Full-Sea-Depth Sediment Sampler for Multi-Point Pressure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sediment samplers cannot operate beyond 7000 m depth and allow only single-point sampling per voyage, with unsatisfactory sampling and transfer techniques.
Innovation Solution
A full-sea depth multi-point in-situ sampler with a sampling assembly, pressure-retaining assembly, pressure-compensating assembly, and cleaning assembly, featuring a two-stage piston, locking mechanism, and automatic centering structure for reliable sampling and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing sediment samplers are used, then sampling can be performed, but the sampling depth is limited to 7000 m and only single-point sampling is possible per voyage
Solution Approach 1:
The sampler is divided into multiple sampling tubes (first sampling tube, second sampling tube, etc.) that can be independently deployed to different depths. Each sampling tube can be operated separately, enabling multi-point sampling at different depths while maintaining reliable pressure retention in each independent tube.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sampling tubes are nested within a common pressure-retaining structure. The sampling tubes can be stored inside the pressure-retaining cylinder and deployed sequentially, allowing the system to achieve full-sea-depth capability while maintaining compact structure and reliable pressure retention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sampling tubes are added to enable multi-point sampling, then sampling versatility is improved, but the sampler volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sampling tubes are nested within a common pressure-retaining cylinder, with each tube stored inside the cylinder and deployed sequentially. This nested arrangement allows multiple sampling tubes to occupy minimal space, achieving multi-point sampling capability without significantly increasing the overall sampler volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling tubes are designed to be movable and deployable from the pressure-retaining cylinder. The tubes can be extended outward for sampling and then retracted back into the cylinder, allowing the sampler to maintain a compact volume when not in use while still accommodating multiple sampling tubes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sampling is performed at great depths, then full-sea depth coverage is achieved, but pressure retention and sealing become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-retaining cylinder is designed to automatically maintain pressure balance with the surrounding seawater environment. The cylinder's pressure-retaining structure passively adapts to external pressure changes, eliminating the need for active pressure control systems and ensuring reliable sealing at all depths from surface to full sea depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-retaining cylinder and sampling tubes are constructed using composite materials that provide both structural strength and pressure resistance. This allows the sampler to withstand extreme depths while maintaining reliable pressure retention and sealing capabilities.
4Productivity
If sampling assembly is recovered from deep sea, then samples are retrieved, but sediment adhesion to the assembly causes contamination and loss
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling tube is separated from the pressure-retaining cylinder during the retrieval process. The tube is extracted from the cylinder, allowing samples to be transferred to a protective container while leaving adhered sediments behind in the tube, thereby reducing contamination and sample loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling tube is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component. After sample retrieval, the tube can be discarded or cleaned, while the valuable samples are transferred to a protective container for preservation. This approach eliminates the problem of sediment adhesion affecting future sampling operations.
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, multi-point sampling and transfer of seabed sediments across the entire sea depth, maintaining pressure retention and sealing effectiveness while reducing sampler volume and weight, and facilitating automatic cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
forming a pressure difference between the middle cavity and a lower cavity of the sampling tube... under the action of the pressure difference between the middle cavity and the lower cavity of the sampling tube, pushing, by the extrusion piston unit, sediments in the lower cavity of the sampling tube to the transfer device
Implementation Method 2
filling a lower cavity of the pressure-compensating cylinder with inert gas through a charging valve... while recovering the full-sea depth multi-point in-situ sampler, due to decrease of the seawater pressure, driving, by the inert gas in the pressure-compensating assembly, the second piston to move towards the upper cavity
Implementation Method 3
the locking mechanism includes a pull rod, an outer cover, a locking spring, and a thrust part... resetting the thrust part under the action of the locking spring, and locking the sampling tube in the pressure-retaining assembly
Implementation Method 4
the drainage device includes a top cover, a pull rod, an ejector pin, a spring, a valve body, and a valve seat... the lower end of the spring is installed in the blind hole, and the upper end of the spring is connected with a lower end of the ejector pin
Data Source
AI summary
A full-sea depth multi-point in-situ sampler includes a sampling assembly, a pressure-retaining assembly, a pressure-compensating assembly, and a cleaning assembly. The sampling assembly includes a handle, an extrusion valve, a needle valve core, a two-stage piston, a sampling tube, and a capturing device. The pressure-retaining assembly includes a pressure-retaining cylinder, a locking mechanism, a floating valve core, a support spring, and a drainage device. The pressure-compensating assembly includes a pressure-compensating cylinder, a piston, and an end cap. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning sleeve, a cleaning cylinder, and multiple trigger mechanisms. A sampling and transfer method based on the sampler is also provided.