Dune Sampler With Removable Walls for Intact Shoreline Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dune stability evaluation relies on physical models using mimic or transplanted vegetation that do not represent naturally established systems, neglecting ecological components contributing to dune stability.

Innovation Solution

A dune sampler is designed to extract an intact dune segment with vegetation for laboratory flume testing, featuring a steel box with removable walls for wave propagation and connection to heavy machinery, allowing direct testing without sample removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical models use mimic or transplanted vegetation, then dune stability evaluation can be performed in controlled environment, but the ecological components contributing to dune stability are not represented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepresentativeness of vegetationVSAvoidcomplexity of sampling system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dune sampler divides the sampling system into distinct functional segments: a box structure for containment, a cutting mechanism for sample separation, and a lifting system for extraction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system functionality, enabling reliable sampling of natural dune vegetation without requiring overly complex integrated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dune sampler acts as an intermediary device between the natural dune environment and the controlled laboratory setting. It captures and transports intact dune segments with natural vegetation, serving as a bridge that preserves ecological components while enabling controlled environment testing, thus resolving the contradiction between representativeness and controllability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dune sample is extracted and transported to laboratory, then testing can be performed in controlled environment, but sample may be altered during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrity of dune sampleVSAvoidease of sample handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dune sample is nested within the box structure during extraction and transport. The box acts as a protective container that holds the intact dune segment, preventing alteration or damage during handling and transport to the laboratory, thus maintaining sample integrity while facilitating easy operation through standardized container design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting mechanism performs preliminary action by separating the dune sample from the surrounding environment before transport. This pre-separation ensures the sample is already enclosed and protected within the box structure, preventing any alteration during the subsequent handling and transport phases, thereby maintaining integrity while simplifying operational procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If removable walls are used in sampler, then wave propagation can occur during testing, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of testing configurationVSAvoidcomplexity of sampler structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sampler employs dynamic walls that can transition between fixed and removable states. This dynamic capability allows the structure to adapt to different testing requirements (with or without wave propagation) while maintaining a relatively simple base structure, resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural complexity by enabling configuration changes rather than requiring multiple fixed structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260079083A1Method and device for dune sampling and shoreline modeling

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE AS REPRESENTED BY THE SEC OF THE ARMY

AI summary

In one embodiment, an extraction box includes a bottom, a right side wall, and a left side wall. A first wall forms a back wall on a back side of the extraction box. A second wall forms a front wall on a front side of the extraction box. The second wall is movable between a closed position to enclose the front side and an open position to open up the front side of the extraction box. A removable connector is removably attached to the right side wall and the left side wall to be disposed adjacent a top side of the extraction box, to be driven in a direction between the front side and the back side of the extraction box and to be lifted in an upward direction. The removable connector is removable from the extraction box to provide an open top side of the extraction box.