Importance

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Abstract

A device configured to be disposed within a granular medium to raise a layer thereof, the device having: a flexible envelope forming an internal volume; an inflatable element in the internal volume, interposed between the envelope's upper and lower surfaces, the element's inflation and deflation varying the internal volume; an injection device for filling the inflatable element with a fluid; the device being switchable from a first configuration having the inflated inflatable element occupy a first volume to a second configuration having the inflated inflatable element occupy a second volume greater than the first to deform the upper surface vertically to raise the granular medium's layer, and vice versa; the device further being switchable from the first or second configuration to a third configuration having the envelope's lower surface deform vertically to allow the device to ascend through the granular medium. Also, a method of deforming a granular medium layer.

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First Claim