Chip collection unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cuttings recovery device for obtaining cuttings from an underground shaft hole. The cuttings recovery device includes at least: a cuttings recovery stem provided with a double spiral cutter serving as a conveyor screw having two conveying paths; b: an outer wall surrounding one of the two conveying paths and a lower wall closing the one conveying path at its lower end; and c: a top sleeve provided at the upper end of the cuttings recovery stem and having an opening and closing mechanism so that the recovered cuttings can be guided to a desired conveying path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the removal of cuttings during excavation work, and more particularly, to a system and a cutter for collecting cuttings for analyzing the cuttings.

Background Art

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for collecting cuttings for analyzing the cuttings. The cuttings mainly consist of fine particles, and these fine particles may provide valuable information about the rock if analyzed. The cuttings are carried out of the borehole together with the drilling fluid / slurry.

[0003] In the analysis of cuttings, the mining industry needs to accurately determine the location where the cuttings were taken. This will, among other things, provide a better basis for decisions regarding the setting of the amount of explosive used and production planning. Currently, there is no accurate method for determining the sampling location of a specific cutting sample. The cuttings are collected after excavation.

[0004] Patent Document 2 corresponding to Patent Document 1 discloses a downhole tool for washing a shaft, and the downhole tool is provided with a rotatable means for removing and removing substances from the shaft. The downhole tool further includes a reservoir for the removed substances and a drive means for rotating the means for removing and removing the substances.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a general sampling device for collecting samples from a borehole, and the sampling device includes a drill bit and a conveyor screw for transporting cuttings from the drill bit to the inner hole 34. The sample fills the space between the conveyor screw and the side wall surrounding the conveyor screw.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a unit for collecting cuttings in order to solve the problem of accurate data collection from a borehole.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

[0008] The above problem is solved according to the present invention by providing a cuttings recovery device that can constitute replaceable parts of a drill string used in drilling operations.

[0009] Specifically, the present invention is a cuttings recovery device for obtaining cuttings from an underground wellbore hole, a: a cuttings recovery device stem comprising a first cutter and a second cutter forming a double - helix cutter acting as a conveyor screw having a first conveying path and a second conveying path; b: an outer wall extending over the entire length of both cutters between the first cutter and the second cutter so that the outer wall of the first conveying path is formed; c: a lower wall provided in the conveying path having the outer wall extending between the first cutter and the second cutter, closing the first conveying path at its lower end; d: a top sleeve provided at the upper end of the cuttings recovery device stem and having an opening - closing mechanism, the top sleeve being open to the first conveying path in a first position, the top sleeve being closed to the first conveying path in a second position, the first conveying path forming a cuttings recovery chamber closed at its upper and lower ends when the top sleeve is in the closed position, the top sleeve; e: One or more strainers provided on the outer wall of the chip collection chamber for discharging liquid from the chips collected in the chip collection chamber when the top sleeve is in the first position; f: An internal drilling mud channel extending along the entire axial length of the chip collector; A chip collector comprising at least the above.

[0010] The second position of the top sleeve may provide an opening to the second conveying path so as to be able to discharge chips along the second conveying path.

[0011] The top sleeve may comprise a fixed part and a rotating part having an opening, the rotating part being rotatable around the chip collector stem and being rotated by a gear rim engaged with a pinion, the pinion being driven by a driving means.

[0012] The top sleeve can further include a rotating top sleeve having an opening, which may be rotatable around the chip collector stem. An opening having a shape and size that coincides with the opening of the rotating top sleeve is provided at the upper part of the chip collection chamber. When the opening of the top sleeve and the opening of the chip collection chamber are aligned, the top sleeve is in the first position and chips can be collected in the chip collection chamber.

[0013] The chip collector stem may be provided at its upper end with a threaded tool connection pin having a length of l1 / h1, and the tool connection pin is configured to engage with a drill bit.

[0014] The chip collector may further include a wear-resistant ring, which can be mounted to surround the upper threaded tool connection pin of the chip collector stem. The wear-resistant ring can have a maximum diameter OD, which is larger than the diameters of the top sleeve and the chip collector stem. In a modification of the present invention, the wear-resistant ring can provide a sliding surface for the top sleeve, and the diameter of the wear-resistant ring corresponds to the maximum diameter of the chip collector.

