INNOVATORS IN MICROTUNNELING

Building = Learning

We build, and we foster the next generation of world-class engineers. We only outsource what we absolutely have to. That way, our engineers gain hands-on experience with a wide array of engineering principles and disciplines, making them valuable in organization.

2024-2025 Season

For the 2024-25 season, Penn Hyperloop is building an MTBM to bore a half-meter diameter, 30 meter long horizontal tunnel.

We will be the first team to reach 30m.

UNIQUELY SIMPLIFIED

In engineering, complexity invites chaos. That's why our MTBM is based on an uncomplicated pipejacking mechanism. We cut away at soil and push pipe segments into the ground to advance our tunnel. No complex steering system, no expensive and inaccurate navigation electronics.

FULLY ELECTRIC, ULTRA POWERFUL

In pursuit of full tunneling sustainability, our MTBM is fully electric with zero carbon emissions. Still, our machine thrusts into the ground with 67,000 pounds of force - more than a jet engine on a Boeing 747 produces. Our cutterhead cuts away at the soil with 5kn of torque - over twice that of a Bugatti Chiron.

MAIN DRIVE

INDUSTRY-BACKED CUTTERHEAD DESIGN

After numerous iterations and feedback from advisor meetings, we've designed a highly-efficient cutterhead and main drive system for soil excavation.

HIGH POWER GEARMOTOR

Our gearmotor produces an output of ~5kn at 20RPM. It's powered by 480v, three-phase power, has a gear-ratio of 100:1, and weighs over 500 pounds.

OPTIMIZED SCRAPER-CUTTERS

Our scrapers use a 30° angle of attack with a placement geometry that maximizes soil coverage and minimizes overlap. We use M20 bolts to withstand the high shear force and mount them to our 2.5in thick cutterhead plate.

PROPULSION

67,000 POUNDS OF THRUST FORCE

Our propulsion system uses two electric linear actuators to thrust our jacking plate with over 67,000 pounds of force. That's equivalent to a jet engine on the Boeing 747.

ELECTRIC LINEAR ACTUATORS

Two electric linear actuators, powered by 3HP AC induction motors, generate a combined 67,000 pounds of force at an advance rate of 30mm/s.

PIPEJACKING-BASED SYSTEM

Once a pipe segment is loaded in front of the jacking plate, the actuators thrust it forward until the pipe is fully entrenched. Then, we retract the actuators, load another segment in, and repeat until we've hit 30 meters.