Suction Embedded Coring System for Deep Seabed Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary drilling for deep-water geotechnical site investigation is costly and often results in suboptimal soil sample quality, with Jumbo Piston Corers limited by soil resistance in achieving deep penetration.
Innovation Solution
A suction embedded coring system comprising a suction carrier with a pump to create differential pressure, allowing a corer to extend deeper into the seabed by engaging with the suction carrier and using inflatable seals or mechanical engagement to achieve longer continuous soil samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rotary drilling is used, then geotechnical data can be acquired, but the cost is high and sample quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotary drilling system with a suction-based embedding system. Instead of using rotational mechanical force to advance the borehole, the invention uses a suction carrier that creates a pressure differential to embed the corer into the seabed, thereby reducing operational costs and improving sample quality by avoiding the damaging effects of rotary drilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic and hydraulic principles by using a suction carrier with a pump to create a pressure differential. The pump draws water through the corer and into the suction carrier cavity, creating negative pressure that enables the corer to be embedded into the seabed without mechanical rotation, thus reducing cost and improving sample integrity.
2Length of moving object
If Jumbo Piston Corers are used, then continuous large diameter piston cores can be taken, but penetration depth is limited to 30 meters due to soil resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent overcomes soil resistance by using a suction-based hydraulic/pneumatic system. The suction carrier creates a pressure differential that pulls the corer into the seabed, eliminating the reliance on mechanical pushing force that limits Jumbo Piston Corers to 30 meters. This allows continuous cores to be obtained at depths exceeding 30 meters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter from mechanical force (pushing the corer in) to pressure differential (suction pulling the corer in). By using the pump to create negative pressure inside the suction carrier, the system can penetrate deeper into the seabed than conventional piston corers limited by soil resistance to mechanical force alone.
3Length of moving object
If the corer is engaged with the suction carrier, then deeper penetration can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coring system into distinct functional segments: the corer for sample collection, the suction carrier for pressure differential generation, and the pump for fluid circulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability, achieving deeper penetration without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The corer is nested within the suction carrier, with the suction carrier cavity surrounding the corer during the embedding process. This nested configuration allows the suction carrier to apply pressure differential directly to the corer without requiring separate complex engagement mechanisms, thereby achieving deep penetration while minimizing device complexity.
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 system reduces offshore geotechnical site investigation costs and extends sample depth by up to 45-60 meters, providing high-quality continuous soil samples with improved penetration capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a pump positioned adjacent to the aperture and constructed and arranged to deliver a fluid into or from the cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A system and method for obtaining soil samples is described. A coring system includes a suction carrier, a pump and a corer. The suction carrier comprises a body defining a cavity and a top portion having an aperture. The pump is positioned adjacent to the aperture and constructed and arranged to deliver fluid from the cavity. The corer is constructed and arranged to releasably engage with the suction carrier.