ARRANGEMENT FOR A SOIL SAMPLER

Abstract: An arrangement (1) for a soil sampler which exhibits means for freezing the soil sample in question. The arrangement is simple with regard both to its function and to the construction of same. A sampling component (2) capable of being introduced down into the ground and containing a freezing medium (6) is capable of being attached in such a way that it is free to move to an actuating element (12) capable of being actuated at a certain distance from the point of sampling, in addition to which releasing means (11) are provided for releasing the freezing capability of the freezing medium (6) so as to influence the soil sample accommodated inside the sampling component (2) through relative motion between the actuating element (12) and the sampling component (2).

Description: Arrangement for a soil sampler The present invention relates to an arrangement for a soil sampler which exhibits means for freezing the soil sample in question. The principal object of the present invention is in the first place to make available an arrangement of the above indicated kind which is simple with regard both to its manufacture and to the use of same. Said object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially In that a sampling component containing a freezing medium and capable of being introduced down into the ground is capable of being attached in such a way that it is free to move to an actuating element capable of being activated at a certain distance from the point of sampling, in that releasing means are provided for releasing the freezing capability of the freezing medium in order to freeze the soil sample accommodated inside the sampling component, and in that the actuating element and the sampling component are connected to means which permit relative movement to take place between said actuating element and sampling component, in conjunction with which the release of the freezing medium is so arranged as to be achieved by activation of the actuating element so that relative movement between the actuating element and the sampling component is produced and said releasing means is caused to release freezing medium into the sampling component. The invention is described below as a preferred illustrative embodiment, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectioned view of the arrangement; and Fig. 2 shows a view of the front of the arrangement. In order to be able to erect buildings and other structures in a safe and efficient manner, it is often desirable to be able to take samples of the soil base in question on which it is proposed to carry out the building operations, and in cases such as these it is highly appropriate to make use of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, without the risk of the soil sample falling out of the sampler whilst it is being transported upwards from the point of sampling. The usual procedure is to sink a bore hole, the width of which exceeds the width of the soil sample that it is wished to remove from the ground, and then to lower via the aforementioned bore hole provided with a lining tube an arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention from the free end of the bore hole, so that a sampling component 2 capable of being lowered down into the ground is introduced down into the ground to the level at the end of the bore hole at which it is wished to take the soil sample. It is preferable for the sampling component 2 to have the form of a tubular section which exhibits internally a hollow, so—called soil sample accommodating space 3, into which a soil sample can be introduced via an opening 4 situated at the front end 2A of the sampling component and where it can be accommodated for subsequent withdrawal from the point of sampling. The sampling component 2 in this case can exhibit an edge 5 which enables it to penetrate the ground with ease. The soil sampling arrangement 1 comprises in a previously disclosed fashion means for freezing the soil sample in question using an appropriate freezing medium, and in accordance with the preferred illustrative embodiment of the arrangement 1 said freezing medium 6 consists of carbon dioxide (Cθ£ or a similar medium with the ability to' freeze the frequently liquid-containing soil sample effectively so as to permit the sample to be withdrawn in a single piece without parts of it falling away during transport upwards. Situated at the mouth A of the sampling component 2 and ahead of the edge 5 in both the axial and the radial directions is a preferably annular freezing medium supply nozzle 7, which is protected by the edge and which exhibits a number of supply orifices 8 arranged around the periphery of the nozzle 7 and the periphery of the sampling component 2, preferably facing towards the centre of the component 2. Said nozzle 7, which constitutes the means enabling the soil sample in question to be frozen, is connected via a line 9 to a space 10 so adapted as to contain said freezing medium 6. Means for releasing the freezing capability of said freezing medium 6 are also provided, said releasing means preferably consisting of an opening arrangement 11 which may include, for example, a pointed hole-making device capable of being connected to an elongated upright in the form of a drilling rod 12 or some other elongated upright capable of being connected to the sampling component 2, which acts as an actuating element for the sampling component 2. The opening arrangement 11 may, as shown in Fig. 1, be positioned at the lower end 12A of said drilling rod, etc., 12 so that, thanks to the presence of means to permit relative movement to take place between the sampling component 2 and the drilling rod, etc., 12, it is able, for instance, to penetrate through the lid 13 or some other part of a replaceable container 14 for freezing medium capable of being accommodated in said space 10, so that any freezing medium 6 present therein can find its way out into the space 10, can reach the nozzle 7 via the line 9 and can flow out through the orifices 8 and into the space 3. Said means for enabling relative movement to be achieved between the sampling component 2 and the drilling rod 12 may appropriately consist of threaded devices 15 and 16, for instance positioned at the upper end 2B of the sampler and at the lower end 12A of the drilling rod, which are capable of interacting with one another so as to permit the drilling rod 12 and the sampling component 2 to be turned relative to one another. It is also possible to arrange between the sampler 2 and the drilling rod 12 a lock 17 which can be disengaged prior to actuation of said operating arrangement 11. For example, said lock 17 may consist of a locking tongue 18 or some other moving element arranged in the sampler 2 and capable of interacting with corresponding recesses 19 situated, for example, on the drilling rod 12 which may, for example, be distributed around the periphery of the drilling rod 12, said lock 17 amongst other things preventing unintended rotation of the components 2, 12 relative to one another. The sampling arrangement 1 is pushed at the time of sampling in the direction of the arrow 20, forcing the sampler 2 down into the ground so that the soil sample in question enters the space 3 in the sampler sleeve 2. Once the sampler 2 is believed to be full, the drilling rod 12 is rotated, for example in the direction of the arrow 21. As a result of the friction between the sampler 2 and the. ground and/or thanks to the fact that the sampler 2 exhibits devices, for example fins or strips, etc., projecting in a radial sense, the sampler is retained in its inserted position and only the drilling rod 12 with its opening arrangement 11 is rotated after the automatic release of the lock 17. The threads 15, 16 cause the opening arrangement 11 to move in the direction of the arrow 22 so that, for example, the lid 13 of the container is punctured and the freezing medium 6, for example CO in both gaseous and liquid form, is forced down via the tube 9 to the nozzle 7 and flows out through its openings 8 to the soil sample contained in the sampler 2, where it expands, in so doing causing the soil sample in question to freeze so that a plug, which is frozen at least at its lower end, is formed inside the sampler 2. As the arrangement 1 is pulled upwards, the soil sample is prevented from dropping out. The quantity of the freezing medium 6 is adapted in accordance with, amongst other things, the volume of the soil sample and the time required to lift the sample. The subsequent emptying of the sampler 2 can take place in a variety of ways prior to the subsequent analysis of the sample. Following the sampling operation the emptied container 14 must be replaced by a new, full container, which is easily done after unscrewing the component parts 2, 12. The possibility is thus afforded of achieving remote actuation for the purpose of releasing the freezing capability of a freezing medium which has been introduced into the vicinity of a point of sampling in a simple and effective manner thanks to the similarly simple and effective arrangement 1 described above. Neither is the invention restricted to the illustrative embodiment of a soil sampling arrangement described above and illustrated in the drawings, but may be modified within the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea of invention. It is possible, for example, to cause the opening arrangement to contain a valve component capable of being actuated so as to permit the freezing medium to flow out of the space 10 in the sampler 2.

