US 11,971,373 B2
Systems and methods for monitoring slope stability
Tancredi Botto, Cambridge, MA (US); Ricardo Repenning, Santiago (CL); and Francisco Arrau, Santiago (CL)
Assigned to Muon Vision Inc., Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed by Muon Vision Inc., Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed on Nov. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/101,235.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/939,156, filed on Nov. 22, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0156810 A1, May 27, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 23/2251 (2018.01); E21B 47/022 (2012.01); G01N 9/24 (2006.01); G01N 23/02 (2006.01); G01N 23/06 (2018.01)
CPC G01N 23/2251 (2013.01) [E21B 47/022 (2013.01); G01N 9/24 (2013.01); G01N 23/02 (2013.01); G01N 23/06 (2013.01); G01N 2223/505 (2013.01); G01N 2223/601 (2013.01); G01N 2223/616 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of monitoring slope stability by determining a density of at least a portion of a heap by measuring an incidence of atmospheric muons, the method comprising:
associating a muon detector with the heap by placing the muon detector within an overliner material,
measuring an incidence of atmospheric muons on the muon detector, and
determining the density of a portion of the heap by comparing the incidence of atmospheric muons detected by the muon detector to a muon attenuation of a material in the heap and a muon flux at an earth surface.