Integrated Borehole Survey and Core Orientation Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current borehole surveying and core orientation processes in mineral exploration require separate trips, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies due to the need for distinct instruments and the spindle assembly's rotational decoupling, which complicates the acquisition of reliable tool face data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enable the simultaneous acquisition of borehole survey data and core orientation data in a single instrument trip by using a borehole survey tool integrated with an inner core barrel assembly, which provides a mechanism for detecting and transferring the tool face indication to the survey tool, eliminating the need for separate orientation equipment within the inner core barrel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate borehole surveying and core orientation processes are used, then each process can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the drilling production must be halted twice and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines borehole surveying tools and core orientation tools into a single integrated tool assembly that can be deployed in one trip. The survey tool measures borehole position and orientation while the core orientation tool (with markers and sensors) simultaneously captures core orientation data, eliminating the need for separate drilling halts and instrument trips.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated tool assembly performs multiple functions: it conducts borehole surveying (measuring inclination, azimuth, depth) and core orientation measurement (capturing tool face orientation relative to core markers) in a single deployment. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining data accuracy through dedicated sensors for each function while eliminating the time loss from separate trips.
2Ease of manufacture
If the spindle assembly rotationally decouples the core tube from the core drill, then the core tube can receive core samples, but reliable tool face data acquisition becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces markers attached to the core tube and a core orientation tool with sensors that detect these markers. This intermediary marker system allows the measurement of tool face orientation relative to the core tube even when the spindle assembly rotationally decouples them. The markers serve as reference points that bridge the rotational disconnect, enabling precise orientation measurement without compromising core sample reception.
3Reliability
If borehole survey tools are deployed separately from core orientation tools, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges borehole surveying tools and core orientation tools into a single integrated assembly deployed in one trip. While the internal structure remains specialized for each function (with dedicated sensors and mechanisms), the integration eliminates the need for separate deployment processes, reducing overall process complexity while maintaining function-specific performance through optimized specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (10) and method (50) of enabling the acquisition of borehole survey data and core orientation data in a single instrument trip in a core drill (12) having a drill string (18) and an inner core barrel assembly (16). The method uses a borehole survey tool 14 that is arranged to at least log its position in three-dimensional space. The borehole survey tool (14) is run down the drill string (12) in which the inner core barrel assembly (16) is installed. The inner core barrel assembly (16) is arranged to either provide or facilitate detection of an indication of tool face of a core sample (24) held in the inner core barrel assembly (16). The indication of tool face is then transferred mechanically or electronically to the visiting borehole survey tool (14).