US3889765A

US3889765A - Earth sampling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3889765A
Application number: US420105A
Authority: US
Inventors: William P Henson
Original assignee: Mobile Drilling Co Inc
Current assignee: Mobile Drilling Co Inc
Priority date: 1972-06-08
Filing date: 1973-11-29
Publication date: 1975-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-17

Abstract

An apparatus for sampling earth from the bottom of a hole. A tool is suspendedly mounted on a line wrappingly received by a drum connected to a motor by a clutch. The motor has a reversible output shaft which drivingly engages the drum when rotated in one direction. The clutch disengages the output shaft from the drum when the output shaft is rotated in an opposite direction. A switch is provided for reversing the motor when the tool impacts the earth and the line becomes slack. A second switch is provided for reversing the motor when the tool has been raised a predetermined height.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Henson i 1 EARTH SAMPLING APPARATUS {75] Inventor: William P. Henson, Indianapolis.

Ind.

[73] Assignee: Mobile Drilling Company Inc..

Indianapolis, Ind.

[22] Filed: Nov. 29, I973 [21] Appl. No.: 420,105

Related [1.8. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 260.776. June 8,

1972, abandoned [52] US. Cl. 175/257; 173/87; 175/323 [51] Int. Cl E2Ib 11/00; E21b 1/00 [58] Field of Search 173/82-89;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,833,120 5/l958 Barrett et al 173/89 2,926,000 2/1960 Allen 173/87 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 872,751 7/1961 United Kingdom 173/89 1 June 17, 1975 852,095 10/1960 United Kingdom 173/87 Primary Examiner lames A. Leppink Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton 1 1 ABSTRACT An apparatus for sampling earth from the bottom of a hole. A tool is suspendedly mounted on a line wrappingly received by a drum connected to a motor by a clutch. The motor has a reversible output shaft which drivingly engages the drum when rotated in one direction. The clutch disengages the output shaft from the drum when the output shaft is rotated in an opposite direction. A switch is provided for reversing the motor when the tool impacts the earth and the line becomes slack. A second switch is provided for reversing the motor when the tool has been raised a predetermined height.

22 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEDJUN 17 1975 PATENTEDJUN 17 I975 89,765

SHEET 3 EARTH SAMPLING APPARATUS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 260,776, filed June 8, 1972 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of earth working devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art Earth samples are frequently required when drilling a hole into the earth. According to accepted standards, the taking of certain core samples must be done by dropping a hammer 30 inches so as to force the sampling tool into the earth at the bottom of the hole. In the past, the sampling tool has been suspended by a line wrapped on a reel connected to the output shaft of a motor. By rotating the output shaft in one direction, the sampling tool is caused to raise whereas reversing the motor output shaft allows the sampling tool to fall. The line frequently becomes snarled and whips as a result of the reversal of the motor output shaft and the simultaneous reversal of the reel rotation. That is, the tool and line do not play out from the reel at a sufficient speed. Disclosed herein is an overrunning clutch which couples the line reel to the motor so as to immediately disconnect the reel from the motor when the motor output shaft is reversed to lower the tool.

A representative sample of the prior art is disclosed in the following U.S. patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 999,026 issued to H. H. Haight;

U.S. Pat. No. 1,038,877 issued to H. H. Haight; and,

U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,124 issued to J. Soler Nadal.

In the U.S. Pat. No. 2,584,328 issed to H. W. Cardwell et al., there is shown a drum which must be rotated at a proper rate to cause the tool to follow the deepening bore hole. Many of the prior art devices utilize ratchets to control the direction of hammer movement such as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,815,929 issued to A. Andreatta.

It can be appreciated that upon repetitive dropping of the hammer, that the sampling tool will be driven deeper into the hole on each impact of the hammer. Thus, if it is desired to always drop the hammer only through a distance of 30 inches, then the starting point of each hammer drop must be adjusted downwardly on each successive drop. This is quite time consuming for the operator to measure and adjust the starting point. Disclosed herein is a mechanism for automatically controlling the height of drop and the starting point for each drop. The mechanism assures that the hammer will be dropped exactly thirty inches on each and every successive drop. In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,381,764 issued to N. L. Peterson, a pavement impact hammer which allows precise setting of the length of hammer drop is disclosed; however, the Peterson device does not compensate for the fact that the hammer projects deeper into the ground on each subsequent drop at the same location. The U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,120 issued to .I. L. Barrett et al.. discloses a device which provides for a constant length of hammer drop even though the sampler is driven deeper into the ground with each succes sive blow. The Barrett device cannot be readily used in a hollow stem auger positioned within the hole. Several devices have been provided such as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,659,584, 2,863,637, and 2,926,000

