The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2005
Filed:
May. 08, 2002
Tze Cheun NG, Causeway Bay, HK;
Kai Leung Yung, Causeway Bay, HK;
Chun Ho Yu, Causeway Bay, HK;
Chiu Cheung Chan, Causeway Bay, HK;
Tze Cheun Ng, Causeway Bay, HK;
Kai Leung Yung, Causeway Bay, HK;
Chun Ho Yu, Causeway Bay, HK;
Chiu Cheung Chan, Causeway Bay, HK;
Other;
Abstract
A novel corer and grinder apparatus suitable for interplanetary travel and extraplanetary operation is disclosed. The corer grinder composes a claw element attached to a shaft coupled to a motor. A second motor compresses a spring forcing against a hammer unit that constitute the majority of the unit's mass. On release the energy stored in the compressed spring converts into momentum of the hammer unit that strikes against the claw element releasing the impact energy directly to the cutting end for cutting. The direction of the energy released is modified by an impact platform to produce a horizontal chipping action to aid cutting. The claw element further comprises a pair of semi-cylindrical claw elements that separate upon rotation of the shaft in a first direction, easing collection of core samples. The semi-cylindrical claw elements join upon rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction, thereby grasping the core sample during removal from the material being sampled. Operation of a third motor during rotation of the shaft extends and orbitally moves an X-Y table that permits the corer grinder to operate as a surface grinder over a relatively large surface area. Floating couplings of the claw elements minimize the transmission of vibration to internal elements of the corer grinder.