Geochemical Microelectrode Probe with Static Cone Penetration Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microelectrode probes used for detecting chemical indexes during seabed natural gas hydrate decomposition are prone to damage when penetrating into deposits, leading to failure in long-term observation.

Innovation Solution

A static cone penetration combined type geochemical microelectrode probe system is designed, where a static cone penetration test probe with a longer conical tip than the microelectrodes is used to absorb initial deposit contact, protecting the microelectrodes by setting a threshold resistance value based on the microelectrode's limiting breaking strength to prevent damage, ensuring deep penetration and safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If microelectrode probes are directly used to detect chemical indexes during penetration into deposits, then detection accuracy is improved, but the probes are easily damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidprobe safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A static cone penetration test probe is introduced as an intermediary component between the microelectrode probes and the deposits. This protective probe has a longer conical tip that contacts the deposits first during penetration, shielding the microelectrode probes from direct mechanical contact and potential damage while allowing them to function for chemical detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The static cone penetration test probe performs preliminary penetration into the deposits before the microelectrode probes reach the deposits. By establishing the penetration path and contacting the deposits first, it prepares the way for the microelectrode probes to follow safely, reducing their exposure to mechanical stresses that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the conical tip length of the static CPT probe is increased to protect microelectrodes, then probe protection is improved, but penetration depth may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicroelectrode protectionVSAvoidpenetration depth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conical tip length of the static CPT probe is optimized to a specific range (4-8 cm longer than the microelectrode tips) rather than being excessively long. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient protection of the microelectrodes while maintaining adequate penetration depth for effective observation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3351974B1Geochemical microelectrode probe system with static penetration
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 QINGDAO INST OF MARINE GEOLOGY
  • EP3351974B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3351974B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3351974B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a static cone penetration combined type geochemical microelectrode probe system, comprising a base and a static cone penetration test probe and at least one microelectrode that are disposed on the base; the static cone penetration test probe is disposed in the center of the base; at least one microelectrode is arranged around the static cone penetration test probe; and the conical tip of the static cone penetration test probe is 4-8cm greater than the conical tip length of the microelectrode. The static cone penetration test probe and the microelectrode are combined, and the threshold value of the static cone penetration test probe is set according to the limiting breaking strength of the microelectrode, thereby ensuring that the microelectrode stops penetrating the deposits before reaching the limiting breaking strength, and protecting the microelectrode from being damaged. At the same time, the microelectrode is driven to go deeper. The microelectrode probe system can be applied to a long-term seabed-based multi-point in-situ observation system, can effectively realize the accurate multi-point positioning function, and then finally analyze and obtain the space distribution information of an active diffusion field according to the data acquired at a plurality of exploration points in the exploration region.