which allow the operator to control the hammer via fluid systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus comprising a frame, a tool, a drum rotatably mounted on the frame and having a line wrapped thereon connected to the tool, a reversible motor mounted on the frame and having an output rotatable in a first direction for lifting the tool and rotatable in a second opposite direction for allowing the tool to fall toward the earth, and clutch means mounted on the frame being operable to drivingly connect the output to the drum when the output is rotated in the first direction and operable to disconnect the output from the drum when the output is rotated in the second direction allowing the drum to freely rotate in the second direction by the weight of the tool.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved earth sampling apparatus.

It is the further object of the present invention to provide an earth sampling apparatus which prevents fouling of the tool line.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an earth sampling apparatus which provides for a constant hammer drop distance on successive blows.

Related objects and advantages of the present inven tion will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck having the sampling apparatus incorporating the present invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the hoist assembly 15 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the crown sheave assembly 20 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. Sis an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a reduced end view of a portion of the crown sheave assembly taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the electrical circuitry for the sampling apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the crown sheave assembly.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic depicting the circuitry for the crown sheave assembly of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device. and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a truck having a hoist assembly for raising and lowering a hammer and a sampling tool 26 suspendedly mounted to line 21 which is connected to the hoist assembly. Mast 19 is mounted to the bed of the truck and has a crown sheave assembly 20 mounted to its top end. Line 2l is wrapped around a drum of hoist assembly 15. Line 21 then extends upwardly around reel of crown sheave assembly 20 and downwardly through hollow auger 27 and is connected to sampling tool 26 which is positionable at the bottom of the hole being drilled by the auger. Hoist assembly 15 includes a motor 22 having an output shaft 32 connected by clutch 24 to drum 23. Tool 26 is raised a predetermined height by motor 22 and then dropped to the bottom ofthe hoie drilled by hollow auger 27. Tool 26 fall ing under the force of gravity will pass through the hollow auger and past the bottom end of the auger thereby driving into the bottom of the hole for obtaining a sample of the earth. The tool may then be raised by the moln'the past, line reels or capstans have been used to raise the drop hammer and to then drop the hammer by placing two or three coils of rope or wire around the capstan and by the operator pulling the rope or wire tight and then loosening it to give first the lifting and then the dropping action. This procedure is quite dangerous since the line frequently whips. The present invention avoids this problem in that the operator is not required to touch the actual lifting line.

Motor 22 is reversible having an output shaft rotatable in a first direction for causing drum 23 to rotate so as to reel in the line thereby lifting the tool. The motor may be reversed so as to cause rotation in a sec ond opposite direction of the output shaft. Rotation of the output shaft in the second opposite direction causes clutch 24 to disconnect the motor output shaft from the drum allowing the drum to freely rotate in the second direction under the weight of the sampling tool. The tool will then fall towards the bottom of the hole. The motor, clutch and drum are mounted to the bed or frame of the truck.

A variety of different types of motors may be utilized for motor 22. Excellent results have been obtained by utilizing a reversible hydraulic motor such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. Re. 25,291 which is available from the Char-Lynn Company of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Such a motor has a flow passage through which pressurized fluid may be directed so as to cause rotation of the output shaft. By forcing the pressurized fluid in one direction through the passage, the output shaft will rotate in a first direction whereas by forcing the pressurized fluid in an opposite direction through the passage will result in the output shaft rotating in a second opposite direc tion. Motor 22 is mounted to flange 31 of bracket secured to the truck bed. The motor includes a mounting flange through which conventional fasteners extend so as to secure the motor to flange 31. The tapered out put shaft 32 of motor 22 extends through reel 23 and has a hex nut 33 mounted to the distal end of the shaft. Nut 33 protrudes outwardly from the sides of shaft 32 forming a stop surface 38. Member 34 connects the output shaft of the hydraulic motor to clutch 24. Member 34 has a rod portion 35 which extends into the inner race 39 of clutch 24 being connected thereto by fastener 35'. A base 36 is integrally connected to rod portion 35 and has a flange portion 37 connected thereto. A collar 40 is provided with a tapered hole 41 complementary to the tapering configuration of shaft 32. Shaft 32 extends through hole 41 of collar 40 with fastening devices 42 securing collar 40 to the flange portion 37. Collar 40 abuts against surface 38 of hex nut 33 thereby preventing the collar from disengaging shaft 32. Recess 43 formed beneath base 36 receives nut 33. Shaft 32 may be connected to nut 33 by means such as a cotter pin 44. Collar 40 is driven by tapered shaft 41 through a square key 41' received by collar 40.