[0015] The chip collector a: a lower tool connection box, and b: a lower threaded tool connection pin, may further include one of them.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the chip collector may be configured to form an interchangeable part of the drill string.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a method for obtaining cuttings from an underground wellbore hole, comprising a: a chip collector stem provided with a first cutter and a second cutter that form a single double-helix cutter acting as a conveyor screw having a first conveying path and a second conveying path; b: an outer wall extending over the entire length of both cutters between the first cutter and the second cutter so that the outer wall of the first conveying path is formed; c: a lower wall closing the first conveying path at its lower end; d: a top sleeve configured to be disposed at the upper end of the chip collector stem, the top sleeve being provided with an opening / closing mechanism, the top sleeve being open to the first conveying path in a first position and closed to the first conveying path in a second position, the first conveying path forming a chip collection chamber that is closed at its upper and lower ends when the top sleeve is in the closed position, the top sleeve; e: one or more strainers provided on the outer wall of the chip collection chamber for discharging liquid from the chips collected in the chip collection chamber when the top sleeve is in the first position; f: providing a method having at least the step of providing an internal cuttings slurry channel extending throughout the axial length of the cuttings collector.

[0018] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims. The present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]

Figure 1

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12a

Figure 12b

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Figure 14a

Figure 14b

Figure 14c

Figure 14d

Figure 14e

Figure 15a

Figure 15b

Figure 15c

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The object of this cutting waste collector is to obtain cutting waste / samples from excavation so that the parameters of excavation can be associated with specific samples. Of particular interest is to determine the sampling location of the cutting waste samples. Currently, cutting waste is collected without means of allocating the cutting waste to a specific location.

[0022] The concept of the present invention is to provide a cuttings recovery device (here, cuttings recovery devices 10, 100 in the form of connectors configured to be inserted into the drill string) that is attached immediately after or almost immediately after the drill bit. The cuttings recovery device generally has threaded connections at each end, and the front / upper end can be connected to the drill bit or connector, and the rear / lower end can be connected to the subsequent drill pipe. The cuttings recovery device includes a cuttings recovery stem, and an internal axial drilling fluid / slurry supply channel is provided in the cuttings recovery stem. The drilling fluid helps to convey the cuttings in the direction opposite to the drilling direction towards the drilling opening outside the drill string. On the cuttings recovery stem, a double helix is provided on the surface, which acts as a conveyor screw having two transport paths. An outer wall is provided surrounding the cutter of the feed screw, and a cuttings recovery chamber is formed. Further, the cuttings recovery device is provided with an opening / closing mechanism that enables the cuttings to be sent into the cuttings recovery chamber or sent out along the transport path of the cuttings recovery stem and discharged from the drilling hole.

[0023] The solution of the double helix providing two transport paths is not only suitable for conveying the cuttings outward from and away from the drill bit, but also provides a balanced solution when the cuttings recovery device is rotating because the cuttings wind around the cuttings recovery stem and the center of mass coincides with the rotation axis of the cuttings recovery device. The axial transport path with respect to the cuttings recovery stem causes the cuttings recovery device to lose balance during rotation because the center of mass does not coincide with the rotation axis of the cuttings recovery device.

[0024] The drilling slurry supplied through the internal channel of the cuttings recovery device has sufficient pressure to convey the cuttings in the direction opposite to the drilling direction, outward into the cuttings recovery chamber or along the cuttings recovery device, and further out of the drilling hole along the drill string.

[0025] Solutions that include a cuttings recovery device rely on the operator always obtaining position data of the drill bit. If the distance between the drill bit and the opening of the cuttings recovery chamber is known, the position of the source of the cuttings to be recovered can be well determined.

[0026] In industrial drilling, LWD (Logging While Drilling) and MWD (Measurement While Drilling) systems are commonly used. LWD and MWD systems deliver production data to the operator in real time or substantially in real time. The data includes the position of the drill bit.

[0027] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the cuttings recovery device will be described in detail.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary cuttings recovery device 10 shown as being divided into four parts l1, l2, l3, and l4. The upper part has a length l1, and this upper part is shown as an upper threaded tool connection pin 11. The upper tool connection pin can be configured to make a direct threaded connection with a drill bit (not shown). The upper tool connection pin 11 may also be connected to other members of the drill string, such as a stabilizer, reamer, etc.

[0029] The correlation between the parameters collected by the LWD and MWD systems and the position of the source of the cuttings will be best when the distance between the drill bit and the cuttings recovery device 10 is small. Therefore, the cuttings recovery device 10 will typically be attached near the drill bit.

