Serrated Cutting Shoe for Deep Soil Sampling

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coring samplers face challenges in reaching required depths due to high soil friction, especially in softer sediments, necessitating the use of more expensive and time-consuming drill coring methods.

Innovation Solution

The coring sampler incorporates a cutting shoe with serrations along the peripheral cutting edge, which reduces soil friction and enhances penetration depth by allowing concentrated forces to push through challenging soil sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If traditional gravity or piston coring methods are used, then the coring sampler can operate in softer sediments, but it cannot reach the required depth due to high soil friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration depthVSAvoidsoil friction

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting shoe is segmented into multiple serrations along its peripheral cutting edge, creating discrete cutting elements that individually engage with the soil. This segmentation allows each serration to handle a portion of the cutting load, reducing overall friction and enabling deeper penetration into challenging soil conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting shoe features localized serrations with specific geometric properties (angle, depth, spacing) optimized for cutting action. These localized features concentrate force at specific points along the peripheral edge, creating effective cutting zones that reduce soil friction in critical areas while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Length of moving object

If drill coring is used to reach required depths, then depth limitation is overcome, but the process becomes much more expensive and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration depthVSAvoidsampling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coring sampler transitions from static gravity or piston-based penetration to a dynamic cutting action through the serrated cutting shoe. The serrations create a cutting mechanism that actively engages with the soil, allowing the sampler to penetrate deeper layers efficiently without requiring expensive drill coring equipment or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If a smooth cutting edge is used, then the cutting shoe structure is simpler, but it cannot effectively penetrate challenging soil sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration capabilityVSAvoidcutting shoe structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting shoe is segmented into multiple serrations along its peripheral cutting edge, creating discrete cutting elements that individually engage with the soil. This segmentation allows each serration to handle a portion of the cutting load, reducing overall friction and enabling deeper penetration into challenging soil conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting shoe features localized serrations with specific geometric properties (angle, depth, spacing) optimized for cutting action. These localized features concentrate force at specific points along the peripheral edge, creating effective cutting zones that reduce soil friction in critical areas while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The serrated cutting shoe design improves penetration depth and allows for the retrieval of denser materials, such as sand and gravel beds, while reducing operational costs and increasing sampling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The serrations are protrusions extending away from this average peripheral cutting edge distance... the cutting shoe... reduces soil friction and enhances penetration depth by allowing concentrated forces to push through challenging soil sections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250155328A1Coring sampler device and method of retrieving a soil sample

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 FNV IP BV

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to a coring sampler for retrieving coring samples, the coring sampler comprising an elongated coring section and a cutting shoe. The present disclosure also relates to a method of retrieving a soil sample and to a cutting shoe for use in a coring sampler. Unlocking insights from Geo-Data, the present invention further relates to improvements in sustainability and environmental developments: together we create a safe and liveable world.