Clutch 24 is a sprag-type overrunning clutch which is connected to drum 23 and motor 22. The inner race 39 is connected by member 35 to output shaft 32 whereas the outer race 44 of the clutch is connected to drum 23. The drum is mounted on the outer race by a plurality of conventional fastening devices 45. Spragtype overrunning clutches are quite well known and such a clutch is described in paper number 57-A l66 available from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 29 West 39th Street, New York, New York, which is entitled The Sprag-Type Overrunning Clutch which is hereby incorporated by refernce. Likewise, the US. Pat. No. Re. 25.291 disclosing motor 22 is also hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows showing the inner race 39 of clutch 24 positioned within the outer race 44. A plurality of movable sprag elements 46 are positioned between the outer and inner race. Rotation of the race in one direction causes elements 46 to wedge between the outer and inner race forcing the outer race to rotate in unison with the inner race. In the event that rotation of the inner race is reversed, then elements 46 become unwedged and the outer race is free to rotate or to remain stationary without influence from the inner race. Thus, the clutch is operable to drivingly connect the output of the motor to the drum when the output is rotated in a first direction and likewise is operable to disconnect the output of the motor from the drum when the output is rotated in an opposite direction thereby allowing the drum to freely rotate.

The sampling tool 26 slowly accelerates when dropped to the bottom of the hole being drilled by auger 27. It is therefore necessary to slowly increase the rotation of the drum to prevent the sampling tool line from becoming fouled on the drum. In some of the prior art devices, the motor is connected directly to the drum with the result that reversal of the motor causes an immediate reversal of the drum at a relatively high rotational speed. Thus, the sampling tool line unwinds from the drum at a slower rate than is required to prevent the line from fouling on the drum. By utilizing the device disclosed herein, the drum is allowed to slip with respect to the reversing output shaft of the motor immediately subsequent to reversal thereby allowing for the relatively slow acceleration of the drum preventing the sampling tool line from becoming fouled thereon.

Drum 23 includes an end wall 46' which is secured to the outer race of the clutch by fasteners 45. A cylindrical wall 47 connected to wall 46' is provided to wrappingly receive line 21. The opposite end of wall 47 is connected to a wall 48 parallel to wall 46' which is bearingly received by hub 49 of motor 22. Block 50 is connected inward of wall 48 by fastener 51 and is provided with an opening 52 to lockingly receive an end of line 21 so as to prevent the disengagement of the line completely from the drum. A suitable aperture is provided in wall 47 to allow line 21 to extend therethrough so as to wrap around the outer surface of the drum. A source of pressurized fluid is connected to motor 22 with suitable valves being provided so as to control the flow of fluid to the motor for the raising and lowering of the tool. The fluid valves may be either manually operated of alternatively automatically operated. In one embodiment, manually operated electrical switches were provided for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to the motor. Thus. when the tool impacts the earth, one switch may be activated to cause the pressurized fluid to be routed through the motor for reversing the motor output shaft and causing the hammer to be lifted. The second switch is manually activated after the hammer is raised the desired height thereby reversing the fluid through the motor and allowing the hammer to drop.