[0030] Adjacent to the upper tool connection pin 11, an exchangeable wear ring 16 is shown. The wear ring 16 has a length l2 (see FIG. 1).

[0031] The cutting debris collector 10 has an elongated central portion indicated by l3 in FIG. 1. This central portion includes the cutting debris collector stem 13. A conveyor screw having two conveying paths is provided on the cutting debris recovery stem 13, and an outer wall 12 is provided on one of the conveying paths. The conveying path provided with the outer wall 12 forms a cutting debris collection chamber. An opening 14 is provided in the cutting debris collection chamber, and one or more strainer members for sieving liquid from the cutting debris stored in the cutting debris collection chamber are attached to the opening 14. The lower part of the cutting debris collector 10 is shown as a threaded portion 15 having a length l4. The threaded portion is shown as a male thread. However, the threaded portion 15 may be a box adapted to the spigot of the drill pipe.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the upper part of the cutting debris collector, including the lower part of the wear-resistant ring 16 and the upper part of the cutting debris collector 10 adjacent to the wear-resistant ring 16. The wear-resistant ring 16 shows two upper cutters 27u and two lower cutters 27l. Upper fasteners 28u and lower fasteners 28l are also included and are shown as bolts and nuts in the figure. It can be seen from the figure that the wear-resistant ring 16 comprises two halves that can be assembled around the cutting debris collector stem 13. In the figure, bolts 28u and 28l are shown inserted into the protrusions 27u and 27l respectively. In addition to being configured such that bolts can be inserted therein, the protrusions may protrude with a sufficient distance to engage the wall of the borehole so that the cutting debris collector 10 does not become clogged in the borehole. As described above, the protruding cutters 27u and 27l can function as reamers and the wear-resistant ring 16 is replaceable.

[0033] For example, other fasteners 28u and 28l can be envisioned, such as a hinged solution having a latch facing the hinge axis and involving rotation around a vertical axis.

[0034] In FIG. 2, the wear-resistant ring 16, the top sleeve A, and the driving means 21 including the pinion 22 are separated from l3 and l4 for the purpose of explanation (see FIG. 1).

[0035] The top sleeve A includes a fixed part having an opening and a rotating part 23. The rotating part 23 is rotatable around the excavation debris collector stem 13, and the rotation is provided by a gear rim 24 engaged with the pinion 22. The pinion 22 is driven by the driving means 21. An opening 25 is provided in the rotating part 23, and when the rotating part 23 is driven by the pinion 22, it moves around the excavation debris collector stem 13.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a view showing the upper part of the cutting collector 10 as seen obliquely from the threaded tool connecting pin 11. The figure shows the wear-resistant ring 16 and the top sleeve A. A part of the top sleeve A may be a fixed integral part of the part l3 of the excavation debris collector.

[0037] The wear-resistant ring 16 shows that the distance between the endpoints of the two upper cutters 27u and the distance between the endpoints of the two lower cutters 27l form OD. In order to prevent the excavation debris collector 10 from becoming immovable during the excavation operation, OD must be greater than or equal to the diameter d of the excavation debris collector 10 in the region indicated by l3 in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows two upper cutters 27u and two lower cutters 27l. However, it is not necessary to use four cutters. The configuration of the cutters is a matter of function and design, and it is conceivable to use only two cutters arranged opposite to each other in the diameter direction. The cutters can function as a reamer so that the diameter of the excavation hole increases slightly compared to the diameter of the drill bit.

