Suction Nozzle Sampling Apparatus for Borehole Depth Segmentation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sampling apparatuses for underground drilling suffer from poor sampling accuracy and complex structures, leading to inefficient labor and hygiene issues, as well as an inability to accurately represent the depth distribution of ore deposits.
Innovation Solution
A sampling apparatus that uses a suction nozzle connected to a pipe to collect rock material from the air discharging from the borehole, near the mouth of the hole, with a flow amplifier creating negative pressure to separate rock material from air, reducing the need for post-processing and enhancing sample representativeness by capturing fine-grained particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a collar or flow guide system is installed on the borehole to collect rock material, then the sample collection is automated, but the sampling accuracy deteriorates because it is no longer possible to ascertain depth information and the sample represents only a hole average
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling process is segmented by depth intervals using depth markers on the borehole. Instead of collecting all material from the entire hole, the system collects material only from specific depth segments, allowing automated sampling while preserving depth information and improving sampling accuracy for targeted ore deposits.
Solution Approach 2:
Depth markers are pre-installed on the borehole at specific intervals before drilling completes. This preliminary action enables the automated sampling system to identify and collect material from predetermined depth zones, maintaining both automation and depth-specific sampling accuracy.
2Device complexity
If manual sample collection is performed from piles around boreholes, then sampling can be done with simple equipment, but labor costs increase and worker health is compromised due to dusty conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical process of shovel collection is replaced with a pneumatic suction system. A vacuum generator creates negative pressure to automatically draw rock material through the drill pipe from specific depths, eliminating manual labor while maintaining equipment simplicity through the use of pneumatic rather than complex mechanical systems.
3Measurement precision
If the whole amount of material is collected and split multiple times, then a representative sample can be obtained, but the device complexity and post-processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of collecting all material and performing multiple splitting operations, the system extracts only the specific portion of material needed from predetermined depth intervals where ore deposits are located. This direct extraction eliminates the need for complex multi-stage splitting apparatus while obtaining highly representative samples from target zones.
4Productivity
If compressed air is used to transport rock material out of the hole, then drilling efficiency is improved, but fine-grained target mineral escapes with the wind and remains in the pile
Solution Approach 1:
The drill pipe serves as an intermediary conduit that captures rock material directly at the borehole exit before it can be dispersed by wind. The pneumatic system uses controlled negative pressure to draw material through this intermediary path, preventing fine-grained target minerals from escaping with ambient wind while maintaining efficient material transport.
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 apparatus achieves improved sampling accuracy, reduces labor costs, and enhances work safety and hygiene by providing a more representative sample with reduced post-processing needs and better capture of airborne dust particles.
Implementation Method 1
negative pressure is connected to it. A negative pressure point in the outflowing field of the borehole collects rock material that has flown out of the hole
Implementation Method 2
A negative pressure point in the outflowing field of the borehole collects rock material that has flown out of the hole and struck its surface area
Data Source
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AI summary
Sampling apparatus for collecting geological samples from the subsurface, which sampling apparatus can be fixed to a drill apparatus (100), such as to a mining drill rig, which drill apparatus comprises a chassis (101), and a drill, said drill comprising a boring pipe (102) and a drill bit, which sampling apparatus can be fixed to the chassis (101) of the drill apparatus, which sampling apparatus comprises a sampling pipe arrangement (202) as well as a nozzle (201 ) to be fitted to the end of it, as well as a collecting apparatus (203) to be connected to the sampling pipe apparatus, in which collecting apparatus samples can be collected, which nozzle is a suction nozzle, in which suction is arranged, and which sampling pipe arrangement comprises an attitude adjustment apparatus (301, 302), with which the nozzle can be arranged into the proximity of the boring pipe in such a way that the nozzle is near the borehole and the mouth of it is directed towards the borehole in such a way that it is able to take samples directly from the mantle rock flying out from the borehole.