Crown sheave assembly is mounted to the top of mast 19 and includes a reel rotatably mounted to bracket 53 secured to the mast. FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the crown sheave assembly shown in FIG. 4. Reel 25 includes a disc shaped wall 56 having a holder 57' mounted to the circumferential edge thereof for receiving line 21. Disc 56 is secured to ring 56 by conventional fastening devices. Ring 56' is rotatably mounted by bearings 58 to axle 59 secured to bracket 53 by a conventional hexagonally shaped nut 60 threadedly received by one end of the axle. A pair of thrust washers 61 and 62 are positioned on axle 59 on either side of bearing 58 and ring 56'. Thrust washer 61 is positioned immediately adjacent bracket 53 whereas thrust washer 62 is positioned immediately adjacent ring 56' and flange portion 63 of axle 59. The axle has a reduced diametered portion 64 immediately adjacent flange portion 63. Portion 64 receives a pair of spaced apart electrical insulators 65 and 66. A normally sta tionary plate 67 is positioned between and held by insu lators 65 and 66. A helically wound spring 68 is received on portion 64 between nut 69 and washer 70. Nut 69 is threadedly received by the axle. The spring normally urges the electrical insulators 65 and 66 together so as to releasably hold plate 67.

An electrical contact 71 is mounted to ring 56' by fastener 72. A second electrical contact 74 is mounted to plate 67 by fastening device 75. Contact 74 will touch the distal end 73 of contact 71 as reel 25 is rotated on axle 59. A third contact 76 mounted to insulator 66 by fastener 77 continuously touches surface 78 of plate 67. Contact 76 is connected to wire 78 which extends through the hollow center of axle 59. Contact 71 is grounded through reel 25, axle 59, the crown sheave assembly and mast l9. Wire 78 is connected to a suitable source of electrical energy. As a result, contact 76 is connected to a source of electrical energy and continuously touches plate 67 having contact 74 thereon. Thus, contact 74 is connected to a source of electrical energy and will ground the source whenever contact 74 touches contact 71.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the ar rows. A pair of

bumpers

80 and 81 are respectively mounted to the surface 83 of plate 67 and surface 84 of wall 57 secured to ring 56'. Both bumpers are spaced radially the same distance from the axis of axle 59. As reel 25 rotates, bumper 81 will eventually contact bumper causing the normally stationary plate 67 to rotate with reel 25. Cover 20' (FIG. 5) is secured to reel 25 for enclosing the contacts and associated mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the electrical circuitry for the sampling apparatus. A source of electrical energy is connected through an on/off switch 91 to contact D. Solenoids M and N are connected respectively to contacts E and C and are operable to direct the flow of pressurized fluid through the hydraulic motor. Contacts E and C are positioned immediately adjacent contact D and are normally open with respect to contact D. Relay coil X is connected across contacts B and G which are connected respectively to ground potential and switch .1. Closure of switch J applies electrical energy to coil X which results in contact D touching contact C thereby energizing solenoid N. Likewise, contacts H and A are connected across relay coil Y which is connected to ground potential and switch K. Closure of switch K results in the application of electrical energy to relay coil Y which causes contacts E and D to close thereby activating solenoid M. Switch J represents

contacts

71 and 74 shown in FIG. 5.

After the sampling tool has been dropped to the bottom of the hole, the circuitry of FIG. 8 provides for the automatic raising of the hammer a predetermined height and then the subsequent dropping of the hammer towards the bottom of the hole. In one embodiment, the sampling apparatus would lift the hammer 30 inches. In this same embodiment, reel 25 was provided with a circumference of approximately 32.7 inches. Thus, by rotating the reel 330, approximately 30 inches of line was raised since 330/360 times 32.7 equals 30 inches. Stationary plate 67 is set so as to allow contact 74 to touch contact 71 after rotation of the reel through 330. When contact 74 touches contact 71, switch I is closed thereby energizing coil X which establishes contact through terminals C and D. Coil X and contacts C and D are included in a latching relay. Solenoid N is thereby energized reversing the flow of pressurized fluid through the hydraulic motor and causing the output shaft to rotate in a direction opposite to that for lifting the hammer. Clutch 24 thereby disconnects the reel from the motor and the hammer is allowed to fall under the force of gravity towards the bottom of the hole. The acceleration of the hammer is controlled by the free reeling drum 23.

The weight of the hammer forces the tool past the bottom of the hole drilled by the hollow auger thereby causing the hammer to fall a distance greater than 30 inches. As the hammer moves downwardly more than 30 inches. bumper 81 contacts bumper 80 causing the normally stationary plate 67 to rotate with the reel. Movement of the normally stationary plate compen sates for the distance the hammer is driven beyond the 30 inch free fall. As a result, contact 74 is automatically reset for the next 30 inch lift.

