Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BA~::KGROUNp OF_THE INVENT ON
As shown in Figure 3 of United States Patent No. 2,403,002, most
drilling machines are comparatively large and generally mounted on large
vehicles. Yet often there are requirements to obtain earth core samples during
earth and soil testing operations in places where the larger vehicle mounted
drilling machines may not be conveniently used. In these difFicult piaces and
in all places, including underwater locations, this principal supporting struc-
ture, when equipped in various embodiments creates a portable machine which
is conveniently used to obtain earth core samples wherever the earth and soil
testing is to be undertaken.
The extreme portability centers on the use of a hydraulic or pneumatic
cylinder as the main structural component of the principal supporting structure,
and also centers on keeping in a separate power pack many of the hydraulic or
pneumatic components, which then may be remotely located from the core drilling
locations. For example, the power pack may be kept above the waterls surface,
while the principal supporting structure, centering on either the hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinder, is conveniently manipulated at the underwater site, where
the earth core samples are being taken. The initiai power pack energy source
is gasoline or diesel oil for engines, or electricity for electrical motors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
During earth and soil testing, earth core samples are readily under-
taken in all locations and especially in otherwise inaccessible locations, such
as underwater locations, under structure with limited overhead clearance, on
steep grades, in remote areas, etc. where larger equipment, often mounted on
vehicles, is not usable. The samples are taken by using a principal supporting
structure, which is portable and centers on the use of either a hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinder as ehe principal upstanding structure, of a portable machine.
Also many of the hydraulic or pneumatic components are kept in a power pack
which is of~en remotely located from the principal supporting structure,
especially in underwater operations where the power pack remains above the
water.
In one embodiment the principal supporting structure is essentially the
hydraulic cylinder, a piston rod extendable beyond the hydraulic cylinder to a
distance almost equal to its length, force transmitting tie rods secured to piston
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rod end and extended back to the hydraulic cylinder and passing through guides
secured to the cylinder~ an elon~ated guide member secured to the cylinder
exterior, and a sleeve slidable up and down the hydraulic cylinder having a
follower to slide along the elongated guide, when the sleeve is secured to the
force transmitting tie rods as they move with the piston. To this principal
supporting structure a removable base is added, when necessary, having radial
extending legs terminating in receiving portions equipped with earth penetrating
stakes drivable through the receiving portions.
On this slidable sleeve a hydraulic driving power unit sub-assembly
is mounted, comprising a driving hydraulic motor and its attachment accessories
to secure and to rotate a hollow core digging auger, and to secure and to rotate
a capstan. The capstan receives and powers a rope passing over the sheaves
of a transverse header box, which is mounted on the end of the piston rod. The
rope at one end is secured to a calibrated hammer used in preparing a core
sample and at its other end, after passing around the capstan at least once, is
guided by an operator. The operator by adjusting the height of the piston rod
equipped with the transverse header bo>~ and operating the capstan conveniently
handles this calibrated hammer and other equipment during its positioning over
the location where the earth core samples are being taken.
Preferat2ly, a hydraulic control sub-assembly is secured to the
elongated guide member of the hydraulic cylinder in a position clear of the
travel of the sleeve and at a height conveniently manipulated by an operator. it
includes multiple valves to direct hydraulic liquid to the hydraulic cylinder to
extend or to retract the piston and correspondingly move the transverse header,
the~tie rods, and the sleeve.
To unburden the operator at the immediate location o~ taking the earth
core samples, and especially ln reference to underwater operations, the
hydraulic power source and distribution sub-assembly is arranged for remote
operation. A hydraulic pump, a motor to drive the hydraulic pump and a
hydraulic tank,- are secured together in a conveniently handled power pack for
remote placement. Then a selected sub-assembly of hoses and fittings are used
to conduct the hydraulic liquid to and from the often remotely located power pack,
during the distribution of the hydraulic liquid via the hydraulic control sub-
assembly to the hydraulic cylinder sub-assembly and to the hydraulic driving
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power unit sub-assembly. By using this principal supporting structure and
the resulting portable machine, either hydraulic or pneumatic, earth core
samples are taken during soil testing operations, often occurring many times
in what before seemed to be inacessible locations for carrying on convenient
and efficient earth and soil testing operations. The initial power pack energy
source is gasoline or diesel oil for engines3 or electricity for electrical motors.
