US3777826A - Fluid responsive core barrel system - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved core barrel system including a single core sampling unit that may be used in up holes or down holes. The unit is pumped through a hollow drill string until a core container in the unit reaches the core receiving position proximate the coring bit, whereupon the unit produces a signal indicating that the unit is in the proper position. A pair of flexible and resilient latch fingers automatically move into latch seats in the drill string and drilling fluid is allowed to bypass the core sampling unit to the bit for the drilling of a core. The core container in the core sampling unit receives the core. When the core container is filled, a signal is produced that indicates the desired length of core sample has been obtained. The core sampling unit with the length of core sample in the core container automatically unlatches and the length of core is broken from the formation by pulling the drill string a short distance out of the hole. The core sampling unit is returned through the drill string by gravity in up holes or by reversing the fluid circulation in down holes and pumping the unit through the drill string.

Description

[451 Dec. 11, 1973 United States Patent 1 Wolda FLUID RESPONSIVE CORE BARREL [57] ABSTRACT An improved core barrel system including a single SYSTEM [75] Inventor:

Tiete Okke Wolda, Orillia, Ontario, Canada core sampling unit that may be used in up holes or down holes. The unit is pumped through a hollow drill [73] Assign: Boyles Industries Limited core container in the unit reaches the g position proximate the coring bit whereupon the unit produces a signal in string until a mdho a nC n mdm m l l .mm w 1 t mm a mf .m

the unit is in the proper position. A pair 0 ers automatically move in seats in the drill string and drilling flui bypass the core sampling unit to the bit for the of a core. The core container in the core sampling unit receives the core. When the core container is fi roduced that indicates the desired length of le has been obtained. The core sampling th of core sample in the core cong N m m f m .m h .w m hm e um p m m .mafi r. m Wr. H a e m n m mmm c m s cum 60 6 66 40.) 4 EH2 M 52 2 5 I71 7 6 5i 1%2 7 .0 9 l I. 6 a5 n 4 67 .u y m m 7 m5 m 1 7 N n E um "m" Tv m mm mmm m H "n" m mm 9 k 1 m m m w E .w m i u C nc u d B "U" u 5 "a" IT era L "u" SHBH P mmh 8 e 8 Hum R s 1 1 3 www N n N/l/ l 222 d .cd 1 "T l D. MM 637 F A UIF .1 1] 1 11 8 6 2 2 555 5 5,l...2, r... .l [rirl 233 unlatches and the length of core is broken from the formation by pulling the drill string a short distance out of the hole. The core sampling unit is returned through the drill string by gravity in up holes or by reversing the fluid circulation in down Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Richard E. Favreau Attorney-Robert W. Mayer et al.

holes and pumping the unit through the drill string.

16 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures r l r l 2 a ssaults, III"', I, "UJuFJI PMENTEDHEC I 1 i975 SHEET 1 [1F 3 g F H 7 H QMQZZQ mw\wwm Q. M wm wwwu a m ATTOPNCY PMENTEDnEc 1 1 I975 SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR TIETE O. WOLDA ATTORNEY I 1 FLUID RESPONSIVE CORE BARREL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the art of core drilling and more particularly to a system for obtaining a core sample without removing the entire drill string from the borehole.

It is a common practice to take samples or cores of formations to obtain geological information. The cores may be obtained using a hollow rotary drill string or drill stem having a coring bit at the lower end and a core barrel unit positioned within the hollow rotary drill string adjacent the coring bit. In order to obviate the necessity of removing the entire drill string to obtain the core, core barrel units have been developed that may be transported through the drill string. The corebarrel unit is moved into position at the inner end of the drill string adjacent the coring bit and locked to the drill string for the core receiving operation. Once the core receiving operation has been completed and ceived the desired core sample, a retriever connected drill string.

the core has been broken, the core barrel unit is unlocked and transported to the outer end of the drill string.

In general, the core drilling operation may be categorized as up drilling or down drilling. The down drilling operation being a conventional drilling operation wherein drilling is downward from horizontal and up drilling being an operation wherein drilling is upward from horizontal such as drilling upward into the formation above a mine. Core drilling operations are often conducted in formations that contain water or other formation fluids and a drilling fluid is generally circulated through the drill string during the operation to cool the bit and flush cuttings and debris from the borehole. It is desirable to use a single core sampling unit for the entire core taking operation and the unit should be adaptable for use in either up holes or down holes. It can be appreciated that the unit must be extremely versatile to perform the required functions under such varying conditions.

Perhaps the single most important requirement of a core barrel system is that it be dependable. The system must operate positively each and every time even though it is subjected to the harsh environmental conditions of the drilling operation. The system should produce a signal when the core sampling unit is properly latched in the coring position to advise the drilling operator that he can begin drilling the core. .If the unit is not latched, a signal should also be provided to advise the drilling operator that additional steps should be taken before he begins drilling the core.

