In situ rock probing using the ultrasonic/sonic driller/corer (USDC)

Zensheu Chang; Stewart Sherrit; Xiaoqi Bao; Yoseph Bar-Cohen

doi:10.1117/12.483403

5 August 2003 In situ rock probing using the ultrasonic/sonic driller/corer (USDC)

Zensheu Chang, Stewart Sherrit, Xiaoqi Bao, Yoseph Bar-Cohen

Proceedings Volume 5056, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.483403
Event: Smart Structures and Materials, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In-situ sampling and analysis are important capabilities to allow meeting the major objectives of future NASA's planetary exploration missions. The development of an ultrasonic device that can serve as a probe, sampler and sensors platform for in-situ analysis is currently underway at JPL. The device is based on the novel Ultrasonic/Sonic Driller/Corer (USDC) technology, which was co-developed by the Non-Destructive Evaluation and Advanced Actuator laboratory (NDEAA, http://ndeaa.jpl.nasa.gov/), JPL, and Cybersonics. This sampling technology requires low axial force, thereby overcoming one of the major limitations of planetary sampling in low gravity using conventional drills. This device allows the design of an effective tool that is compact, low mass and uses low power. To assure effective use of power for drilling/coring rocks in-situ probing is needed to allow selecting rocks with the highest probability of containing information (biological markers, water, etc.). While the major function of the USDC is sampling, drilling and coring, it also has great potential to serve as a probing device. The USDC imparts elastic waves into the sampled medium offering a sounding method for geophysical analysis similar to the techniques used by the oil industry. Also, the characteristic of the piezoelectric actuator, which drives the USDC, is affected by the medium to which it is coupled. Using a variety of device configurations, a series of experiments were conducted to measure the elastic wave velocity, scattering, impedance and the shift in resonance frequency. Various rocks are being tested to determine their characteristics. Preliminary results are encouraging. Currently, investigation is conducted to find methods of minimizing the effect of surface roughness, geometry and sample dimensions on the data.

Citation Download Citation

Zensheu Chang, Stewart Sherrit, Xiaoqi Bao, and Yoseph Bar-Cohen "In situ rock probing using the ultrasonic/sonic driller/corer (USDC)", Proc. SPIE 5056, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems, (5 August 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.483403

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available