Patent ID: 7836972
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A soil sampling device for use with a wheeled vehicle, comprising; an upstanding mast attached to the vehicle and having upper and lower ends; vertically spaced-apart upper and lower parallel arms linkages having inner and outer ends; said inner ends of said upper and lower parallel arm linkages being pivotally secured, about horizontal axes, to said upstanding mast with said linkages extending outwardly with respect to the vehicle; an elongated frame member having upper and lower ends; said outer ends of said upper and lower parallel arm linkages being pivotally secured to said frame member about horizontal axes; an actuator connected to at least one of said parallel arm linkages to enable said frame member to be vertically moved between upper and lower positions with respect to said mast; a first support vertically movably mounted on said frame member between upper and lower positions; a first motor on said first support which is adapted to selectively vertically move said first support with respect to said frame member; a second support rigidly affixed to said frame member adjacent said lower end thereof; an elongated vertically disposed auger having upper and lower ends; said auger having at least one helical flute formed therein; said upper end of said auger being operatively rotatably secured, about a vertical axis, to said first support; said auger being vertically movable with said second support so that said auger may be lowered into engagement with the soil; a second motor on said first support which is adapted to selectively rotate said auger; a vertically disposed, cylindrical soil collection chamber, having upper and lower ends, mounted on said second support; said auger vertically movably extending through said soil collection chamber whereby soil augered upwardly by said auger will be collected in said soil collection chamber; and an auger flute cleaning apparatus mounted on said second support above said soil collection chamber which removes soil from the flute of said auger as said auger is moved upwardly from engagement with the soil; the soil which is removed from the flute of the auger passing downwardly into said soil collection chamber; an elongated vacuum conduit having an inlet end and a discharge end; said inlet end of said vacuum conduit being in communication with the interior of said soil collection chamber; a vacuum soil collection device mounted on the vehicle adapted to create a collecting vacuum in said vacuum conduit and said soil collection chamber; said discharge end of said vacuum conduit being in communication with said vacuum soil collection device whereby soil collected in said vacuum collection chamber through the action of said auger will be conveyed to said vacuum collection device.