A channel must be opened through the unit to allow fluid to pass to the bit during the drilling of the core. Once the core container is filled, the core sampling unit should provide a signal to the operator indicating that the required core sample has been obtained. The core sampling unit must be automatically unlatched from the coring position at the inner end of the drill string and transported to the outer end of the drill string.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The prior art core barrel systems have various procedures for transporting the core barrel unit through the drill string. One of the basic core barrel units is lowered into position by a lowering device connected to a wireline. The lowering device disengages the core barrel unit and is retracted. After the core barrel unit has re- In U. S. Pat. No. 3,066,748 to J. R. Doherty, patented Dec. 4, 1962, a pumpable core sampling apparatus is shown. A disc on the core sampling apparatus allowsit to be pumped into position. After the desired core sample has been obtained, the apparatus is returned by reversing the flow of the fluid medium so that the apparatus and its associated parts can be brought to the surface of the drilling assembly whereby the core sample can be removed and studied or used for any desired purpose.

In U. S. Pat. No. 3,120,282 to A. F. Pickard, patented Feb. 4, 1964, a wireline core barrel is shown that can be hydraulically transported to the bit end of the drill string. The system includes a core barrel inner tube assembly for obtaininga core, an overshot assembly for retracting said core barrel inner tube assembly from the bit end of the drill stem and an overshot release assembly for unlatching the overshot assembly from the core barrel inner tube assembly so that the overshot assembly may be retracted separate from the core barrel inner tube assembly. The core barrel inner tube assembly is provided with means that will allow the fluid for hydraulically propelling it into position to pass through the core barrel inner tube assembly and circulate around the drill bit during the drilling operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a core barrel system that can be used for both up drilling and down drilling. The system includes a single sampling unit that will latch positively into the coring position in the drill string for the core receiving operation and will automatically unlatch when the desired core sample has been obtained. Drilling fluid may be circulated past the unit during the core taking operation. A movable latch on the unit engages a latch seat on the drill string to connect the unit to the drill string during the core taking operation. Once the core sampling unit's core sample container has received the desired core sample, the movable latch is disengaged from the latch seat by a latch actuator in the unit. The core sampling unit includes a seal element that forms a fluid seal with the drill string. A fluid bypass channel is provided to allow drilling fluid to bypass the unit during the core receiving operation and a valve element in the channel allows the channel to be closed to facilitate transportation of the unit through the drill string by fluid pressure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a core barrel system that can be used for both up drilling and down drilling.

It is a further object of the presentinvention to provide a core sampling unit that will latch positively in the coring position.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core barrel system that will provide a signal indicating that the core sampling unit is latched in position for taking a core sample.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core sampling unit that will remain positively latched in position during the core receiving operation.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core sampling unit with a channel for passing fluid by the unit during the core receiving operation.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core sampling unit that will produce a signal indicating that the desired core sample has been obtained.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core sampling unit that will automatically unlatch when the desired core sample has been obtained.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core sampling unit that can be transported through the drill string by fluid pressure.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core sampling unit that can be transported through a drill string to the coring position and withdrawn through the drill string from the coring position without the use of separate transporting units.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core barrel system with relatively few moving parts.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core barrel system that has greater strength and durability than those of the prior art.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core barrel system that is relatively simple and is less expensive to manufacture than those of the prior art.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a core barrel system that is easy to service and maintain.

his a still further object of the present invention to provide a core barrel system that is resistant to corrosion and will operate effectively in the drilling environment.

The above and other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed descrip-tion when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a core sampling unit constructed in accordance with the present invention positioned in a drill string with the latch fingers of the unit opposite latch seats in the drill string.

FIG. 2 shows the upper portion of the core sampling unit shown in FIG. 1 with the latch fingers of the unit latched in position in the latch seats in the drill string.

FIG. 3 shows the upper portion of the core sampling unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 after the desired core sample has been obtained and the latch fingers have been automatically unlatched.

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION nected together to form a drill string. For example, the

drill string 12 may be made up of a series of sections of threaded drill pipe connected together end to end. Acoring bit 14 is connected to the end of therotary drill string 12. Thecoring bit 14 includes acircularcutting face 16 and acentral opening 18. The cuttingface 16 may include any of the cutting structures known in the art, such as diamonds impregnated in a metal matrix. As thedrill string 12 and core bit 14 are rotated, the cuttingface 16 serves to disintegrate the formations and form a borehole. Thecentral opening 18 incore bit 14 allows a core to build up in the center of the drill string during the drilling operation. In order to obtain geological information about the formation, a section of the core is withdrawn from the borehole using the core barrel system of the present invention.