Bail 90 (FIG. 2) is pivotally mounted to plate 91 connected to flange 31. Bail 90 includes a pair of vertical spaced apart rods 92 connected to a horizontal bar 93. Rods 92 are pivotally mounted to rod 94 which is secured to wall 91. Rod 93 is spring biased in the direction of arrow 95 against line 21 by spring 96 secured to one of the rods 92 and wall 91. An electrical switch K is mounted to wall 91 and has an actuator arm 97 con tactable by rod 93. As the sampling tool comes to rest, line 21 will become slack. Spring 96 will therefore urge rod 93 against actuator arm 97 closing the contacts of switch K. Closure of switch K (FIG. 8) energizes relay coil Y which results in the closure of contacts D and E thereby activating solenoid M and causing the flow of fluid to be routed through the motor in such a manner so as to lift the sampling tool.

Switch K plus bail 90 provide a first switch means which is operable to connect motor 22 to a source of energy for driving the output shaft 32 in a first direction. The bail is biased against the line so as to be movable in order to activate the switch K in response to the line becoming slack. The second switch means is mounted to the crown sheave assembly and is operable to cause the motor to rotate output shaft 32 in a second direction opposite of the first direction. The second switch means includes a pair of

contacts

71 and 74 which are in electrical engagement at least once for every revolution of the reelv A normally stationary plate 67 provides a means for controlling the length of height the hammer is raised. The controlling means is operable to cause actuation of the switch J upon raising of the sampling tool a predetermined height.

Drive means are mounted on the truck and connected to the hollow stem auger and are operable to rotate the auger. Such a drive means is disclosed in the commonly owned US. patent application, Ser. No. 165.197. Filed July 22. l97l and entitled HOLLOW AUGER-DRIVER COUPLING PROVIDING CON- TINUOUS ACCESS FOR CASE SAMPLING, Said patent application is assigned to Mobile Drilling Company, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana. Said patent application is hereby incorporated by reference. Another use of the subject invention would be for driving posts.

The preferred embodiment of the crown sheave assembly is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Crown sheave assembly 100 is mounted to the top of mast 19 in lieu of the crown sheave assembly 20. Assembly 100 includes a reel rotatably mounted to bracket 53 secured to the mast. Reel 25 includes a disc shaped wall 101 having a holder 57' mounted to the circumferential edge thereof for receiving line 21. Disc 101 is rotatably mounted to axle 102 by bearings and is prevented from moving axially on axle 102 by shoulder 103 and nut 60 for securing axle 102 to bracket 53.

Axle 102 has a reduced diametered portion 105 which receives a pair of spaced apart

electrical insulators

106 and 107. A normally stationary plate 108 is mounted on portion 105 between

insulators

106 and 107. Plate 108 is movable when bumper 109 is forced against bumper 110. Portion 105 extends centrally through a helically wound spring 111. The spring normally urges the

electrical insulators

106 and 107 to gether so as to releasably hold plate 108. Spring 111 abuts brush holder 112 which is secured to portions 105 by a fastening device.

A pair of

electrical wires

113 and 114 extend through the center of axle 102 and are connected respectively to carbon brushes 115 and 116 fixedly mounted to holder 112. A pair of

brass slip rings

117 and 118 are mounted to slip ring holder 149 secured within switch housing 1 19 by fastener 120. Housing 119 is secured to disc 101 by fasteners 121. As a result. rotation of disc 101 causes

slip rings

117 and 118 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of stationary axle 102. Brushes and 116 are in electrical contact with

slip rings

117 and 118 providing electrical continuity from

wires

113 and 114 through

brushes

115 and 116 to slip

rings

118 and 1 17.

Raise contact 122 is mounted by fastener 123 to ring holder 149 and is electrically connected by wire 124 to the raise slip ring 117. Likewise, drop contact 125 is mounted to ring housing 149 by fastener 126 and is electrically connected by wire 127 to the drop slip ring 1 18.

Grounding contact 128 is mounted to plate 108 by fastener 129. Grounding wire 130 is connected to brush holder 112 by fastener 131. The opposite end of wire 130 is mounted by fastener 132 to insulator 106. Plate 133 is also mounted to insulator 106 by fastener 132 with contact 134 mounted to the distal end of plate 133. Contact 134 is in contact with plate 108 thereby grounding plate 108 through plate 133 and wire 130. Bumper 109 is mounted to the distal end of plate 108 whereas bumper 110 is mounted to disc 101. As disc 101 completes one revolution, bumper 110 will contact bumper 109 thereby forcing plate 108 to rotate with disc 10].

