Soil sampling system with sample container rigidly coupled to drive casing

USRE37066E · kind E · reissue

Assignee

• Precision Sampling Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Michael Casey · Woodacre, US
• Murray D. Einarson · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 4, 1998
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2001
• Expiry date: Feb 4, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

A soil sampling system includes a rig for driving a drive casing, a sample barrel, and sample liners simultaneously into soil to be sampled. The rig includes mechanisms for driving the casing, barrel, and lining in three modes: hydraulic hammer, continuous pressure, and vibration. The three drive mechanisms can be operated singly or in any combination. After the casing, barrel, and liners are advanced a selected depth into the soil, the barrel and liners are removed. The drive casing remains in the soil. New sample liners are put into the sample barrel, and an inner rod is attached to the sample barrel. The sample barrel is then replaced into the drive casing, and extensions are attached to the drive casing. The drive casing, including extensions, and the sample barrels, along with sample liners and inner rod, are driven further down into the soil. The rig also includes a winch that can be coupled to the inner rod or sample barrel so that the casing and/or barrel (including sample liners) can be retrieved from the drive casing. A clamp system allows the sampler to be hydraulically retracted from the ground when sampling is finished.