The core drilling operation may be conducted either up or down from the horizontal and including drilling at any inclination. For example, the core drilling operation may be conducted from the surface by drilling downward into the formations or the core drilling operation may be conducted upward into the formations above a mine. Rotary drilling equipment (not shown) is positioned at the face of the formations through which the drilling operation is to proceed. The rotary drilling equipment supplies both rotary and thrust forces to the drill string and may consist of any of the various rotary drilling machines known in the art. The core drilling operation requires a fluid circulation system for cooling the bit and flushing the cuttings and debris from the borehole. The fluid circulation system includes a hydraulic pump (not shown) connected to thedrill string 12. The hydraulic pump circulates drilling fluid through the interior of thedrill string 12 across theface 16 of thecoring bit 14 and upward in the annulus between the borehole wall and the exterior surface of the drill string.

In order to obtain a sample of the formations, thecore sampling unit 10 is positioned in the outer end of the hollow drill string and transported through the drill string to a position at the inner end of the drill string adjacent thecoring bit 14. The outer end of the drill string is defined as the end near the face of the formations through which the drilling operation is to proceed and the inner end of the drill string is defined as the end with the coring bit. Once theunit 10 is in place and firmly connected to thedrill string 12, drilling fluid must be allowed to bypass theunit 10 to cool thecoring bit 14 and flush cuttings and debris from the borehole. After the required core sample has been obtained, theunit 10 must unlatch and be returned through the drill string to obtain the core sample.

Thedrill string 12 includes a latch andlanding shoulcler section 20 that is similar to the other sections of the drill string but includes aninternal shoulder 22 and a pair oflatch seats 24 and 26. Thecore sampling unit 10 has been positioned within thedrill string 12 and transported through thedrill string 12 until alanding ring 28 on theunit 10 has contacted theinternal shoulder 22 on the latch andlanding shoulder section 20 preventing further movement ofunit 10 and suspending thecore sampling unit 10 in proper position for receiving a core.

The upper portion of theunit 10 consists of a cylindricaltubular housing 30 somewhat smaller in diameter than the interior of thedrill string 12. A pair oflatch fingers 32 and 34 are rigidly affixed to thetubular housing 30 by four mountingpins 36, 36 and 37, 37'. Thelatch fingers 32 and 34 are constructed of a flexible and resilient material such as spring steel. Thelatch fingers 32 and 34 are shown in their relaxed position in FIG. 1 allowing the unit to be transported through the drill string.

Anactuator 38 is positioned within thetubular housing 30 and adapted to slide therein from a first position wherelatch elements 39 and 40 on the ends of thelatch fingers 32 and 34 respectively fit inrecesses 41 and 42 in the side of theactuator 38 to a second position wherein thelatch elements 39 and 40 of the latch fingers are forced outward into the latch seats 24 and 26. When thelatch elements 39 and 40 are in the latch seats 24 and 26, the latch fingers are in a stressed condition and are held from springing out of the latch seats 24 and 26 into a relaxed condition by theactuator 38. The latch seats 24 and 26 and thelatch fingers 32 and 34 cooperate to connect the cylindricaltubular housing 30 of thecore sampling unit 10 firmly to thedrill string 12.

The upper end of theactuator 38 is connected to asolid cylinder 43 that fits within thetubular housing 30 and closes itupper end. Thecylinder 43 and theactuator 38 slide freely within thetubular housing 30 from the said first position to said second position.Actuator 38 has a rectangular cross section throughout its length, thereby leaving a fluid passageway between the wall of cylindricaltubular housing 30 and the surface ofactuator 38. A pair ofholes 44 and 46 are located in the side oftubular housing 30 to allow fluid from within thedrill string 12 to flow through thecore sampling unit 10. Avalve element 48 is affixed toactuator 38 and moves withactuator 38 to block fluid in the first actuator position or allow fluid to pass in the second actuator position. In the position shown, the actuator is in the first position andvalve element 48 blocks the fluid passage.

A ring-shapedpacking rubber 50 is mounted on the exterior oftubular housing 30 and provides thecore sampling unit 10 with an enlarged diameter to form a fluid seal with the wall of thedrill string 12. Adjustment of the size of the enlarged diameter provided by the packingrubber 50 may be accomplished with thelanding ring 28 positioned below the packingrubber 50 and a threadedpacking nut 54 positioned above packingrubber 50. The packingrubber 50 is squeezed between packingnut 54 andlanding ring 28 and the amount of expansion may be varied by adjusting the packingnut 54. Thelanding ring 28 also forms a landing shoulder on thecore sampling unit 10 and coupled with the packingrubber 50 and packingnut 54 provides a cushioning effect when theunit 10 lands upon landingshoulder 22 on thedrill string 12.