The electrical circuitry for crown sheave assembly 100 is shown by the schematic in FIG. 11. A source of electrical energy 135 is connected to a toggle switch 136 which has a manual and automatic position. By throwing toggle switch 136 to the manual position, a second toggle switch 145 may then be moved to one of two positions in order to activate solenoid 138 for raising the sampling tool or for activating solenoid 139 for lowering the sampling tool.

Solenoids

138 and 139 are connected to the hydraulic lines connected to motor 15. Indicator 137 will light whenever toggle switch 136 is in the manual position. By moving toggle switch 136 to the automatic position. electrical energy is routed to the control coils 140 and 141 of a magnetic latching relay having a contact 142 movable against fixed contacts 143 and 144 connected respectively to

solenoids

138 and 139. Raise contact 122 when moved against grounding contact 128 will activate relay coil 140 thereby latching contact 142 against contact 143 and activating solenoid 138. Likewise, when drop contact 125 is moved against grounding contact 128, coil 141 is activated thereby latching contact 142 against contact 144 and activating solenoid 139. The schematic shown in FIG. 11 is but a representation of one of the many circuits which may be utilized with the present invention.

Movable plate 108 is provided with a slot 147 (FIG. 10). Grounding contact 128 is mounted to plate 108 by fasteners 129 which extend through slot 147 thereby allowing the operator to manually adjust the grounding contact to different locations along the length of slot 147. The height of the hammer lift may be controlled by controlling the circumferential distance between drop contact 125 and grounding contact 128. Likewise, a slot 148 is provided in ring holder 149. Raise contact 122 is mounted by fastener 123 to holder 149 with fastener 123 extending through slot 148 thereby allowing the operator to manually position contact 122 along the length of slot 148. The amount of cable slack may be controlled by controlling the distance between contact 122 and grounding contact 128.

The hammer and sampling tool are raised until drop contact 125 touches grounding contact 128 thereby shifting solenoid valve 139 and causing reversal of motor 15. The hammer then starts to drop. Raise contact 122 will eventually touch grounding contact 128 thereby activating raise solenoid 138 and causing the motor to start to reverse. While the motor is revers ing, the hammer continues to fall. Eventually, the hammer will strike ground with bumper I10 contacting bumper 109 and rotating plate 108 through an angle to compensate for the distance the sampling tool is driven into the groundv By this time, motor has reversed and has started to raise the hammer repeating the cycle.

In the event that crown sheave assembly 100 is utilized in lieu of crown sheave assembly 20, then switch K and bale 90 (FIG. 2) are not utilized. Motor 15 is identical when used with crown sheave assembly 100 with the exception that

items

92, 93, 96, 97 and switch K are eliminated.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that oniy the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. Art apparatus for raising and then dropping a tool comprising:

a frame;

a tool;

a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a line wrapped thereon connected to said tool;

a reversible motor mounted on said frame and having an output rotatable in a first direction for lifting said tool and rotatable in a second opposite direction for allowing said tool to fall toward the earth; and.

clutch means mounted on said frame being operable to drivingly connect said output to said drum when said output is rotated in said first direction and having means operable to disconnect said output from said drum when said output is rotated in said second direction allowing said drum to freely rotate in said second direction by the weight of said tool and without retardation by said output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said drum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with said output of said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch;

said clutch includes a first race upon which said drum is mounted and further includes a second race connected to said output of said motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

first switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connect said motor to a source of energy for the driving of said output in said first direction, said first switch means having an actuator biased against said line and being movable to activate said switch means in response to said line becoming slack.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said actuator includes a pivotally mounted bar spring biased against said line; and,

said first switch means includes an electrical switch operable and contactable by said bar when said line becomes slack.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

a hollow tube extending the length of said hole, said tool being movable through said tube by rotation of said drum.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising:

a spiral flight fixedly attached externally on said tube forming a hollow auger.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

second switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to cause said motor to rotate said output in said second direction; and,

control means mounted on said frame and being operable to cause actuation of said second switch means upon raising of said tool to a predetermined height.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

said second switch means includes an axle mounted on said frame with a reel rotatably mounted on said axle for receiving said line, said second switch means including a first electrical contact mounted on said reel and a second electrical contact mounted on said axle, said first contact is in electrical engagement with said second contact at least once every revolution of said reel; and,

