Portable earth core sampling machine

A portable earth core sampling machine has a principal supporting structure which is an upstanding hydraulic cylinder sub-assembly, comprising, a hydraulic cylinder serving as the principal vertical stationary body, a piston rod serving as the principal vertical extendable body, an elongated guide member secured to the exterior of the hydraulic cylinder, a sleeve slidable up and down the hydraulic cylinder along the elongated guide member, force transmitting tie rods secured between the extendable end of the piston rod and the sleeve, and a base, removably secured to the bottom of the hydraulic cylinder with radially extending legs terminating in receiving portions each holding a removable earth penetrating stake, and equipped to receive other subassemblies to complete the overall portable earth core sampling machine, such as: a hydraulic driving power unit subassembly mounted on the sleeve comprising, a driving hydraulic motor to rotate a hollow core digging auger; a transverse header box having a sheave mounted at each of its ends and mounted on the extendable end of the piston rod; a capstan secured to the hydraulic motor to receive and to power a rope passing over the sheaves of the transverse header box; a hydraulic control subassembly to direct hydraulic liquid to the reversible hydraulic motor and to direct hydraulic liquid to the hydraulic cylinder to move the piston and to control the speed of all hydraulic motions; and a combined hydraulic power source and distribution subassembly often remotely located.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
As shown in FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 2,403,002, most drilling machines are 
comparatively large and generally mounted on large vehicles. Yet often 
there are requirements to obtain earth core samples during earth and soil 
testing operations in places where the larger vehicle mounted drilling 
machines may not be conveniently used. In these difficult places and in 
all places, including underwater locations, this principal supporting 
structure, when equipped in various embodiments creates a portable machine 
which is conveniently used to obtain earth core samples wherever the earth 
and soil testing is to be undertaken. 
The extreme portability centers on the use of a hydraulic or pneumatic 
cylinder as the main structural component of the principal supporting 
structure, and also centers on keeping in a separate power pack many of 
the hydraulic or pneumatic components, which then may be remotely located 
from the core drilling locations. For example, the power pack may be kept 
above the water's surface, while the principal supporting structure, 
centering on either the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, is conveniently 
manipulated at the underwater site, where the earth core samples are being 
taken. The initial power pack energy source is gasoline or diesel oil for 
engines, or electricity for electrical motors. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
During earth and soil testing, earth core samples are readily undertaken in 
all locations and especially in otherwise inaccessible locations, such as 
underwater locations, under structure with limited overhead clearance, on 
steep grades, in remote areas, ect. where larger equipment, often mounted 
on vehicles, is not usuable. The samples are taken by using a principal 
supporting structure, which is portable and centers on the use of either a 
hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder as the principal upstanding structure, of 
a portable machine. Also many of the hydraulic or pneumatic components are 
kept in a power pack which is often remotely located from the principal 
supporting structure, especially in underwater operations where the power 
pack remains above the water. 
In one embodiment the principal supporting structure is essentially the 
hydraulic cylinder, a piston rod extendable beyond the hydraulic cylinder 
to a distance almost equal to its length, force transmitting tie rods 
secured to piston rod end and extended back to the hydraulic cylinder and 
passing through guides secured to the cylinder, an elongated guide member 
secured to the cylinder exterior, and a sleeve slidable up and down the 
hydraulic cylinder having a follower to slide along the elongated guide, 
when the sleeve is secured to the force transmitting tie rods as they move 
with the piston. To this principal supporting structure a removable base 
is added, when necessary, having radial extending legs terminating in 
receiving portions equipped with earth penetrating stakes drivable through 
the receiving portions. 
On this slidable sleeve a hydraulic driving power unit subsassembly is 
mounted, comprising a driving hydraulic motor and its attachment 
accessories to secure and to rotate a hollow core digging auger, and to 
secure and to rotate a capstan. The capstan receives and powers a rope 
passing over the sheaves of a transverse header box, which is mounted on 
the end of the piston rod. The rope at one end is secured to a calibrated 
hammer used in preparing a core sample and at its other end, after passing 
around the capstan at least once, is guided by an operator. The operator 
by adjusting the height of the piston rod equipped with the transverse 
header box and operating the capstan conveniently handles this calibrated 
hammer and other equipment during its positioning over the location where 
the earth core samples are being taken. 
Preferably, a hydraulic control subassembly is secured to the elongated 
guide member of the hydraulic cylinder in a position clear of the travel 
of the sleeve and at a height conveniently manipulated by an operator. It 
includes multiple valves to direct hydraulic liquid to the hydraulic 
cylinder to extend or to retract the piston and correspondingly move the 
transverse header, the tie rods, and the sleeve. 