A pair ofelongated extensions 56 of the tubular housing 30 (one on each side of the actuator 38) connect the upper portion of theunit 10 with a spring andspindle housing 58. Positioned within the spring andspindle housing 58 and adapted to slide therein is anelongated spindle 60. Two sets ofwashers 62 and 64 are affixed to thespindle 60 withwashers 62 being inside ofhousing 58 andwashers 64 being outside ofhousing 58. Aspring 66 is positioned within thehousing 58 surroundingspindle 60 thereby urging thespindle 60 into its lowest position. The length of stroke of thespindle 60 may be adjusted by alock nut 68 that engages a threaded portion ofspindle 60. Acore sample container 70 is rotatably connected to the lower portion ofspindle 60.Bearings systems 71 and 71' facilitate rotation of thecore container 70. Thus,thecore container 70 rotates freely relative to thetubular housing 30 and upward pressure on thecore sample container 70 will produce upward movement of spindle acting against the force ofspring 66.

The core sample container is positioned adjacent thecoring bit 14 during the core receiving operation. Ahole 72 in the upper end of thecore container 70 allows fluid to exit from thecontainer 70 as the container is filled with the length of core sample and astabilizer ring 74 holds thecore sample container 70 in the proper position for receiving the core as it is drilled. Acore lifter 76 in a core lifter case is connected to the lower end ofcore sample container 70 and serves to retain the core sample withincontainer 70 throughout the core sampling operation.

The structural details of one embodiment of a core sampling unit constructed in accordance with the present invention having beendescribed, the operation of the unit will now be considered with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Theunit 10 is placed inside the outer end of therotary drill string 12 and moved into the core receiving position adjacent thecoring bit 14. The packingrubber 50 provides a fluid seal between thetubular housing 30 and the interior of thedrill string 12 and theholes 44 and 46 are blocked by thevalve element 48 when theactuator 38 is in the first position with thelatch fingers 32 and 34 in the relaxed position. Thecore sampling unit 10 may be pumped into the core re ceiving position by the pressure of fluid acting on theunit 10 and moving from the outer end of thedrill string 12 to the inner end of thedrill string 12. The packingrubber 50 serves as a cushion to absorb shock when theunit 10 lands upon thelanding shoulder 22. Since, thelanding ring 28 is not affixed to thetubular housing 30, the shock from thecore sampling unit 10 striking thelanding shoulder 22 is transmitted to the rubber packing 50.

When theunit 10 lands upon thelanding shoulder 22, theactuator 38 is in the first position as shown in FIG. 1 and thelatch fingers 32 and 34 are in a relaxed condition with thelatch elements 39 and 40 inrecesses 41 and 42 and away from the wall of thedrill string 12. Since theunit 10 completely blocks fluid flow thorugh the drill string with theactuator 38 in the first position whereinvalve 48 blocks holes 44 and 46, pumping after theunit 10 has landed in the core receiving position will cause a rapid buildup of pressure in the drill string. This buildup of pressure advises the operator that thecore sampling unit 10 is located adjacent thecoring bit 14. The fluid pressure will continue to rise until a sufficient force is applied to the exposed portions of cylin der 43 andactuator 38 to forceactuator 38 downward and overcome the resistance oflatch fingers 32 and 34. Once the required pressure is reached, the force onactuator 38 moves thelatch elements 39 and 40 outward into the latch seats 24 and 26, thereby bending and stressinglatch fingers 32 and 34. The amount of fluid pressure, i.e., the force oncylinder 43 andactuator 38 required to deformlatch fingers 32 and 34, is a function of the inclination of the actuator surface engaging the latch fingers and their material strength. Thelatch fingers 32 and 34 are not stressed or bent beyond their elastic limits and will spring back to their relaxed position onceactuator 38 is returned to the first position. With theactuator 38 in the second position as shown in FIG. 2, thelatch elements 39 and 40 are in the latch seats 24 and 26 and thevalve element 48 has moved away fromholes 44 and46 thereby allowing fluid in thedrill string 12 to circulate through the core sampling unit and the pressure of fluid in the drill string drops. The operator will notice the decrease in pressure and know that it is time to begin drilling the core. Therefore, the core barrel system of the present invention will provide a predetermined pressure signal indicating latching of the core sampling unit. If thelatch elements 39 and 40 do not latch in place, the pressure increases beyond a predetermined pressure value and the operator knows that thecore sampling unit 10 is not latched in place and can take proper action.

With theunit 10 locked in the core receiving position adjacent thecoring bit 14 as shown in FIG. 2, the core taking operation is ready to proceed. Thedrill string 12 is rotated and a length of core begins to build up through the center opening 18 of thecoring bit 14 and into thecore container 70. The fluid in thecore container 70 is forced upward and will exit through thehole 72 into thedrill string 12. Drilling fluid is circulated through thedrill string 12 andcore sampling unit 10 during the coring operation to cool thecoring bit 14 and flush drill cuttings and debris from the well bore. Thelatch elements 39 and 40 are locked in the latch seats 24 and 26 and thecore container 70 is held firmly in position for receiving the core.