said control means includes a projection on said reel and a normally stationary member rotatably mounted on said axle having said second electrical contact thereon, said member has a protruding portion contactable by said projection once per revolution of said reel forcing said member to rotate therewith repositioning said second electrical contact.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

said normally stationary member is a plate, said control means includes a stationary contact touching said plate and an electrical insulator mounting said plate to said axle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said clutch means includes an overrunning clutch connected to said drum and said output of said reversible motor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

said overrunning clutch is a sprag-type clutch with a first race upon which said drum is mounted and with a second race connected to said output of said motor, said clutch includes a plurality of movable sprag elements positioned between said first race and said second race, rotation of said second race in said first direction causes wedging of said elements between said first race and said second race forcing said first race to rotate in unison with said second race in said first direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:

said first race is an outer race and said second race is an inner race, said drum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with said output of said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

said motor is a hydraulic motor and said source of en ergy is a source of pressurized fluid and further comprising:

valve means connected to said motor being operable to control the flow of fluid to said motor for the raising and lowering of said tool.

14. The apparatus of claim l3 and further comprising:

a hollow auger rotatably mounted to said frame and through which said tool passes to the bottom of the hole drilled by said auger,

15. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising:

first switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connect said motor to a source of energy for the driving of said output in said first direction, said first switch means having an actuator biased against said line and being movable to activate said switch means in response to said line becoming slack;

control means mounted on said frame and being operable to cause actuation of said switch means upon raising of said too] to a predetermined height.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 and further compris ing:

switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connect said motor through a source of energy for the driving of said output in said first direction and thereafter for the driving of said output in said second direction, said switch means being operable to connect said motor to a source of energy for driving said output in said first direction prior to said tool impacting earth.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 and further comprising:

an assembly mounted on said frame and including a rotatable reel receiving said line, said switch means being mounted on said assembly and including a pair of contacts mounted on said reel and connected to a source of energy, said switch means further including a normally stationary grounding button contactable by said contacts.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 and further comprising:

a normally stationary member rotatably mounted to an axle receiving said reel, said normally stationary member having said grounding button mounted thereon and further includes a protruding portion, said reel includes a projection contactable against said protruding portion once per revolution of said reel forcing said normally stationary member to rotate therewith repositioning said grounding button.

[9. An apparatus for raising and lowering a sampling tool into a hole in the earth to obtain a sample of earth from the bottom of the hole comprising:

a frame;

a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a line wrapped thereon;

a reversible motor mounted on said frame and having an output connectable to said drum with said output and said drum being rotatable in a first direction and a second opposite direction;

clutch means mounted on said frame being operable to drivingly connect said output to said drum when said output is rotated in said first direction to reel in said line and having means operable to disconnect said output from said drurn when said output is rotated in said second direction allowing said drum to freely rotate in said second direction independently of said output with said line unwrapping on said drum; and,

sampling means connected to said line operable to drive into the bottom of a hole in the earth obtaining a sample of earth when said output is rotated in said second direction and said sampling means is lowered into the hole.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein:

2]. The apparatus of claim 20 and further comprising:

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

said first race and said second race is an inner race, said drum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with said output of said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,889,765 DATED June 17, 1975 INVENTOR(S) William P. Henson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In column 12, line 42 change [said first race and] to -Fl.i.d first race is an outer race and-.

Signed and' Scaled this twenty-sixth Day of August 1975 [SEAL] RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer ('nmmissr'um'r ufParenIs and Trademarks

