Continuous Sampling Drill Bit with Frustoconical Core Breaker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional core sampling methods are time-consuming and require complex wireline tooling, and existing continuous sampling methods using percussive pneumatic hammers are limited to non-water-bearing formations, have high energy consumption, and are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A drill bit design comprising a first body with a shank and crown, and a second body with a frustoconical surface that breaks tubular core samples into pieces, allowing continuous sampling without wireline tooling, suitable for water-bearing formations, and enabling the use of drilling fluid to transport core pieces up the drill string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wireline core sampling is used, then core samples can be retrieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires complex wireline tooling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex wireline tooling system from the core sampling process. By using a drill bit with an internal cavity and frustoconical surface that directly collects and breaks core samples, the patent removes the need for separate wireline retrieval operations, thereby simplifying the overall system and increasing sampling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the drilling and core sample collection functions into a single integrated drill bit assembly. The crown and shank form a unified structure with internal cavities that simultaneously perform cutting, core formation, and sample breaking operations, eliminating the need for separate wireline tooling operations
2Productivity
If percussive pneumatic hammers are used for continuous sampling, then sampling can continue without stopping, but energy consumption is high and they are limited to non-water-bearing formations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the percussive pneumatic hammer system with a rotary drilling mechanism. Instead of using high-energy pneumatic impacts, the patent employs rotational cutting edges that continuously advance and collect core samples through mechanical rotation, significantly reducing energy consumption while enabling operation in water-bearing formations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters from percussive (impact-based) to rotary (rotation-based). This parameter change allows the system to operate continuously in water-bearing formations where pneumatic hammers fail, while reducing energy consumption through more efficient mechanical rotation
3Adaptability or versatility
If percussive pneumatic hammers are used, then continuous sampling is possible, but the method is inefficient and limited to dry formations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal drill bit design that can effectively sample both water-bearing and non-water-bearing formations. The crown and shank structure with internal cavities and frustoconical surfaces provides multi-functional capability for core collection and breaking across different formation types, eliminating the limitations of formation-specific methods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, continuous core sampling in water-bearing formations without the need for wireline tooling, reducing energy consumption and improving sampling efficiency by breaking core samples into manageable pieces and using drilling fluid for transport.
Implementation Method 1
The first frustoconical surface can have, along the central axis, a diameter that is sufficiently greater than the outer diameter of the crown of the second body in order to break the tubular core sample into core pieces as the core sample advances against the frustoconical surface
Implementation Method 2
The at least one conduit can be adapted to enable travel of the core pieces from the second volume to the inner bore of the shank of the first body
Data Source
AI summary
A drill bit comprises a first and a second body received within the first body. Each of the first body and second body has a respective crown, each crown having an inner and an outer operative circumference. The outer operative circumference of the second body and the inner operative circumference of the first body can define a first volume that can receive a tubular core sample. The second body can define a break surface that breaks the tubular core sample into core pieces. The drill bit can be employed in a borehole with a reverse circulation system that pumps fluid around an outer surface of the bit, and returning fluid can carry the core pieces out of the borehole.