[0039] Figure 3 further shows the opening and closing mechanism provided by the top sleeve A in combination with the driving means 21 and the pinion 22. The driving means 21 and the pinion 22 are not shown in Figure 3. The fixed part of the top sleeve A has an opening 25 to the cutting waste collection chamber and an opening to a part of the cutting waste collector 10 for the purpose of discharging the cutting waste along one of the conveying paths. Alternatively, the opening of the fixed part of the top sleeve A may extend above the cutting waste collection chamber and the conveying path for discharging the cutting waste. By rotating the upper cover 23 provided with the opening, it is possible to control whether the opening of the upper rotating cover is aligned with the opening of the cutting waste collection chamber or the opening of the conveying path for discharging the cutting waste.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the lower part of the cutting waste collector 10. In the figure, the lower part includes a lower pin 15, and the lower pin 15 is adapted to engage with a drill pipe or a box. The cutting mud supply channel 44 is shown as an internal component of the cutting waste collector stem. The cutting waste collection chamber is bounded on the inside by 43 towards the cutting waste collector stem 13 and on the outside by the illustrated outer wall 12. The cutter bounding the conveying path of the cutting waste collection chamber terminates at the horizontal barrier 41, and a cutting waste collection chamber that can be opened only at its upper end, i.e., at the top sleeve A, is obtained. In order to separate the liquid from the cutting waste collected in the cutting waste collection chamber, the wall 12 is provided with a strainer that discharges the fluid and leaves the cutting waste analyzed in the cutting waste collection chamber.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the upper part of the cutting waste collector 10. The cutting mud channel 44 extends axially through that part of the illustrated cutting waste collector 10. The figure shows the top sleeve A having a rotating part 23 provided with a gear rim 24. The pinion 22 and the driving means 21 are also shown. Also shown is a collar 26 that projects from the cutting waste collector stem so that the wear-resistant ring 16 does not move axially.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows the upper part of the cuttings recovery device 10, with the outer wall 12 removed, showing the conveyance path to the cuttings recovery chamber and the conveyance path for discharging the cuttings. The figure shows two spiral cutters 61a and 61b with a distance 63 therebetween.

[0043] The distance between cutters 61a and 61b defines the conveyance path. The cuttings recovery chamber is bounded by the inner side edge of the first cutter 61a wound around the cuttings recovery device stem 13 like a spiral cutter / spiral, and the inner side edge of the second cutter 61b wound around the cuttings recovery device stem 13 like a spiral cutter. The cuttings recovery device stem is not tapered, and the distance between the first cutter 61a and the second cutter 61b is the same from the top to the bottom of the cuttings recovery device 10. The top of the cuttings recovery device 10 is constituted by the upper tool connection pin 11. The cuttings recovery chamber 63 is further bounded by the outer wall 12 (not shown) of the cuttings recovery device stem 13 and the outer wall of the cuttings recovery chamber 42 (not shown). FIG. 6 also shows a single inlet chamber 62 for the cuttings to be recovered, and these cuttings enter into the cuttings recovery chamber.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows that the cuttings recovery chamber 63 extends by a vertical length l3 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). This part of the cuttings recovery device 10 is also characterized in that an open external spiral is provided on the cuttings recovery device stem. This includes a part inside the vertical section l3 that is not covered by the outer wall 12 of the cuttings recovery device. This part provides a continuous path of the cuttings recovery device that acts as a conveyor screw for the cuttings not allowed to enter into the cuttings recovery chamber 63.

[0045] Figure 8 shows the upper part of the drill cuttings collector 10, including the uppermost part of the drill cuttings collection chamber 63, bounded by the "closed end" A having the opening and closing mechanisms 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The "closed end" A may be a top sleeve that can be disengaged from the rest of the drill cuttings collection chamber 63. The top sleeve A in FIG. 2 is shown together with the internal gear rim 24, and this gear rim 24 is attached to the rotating part of the top sleeve 23 that can rotate around the drill cuttings collector stem 13, so that the opening and closing function can be achieved. The pinion 22 is shown engaged with the gear rim 24. The pinion is rotatable by the driving means 21. The driving means 21 may be an electric motor. The electric motor can be a stepping motor. When the pinion rotates, the rotating part of the top sleeve 23 rotates. An opening 25 is provided in the fixed part of the top sleeve A. When the rotating part of the top sleeve 23 is rotated above the opening 25, complete or partial closure of the top sleeve A is achieved.

[0046] When collecting a sample, the opening and closing mechanism can be controlled by increasing the rotational speed of the drill bit. When collecting a sample, this is done at the normal rotational speed of the drill bit.

[0047] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the opening and closing mechanism of the upper sleeve A in more detail. The upper part B of the figure shows the fixed part of the top sleeve with two openings 25a and 25b. The openings 25a and 25b can be a single opening 25. Also, the opening 25 or 25a and 25b may form a substantial part, or may occupy a complete 360° area.

[0048] The rotating part 23 of the top sleeve is shown in the lower part C of FIG. 9. The opening 94 defines an opening provided to enable the entry of drill cuttings into the drill cuttings collection chamber, or to send the drill cuttings out to the conveying path to discharge the drill cuttings from the drill hole.