When thecore container 70 is completely filled with a length of core, an upward force is applied to thecore container 70. This upward force is transmitted to spindle 60 causing it to move upward until it contacts the lower end ofactuator 38.Actuator 38 is moved upward until thevalve element 48 is again in a position blocking holes 44 and 46. This prevents fluid from bypassing thecore sampling unit 10 and a pressure signal is transmitted to the operator. Since the actuator 38has been returned to the first actuator position, thelatch elements 39 and 40 move out of-latch seats 24 and 26 and into therecesses 41 and 42 in theactuator 38 as shown in FIG. 3. With thelatch fingers 32 and 34 in their relaxed position, thecore sampling unit 10 is ready to be transported through thedrill string 12. The length of core is broken from the formation by lifting the drill string 12 a short distance in the borehole. Thecore lifter 76 and the core lifter case grip the length of core and thecore lifter 76 and the core lifter case move relative to the drill string until they contact thedrill string 12 at thecoring bit 14. Upward force is then transmitted through thedrill string 12 andcore lifter 76 directly to the length of core and the length of core is broken from the formation. Thus, thecore sampling unit 10 has automatically unlatched from the core taking position once the desired length of core has been received. Thevalve element 48 has been moved to a position blocking holes 44 and 46, the length of core has been broken from the formation and theunit 10 may be transported to the outer end of thedrill string 12 by reversing circulation of the fluid. Fluid is pumped down through the annulus between the outer surface of thedrill string 12 and the borehole and upward through theopening 18 in thedrill bit 14. The fluid continues through the center of thedrill string 12 and acts on thecore sampling unit 10. Theunit 10 is thereby moved along thedrill string 12 from the inner end to the outer end. In up holes, theunit 10 may be transported from the inner end of the drill string to the outer end by draining the fluid from the drill string below theunit 10 and allowing gravity to move the core samplingunit to the outer end of the drill string.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to retrieve the core sampling unit by an overshot or retriever. In down holes under certain circumstances, it may be undesirable to reverse the circulation of the drilling fluid to pump the core sampling unit to the outer end of the drill string. Reversing circulation of the drilling fluid may cause the borehole to cave in and- /or result in drill cuttings and debris being forced upward into the interior of the hollow drill string thereby damaging certain elements of the drilling system. Certain core drilling operations include a high risk of the sampling unit becoming lodged in the drill string and it may be desirable to be able to withdraw the core sampling unit by means other than pumping the unit out of the drill string..An embodiment of the present invention that includes an element on the upper end of the core sampling unit for connecting the unit to an overshot or retriever device is shown in FIG. 4. The core sampling unit, generally designated by thereference number 78, is shown positioned in a hollowrotary drill string 80. The hollow rotary drill string includes a latch andlanding shoulder section 82 with aninternal shoulder 84 and a pair oflatch seats 86 and 88.

The upper portion of thecore sampling unit 78 consists of a cylindricaltubular housing 90 somewhat smaller in diameter than the interior of thedrill string 80. A pair oflatch fingers 92 and 94 are rigidly affixed to the tubular housing by four mountingpins 96, 96' and 97, 97 Thelatch fingers 92 and 94 are constructed of a flexible and resilient material such as spring steel. Amovable actuator 98 is positioned within thetubular housing 90 and adapted to slide relative to thehousing 90. Theactuator 98 includes a pair ofrecesses 100 and 102 that receive thelatch elements 104, 106 of thelatch fingers 92 and 94. The length of therecesses 100 and 102 is longer than the length of the latch elements 104,106 thereby allowing theactuator 98 to slide relative to thelatch fingers 92 and 94 when thelatch elements 104 and 106 are in the recesses. The significance of this movement will become apparent as this description proceeds. Theactuator 98 and thelatch fingers 92 and 94 function in a manner similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. When theactuator 98 is moved downward, thelatch elements 104 and 106 are moved outward into the latch seats 86 and 88. When thelatch elements 104 and 106 are in the latch seats 86 and 88, the latch fingers are in a stressed condition and are held from springing out of the latch seats 86 and 88 by theactuator 98. The latch seats 86 and 88 and thelatch fingers 92 and 94 cooperate to connect the cylindrical tubular housing of theunit 78 firmly to the drill string during the core receiving operation.