Claims: Pa ten t C l a i ms 1. An arrangement for a soil sampler which exhibits means for freezing the soil sample concerned, c ha r a c t e r i z e d in that a sampling component (2) capable of being introduced down into the ground and containing a freezing medium is capable of being attached in such a way that it is free to move to an actuating element (12) capable of being actuated at a certain distance from the point of sampling, and in that releasing means (11) are provided for releasing the freezing capability of the freezing medium (6) in order to freeze the soil sample accommodated inside the sampling component (2), and in that the actuating element (12) and the sampling component (2) are connected to means (15, 16) which permit relative movement to take place between said actuating element (12) and sampling component (2), in conjunction with which the release of the freezing medium (6) is so arranged as to be achieved by activation of the actuating element (12) so that relative movement between the actuating element (12) and the sampling component (2) is produced and said releasing means (11) is caused to release freezing medium (6) into the sampling component (2). 2. Arrangement according to Patent Claim 1, c h a r¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the sampling component (2) exhibits a hollow soil sample accommodating space (3) with a freezing medium supply nozzle (7) situated at its mouth. 3. Arrangement according to Patent Claim 2, c h a r¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the nozzle (7) is- annular and exhibits a number of supply orifices (8) arranged around its own periphery and the periphery of the sampling component. 4. Arrangement according to any of the Patent Claims 2—3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said nozzle (7) is connected via a line (9) to a space (10) containing said freezing medium (6). 5. Arrangement according to any of the foregoing Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the releasing means (11) consists of an opening arrangement (11) for a freezing medium container (14) situated inside the sampling component (2). 6. Arrangement according to Patent Claim 5, c h a r¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the opening arrangement (11) is constituted of a hole-making device, preferably a pointed hole-making device, capable of being introduced into the interior of the freezing medium container. 7. Arrangement according to any of the Patent Claims 5—6, c h a r a c t e r i z ed in that the opening arrangement (11) is capable of being connected to an elongated upright in the form of a drilling rod (12) or some other elongated upright which is capable of being connected to the sampling component (2). 8. Arrangement according to Patent Claim 7, c h a r¬ a c t e r i z e d in that arranged between the drilling rod (12), etc., and the sampling component (2) are means (15, 16) which enable them to be rotated relative to one another. 9. Arrangement according to Patent Claim 7, c h a r¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the sampling component (2)and the drilling rod (12) exhibit at their upper (2B) and lower (12A) ends respectively threaded devices (15, 16) which are capable of interacting with one another. 10. Arrangement according to any of the foregoing Patent Claims 8—9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that arranged between the sampling device (2) and the drilling rod (12) is a lock (17) which can be disengaged prior to actuation of the opening arrangement (11), preferably a spring locking tongue (18) capable of interacting with a recess (19).

Inventors: STRINDBERG CONNY, STRINDBERG, CONNY
Applicants: STRINDBERG CONNY, STRINDBERG, CONNY
Application year: 1986
Main classification: E02D1
IPC codes: E21B25