Rotary-Hammer Core Sample Acquisition Tool

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

NASA is developing technologies to enable in situ analysis and sample acquisition from planetary bodies. Missions to these diverse locations require autonomous, highly customizable, reliable tools. A tool capable of core generation, capture, and transfer, and customizable for different missions, would be very valuable.

The rotary-hammer core sample acquisition tool consists of actuators and the main mechanisms: a drill bit, a chuck, a spindle mechanism, percussion mechanism, and core break-off lock.

The tool developed in this work combines industry-proven approaches with novel technologies to perform new functions as required for an autonomous sample acquisition tool. It includes a coring bit that uses both rotation and percussion to generate the desired core, a rotary impact mechanism for core fracture and retention at the chosen depth, and an active chuck mechanism for bit change-out and sample transfer. The bit rotational motion necessary for drilling and the bit turning rotational impact motion necessary for core break-off are done by a single mechanism, either by rotating in one direction or the other. The core break-off is done by locking a pinch tube inside the bit and then rotating the bit in the opposite direction to drilling. The pinch tube locking is performed using a separate actuator and a locking shaft. In addition, that same actuator can be used to engage/disengage the chuck.

The percussion mechanism, which generates the impact energy necessary to facilitate rock fracture during drilling, can be driven by the spindle motor to reduce the number of actuators required, or by a separate actuator for greater tool flexibility during operation. The percussion mechanism includes a drive shaft, eccentric cam, a lever with a shaft, a striker, and an anvil. This design configuration allows the use of only two actuators to control all four main functions of the sampling tool. If the mission allows, the tool design is flexible enough to allow the use of up to four actuators for each individual function for greater tool operational flexibility.

The sample acquisition tool performs four main functions: generates core, breaks the core at a desired location, retains the core, and allows bit change-out for sample transfer. The drill bit includes a drill bit body, a pinch tube, and a sample tool. The drill bit body has a cylindrical form with four teeth, outside flutes for cutting removal, sliding and chuck locking features, inside and outside keys for accepting the spindle rotational DOF and pinch tube control, and pinch tube finger control surfaces.

The chuck includes a set of locking balls, a control sleeve, a pair of bushings, and may include an additional pair of bearings. The directionally dependent spindle mechanism used for either bit rotation or rotary impact torque generation includes a drive shaft with a drive pinion gear, a spindle gear, a spindle body, a preload spring, a thrust bearing, a striker, and detent balls.

The tool takes advantage of the inherent brittleness of rocks by combining dynamically generated impact loading to facilitate rock fracture with a rotation DOF for cuttings removal. The tool can be implemented on a variety of landed platforms with low force and power capabilities, and can increase in complexity to provide additional tool usage flexibility and efficiency.

This work was done by Mircea Badescu, Kerry J. Klein, Phillip E. Walkemeyer, and Nicolas E. Haddad of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NPO-48709