The upper end of theactuator 98 is connected to asolid cylinder 108 that fits within thetubular housing 90 and closes its upper end. Thecylinder 108 and theactuator 98 slide freely within thetubular housing 30.Actuator 98 has a rectangular cross section throughout its length, thereby leaving a fluid passageway between the wall of the cylindricaltubular housing 90 and the surface of theactuator 98. A pair ofholes 110 and 112 are located in the side oftubular housing 90 to allow fluid from within thedrill string 80 to flow through thecore sampling unit 78. Avalve element 114 is affixed to theactuator 108 and moves withactuator 108 to ei- 9 ther block or open a passage through theholes 110 and 112. When theactuator 98 is moved to its lowest position, thevalve element 114 is in a position blocking theholes 110 and 112 and thelatch elements 104 and- 106 have been forced outward into the latch seats 86 and 88 and out of therecesses 100 and 102. When theactuator 98 is moved upward, thelatch elements 104 and 106 spring back into the upper portion of therecesses 100 and 102. When theactuator 98 is in this position, thevalve element 114 is still in a position blocking theholes 110 and 112. Aspring 116 is positioned around theactuator 98 with its upper end against the bottom of thetubular housing 90 and its lower end connected to theactuator 98 by a pair ofpins 118 and 120. Thespring 116 urges theactuator 98 downward relative to thetubular housing 90 so that thelatch elements 104 and 106 remain in the upper portion ofrecesses 100, 102 and thevalve element 114 remains in a position blocking theholes 110 and 112. This allows thecore sampling unit 78 to be pumped through thedrill string 80 in either direction. Theactuator 98 can be moved upward against the force of thespring 116 thereby allowing thelatch elements 104 and 106 to slide to the lower portion of therecesses 100 and 102 and thevalve 114 to move upward above theholes 110 and 112, thereby opening a fluid passage through theunit 78. This operation will be discussed subsequently.

A ring shaped packingrubber 122 is mounted on the exterior oftubularhousing 90 and provides theunit 78 with an enlarged diameter to form a fluid seal with the wall of thedrill string 80. Adjustment of the size of the enlarged diameter provided by the packingrubber 122 may be adjusted by abackup ring 124 positioned below the packingrubber 122 and a threadedpacking nut 126 positioned above packingrubber 122. The packingrubber 122 is squeezed between packingnut 126 andbackup ring 124 and the amount of expansion may be varied by adjusting the packingnut 126. Thebackup ring 124 forms a landing shoulder on thecore sampling unit 78 and coupled with thepackingrubber 122 and packingnut 126 provides a cushioning effect when theunit 78 lands upon theinternal shoulder 84 on thedrill string 80.

A pair ofelongated extensions 128 of the tubular housing 90 (one on each side of the actuator 98) connect the upper portion of thecore barrel 78 with a spring andspindle housing 130. The spring andspindle housing 130 is constructed in the same manner as the spring and spindle housing shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Aspindle 132 positioned within the spring andspindle housing 130 connects the upper portion of thecore sampling unit 78 to a core sample container (not shown). The core sample container is constructed in the same manner as that shown in FIG. 1 and is rotatably connected to thespindle 132. When the core container has received the desired length of core sample, it will begin moving upward relative to thetubular housing 90 forcingspindle 132 upward against the force ofspring 134. The upper end of thespindle 132 contacts the lower end of theactuator 98 and moves theactuator 98 upward, allowing thelatch elements 104 and 106 of thelatch fingers 92 and 94 to spring back intorecesses 100 and 102. Thelatch element 114 has meanwhile moved into a position blocking theholes 110 and 112. Thespring 116 keeps thevalve element 114 in a position blocking theholes 110 and 112 thereby allowing thecore sampling unit 78 to be pumped to the outer end of the drill string if desired. However, if it is desirable to retrieve thecore sampling unit 78 by a wireline, aretriever 136 can be moved into position grasping agripping element 138 connected to thecylinder 108 that is affixed to the upper end of theactuator 98.

Theretriever 136 is connected to a cable (not shown) and is adapted to be transported through thedrill string 80. An O-ring seal 140 is positioned around the body of theretriever 136 and moved into a sealing position by amovable element 142 on theretriever body 136. The O-ring seal 140 forms a fluid seal with thedrill string 80 and theretriever 136 may be pumped into contact with thecore sampling unit 78. When theretriever 136 is pulled upward, themovable element 142 moves relative to thebody 136 of the retriever and the0ring seal 140 contracts, allowing fluid to bypass theretriever 136. A latchingwasher 144 is positioned in the lower end of theretriever 136. Aspring 146 urges the latchingwasher 144 downward. Apin 148 holds one side of the latchingwasher 144 against the downward force of thespring 146. Thegripping element 138 moves through the central opening of latchingwasher 144 when theretriever 136 contacts thecore sampling unit 78. The latchingwasher 144 is canted on thegripping element 138 and a firm engagement is established between theretriever 136 and theunit 78. Thecore sampling unit 78 may then be drawn upward by the cable (not shown). The upward pull on the cable is transmitted through theretriever 136, thegripping element 138 and thecylinder 108 to the actua- -tor 98. This causes theactuator 98 to move upward against the force ofspring 116 and thegripping elements 104 and 106 move to the lower portion of the recesses and 102. Thevalve element 114 is moved upward above the holes and 112, thereby forming a passage through thecore sampling unit 78 and allowing fluid standing in thedrill string 80 to bypass theretriever 136 andcore sampling unit 78.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a system for obtaining a core sample that includes a hollow string extending into a bore hole, a coring bit connected to said drill string and a latch seat in said drill string; a core sampling unit comprising:

a sampling unit body;

a core sample container connected to said body;

at least one flexible and resilient latch finger carried by said body for selectively connecting said body to said latch seat in said drill string, said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger including a movable latch element adapted to move into or out of said latch seat;

actuating means carried by said body for contacting said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger and moving said latch element into said latch seat thereby bending and stressing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger and for moving said latch element out of said latch seat thereby allowing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger to return to an unstressed condition; and means connected to said core sample container for contacting said actuating means and causing said actuating means to move the latch element from said latch seat when said core sample container has received the core sample thereby allowing said at said body to allow fluid to flow through-said body and g valve'means in said fluid passage for blocking and unblocking the fluid passage.