A principal object is to provide a portable machine for drilling into
the earth and taking earth core samples during soil testing operations, compri-
sing: a fluid cylinder sub-assembly comprising in turn: a fluid cylinder,
serving also as the principal extendable stationary body portion of this portable
machine; a piston rod, serving also as the principal extendable body portion
of this portable machine; a strong square tubing Firmly secured ~o the outside
of the fluid cylinder, between fluid ports located at both the top and bottom of
the fluid cylinder, to serve as a guide bar; a transverse header box having a
sheave mounted at each of its ends and in turn mounted or~3the extending end of
the piston rod; and a base secured to the fluid cylinder to position the fluid
cylinder sub-assembly on the earth while taking earth core samples; a traveling
support sub-assembly for a fluid power unit sub-assembly comprising, in turn, a
split nesting support tube, having a long`i~tudinal opening9 to be guided up and
down the outside of the fluid cylinder and kept from turning as its split portion
passes along the respective sides of the square tubing, which is serving as a
guide bar for this traveling support sub-assembly; power transmitting tie rods
secured between the split nesting support tube and the transverse header box,
whereby the traveling support sub-assembly moves along the exterior of the
fluid cylinder in direct relation to the movement of the piston rod in and out of
the cylinder; and a guide for the tie rods secured to the fiuid cylinder at its
end, from which $he transverse header box is raised and lowered upon movement
of the piston rod; a fluid driving power unit sub-assembly, mounted on the travel~
ing support sub-assembly, comprising in turn a driving fluid motor and its
attachment accessories to secure and to rotate a hollbw core digging auger, and
to secure and to rotate, alternatively, a capstan, to receive and to power a
rope over the sheaves of the transverse header box, when the end of the rope
is attached, for example7 to a calibrated hammer used in preparing a core
sample, and the other end of the rope is guided by an operator to and From the
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capstan, where the rope is wound around at least one time; a fluid control
sub-assembly secured to the strong square tubing, which is serving as the
guide bar along the fluid cylinder, at an initially selec~ed optional height to
be conveniently manipulated by an operator, comprising in turn, a four way
valve to alternatively direct fluid to the fluid motor to rotate it in respective
clockwise or counterclockwise directions, and to alternatively direct~fluid to
the fluid cylinder to extend or retract the piston and therefore correspondingly
move the transverse header box, and also correspondingly move, via the tie
rods, the traveling support sub-assembly on which the fluid power unit sub-
assembly is mounted; and a fluid control valve serving alternately as a throttle
to control the speed of the fluid motor rotating a hollow core digging auger,
and as a throttle to control the speed of the extension and retraction of the
piston and consequently, also the transverse header box, and the fluid power
unit sub-assembly, via the tie rods and the traveling support sub-assembly; and
a fluid power source and distribution sub-assembly, comprising, in turn, a
fluid pump; a motor to drive the fluid pump; a fluid tank; a housing to secure
together the fluid pump, motor, and tank in a conveniently handled power pack;
and fluid hoses and fittings to conduct fluid to and from the often remotely
located power pack, during distribution of the fluid via the fluid control sub-
assembly to the fluid cylinder sub-assembly and to the Fluid driving power unit
sub-assembly, when earth core samples are being taken during soil testing
operations.
DRAWINGS OF IU~Y ~T
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an operator standing alongside
the principal supporting structure, i.e. the hydraulic cylinder of a preferred
embodiment, utilizing the various hydraulic sub-assemblies of the overall port~
able machine, as the hollow core auger is digging, and indicating the remote
location of the power pack, and the nearl~y location oF other tools yet to be
used, i. e. another hollow core auger section, a core rod, and a core hammer;
Figure 2 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 1, however, the
operator has extended the piston from the hydraulic cylinder, that is serving
as the principa! supporting structure, to position the transverse header box
and its sheaves and the rope system, being powered via the hydraulic driving
motor and capstan, to conveniently lift and manipulate the calibrated core hammer
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to prepare the earth core sample during earth and soil testing operations;
Figure 3 is a partial perspective view, with portions removed for
illustrative purposes, of the hydraulic driving power unit sub-assembly showing
its guided slidable sleeve moun~ing on the principal supporting structure, i.e.
the hydraulic cylinder, and its drive b~th of the hollow core auger and the
capstan; and
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the entire hydraulic system
showing the power pack and its components, the hydraulic lines, valves of the
hydraulic control sub-assembly, the hydraulic driving power unit sub-assembly,
and the hydraulic cylinder and piston sub-assembly, and also illustratiri~g the
utilization of the transverse header box, its sheaves and rope, in handling the
equipment used in drilling and tal<ing earth core sampies, and to indicate how a
pneumatic system is used, dotted lines represent the location o~ an air pressure
tank.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
InFigures 1 through 4, a preferred embodiment is illustrated of a
principal supporting structure 10 for a portable machine 129 used, when fully
equipped, in taking earth core samples during earth or soil testing operations.
