Patent · US Expired

Probe collector for subterranean gases

US3943750A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
2References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 13, 1974
Grant dateMar 16, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 13, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T436/22
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A gas probe for penetrating the earth to sample gasses therefrom such as gases of putrefaction in a suspected burial area. A cylindrical sampling conduit extends from an outlet at the top to a sampling manifold having at least one outwardly opening at the bottom and is affixed to a pike at its lower end which is the earth piercing portion of the probe. The sampling manifold is surrounded by a sleeve having a sealing bushing and a cylindrical section the same size as the pike. The reciprocating sleeve at the bushing seals the sampling manifold and applies pressure to the pike to force insertion of the probe. When the probe is driven to its full depth, the reciprocating sleeve is withdrawn to expose the sampling manifold. Withdrawal of this sleeve defines a protected annulus for the manifold openings simultaneously creating a gradually expanding volume which draws gases from the surrounding soil for sampling. The probe is particularly useful in verifying the presence or absence of a body in a suspected surreptitious burial site without excavation. The earth in an area suspected of being above a putrefying body. The probe, forms when the reciprocating sleeve is partially withdrawn, a …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.