Patent ID: 6854537

Claim:
An apparatus for sampling placers to bedrock which can be disassembled for transport into areas not accessible to traditional placer sampling methods, such apparatus comprising (a) an outer supply pipe to deliver pressurized water to the sampling zone, (b) a concentric inner return pipe to recover transport water and classified materials from the sampling zone, (c) a tripod and winch to assist in setup and retrieval of the unit, (d) a stationary water manifold assembly to provide connections for the high-pressure supply water and the return pipe for material recovery, (e) tie-downs, telescoping torque bars and/or manual handle bars as required to oppose the torque transmitted to the stationary utility head assembly and to guide the unit for vertical penetration, (f) a rotary coupling to connect the stationary water manifold to the rotating sampling pipe, (g) an hydraulic drive motor, chain and sprocket arrangement to provide low-speed, high torque rotation of the sampling pipe, (h) a single turn helix attached to a lower extremity of the sampling pipe to provide a downward force for penetration to bedrock, (i) high-pressure spray nozzles at a lower extremity of the sampling pipe to wash the surrounding soil, assist in retrieval of smaller particles and create voids for displacement of larger cobble to allow further penetration to bedrock, (j) a jetting head at the lower extremity of the unit which provides the multiple functions of a ring jet venturi, a suction port screen, jetting nozzles and an auger point, and (k) a sample hole plug to control flow of excess water and increase water pressure in the sampling hole.