3. A system for obtaining a length of core sample from a formation that is penetrated by a borehole with a hollow string extending into the bore hole wherein the hollow string includes a coring bit connected to the drill string and a latch seat on the drill string, comprismg:

a core sampling unit that will fit within said drill string;

means for moving said core sampling unit through 'the hollow drill string to a positlon proximate the coring bit;

at least one flexible and resilient latch finger in said core sampling unit for latching the unit to said drill string;

actuating means carried by said sampling unit for contacting said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger, bending and stressing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger and latching the core sampling unit to said drill string; a core sample container connected to said core sampling unit for receiving a length of core sample;

means responsive to the core sample container being filled with said length of core sample for contacting said actuating means and causing said actuating means to disconnect said core sampling unit from said drill string; and

means for moving said core sampling unit, said core sample container and said length of core sample through said drill string to obtain the length of core sample.

4. The system ofclaim 3 including means for providing a signal if the core sampling unit fails to latch to the drill string.

5. The system ofclaim 3 including means for providing a signal indicating that the core sample container has been filled with said length of core sample.

6. The system ofclaim 3 including means for providing a signal indicating that the core sampling unit is latched to the drill string.

7. The system of claim 6 including means for providing a channel to pass fluid by the core sampling unit when the core sample container is receiving said length of core sample.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said means for latching said core sampling unit to said drill string includes a movable latch element adapted to move into or out of said latch seat.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said means responsive to the core sample container being filled by said length of core sample includes a latch actuator that causes said latch element to move out of said latch seat when said core sample container is filled with said length of core sample.

10. A core sampling unit for obtaining a core sample from a formation penetrated by a bore hole by the core sampling unit being transported through a holloW drill string that extends into the bore hole until it reaches a coring bit at the end of the drill string and is latched to a latch seat on the drill string during the drilling of a core and is returned through the drill string to obtain the core sample, comprising:

a sampling unit body;

a core sample container connected to said body, said core sample container including an internal cavity for receiving core sample;

at least one flexible and resilient latch finger carried by said body for selectively connecting said body to said drill string, said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger including a movable latch element adapted to move into or out of said latch seat;

actuating means carried by said body for contacting said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger and selectively moving said latch element into said latch seat thereby bending and stressing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger or moving said latch element out of said latch seat thereby allowing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger to return to an unstressed condition; and

means connected to said core sample container for contacting said actuating means thereby causing said actuating means to move the latch element out of said latch seat when the core sample has filled the cavity in the core sample container thereby allowing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger to return to an unstressed condition.

11. The core sampling unit ofclaim 10 including a seal element on said sampling unit body that forms a fluid seal be-tween said body and said drill string, a fluid passage through said body to allow fluid to flow through said body and valve means in said fluid passage for blocking and unblocking the fluid passage.

12. The core sampling unit of claim 11 including means connected to said sampling unit body for moving said valve means to block said fluid passage when the sampling unit body is being transported through the drill string and for unblocking said fluid passage when the sampling unit body is connected to the drill string.

13. The core sampling unit 'ofclaim 12 including means on said sampling unit body for connecting a retriever to the body and means for moving said valve means to unblock said fluid passage when the core sampling unit is being retrieved.

14. The core sampling unit of claim 13 wherein said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger includes an upper portion rigidly affixed to the sampling unit body with the remainder of said finger extending toward said core sample container.

15. The core sampling unit ofclaim 14 wherein said valve means is connected to said actuating means and wherein said sampling unit body includes a spring connected to said actuating means for maintaining the actuating means and the valve means in a position where the valve means blocks said fluid passage thereby allowing the core sampling unit to be transported through the drill string by fluid pressure.

