Unmanned Unattended Mineral Exploration Drilling and Sample Return System

Abstract

The invention is a system and methods for conducting automated, unmanned and unattended drilling operations. The system comprises an unmanned and unattended landing and launch vehicle capable of navigating to a location and reversibly coupled to an automated drilling platform. The automated drilling platform can autonomously conduct drilling operations, such as, collecting core samples. Automated drilling operations may comprise deploying a core drilling rigid mast that autonomously feeds pipe sections onto the rigid mast proportional to depths drilled, then extracting the pipe sections containing core samples sequentially from the mast head, securing the core samples in the launch and landing vehicle, retracting the mast head from the bore line and securing it in the launch and landing vehicle. Once drilling is complete, the automated drilling platform may be de-coupled from the landing and launch vehicle before re-launching the vehicle and returning the samples to an accessible terrain or location.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A system for conducting unmanned and unattended drilling operations comprising:
 An unmanned and unattended launch and landing vehicle capable of navigating to a predetermined location; and   An automated drilling platform capable of conducting automated drilling operations, the automated drilling platform detachably coupled to the launch and landing vehicle.   
     
     
         8 . The system of claim  1  where the drilling operations further comprise collecting core samples. 
     
     
         9 . The system of claim  1  where the automated drilling platform further comprises a rigid mast, a mast head coupled to the rigid mast, and a bit coupled to the mast head. 
     
     
         10 . The system of claim  3  where the rigid mast is further comprised of pipe sections capable of collecting core samples during drilling. 
     
     
         11 . The system of claim  1  where the landing and launch vehicle is a rocket further comprising a circumferential aspect. 
     
     
         12 . The system of claim  1  where the landing and launch vehicle further comprises storage capable of holding collected core samples 
     
     
         13 . The system of claim  5  wherein the storage is a rack around the circumferential aspect of the rocket. 
     
     
         14 . The system of claim  1  where system further comprises a dirigible coupled to the launch and landing vehicle, the dirigible capable of lifting the launch and landing vehicle, while the vehicle is loaded with core samples and carrying the vehicle to an accessible location. 
     
     
         15 . A method of drilling comprising the steps of deploying an unmanned and unattended launch vehicle capable of navigating to a predetermined location, allowing the launch vehicle to land at the predetermined location, and allowing the unmanned and unattended vehicle to conduct drilling operations. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of allowing the unmanned and unattended vehicle to correct its orientation to land on a substantially flat surface substantially parallel to the base of the unmanned and unattended vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of conducting drilling operations further comprises the steps of, deploying an automated drilling platform which is in turn capable of deploying a drilling mast head further comprising a bit, at a desired angle relative to the flat surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of conducting drilling operations further comprises the step of sequentially and automatically adding and connecting pipe sections to a rigid mast thereby extending the length of the rigid mast to allow deeper drilling. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of conducting drilling operations further comprises the step of automatically and sequentially retracting the pipe sections, now containing core samples, and coupling them to the landing and launch vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of launching the unmanned and unattended landing and launch vehicle from the predetermined location and transporting it to an accessible location. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of decoupling the automated drilling platform from the unmanned and unattended vehicle in order to reduce launch weight and improve fuel economy.