional drilling holes are used to deliver injection fluids to deep geological locations, then the fluids can reach the target depth, but soil stability is compromised and structural support is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth of fluid injectionVSAvoidsoil stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The injection system is segmented into multiple injection points along the borehole path, allowing fluid delivery at various depths without requiring a single deep hole that compromises stability. The system injects stabilizing fluid in segments along the borehole path, progressively treating the soil at different depths while maintaining overall soil stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary stabilization by injecting fluid along the borehole path before completing the full depth penetration. This preliminary action stabilizes the soil progressively as the injection head moves downward, preventing instability that would occur if a single deep hole were drilled first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If drilling holes are created to reach deep geological locations for soil stabilization, then injection can occur, but soil instability issues arise leading to property damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to deep soil layersVSAvoidsoil instability and property damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potentially harmful effect of soil disturbance from drilling into a benefit by simultaneously injecting stabilizing fluid that binds soil particles together. The drilling action that would normally cause instability is followed immediately by fluid injection that stabilizes the disturbed soil, turning the harmful disturbance into an opportunity for stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If chemical grout is injected under high pressure into drilled holes, then soil stabilization occurs, but the process requires removing soil from the borehole first

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil stabilization effectivenessVSAvoidborehole preparation requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the drilling function and fluid injection function into a single integrated operation. The injection head combines the auger for drilling with the fluid injection system, allowing simultaneous soil displacement and stabilizing fluid injection without requiring separate operations for borehole creation and fluid injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The injection head serves multiple functions: it drills the borehole using the auger, delivers stabilizing fluid through the injection system, and can monitor the stabilization process. This multi-functional device eliminates the need for separate drilling equipment and injection equipment, simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The device effectively stabilizes unstable soil by solidifying it, preventing structural collapses and ensuring the earth's foundation can support surface structures, thereby reducing property damage and enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

The chemical grout, which is like cement, is injected into the hole under high pressure. Like cement, the chemical grout reacts with water to cure into a solidified mass.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the chemical grout, which is like cement, is injected into the hole under high pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9121156B1Soil stabilizer

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 SS ASSOC TRUSTEE FOR SOIL STABILIZER CRT TRUST

AI summary

A device is capable of autonomously burrowing into the earth and, when at depth, discharging a fluid into a geologic formation. The device includes a component body holding a computer controller; a battery; a motor; and a coiled hose. A drill head external to the component body is equipped with a spiral blade that burrows down pulling the component body with it. A cylindrical shell surrounding the component body creates an annulus where debris from the drill head flows upward. The coiled hose is released from the component body as the device descends. An electrical cable may be co-wound with the coiled hose or may be embedded in the wall of the coiled hose. Fluid may be conveyed through the coiled hose to a discharge valve in the component body. The discharge valve is connected to a telescoping discharge nozzle.