16. The core sampling unit of claim 15 wherein said means for connecting a retriever to the sampling unit body is affixed to the actuating means and acts against said spring to move the actuating means and the valve means to a position where the valve means unblocks said fluid passage when the core sampling unit is being retrieved.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. B 'ZYLUPJS Dated December ll, 19?},

Invenwfls) Tietie Okke Wolda It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 2, line 2, change "form" to forms Signed and sealed this 16th day of April 197Lp.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.ELET0HEE,JE. 0. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FPRQM P5 (10459) USCOMM-DC scan-P09 U.S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE "I, 0-356-331,

Claims (16)

1. In a system for obtaining a core sample that includes a hollow string extending into a bore hole, a coring bit connected to said drill string and a latch seat in said drill string; a core sampling unit comprising: a sampling unit body; a core sample container connected to said body; at least one flexible and resilient latch finger carried by said body for selectively connecting said body to said latch seat in said drill string, said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger including a movable latch element adapted to move into or out of said latch seat; actuating means carried by said body for contacting said at Least one flexible and resilient latch finger and moving said latch element into said latch seat thereby bending and stressing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger and for moving said latch element out of said latch seat thereby allowing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger to return to an unstressed condition; and means connected to said core sample container for contacting said actuating means and causing said actuating means to move the latch element from said latch seat when said core sample container has received the core sample thereby allowing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger to return to an unstressed condition.

2. The system of claim 1 including a seal element mounted on said body that form a fluid seal between said body and said drill string, a fluid passage through said body to allow fluid to flow through said body and valve means in said fluid passage for blocking and unblocking the fluid passage.

3. A system for obtaining a length of core sample from a formation that is penetrated by a borehole with a hollow string extending into the bore hole wherein the hollow string includes a coring bit connected to the drill string and a latch seat on the drill string, comprising: a core sampling unit that will fit within said drill string; means for moving said core sampling unit through the hollow drill string to a positIon proximate the coring bit; at least one flexible and resilient latch finger in said core sampling unit for latching the unit to said drill string; actuating means carried by said sampling unit for contacting said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger, bending and stressing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger and latching the core sampling unit to said drill string; a core sample container connected to said core sampling unit for receiving a length of core sample; means responsive to the core sample container being filled with said length of core sample for contacting said actuating means and causing said actuating means to disconnect said core sampling unit from said drill string; and means for moving said core sampling unit, said core sample container and said length of core sample through said drill string to obtain the length of core sample.

4. The system of claim 3 including means for providing a signal if the core sampling unit fails to latch to the drill string.

5. The system of claim 3 including means for providing a signal indicating that the core sample container has been filled with said length of core sample.

6. The system of claim 3 including means for providing a signal indicating that the core sampling unit is latched to the drill string.

7. The system of claim 6 including means for providing a channel to pass fluid by the core sampling unit when the core sample container is receiving said length of core sample.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said means for latching said core sampling unit to said drill string includes a movable latch element adapted to move into or out of said latch seat.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said means responsive to the core sample container being filled by said length of core sample includes a latch actuator that causes said latch element to move out of said latch seat when said core sample container is filled with said length of core sample.

10. A core sampling unit for obtaining a core sample from a formation penetrated by a bore hole by the core sampling unit being transported through a holloW drill string that extends into the bore hole until it reaches a coring bit at the end of the drill string and is latched to a latch seat on the drill string during the drilling of a core and is returned through the drill string to obtain the core sample, comprising: a sampling unit body; a core sample container connected to said body, said core sample container including an internal cavity for receiving core sample; at least one flexible and resiLient latch finger carried by said body for selectively connecting said body to said drill string, said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger including a movable latch element adapted to move into or out of said latch seat; actuating means carried by said body for contacting said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger and selectively moving said latch element into said latch seat thereby bending and stressing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger or moving said latch element out of said latch seat thereby allowing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger to return to an unstressed condition; and means connected to said core sample container for contacting said actuating means thereby causing said actuating means to move the latch element out of said latch seat when the core sample has filled the cavity in the core sample container thereby allowing said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger to return to an unstressed condition.

11. The core sampling unit of claim 10 including a seal element on said sampling unit body that forms a fluid seal be-tween said body and said drill string, a fluid passage through said body to allow fluid to flow through said body and valve means in said fluid passage for blocking and unblocking the fluid passage.

12. The core sampling unit of claim 11 including means connected to said sampling unit body for moving said valve means to block said fluid passage when the sampling unit body is being transported through the drill string and for unblocking said fluid passage when the sampling unit body is connected to the drill string.

13. The core sampling unit of claim 12 including means on said sampling unit body for connecting a retriever to the body and means for moving said valve means to unblock said fluid passage when the core sampling unit is being retrieved.

14. The core sampling unit of claim 13 wherein said at least one flexible and resilient latch finger includes an upper portion rigidly affixed to the sampling unit body with the remainder of said finger extending toward said core sample container.

15. The core sampling unit of claim 14 wherein said valve means is connected to said actuating means and wherein said sampling unit body includes a spring connected to said actuating means for maintaining the actuating means and the valve means in a position where the valve means blocks said fluid passage thereby allowing the core sampling unit to be transported through the drill string by fluid pressure.

16. The core sampling unit of claim 15 wherein said means for connecting a retriever to the sampling unit body is affixed to the actuating means and acts against said spring to move the actuating means and the valve means to a position where the valve means unblocks said fluid passage when the core sampling unit is being retrieved.

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