Cone Penetrometer Probe With Internal Hammer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT) devices face difficulties in penetrating hard soil layers such as dense sands, clay-stones, and bedrock, as they require significant force to advance the probe further once it engages these layers.
Innovation Solution
A CPT device equipped with an internal hammer blow mechanism within its casing, driven by a motor unit, which applies a hammering force to the cone tip to facilitate penetration through hard soil layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional CPT device is pushed into the soil to penetrate hard soil layers, then the probe can be inserted into soft soil layers, but it cannot penetrate hard soil layers such as dense sands, clay-stones, and bedrock due to insufficient force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pushing mechanism and hammer blow mechanism into a single CPT device, integrating two different penetration methods (gradual pushing and impact hammering) into one unified system. This allows the device to automatically switch between penetration modes based on soil hardness, resolving the contradiction by providing both soft soil penetration capability and hard soil penetration capability without requiring separate operational procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic penetration system that can switch between static pushing mode and dynamic hammer blow mode. The control unit monitors penetration resistance and automatically activates the hammer blow mechanism when hard soil layers are detected, allowing the device to adapt its penetration method in real-time based on soil conditions, thus resolving the force insufficiency problem while maintaining operational simplicity
2Force
If an external hammer blow mechanism is used to penetrate hard soil layers, then penetration force is sufficient, but the device becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the hammer blow mechanism inside the CPT probe casing, with the hammer assembly nested within the hollow interior of the probe. The motor unit, drive shaft, and hammer components are all contained within the existing probe structure, eliminating the need for external hammering equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining sufficient hammering force for hard soil penetration
Solution Approach 2:
The CPT probe is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a pushing penetration device for soft soils and as a hammer blow device for hard soils. The same probe structure accommodates both penetration modes, with sensors, motor unit, and hammer mechanism all integrated into the universal probe body, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying the overall system
3Power
If a motor unit is placed outside the CPT probe to drive the hammer mechanism, then the motor has sufficient power, but the device requires complex operational measures
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically monitors penetration resistance through sensor feedback and autonomously determines when to activate the hammer blow mechanism. The system self-regulates by switching between pushing and hammering modes based on real-time soil conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex operational procedures while the motor unit integrated inside the probe provides sufficient power for the hammering action
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
Enables reliable and efficient penetration of hard soil layers by providing the necessary force to overcome the resistance, allowing deeper soil sampling and data collection without complex operational measures.
Implementation Method 1
the CPT probe (200) comprises a casing (214) containing an internal hammer blow mechanism inside said casing (214) and configured to apply a hammering force on said cone tip (252)
Data Source
AI summary
A CPT probe (200) having a cone tip (252) can be inserted into one or more soil layers (110, 112, 114) by a hammer action. The CPT probe (200) has a casing (214) with an internal hammer blow mechanism (225) inside said casing (214) which applies a hammering force on said cone tip (252). The internal hammer blow mechanism is driven by a motor unit (118) which is located either inside the casing (214) or external to the casing (214).