Dynamic Penetrometer with Adjustable Hammer Fall Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heavy dynamic penetrometers with constant striking energy fail to detect soft soil layers due to excessive energy release, requiring manual adjustment of hammer mass or fall height, which increases probing time and risks operator safety while disrupting measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A heavy dynamic penetrometer with an electronic control unit that automatically adjusts the hammer's fall height based on previous test data, selecting from predetermined values to achieve optimal sinking within a reliable interval, using mechanical means controlled by the unit to release the hammer at the selected height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If constant striking energy is used (fixed hammer mass and fall height), then the penetrometer structure is simple and operation is straightforward, but soft soil layers cannot be detected due to excessive energy release causing very significant tip sinking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the fall height of the hammer adjustable rather than fixed. The electronic control unit selects from multiple predetermined fall height values (e.g., 75 cm, 50 cm, 25 cm, 10 cm) based on measured tip sinking from previous tests. This dynamic adjustment allows the striking energy to be adapted to different soil conditions, enabling detection of soft soil layers while maintaining simple operation through automated control.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of hammer mass or fall height is implemented, then soft soil layers can be detected, but probing time increases and operator safety risks increase due to requiring cage opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automated system where the electronic control unit independently determines the appropriate fall height based on tip sinking measurements from previous tests. The system automatically selects from predetermined values and controls the mechanical means to release the hammer at the selected height, eliminating the need for operator intervention to open the safety cage or manually adjust parameters, thus reducing probing time while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using the measured tip sinking from previous tests as input to the electronic control unit, which then adjusts the fall height for subsequent tests. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adapt to different soil conditions without manual intervention, reducing probing time while maintaining the ability to detect soft soil layers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of hammer configuration is performed, then striking energy can be varied, but measurement accuracy is disrupted requiring sensor recalibration due to geometry changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying only the fall height parameter while keeping the hammer mass constant. The electronic control unit selects from multiple predetermined fall height values based on tip sinking measurements, allowing striking energy variation without changing the hammer's physical geometry. This approach maintains measurement accuracy by avoiding the need for sensor recalibration that would result from mass or geometry changes.
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 rapid and accurate detection of soft soil layers by adjusting striking energy automatically, reducing probing time and ensuring measurement reliability by maintaining consistent geometry and sensor calibration, thus providing precise stratification information.
Implementation Method 1
a hammer (22) striking the anvil (13), means for raising the hammer (22) along the mast (M) up to a fall height, at which the hammer (22) is released
Data Source
AI summary
The penetrometer includes a chassis, a mast mounted thereon and positioned substantially vertically during a test, a rod string, including a tip penetrating the ground that is positioned at one end of the rod string, an anvil that bears against the rod string at an end opposite the tip, a hammer striking the anvil, elements for raising the hammer along the mast up to a fall height, at which the hammer is released, and elements for measuring the sinking of the tip into the ground. The penetrometer further includes an electronic control unit for controlling the fall height, and configured to select the fall height adopted for the test based on the sinking of the tip measured by the measuring elements during one or more earlier tests, and mechanical elements controlled by the control unit for triggering the fall of the hammer at the height selected by the control unit.