Underwater Soil Sampling Device with Vibratory Drive and Nested Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for taking soil samples from underwater bottoms are limited in penetration depth, often damage the sample, and struggle with hard or mixed-layered seabeds, making it difficult to obtain undisturbed samples representative of the soil properties.

Innovation Solution

A device with a large transverse dimension soil sample holder and a drive capable of producing significant force, using hydraulic vibratory or sonic drilling to penetrate and collect undisturbed soil samples from varying seabed conditions, including hard and soft layers, up to depths of 20 meters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If known sampling devices are used, then sampling operation is simple, but penetration depth is limited to 5-6 metres and cannot penetrate hard bottoms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration depthVSAvoidability to penetrate different bottom types

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a vibratory drive mechanism that generates high-frequency vibrations (5-100 Hz) to facilitate penetration of the drill casing into various bottom types including hard clay, gravel, and rock. The vibration reduces soil resistance and enables deeper penetration beyond the 5-6 meter limit of conventional devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces simple mechanical pushing with a more advanced drive system combining vibratory forces and hydraulic power. This substitution enables the device to overcome the resistance of hard and mixed-layered seabeds that cannot be penetrated by conventional mechanical sampling devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional sampling devices are used, then device structure is simple, but soil samples are damaged during sampling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample integrityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible membrane closing the lower end of the drill casing, which allows undisturbed soil entry during penetration. The membrane flexes to accommodate soil pressure while maintaining sample integrity, preventing the adverse effects of rigid closures that damage samples in soft clay and chalk bottoms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into functional segments: the drill casing for penetration, the soil sample holder with membrane for undisturbed sampling, and the drive mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall sample integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If larger sample holder is used, then undisturbed sub-sampling is enabled, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveundisturbed sample capabilityVSAvoiddevice dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The soil sample holder is nested within the drill casing, with the membrane closing the lower end of the casing. This nested arrangement allows the sample holder to utilize the full internal volume of the drill casing while maintaining a compact overall device structure that does not excessively increase device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 the collection of undisturbed soil samples with properties substantially unaffected by the sampling process, suitable for diverse seabed types and depths, facilitating accurate analysis and broader application in dredging, mining, and land reclamation.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic vibratory block configured to generate waves having a frequency within the range of 5 to 100 Hz

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a sonic drilling device configured to generate waves having a frequency amounting to at least 100 Hz

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2963185B1Method and device for taking a soil sample from an underwater bottom

Publication Date: 2022.09.07 GEOSEA

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3A~4B

AI summary

Described is a device and method for taking a soil sample from an underwater bottom. The device comprises an elongate hollow drill casing and a soil sample holder received in the drill casing and having an internal cavity connecting to an inlet opening provided on an underside of the drill casing. A transverse dimension of the internal cavity of the soil sample holder amounts to at least 200 mm. An underside of the drill casing is driven into the underwater bottom with a drive, whereby the internal cavity of the soil sample holder fills with soil material via the inlet opening. A support frame placed on the underwater bottom positions the drill casing relative to the underwater bottom. The device allows soil samples with a relatively large transverse dimension to be taken, whereby an undisturbed measurement sample of smaller transverse dimension can be taken therefrom. In order to enable driving of the drill casing into the underwater bottom a drive is applied which can produce a driving-in force of at least 500 kN.