[0049] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a view showing a second embodiment of the cuttings recovery apparatus. The principle of using a conveyor screw for conveying cuttings into or out of the cuttings recovery chamber is the same as that in the first embodiment of the cuttings recovery apparatus 10 described above. The second embodiment shows a cuttings recovery apparatus 100 in which a top sleeve including a horizontal plane having an opening therein is replaced with a top sleeve 106 having a substantially frustoconical shape. The top sleeve 106 is provided with an opening which can be aligned with an opening into the cuttings recovery chamber or into a conveying path for discharging the cuttings. The combined and aligned openings are indicated by reference numeral 125 in FIGS. 10 to 15.

[0050] The cuttings recovery apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 10 is divided into four parts including an upper part h1 forming a tool connection pin of the cuttings recovery apparatus corresponding to the tool connection pin of the drill pipe. No reference signs are attached to the intermediate region between h1 and h2. The cuttings recovery apparatus 100 further includes a top sleeve having the axial length l2 described above.

[0051] Adjacent to l2, a part h3 of the cuttings recovery apparatus including the cuttings recovery chamber is shown. The box 105 is adapted to engage with the spigot of the drill pipe.

[0052] The cuttings recovery apparatus 100 is shown showing an enclosure wall 102 extending across the intermediate part h3 of the cuttings recovery apparatus 100.

[0053] The strainer 104 of the cuttings recovery apparatus 100 is different from that shown for the cuttings recovery apparatus 10 in that its surface area is significantly smaller.

[0054] The cuttings recovery apparatus 100 is shown as having a diameter w.

[0055] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the upper part of the cuttings collector 100 in more detail. A part is cut away from the figure to expose the driving means 121, and the driving means 121 is operable to rotate the top sleeve 106 around the vertical axis. This will be described in more detail with reference to other drawings. The top sleeve 106 is shown as having a maximum diameter D.

[0056] The design of the top sleeve 106 is not suitable as a "reamer". Also, the top sleeve 106 protruding beyond the diameter w may wear on the transmission between the driving means and the internal gear rim (not shown) of the top sleeve 106. Therefore, the cuttings collector 100 may be provided with a wear-resistant ring 1516 as shown in FIG. 15C and discussed in the description of FIG. 15C. Unless otherwise specified, the second embodiment of the cuttings collector 100 is provided with a wear-resistant ring 1516 as shown in FIG. 15C.

[0057] FIG. 12a shows a top sleeve isolated from the cuttings collector 100, and this top sleeve is shown with a gear rim 124. In this figure, the gear rim is shown on the upper part of the top sleeve 106, and this upper part is not tapered in this example. The remaining part of the top sleeve 106 forms a frustum of a cone. The top sleeve 106 is shown with an opening 104. The opening 104 may be aligned with the opening of the cuttings collector 100, which enables access to the cuttings collection chamber or to the conveyance path for discharging the cuttings.

[0058] To prevent the cuttings collector 100 from becoming immovable in the wellbore hole and / or to prevent the top sleeve 106 from engaging with the wall of the wellbore hole, a wear-resistant ring 16 can be attached as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 to 8, or a wear-resistant ring 1516 can be attached as shown in FIG. 15C.

[0059] FIG. 12b is a diagram showing the top sleeve 106 viewed from a different angle.

[0060] Figure 13 is a view showing the lower part of the cuttings recovery device 100. This figure shows two strainers for sieving out liquid from the cuttings recovery chamber so that the cuttings in the cuttings recovery chamber do not contain excessive liquid. The lower part of the cuttings recovery device 100 has an opening 131 for conveying muddy water / cuttings from a conveying path for discharging the cuttings, that is, a path that does not form the cuttings recovery chamber.

[0061] The lower part of the cuttings recovery device 100 is provided with a tool connection box 144 having a thread that matches the tool connection pin of the drill pipe.

[0062] Figure 14a is a view showing the cuttings recovery device 100 provided with an upper tool connection pin 101 having an axial channel 144 for supplying drilling mud for the drilling operation. Figure 14a further shows a top sleeve 106 having an opening 125, that is, the opening of the top sleeve 106 is aligned with an opening to one of the conveying paths of the cuttings recovery device 100.

[0063] The lower part of the cuttings recovery device is indicated by reference numeral 105.

[0064] Figure 14b is a perspective view of the cuttings recovery device 100 as seen obliquely from the pin 101. The axial drilling mud supply channel 144 is clearly shown.

[0065] Figure 14c is a perspective view of the cuttings recovery device 100, with the top sleeve 106 and the cover removed. The cover covers a compartment 1427 for the driving means 121. The driving means is removed from the figure.

[0066] Note that this figure shows two openings 146, one of the openings leading to the cuttings recovery chamber and the other leading to a conveying path for discharging cuttings from the shaft hole.

[0067] Figure 14d shows the cuttings recovery device 100 in an exploded view. A grid 1425 for protecting the strainer 104 may be provided on the strainer 104 of the cuttings recovery device as shown in the figure.

[0068] Figure 14e shows a cross-sectional view of the cuttings recovery apparatus 100 with the top sleeve 106 removed. The compartment 1427 for the drive means 121 is clearly shown, and it can be seen that the drive means is connected to the pinion 122 via the shaft 1426. The pinion is arranged to be able to engage with the gear rim 124. The opening 146 in the sample chamber is clearly shown.

[0069] Figure 15a shows a cross-section of the cuttings recovery apparatus 100. It can be seen that the drilling mud supply channel 144 extends along the length of the cuttings recovery apparatus. In the figure, the opening in the top sleeve 106 is aligned with one of the openings within the body of the cuttings recovery apparatus. The figure shows a helical cutter extending from the top sleeve to the lower part of the cuttings recovery apparatus.

[0070] Figure 15b shows a cross-section of the cuttings recovery apparatus 100. This figure clearly shows the internal conveyance path provided by two helical cutters extending downward from the top sleeve towards the lower part of the cuttings recovery apparatus.

[0071] Figure 15c shows a cross-section of the upper part of the cuttings recovery apparatus 100. From this figure, it can be seen that the cuttings recovery apparatus 100 has a maximum outer diameter D, and the said maximum outer diameter D is provided by the wear-resistant ring 1516.

[0072] Multiple embodiments are possible for the wear-resistant ring. In the figure, the wear-resistant ring is shown in the form of an inner wear-resistant ring bush 1516B configured to surround the upper part of the internal core of the cuttings recovery apparatus 100. The wear-resistant ring bush 1516B is shown together with an outer wear-resistant layer 1516A. The wear-resistant ring bush 1516B and the wear-resistant layer 1516A together form the wear-resistant ring 1516 of the cuttings recovery apparatus 100.

[0073] In one embodiment, the wear-resistant ring 1516 may be formed as a single part.

[0074] The wear-resistant ring 1516 may be replaceable, or the wear-resistant layer 1516B may be replaceable.

Explanation of Signs

[0075] 10 Drilling debris collector for collecting / acquiring drilling debris / structural samples, i.e., drilling debris collector 11 Upper threaded pin 12 Outer wall of the drilling debris collection chamber 63 13 Drilling debris collector stem having two helical cutters extending axially along the drilling debris collector stem 14 Strainer attached to the window of the outer wall of the drilling debris collection chamber 15 Lower threaded pin. 16 Wear-resistant ring. Outer diameter OD ≧ d. The wear-resistant ring prevents the drilling debris collector 10 from becoming immovable within the drilling hole. 21 Driving means. The driving means can be an electric motor (e.g., a stepping motor), a hydraulic motor, or a drilling mud engine. 22 Pinion for engagement with a gear rim having internal threads. The pinion is driven by the driving means 21. 23 Movable part of the top sleeve of the drilling debris collection chamber 63. The movable part of the top sleeve is rotatable about the vertical axis (L) by the engagement of the gear rim and the gear wheel. 24 Gear rim with an internal ring 25 Opening. The size of the opening 25 is adjustable by the movable part of the top sleeve 23. 25 includes 25a and 25b. 25a Opening to the drilling debris collection chamber within the upper top sleeve B 25b Opening for returning the mud along the drilling debris collector stem 13 26 Collar of the drilling debris collector stem. To ensure that the wear-resistant ring 16 does not move axially. 27u Upper cutter and mounting bracket of the wear-resistant ring. The wear-resistant ring may be provided with two upper cutters / mounting brackets diametrically opposed to each other. Lower cutter and mounting bracket of the 27l wear-resistant ring. The wear-resistant ring may be provided with two lower cutters / mounting brackets that face each other in the diameter direction. 28u Fastener for the upper mounting bracket / cutter of the wear-resistant ring. In the figure, the fastener is shown as a screw and a nut. 28l Fastener for the lower mounting bracket / cutter of the wear-resistant ring. In the figure, the fastener is shown as a screw and a nut. 41 Lower part of the cutting debris collection chamber 63 43 Inner wall of the cutting debris collection chamber 63 and outer wall of the cutting debris collector stem 44 Drilling fluid / slurry supply channel 61a First cutter of the cutting debris collection chamber 63 61b Second cutter of the cutting debris collection chamber 63 62 Inlet chamber for the cutting debris to be recovered. The cutting debris enters the cutting debris collection chamber. 63 Cutting debris collection chamber. The cutting debris collection chamber is bounded by the inner side edge of the first cutter, the inner side edge of the second cutter, the outer wall of the cutting debris collector stem, and the inner wall of the cutting debris collection chamber 43. 91 Partition wall between the opening to the cutting debris collection chamber and the opening for returning the slurry between the screw cutters 61a and 61b outside the cutting debris collection chamber 92 Opening in the partition wall for returning the sludge 93 Opening in the partition wall to the cutting debris collection chamber 94 Opening of the lower top sleeve, the lower top sleeve being rotatable about the vertical axis L by engagement with the pinion 22. Alignment of the opening 94 with the opening of the upper top sleeve provides access to the opening to the cutting debris collection chamber or the opening for returning the slurry along the cutting debris collector stem 13. 100 Second cutting debris collector for recovering / acquiring cutting debris / structural samples, i.e., the cutting debris collector 101 Upper threaded tool connection pin 102 Outer wall of the cutting debris collection chamber 104 Strainer attached to the window on the outer wall of the cutting debris recovery chamber 105 Lower tool connection box 106 Movable part of the cutting debris recovery chamber, top sleeve. The top sleeve is rotatable around the vertical axis (L) by the engagement of the gear rim 124 and the gear wheel (pinion) 122. 121 Driving means. The driving means may be an electric motor (e.g., a stepping motor), a hydraulic motor, or a cutting mud engine. 122 Pinion engaging with the gear rim 124 having an internal thread. The pinion 122 is driven by the driving means 121. 124 Gear rim with an internal rim 125 Top sleeve opening 126 Aligning opening between the opening 125 of the top sleeve 106 and the opening 146 of the cutting debris recovery device 131 Opening for conveying cutting mud / cutting debris from the conveying path for discharging cutting debris 144 Cutting fluid / mud supply channel 146 Opening from the cutting debris recovery chamber to the conveying path for discharging cutting debris. 1405 Grid 1425 Opening of the cutting debris recovery device to the cutting debris recovery chamber, or opening for returning mud between the spiral cutters outside the cutting debris recovery chamber 1426 Shaft from the driving means to the pinion 122 1427 Compartment for the driving means 121 1516 Second variant of the wear-resistant ring. The second variant of the wear-resistant ring may include a wear-resistant layer 1516a and a wear-resistant ring bush 1516b. 1516a Wear-resistant layer, may be integrated with the wear-resistant ring bush 1516b or may form a separate part. 1516b Wear-resistant ring bush. The wear-resistant ring bush may be integrated with the wear-resistant layer 1516a or may form a separate part. 1417 Sliding surface, contact surface between the wear-resistant ring and the top sleeve 106 d Outer diameter of the cutting debris recovery device, l3 Maximum outer diameter of the D top sleeve 106 w Outer diameter of the chip collector, h3 l1 Axial length of the upper threaded tool connection pin l2 Axial length of the replaceable wear ring l3 Axial length of the chip collector portion of the chip collector 10 l4 Axial length of the lower threaded tool connection pin h1 Axial length of the upper threaded tool connection pin h2 Axial length of the replaceable wear ring h3 Axial length of the chip collector portion of the chip collector 100 h4 Axial length of the threaded portion of the tool connection box L Axial length of the chip collector 10 H Axial length of the chip collector 100 A Top sleeve having a gear rim ring. Pulled up from the chip collection chamber to expose the gear wheel 22 and the gear rim (see Fig. 2) 24. B Upper part of the top sleeve A without a gear rim ring having an opening C Lower part of the top sleeve B provided with an opening for the gear rim and one opening 25a or 25b OD Maximum outer diameter of the wear ring. OD ≧ d X The x-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system is horizontal and represents the horizontal plane together with the y-axis. The x-axis is perpendicular to the axial direction of the chip collector stem. Y The y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system is horizontal and represents the horizontal plane together with the x-axis. The y-axis is perpendicular to the axial direction of the chip collector stem. Z The z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system is vertical and represents the vertical plane together with the y-axis. The z-axis is parallel to the axial direction of the chip collector stem. LWD Logging while drilling MWD Measurement while drilling

Claims

1. A cuttings recovery apparatus (10, 100) for obtaining cuttings from an underground shaft hole, comprising: a: A cuttings recovery stem (13) having a first cutter (61a) and a second cutter (61b) forming a double helix cutter acting as a conveyor screw having a first conveying path and a second conveying path; b: An outer wall (12) extending over the entire length of both cutters between the first cutter (61a) and the second cutter (61b) such that the outer wall (12) of the first conveying path is formed; c: A lower wall (41) provided in the conveying path having the outer wall (12) extending between the first cutter (61a) and the second cutter (61b), closing the first conveying path at its lower end; d: A top sleeve (A, B, C) provided at the upper end of the cuttings recovery stem (13) and having an opening and closing mechanism (25, 25a, 25b), wherein the top sleeve (A, B, C) is open to the first conveying path in a first position, the top sleeve is closed to the first conveying path in a second position, and the first conveying path forms a cuttings recovery chamber (63) that is closed at its upper and lower ends when the top sleeve (A, B, C) is in the closed position, the top sleeve; e: One or more strainers (14) provided on the outer wall (12) of the cuttings recovery chamber (63) for discharging liquid from the cuttings collected in the cuttings recovery chamber (63) when the top sleeve (A, B, C) is in the first position; f: An internal drilling mud channel extending along the entire axial length of the cuttings recovery apparatus. A cuttings recovery apparatus comprising at least the above.

2. The cuttings recovery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second position of the top sleeve (A, B, C) provides an opening to the second conveying path so that cuttings can be discharged along the second conveying path.

3. The top sleeve (A, B, C) comprises a fixed part having an opening and a rotating part (23), the rotating part (23) being rotatable around the cuttings recovery stem (13) and being rotated by a gear rim (24) engaged with a pinion (22), the pinion being driven by a driving means (21). The cuttings recovery apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The top sleeves (A, B, C) include a rotating top sleeve having an opening, the rotating top sleeve being rotatable around the drill cuttings recovery stem (13), and the drill cuttings recovery chamber (63) is provided at its upper part with an opening having a shape and size that coincides with the opening of the rotating top sleeve. When the opening of the top sleeve and the opening of the drill cuttings recovery chamber (63) are aligned, the top sleeve is in a first position and drill cuttings collect in the drill cuttings recovery chamber (63). The drill cuttings recovery apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The drill cuttings recovery stem (13) includes, at its upper end, a threaded pin (11) having a length l1 or h1, the threaded pin being configured to engage with a drill bit. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus further includes a wear-resistant ring (16), the wear-resistant ring (16) being mountable so as to surround the upper threaded pin of the drill cuttings recovery stem. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus according to claims 1 to 3.

7. The wear-resistant ring (16) has a maximum diameter OD, the maximum diameter OD being larger than the diameters of the upper sleeves (A, B, C) and the drill cuttings recovery stem. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus further includes a wear-resistant ring, the wear-resistant ring providing a sliding surface for the top sleeve, and the diameter of the wear-resistant ring corresponding to the maximum diameter of the drill cuttings recovery apparatus. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus a: further includes one of a lower box and b: a lower threaded pin (15). The cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus is configured to form an interchangeable part of a drill string. The drill cuttings recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. A method for obtaining drill cuttings from an underground wellbore hole, comprising: a: providing a drill cuttings recovery stem having a first cutter (61a) and a second cutter (61b) forming a double helical cutter acting as a conveyor screw having a first conveying path and a second conveying path. b: providing an outer wall (12) extending over the entire length of both cutters between the first cutter (61a) and the second cutter (61b) such that the outer wall (12) of the first conveyance path is formed; c: providing a lower wall (41) that closes the first conveyance path at its lower end; d: providing a top sleeve (A, B, C) configured to be disposed at the upper end of the cuttings recovery stem (13), the top sleeve (A, B, C) being provided with an opening and closing mechanism (25, 25a, 25b), the top sleeve (A, B, C) being open to the first conveyance path in a first position, the top sleeve (A, B, C) being closed to the first conveyance path in a second position, the first conveyance path forming a cuttings recovery chamber (63) that is closed at its upper end and its lower end when the top sleeve (A, B, C) is in the closed position; e: providing one or more strainers (14) provided on the outer wall of the cuttings recovery chamber for discharging liquid from the cuttings recovered in the cuttings recovery chamber when the top sleeve (A, B, C) is in the first position; f: providing an internal excavation mud channel extending over the entire axial length of the cuttings recovery device; A method for obtaining cuttings from an underground shaft hole, having at least the above.

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