Auger/Probe Earth Feeder
Purpose
Collect and elevate a narrow, depth-limited stream of suitable mineral soil into a closed receiver where broad surface harvesting is unsuitable.
Operating concept
A guarded low-speed screw or coring probe advances only within an approved shallow envelope and discharges through a closed tube to a sample-and-meter hopper.
Key assemblies
depth stop; guarded auger/probe; torque limiter; closed transfer tube; sample diverter; receiver hopper; jam reverse; two-step enable control
Operating sequence
locate utilities and approve point → set depth limit → advance probe → monitor torque → divert representative sample → collect remaining material → withdraw and isolate
Instrumentation
material-source record; feed-rate indication; jam/overload status
Safeguards
guard exposed motion; reject debris before metering; provide emergency stop and lockout points
Failure modes and mitigations
buried-utility strike; entanglement; high torque reaction; cross-layer contamination; jammed or compacted material
Variants
vertical probe; inclined auger; horizontal stockpile screw; hand-cart micro-auger; robot-mounted probe
Validation gates
source documentation; debris and contamination screening; guarding/stability review; repeatable feed trial
Claim boundary
CLAIM BOUNDARY: No certified design, validated recipe, performance guarantee, regulatory approval, or authorization for uncontrolled-fire use is represented.
Unverified concept for qualified research. Not certified equipment, not a validated formula, not fabrication instructions, and not authorization for active-fire use. Individual conventional components are not claimed as separately invented.
Reproduced from the Comprehensive Apparatus Concept Atlas v1.0 (SSR-TDS-APPARATUS-ATLAS-2026-08-18). Download the full atlas (PDF).