Figure 4 schematically indicates how both hydraulic and pneumatic Fluid systems
are utilized, dotted lines indicating a location of a compressed air tank 14, and a
fluid line change 16, and the solid lines indicating the hydraulic oil system.
Principal Upstanding Supportinq Structure and its Grou_d SupE~rt
As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the principal upstanding support-
ing structure 10 of the earth core sample taking portable machine 12 is essenti-
ally a fluid cylinder-piston sub-assembly 20, either hydraulic or pneumatic,
comprising a fluid cylinder 22, serving as the principal upstanding stationary
body 22, of this portable machine 12; and a piston 24 with its plston rod 26,
serving as the principal upstanding extendable body 28 of this portable machine
12. During most earth drilling and earth core sampling operations, this
principal upstanding supporting structure 10 is supplernented by a removable
base sub-assembly 30, serving as its ground support. It has four spaced
radiaily extending legs 32 extending outwardly from a center receiver 3~, which
fits around the ~luid cylinder 22, and is secured thereto by an insertable pin
fastener 36, in a choice of two positions, lB0 degrees apart. The radially
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extending legs 32, at three locations, are held together by braces 38. Also
these legs 32 terminate in vertical cylindrical receivers 407 through which
earth penetrating stakes 42 are driven, to transfer the reactive torque forces
to the earth during drilling operations.
F lu-id Drlvin~Power Un_t Sub-As ~y~ - unting
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, a fluid driving power unit sub-
assembly 46 has a frame 48 secured to partial sleeve 50, which slides up and
down the exterior of the principal stationary body 22, i. e. the fluid cylinder 22.
A fluid motor S2 and its coupling 54 is mounted on frame 48. Also a capstan 56
and right angle drive unit 58 are mounted on the frame~48. The earth core
sampling drilling auger sections 60 are alternately secured to the coupling 54
of the fluid motor 52 and to each other as the drilling operations are undertaken.
Force Transmitting Rods Attached Between Partial 51eeve 51idable on the
Fluid Cvlinder and the Upward Extendable End of the Piston Rod
As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the partial sleeve 50, to which
the frame 48 is attached, is also secured to two force transmitting rods 62 at
their bottom. They, 62, in turn are secured at their tops to a transverse plate
64 secured to the upward extendable end of the piston rod 26. The extending
and retracting movements oF the piston rod 26 and its piston 24, i. e. the extend-
able body 28, therefore are also the upwardly and downwardly sliding movements
of the partial sleeve 50 along the exterior of the fluid cylinder 22, and therefore
along the exterior of the principal supporting structure 10. The partial sleeve
50 is guided and kept from turning relative to the fluid cylinder 22, by the elonga-
ted guide member 66 which is secured to the fluid cylincler 22. As necessary, an
end thrust is generated by the fluid cylinder-piston sub-assembly 20, through
these force transmitting rods 62, during drilling operations. At other times
the fluid driving power unit sub-assembly 46 is positioned at other convenient
locations along the fluid cylinder 22 by using the fluid cylinder-piston sub-
assembly 20 and these force transmit~ing rods 62.
A Transverse Header Box llaving Sheaves Mounted at Each End and in Turn
Mounted on the ~ransverse Plate Secured on the Upward Extendable End of the
Piston Rod to Receive a Rope Utilized V\tith the Capstan and Sheaves to Handle
a Calibrated Core Samplin~Hammer, etc. _ _ _
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 27 at the top of this portable machine
12~ there is a transverse header box 70 secured to the transverse plate 64
fastened in turn to the extendable end of the piston rod 26. At each of its ends
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sheaves 72 are rotatably mounted. A rope 74 is guided over the sheaves 72 and
down one side of the principal supporting structure 10, to be wrapped around
the capstan 56 and beyond for hand control by an operator, as shown in Figure 2.
The other end of the rope 74 is tied to a lifting hook 76. it in turn is used to
attach various core drilling accessories, such as the core sampling rod
components 80, ` 82 .
