The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 16, 2025
Filed:
Jan. 10, 2024
Junliang Tao, Chandler, AZ (US);
Sichuan Huang, Tempe, AZ (US);
Yong Tang, Tempe, AZ (US);
Yi Zhong, Tempe, AZ (US);
Junliang Tao, Chandler, AZ (US);
Sichuan Huang, Tempe, AZ (US);
Yong Tang, Tempe, AZ (US);
Yi Zhong, Tempe, AZ (US);
ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
Abstract
A burrowing apparatus may comprise an anterior segment and a posterior segment coupled by a linear actuator that is configured to extend and contract the distance between the anterior segment and the posterior segment to effectuate horizontal translation of the burrowing apparatus in a granular medium. The anterior segment may further comprise a conical tip. The conical tip may be configured to rotate relative to the anterior segment, and the conical tip may be an auger. The rotation of the conical tip while the linear actuator extends and contracts may create kinetic asymmetry that may be beneficial to the net horizontal translation in the granular medium. The burrowing apparatus may be advantageously used in applications, for example, in geotechnical subsurface investigation, extraterrestrial exploration, underground contamination detection, and precision agriculture.