Sea floor sampling device and method

• US 20100238025A1
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Galen G. Verhulst
• Original Assignee: Galen G. Verhulst
• Inventors: Verhulst, Galen G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,994,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.220
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/025 of underwater soil, e.g. with grab devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/08 involving an extracting tool, e.g. core bit
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/241 for hydrocarbon content drilling mud G01N33/2823; drilling per se E21B; prospecting G01V

Abstract

A device for collecting samples of the sea floor, including a collection apparatus, a diving apparatus and a control apparatus.

Claims

1. A deep sea floor sampling device comprising:

a) a sampling apparatus having a sample ampule with first and second ends and an interior chamber, a sampling spike with a tip for penetrating the sea floor and a barrel opening onto the tip and connected to the first end of the sample ampule through an actuation valve located between the sampling spike and the sample ampule, the valve having an open position wherein the chamber of the sample ampule is in fluid flow communication with the barrel of the sampling spike and a closed position wherein fluid flow is blocked between the barrel and the ampule chamber;

b) a diving apparatus comprising a balance weight operably joined to the sampling apparatus by a selectively activatable release and a float, wherein the balance weight is releasably attached to the sample apparatus and wherein the float is attached to the second end of the sample ampule, whereby the device is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation;

the weight being sized relative to the sampling apparatus such that the overall density of the apparatus is greater than water, when the weight is attached, so that the apparatus sinks when the weight is attached to the apparatus and the float being sized relative to the sampling apparatus such that, when the weight is released from the apparatus, the density of the apparatus is less than water and the apparatus rises in water; and

c) a control apparatus including system electronics, having a sensor system to operably sense when the apparatus is on the sea floor, to open and close the activation valve and to release the weight after the valve is closed and a communication subassembly having at an antenna for signaling for pick up on a water surface.

2. ) The device of claim 1, wherein the balance weight comprises a weight substantially sufficient to sink the device from the sea surface to the sea floor.

3. ) The device of claim 1, wherein the balance weight comprises a metal sinker configured and arranged to sink the device to a depth of at least about 5,000 feet.

4. ) The device of claim 1, wherein the float comprises an amount of air sufficient to raise the device from the sea floor to the sea surface.

5. ) The device of claim 1, wherein the balance weight comprises a bottom end and the sample needle extends at least about 12-inches past the bottom end of the balance weight.

6. ) The device of claim 1, wherein the sample ampule is pressurized.

7. ) The device of claim 1, wherein the communication subassembly comprises at least one of an RF antenna, a G.P.S. antenna and a light.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the communications assembly comprises a radar reflector.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of a drift sensor, a depth sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor.

10. A method of collecting a sample of the deep sea floor, comprising:

a) sinking from the water surface to the sea floor;

b) penetrating the sea floor with a tip of a spike;

c) embedding the spike into the sea floor;

d) collecting a sample of the sea floor in a barrel of the spike;

e) transferring the collected sample from the barrel of the spike into a sample ampule;

f) returning to the water surface; and

g) emitting a signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step a) of claim 10 further comprises the stop of continuously detecting drift of the device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein step f) of claim 10 further includes the steps of adjusting the density of the apparatus at the water surface to be greater than that of the water and after collecting the sample modifying the density of the apparatus to be less than the density of the water.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein modifying the density of the apparatus relative to the water after collecting the sample comprises releasing a balance weight.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising collecting at least one of depth information, drift information, temperature information and pressure information.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein step e) of claim 10 further comprises actuating an actuation valve between the sample spike and the sample ampule, whereby the barrel of the spike is in fluid flow communication with the sample ampule.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein actuating the actuation valve comprises moving the actuation valve from a first position to a second position.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein step g) of claim 10 further comprises emitting at least one of an RF signal, a G.P.S. signal and light.