Claims

1. An apparatus for raising and then dropping a tool comprising: a frame; a tool; a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a line wrapped thereon connected to said tool; a reversible motor mounted on said frame and having an output rotatable in a first direction for lifting said tool and rotatable in a second opposite direction for allowing said tool to fall toward the earth; and, clutch means mounted on said frame being operable to drivingly connect said output to said drum when said output is rotated in said first direction and having means operable to disconnect said output from said drum when said output is rotated in said second direction allowing said drum to freely rotate in said second direction by the weight of said tool and without retardation by said output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said drum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with said output of said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch; said clutch includes a first race upon which said drum is mounted and further includes a second race connected to said output of said motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: first switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connect said motor to a source of energy for the driving of said output in said first direction, said first switch means having an actuator biased against said line and being movable to activate said switch means in response to said line becoming slack.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said actuator includes a pivotally mounted bar spriNg biased against said line; and, said first switch means includes an electrical switch operable and contactable by said bar when said line becomes slack.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: a hollow tube extending the length of said hole, said tool being movable through said tube by rotation of said drum.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising: a spiral flight fixedly attached externally on said tube forming a hollow auger.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: second switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to cause said motor to rotate said output in said second direction; and, control means mounted on said frame and being operable to cause actuation of said second switch means upon raising of said tool to a predetermined height.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said second switch means includes an axle mounted on said frame with a reel rotatably mounted on said axle for receiving said line, said second switch means including a first electrical contact mounted on said reel and a second electrical contact mounted on said axle, said first contact is in electrical engagement with said second contact at least once every revolution of said reel; and, said control means includes a projection on said reel and a normally stationary member rotatably mounted on said axle having said second electrical contact thereon, said member has a protruding portion contactable by said projection once per revolution of said reel forcing said member to rotate therewith repositioning said second electrical contact.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said normally stationary member is a plate, said control means includes a stationary contact touching said plate and an electrical insulator mounting said plate to said axle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said clutch means includes an overrunning clutch connected to said drum and said output of said reversible motor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: said overrunning clutch is a sprag-type clutch with a first race upon which said drum is mounted and with a second race connected to said output of said motor, said clutch includes a plurality of movable sprag elements positioned between said first race and said second race, rotation of said second race in said first direction causes wedging of said elements between said first race and said second race forcing said first race to rotate in unison with said second race in said first direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: said first race is an outer race and said second race is an inner race, said drum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with said output of said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said motor is a hydraulic motor and said source of energy is a source of pressurized fluid and further comprising: valve means connected to said motor being operable to control the flow of fluid to said motor for the raising and lowering of said tool.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising: a hollow auger rotatably mounted to said frame and through which said tool passes to the bottom of the hole drilled by said auger.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising: first switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connect said motor to a source of energy for the driving of said output in said first direction, said first switch means having an actuator biased against said line and being movable to activate said switch means in response to said line becoming slack; second switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to cause said motor to rotate said output in said second direction; and, control means mounted on said frame and being operable to cause actuation of said switch means upon raising of said tool to a predetermined height.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising: switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connect said motor through a source of energy for the driving of said output in said first direction and thereafter for the driving of said output in said second direction, said switch means being operable to connect said motor to a source of energy for driving said output in said first direction prior to said tool impacting earth.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 and further comprising: an assembly mounted on said frame and including a rotatable reel receiving said line, said switch means being mounted on said assembly and including a pair of contacts mounted on said reel and connected to a source of energy, said switch means further including a normally stationary grounding button contactable by said contacts.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 and further comprising: a normally stationary member rotatably mounted to an axle receiving said reel, said normally stationary member having said grounding button mounted thereon and further includes a protruding portion, said reel includes a projection contactable against said protruding portion once per revolution of said reel forcing said normally stationary member to rotate therewith repositioning said grounding button.

19. An apparatus for raising and lowering a sampling tool into a hole in the earth to obtain a sample of earth from the bottom of the hole comprising: a frame; a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a line wrapped thereon; a reversible motor mounted on said frame and having an output connectable to said drum with said output and said drum being rotatable in a first direction and a second opposite direction; clutch means mounted on said frame being operable to drivingly connect said output to said drum when said output is rotated in said first direction to reel in said line and having means operable to disconnect said output from said drum when said output is rotated in said second direction allowing said drum to freely rotate in said second direction independently of said output with said line unwrapping on said drum; and, sampling means connected to said line operable to drive into the bottom of a hole in the earth obtaining a sample of earth when said output is rotated in said second direction and said sampling means is lowered into the hole.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein: said clutch means includes an overrunning clutch connected to said drum and said output of said reversible motor.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 and further comprising: said overrunning clutch is a sprag-type clutch with a first race upon which said drum is mounted and with a second race connected to said output of said motor, said clutch includes a plurality of movable sprag elements positioned between said first race and said second race, rotation of said second race in said first direction causes wedging of said elements between said first race and said second race forcing said first race to rotate in unison with said second race in said first direction.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: said first race and said second race is an inner race, said drum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with said output of said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch.