Smart-ultrasonic/sonic driller/corer
First Claim
1. Apparatus for probing testing and penetrating a medium, said apparatus comprising:
- an actuator for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies;
a horn coupled to said actuator for amplifying the actuator vibrations;
a non-rotating coring and drilling bit for penetrating the medium, the bit having a drill stem attached to said horn; and
a free mass, disposed between said horn and said drill stem for oscillating therebetween, in response to actuator vibration, for causing migration of medium debris around the bit for effecting self-cleaning of the bit.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for probing, sensing, testing penetrating and sampling a medium generally includes an actuator (12) for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies and a horn (14) coupled to the actuator (12) for amplifying the actuator vibrations along with a non-rotating coring and drilling bit (16) for penetrating the medium. A bit (16) includes a drill stem (20) attached to the horn (14) and a bore (26) extends through the bit (16), horn (14) and actuator (12) for withdrawal of samples. A free mass (36) is disposed between the horn (14) and the drill stem (20) for oscillating therebetween in response to the actuator vibration for causing migration of medium debris around and through the actuator bore for effectively self-cleaning of the bit (16). The hammering action of the free mass (36) is used for penetration of the medium and for analysis of the medium though the use of spaced apart accelerometers (92 and 94).
47 Citations
23 Claims
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1. Apparatus for probing testing and penetrating a medium, said apparatus comprising:
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an actuator for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies;
a horn coupled to said actuator for amplifying the actuator vibrations;
a non-rotating coring and drilling bit for penetrating the medium, the bit having a drill stem attached to said horn; and
a free mass, disposed between said horn and said drill stem for oscillating therebetween, in response to actuator vibration, for causing migration of medium debris around the bit for effecting self-cleaning of the bit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for probing, testing and penetrating a medium, said apparatus comprising:
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an actuator for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies;
a horn coupled to said actuator for amplifying the actuator vibrations, said horn having a central bore therethrough;
a non-rotating coring and drilling bit for penetrating the medium, the bit having a drill stem attached to said horn and a bore therethrough communicating with the horn bore;
a free mass, disposed between said horn and said drill stem, for oscillating therebetween in response to actuator vibrations and causing a sonic hammering effect on the bit; and
at least one accelerometer for positioning on the medium remote from the bit in order to sense elastic waves imparted to the medium by the hammering effect. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification