Core Barrel Axial Grooves for Fluid Flow and Latch Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireline drilling systems are time-consuming and costly when retrieving core samples, especially at great depths, as they require tripping the entire drill string, which can be inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a core barrel assembly with external fluid pathways, including axial grooves and fluid ports, allows for increased fluid flow and reduced travel time of the core barrel assembly through the drill string, enhancing productivity and efficiency by facilitating easier passage of drilling fluids and ground water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the core barrel assembly uses conventional design without external fluid pathways, then the structural strength is maintained, but the fluid flow is restricted and travel time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The outer surface of the core barrel assembly is segmented with multiple axial grooves that divide the fluid flow path into separate channels. This segmentation allows fluid to flow along the outer surface while maintaining structural integrity, thereby increasing fluid flow quantity without compromising strength and reducing travel time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions fluid flow from a purely internal pathway to include an external dimension by adding axial grooves on the outer surface. This dimensional change allows fluid to flow both internally and externally, significantly increasing the total fluid flow quantity and reducing travel time without affecting structural strength.
2Reliability
If the core barrel assembly includes larger or more complex latch mechanisms, then the latching reliability is improved, but the fluid flow pathways become restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The outer surface is divided into multiple axial grooves that create separate fluid flow channels around the latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the latch mechanism to be larger and more complex for improved reliability while fluid flows through the grooves, preventing restriction of fluid flow pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial grooves act as intermediary channels that mediate between the latch mechanism and the fluid flow. These grooves provide dedicated fluid pathways that prevent the latch mechanism from blocking fluid flow, allowing both latching reliability and fluid flow quantity to be optimized simultaneously.
3Productivity
If axial grooves are added to the outer surface, then fluid flow is increased and travel time is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The axial grooves are designed with curved profiles that follow the cylindrical geometry of the core barrel assembly. This curvature approach simplifies manufacturing by using standard machining operations for cylindrical surfaces, reducing manufacturing complexity while still achieving the goal of increased fluid flow and reduced travel time.
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
This solution reduces the time required to trip the core barrel assembly in and out of the drill string, improving drilling performance by maintaining adequate fluid flow and structural strength, while allowing for larger or more complex latch mechanisms without restricting fluid flow, thus enhancing the efficiency of core drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
axial grooves on an outer surface of the core barrel assembly. The at least one groove can extend into the outer surface of the core barrel assembly and can extend axially along the outer surface of the core barrel assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly including external fluid pathways extending generally axially long the outer surface of the core barrel assembly. The one or more external fluid pathways can allow for increased fluid flow around a latch mechanism. The increased fluid flow around the latch mechanism can allow the core barrel assembly to travel faster within the drill string, can allow drilling fluid to pass by the latch mechanism when engaged. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including external fluid pathways, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.