Fluid Control Sub-Assembly to Control Amount of Fluid Flowing and Where
the Fluid Flows to Either or to Both the Fluid Motor and Fluid Cylinder-Piston
Sub-Assembl v
. . . _ ~ _ . . _ _ . . .
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, there is a preferred embodiment
of a fluid control sub-assembly 86 mounted at a convenient height, about waist
high, on the principal supporting structure 10 of this portable earth core
sampling machine 12. By moving respective valve handles 88, 90, 92, 94,
respective flow regulation and shut off valves 96, 98, and flow direction valves
100, 102, are actuated to gain the fluid operational forces desired during the
various operations. Optionally only one flow regulation valve at another loca-
tion is used. Also optionally the fluid flow shut off is undertaken at another
location.
Referring to the schematic view of Figure 4, a principal power
source 104, which is either an electric motor, or gasoline or diesel engine is
used to drive a pump 106 or an air compressor 106, via a drive belt 108. When
a hydraulic oil system is used, then a reservoir 110 is included in the fluid line
system 112. When a pneumatic system is used, then a compressed air tank 114
is included in the fluid line system 112, the lines 116 and valves etc. being sized
and designed accordingly to meet the dif-Ferent -Fluid requirements.
The raising and lowering of extendable body 28, i. e. the piston-piston
rod combination 28, is undertaken, when valve 96 is opened and set at a selected
flow rate upon movement of valve handle 88, and also valve handle 92 is moved
to set flow directional valve 103 to direct the fluid, either to raise or to lower
this extendable body 28, the lowering being illustrated in Figure 4.
The rotation in either direction of the capstan 56, is undertaken,
when valve 98 is opened and set at a selected flow rate upon movement of valve
handle 90, and also valve handle 94 is moved to set flow directional valve 102
to direct the fluid, either to rotate the capstan 56 in one rotative direction or
the other rotative direction, i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise, the
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counterclockwise rotation being illustrated in Figure 4. The rotative movement
of the capstan 56 is utilized to create a lifting force, via the rope 7~, as it is
wrapped around the capstan and guided over the sheaves 72, to its lifting hook
76, secured, for example, to the core sampling hammer 78, as illustrated in
Figures 2 and 4.
Remote Location Arrangement of Selected Components of the Fluid Power
and Control System ~
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 29 several of the components illustra-
ted in Figure 4 are arranged in a power pack 118 for remote positioning,
operation, and handling, being kept for example, on the bed 120 o~ a pickup
truck 122. For example, the power source 104, such as a gasoline engine 104,
the hydraulic oil pump 106, and the hydraulic oil reservoir 110 with some of
the fluid lines 116, are arranged as a power pacl< 118, on a conveniently
handled supporting platform 1~4.
Summary of PrincipaJ Advantages
The utili7ation, in this portable earth core sampling machine 12, of
a principal supporting structure 10, comprising essentially a principal upstand-
ing stationary body 22, which is a hydraulic cylinder 22, and an upstanding
extendable body 28, which is a piston-piston rod combination, substantially
reduces the overall weight of the core sampling machine 12, or drilling rig 12.
To further enhance the portability and handling of this drilling rig 12, the power
pack 118 is arranged for remote placement~ handling, storage, transport, and
positioning, thereby giving an operator hand and arm positioning, transport,
and control capabilities, related only to the principal supporting structure 10
and its various accessories used at an immediate drilling and earth core
sampling location.
Particularly, this overall arrangement makes it possible to carry
the principal supporting structure 10 into locations not otherwise accessible to
other earth core sampling machines, such as bog areas or low clearance areas.
Moreover, it is possible to take the principal supporting structure 10 and its
immediate accessories below the surface of water to successfully carry out
earth core sampling under water. All these operations, above and below water,
are undertaken very conveniently in these new areas and in all areas, using
conventional methods in taking earth core samples.
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Altl ough the portability, of the illustrated earth core sampling
machine 12, centering on its principal supporting structure 10, is outstanding,
it is also to be considered and realized that the machine 12 in other embodimen~s7
not illustrated is larger. The principal upstanding stationary body 2~, i. e.
the fluid cylinder 22, in other embodiments is much larger and is a functional
derrick. It is mounted on a vehicle or erected at a job site. Moreover, being
available in many sizes, the principal supporting structure 10, equipped with
suitable specified drilling accessories, is used for drilling through soil and rock,
gaining all of the advantages of utilizing a fluid cylinder 22, as the principal
upstanding stationary body 22.
