Robotic soil sampling assembly
US12098981B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2022 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/021
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A robotic soil sampling assembly for rapidly obtaining a soil sample from each of multiple sites includes a rolling chassis, to which a sampling apparatus and a computer are attached. The sampling apparatus comprises an auger, a plurality of containers, a robotic manager, and a robotic handler. The robotic manager selectively positions a respective container in axial alignment with the auger, whereupon it is selectively gripped by the robotic handler and selectively positioned along an axis that is defined by the auger. A drill motor and a drill actuator selectively rotate and drill the auger, respectively, into ground upon which the rolling chassis is positioned. The computer is programmed to selectively actuate a pair of chassis motors to sequentially position the rolling chassis at sampling sites and to selectively actuate the sampling apparatus for obtaining a soil sample, which is deposited into an associated container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.