To unburden the operator at the immediate location of taking the earth core 
samples, and especially in reference to underwater operations, the 
hydraulic power source and distribution subassembly is arranged for remote 
operation. A hydraulic pump, a motor to drive the hydraulic pump and a 
hydraulic tank, are secured together in a conveniently handled power pack 
for remote placement. Then a selected subassembly of hoses and fittings 
are used to conduct the hydraulic liquid to and from the often remotely 
located power pack, during the distribution of the hydraulic liquid via 
the hydraulic control subassembly to the hydraulic cylinder subassembly 
and to the hydraulic driving power unit subassembly. By using this 
principal supporting structure and the resulting portable machine, either 
hydraulic or pneumatic, earth core samples are taken during soil testing 
operations, often occurring many times in what before seemed to be 
inaccessible locations for carrying on convenient and efficient earth and 
soil testing operations. The initial power pack energy source is gasoline 
or diesel oil for engines, or electricity for electrical motors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In FIGS. 1 through 4, a preferred embodiment is illustrated of a principal 
supporting structure 10 for a portable machine 12, used, when fully 
equipped, in taking earth core samples during earth or soil testing 
operations. FIG. 4 schematically indicates how both hydraulic and 
pneumatic fluid systems are utilized, dotted lines indicating a location 
of a compressed air tank 14, and a fluid line change 16, and the solid 
lines indicating the hydraulic oil system. 
Principal Upstanding Supporting Structure and its Ground Support 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the principal upstanding supporting 
structure 10 of the earth core sample taking portable machine 12 is 
essentially a fluid cylinder-piston subassembly 20, either hydraulic or 
pneumatic, comprising a fluid cylinder 22, serving as the principal 
upstanding stationary body 22, of this portable machine 12; and a piston 
24 with its piston rod 26, serving as the principal upstanding extendable 
body 28 of this portable machine 12. During most earth drilling and earth 
core sampling operations, this principal upstanding supporting structure 
10 is supplemented by a removable base subassembly 30, serving as its 
ground support. It has four spaced radially extending legs 32 extending 
outwardly from a center receiver 34, which fits around the fluid cylinder 
22, and is secured thereto by an insertable pin fastener 36, in a choice 
of two positions, 180 degrees apart. The radially extending legs 32, at 
three locations, are held together by braces 38. Also these legs 32 
terminate in vertical cylindrical receivers 40, through which earth 
penetrating stakes 42 are driven, to transfer the reactive torque forces 
to the earth during drilling operations. 
Fluid Driving Power Unit Subassembly and its Mounting 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, a fluid driving power unit subassembly 46 
has a frame 48 secured to partial sleeve 50, which slides up and down the 
exterior of the principal stationary body 22, i.e. the fluid cylinder 22. 
A fluid motor 52 and its coupling 54 is mounted on frame 48. Also a 
capstan 56 and right angle drive unit 58 are mounted on the frame 48. The 
earth core sampling drilling auger sections 60 are alternately secured to 
the coupling 54 of the fluid motor 52 and to each other as the drilling 
operations are undertaken. 
Force Transmitting Rods Attached Between Partial Sleeve Slidable on the 
Fluid Cylinder and the Upward Extendable End of the Piston Rod 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the partial sleeve 50, to which the 
frame 48 is attached, is also secured to two force transmitting rods 62 at 
their bottom. They, 62, in turn are secured at their tops to a transverse 
plate 64 secured to the upward extendable end of the piston rod 26. Also 
these force transmitting rods 62 slide through a guide 63 secured to the 
top of the fluid cylinder. The extending and retracting movements of the 
piston rod 26 and its piston 24, i.e. the extendable body 28, therefore 
are also the upwardly and downwardly sliding movements of the partial 
sleeve 50 along the exterior of the fluid cylinder 22, and therefore along 
the exterior of the principal supporting structure 10. The partial sleeve 
50 is guided and kept from turning relative to the fluid cylinder 22, by 
the elongated guide member 66 which is secured to the fluid cylinder 22. 
As necessary, an end thrust is generated by the fluid cylinder-piston 
subassembly 20, through these force transmitting rods 62, during drilling 
operations. At other times the fluid driving power unit subassembly 46 is 
positioned at other convenient locations along the fluid cylinder 22 by 
using the fluid cylinder-piston subassembly 20 and these force 
transmitting rods 62. 
A Transverse Header Box Having Sheaves Mounted at Each End and In Turn 
Mounted on the Transverse Plate Secured on the Upward Extendable End of 
the Piston Rod to Receive a Rope Utilized with the Capstan and Sheaves to 
Handle a Calibrated Core Sampling Hammer, etc. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, at the top of this portable machine 12, 
there is a transverse header box 70 secured to the transverse plate 64 
fastened in turn to the extendable end of the piston rod 26. At each of 
its ends sheaves 72 are rotatably mounted. A rope 74 is guided over the 
sheaves 72 and down one side of the principal supporting structure 10, to 
be wrapped around the capstan 56 and beyond for hand control by an 
operator, as shown in FIG. 2. The other end of the rope 74 is tied to a 
lifting hook 76. It in turn is used to attach various core drilling 
accessories, such as the core sampling rod components 80, 82. 
Fluid Control Subassembly to Control Amount of Fluid Flowing and Where the 
Fluid Flows to Either or to Both the Fluid Motor and Fluid Cylinder-Piston 
Subassembly 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, there is a preferred embodiment of a fluid 
control subassembly 86 mounted at a convenient height, about waist high, 
on the principal supporting structure 10 of this portable earth core 
sampling machine 12. By moving respective valve handles 88, 90, 92, 94, 
respective flow regulation and shut off valves 96, 98, and flow direction 
valves 100, 102, are actuated to gain the fluid operational forces desired 
during the various operations. Optionally only one flow regulation valve 
at another location is used. Also optionally the fluid flow shut off is 
undertaken at another location. 
Referring to the schematic view of FIG. 4, a principal power source 104, 
which is either an electric motor, or gasoline or diesel engine is used to 
drive a pump 106 or an air compressor 106, via a drive belt 108. When a 
hydraulic oil system is used, then a reservoir 110 is included in the 
fluid line system 112. When a pneumatic system is usd, then a compressed 
air tank 114 is included in the fluid line system 112, the lines 116 and 
valves etc. being sized and designed accordingly to meet the different 
fluid requirements. 
The raising and lowering of extendable body 28, i.e. the piston-piston rod 
combination 28, is undertaken, when valve 96 is opened and set at a 
selected flow rate upon movement of valve handle 88, and also valve handle 
92 is moved to set flow directional valve 100 to direct the fluid, either 
to raise or to lower this extendable body 28, the lowering being 
illustrated in FIG. 4. 
The rotation in either direction of the capstan 56, is undertaken, when 
valve 98 is opened and set at a selected flow rate upon movement of valve 
handle 90, and also valve handle 94 is moved to set flow directional valve 
102 to direct the fluid, either to rotate the capstan 56 in one rotative 
direction or the other rotative direction, i.e. clockwise or 
counterclockwise, the counterclockwise rotation being illustrated in FIG. 
4. The rotative movement of the capstan 56 is utilized to create a lifting 
force, via the rope 74, as it is wrapped around the capstan and guided 
over the sheaves 72, to its lifting hook 76, secured, for example, to the 
core sampling hammer 78, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. 
Remote Location Arrangement of Selected Components of the Fluid Power and 
Control System 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, serveral of the components illustrated in 
FIG. 4 are arranged in a power pack 118 for remote positioning, operation, 
and handling, being kept for example, on the bed 120 of a pickup truck 
122. For example, the power source 104, such as a gasoline engine 104, the 
hydraulic oil pump 106, and the hydraulic oil reservoir 110 with some of 
the fluid lines 116, are arranged as a power pack 118, on a conveniently 
handled supporting platform 124. 
Summary of Principal Advantages 
The utilization, in this portable earth core sampling machine 12, of a 
principal supporting structure 10, comprising essentially a principal 
upstanding stationary body 22, which is a hydraulic cylinder 22, and an 
upstanding extendable body 28, which is a piston-piston rod combination, 
substantially reduces the overall weight of the core sampling machine 12, 
or drilling rig 12. To further enhance the portability and handling of 
this drilling rig 12, the power pack 118 is arranged for remote placement, 
handling, storage, transport, and positioning, thereby giving an operator 
hand and arm positioning, transport, and control, capabilities, related 
only to the principal supporting structure 10 and its various accessories 
used at an intermediate drilling and earth core sampling location. 
Particularly, this overall arrangement makes it possible to carry the 
principal supporting structure 10 into locations not otherwise accessible 
to other earth core sampling machines, such as bog areas or low clearances 
areas. Moreover, it is possible to take the principal supporting structure 
10 and its immediate accessories below the surface of water to 
successfully carry out earth core sampling under water. All these 
operations, above and below water, are undertaken very conveniently in 
these new areas and in all areas, using conventional methods in taking 
earth core samples. 
Although, the portability, of the illustrated earth core sampling machine 
12, centering on its principal supporting structure 10, is outstanding, it 
is also to be considered and realized that the machine 12 in other 
embodiments, not illustrated is larger. The principal upstanding 
stationary body 22, i.e. fluid cylinder 22, in other embodiments is much 
larger and is a functional derrick. It is mounted on a vehicle or erected 
at a job site. Moreover, being available in many sizes, the principal 
supporting structure 10, equipped with suitable specified drilling 
accessories, is used for drilling through soil and rock, gaining all of 
the advantages of utilizing a fluid cylinder 22, as the principal 
upstanding stationary body 22.