# US 9,752,402 B2 · Drill sample particle distributor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,402 B2 - Document ID: US9752402B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/647,287 - Filed: 2013-12-20 - Published: 2015-10-22 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-21 - Assignees: Metzke Pty. Ltd. - Applicants: Metzke Pty Ltd - Inventors: Matthew K. Leahy; Tomas Borg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752402B2 ## CPC - E21B 25/005: {Above ground means for handling the core, e.g. for extracting the core from the core barrel} - B05B 3/02: with rotating elements (electric spraying discharge apparatus characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements B05B5/04) - B05B 3/14: with oscillating elements; with intermittent operation - E21B 49/005: {Testing the nature of borehole walls or the formation by using drilling mud or cutting data} - E21B 49/02: by mechanically taking samples of the soil - G01N 1/08: involving an extracting tool, e.g. core bit - G01N 1/2211: {with cyclones} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A particle distributor assembly 10 for distributing the particles of a drill sample is described. The distributor assembly comprises a stationary inlet tube 14 through which particles enter the distributor assembly 10, and a rotatable distributor head 16. The rotatable distributor head 16 has an upwardly directed inlet 18 offset from a central axis of rotation of the distributor head 16 and a transversely directed outlet 22 wherein, in use, when the distributor head 16 is rotated at high speed particles entering the distributor head inlet are accelerated outwardly in a radial direction through the distributor head outlet. The particle distributor assembly 10 also has a distributor nozzle 24 having an inlet 26 and an outlet 28, the nozzle inlet 26 being aligned with the stationary inlet tube and the nozzle outlet 28 being aligned with the distributor head inlet. The distributor nozzle 24 is supported between the inlet tube 14 and the distributor head 16 in such a manner that it is constrained from rotating while the nozzle outlet 28 is able to oscillate in a circular motion with the distributor head inlet 18. In use, the oscillating motion of the nozzle outlet 28 helps to promote particle flow and produce a more representative distribution of particles exiting from the distributor head outlet 22. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A particle distributor assembly for distributing the particles of a drill sample, the distributor assembly comprising: a stationary inlet tube through which particles enter the distributor assembly; a rotatable distributor head having an upwardly directed inlet offset from a central axis of rotation of the distributor head and a transversely directed outlet wherein, in use, when the distributor head is rotated at high speed particles entering the distributor head inlet are accelerated outwardly in a radial direction through the distributor head outlet; and, a distributor nozzle having an inlet and an outlet, the nozzle inlet being aligned with the stationary inlet tube and the nozzle outlet being aligned with the distributor head inlet, the distributor nozzle being supported between the inlet tube and the distributor head in such a manner that it is constrained from rotating whilst the nozzle outlet is forced to oscillate in a circular pattern by the rotation of the distributor head inlet whereby, in use, the oscillating motion of the nozzle outlet helps to promote particle flow and produce a more representative distribution of particles exiting from the distributor head outlet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the distributor nozzle is supported between the inlet tube and the distributor head by a flexible support member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the flexible support member is in the form of an annular plate of flexible, resilient material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein an outer circumference of the plate is mounted on a housing of the distributor assembly and an inner circumference of the plate is fixed to the nozzle inlet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the inner circumference of the plate is fixed to the nozzle inlet by a retaining ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the flexible support member and distributor nozzle are manufactured as a single integrated component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the distributor assembly further comprises an annular skirt surrounding the rotatable distributor head and adapted to redirect the particles exiting from the distributor head outlet in a downwards direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the skirt is provided by a cylindrical housing wall of the distributor assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the rotatable distributor head is driven by a drive motor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein the drive motor comprises a hydraulic motor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A particle distributor assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the distributor head and the oscillating distributor nozzle are balanced and rotation speeds of between 50 to 500 rpm are achievable with near perfect sample distribution from the distributor head outlet and with no material hang-up.