Core Sample Orientation With Circular Buffer and Wireless Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing core orientation systems face issues with memory exhaustion, missed critical data points, data loss due to power loss, inflexible adaptation to different pipe diameters, and cumbersome data retrieval processes, leading to inefficiency and increased operator fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A device with a tubular body containing a detector and an electronic control unit that uses triaxial accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect core sample breakage and orientation, stores data efficiently using a circular buffer and non-volatile memory, and transmits data wirelessly via Bluetooth, allowing seamless integration with portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is continuously stored at fixed intervals, then orientation tracking is maintained, but memory resources are exhausted and critical data points may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures a circular buffer with a predetermined size before operation begins. This buffer automatically overwrites oldest data when full, eliminating the need for continuous memory management and ensuring critical recent data is always retained without exhausting memory resources
Solution Approach 2:
The circular buffer implementation automatically discards oldest orientation data when the buffer reaches capacity, making space for new critical data points. This selective discarding ensures memory resources are efficiently utilized while maintaining reliability for recent measurements
2Ease of operation
If data is recorded at fixed intervals, then memory management is simplified, but critical data points during core sample separation may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors acceleration data from the triaxial accelerometer and compares it against predefined thresholds. When abnormal acceleration patterns indicating core sample separation are detected, the system immediately captures and stores this critical data, ensuring measurement precision without complex memory management
Solution Approach 2:
The circular buffer is pre-configured with sufficient capacity to store data at the selected frequency, and the system is pre-programmed with separation detection algorithms. This preliminary preparation enables automatic detection and capture of critical events without requiring complex real-time memory management decisions
3Device complexity
If volatile memory is used, then system complexity is reduced, but data loss occurs during power loss or system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges volatile memory (for fast writing during operation) with non-volatile memory (for data preservation) into a unified storage architecture. The circular buffer writes to volatile memory during drilling operations, and periodically transfers data to non-volatile memory, ensuring data retention without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements redundant storage by writing critical orientation data to both volatile and non-volatile memory simultaneously or in close succession. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if power is lost, the data is preserved in non-volatile memory, maintaining reliability without major complexity increases
4Ease of operation
If core tube must be opened to download data, then data retrieval is possible, but operating time increases and operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical process of opening the core tube to access data with wireless communication technology. The orientation device transmits collected data wirelessly to external devices, eliminating the need for physical tube opening and significantly reducing operating time and operator fatigue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the orientation device inside the core tube and external data processing systems. This intermediary enables data transfer without mechanical intervention, improving ease of operation while reducing time loss
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
Ensures reliable and efficient data capture of core sample orientation without memory overburden, adapts to various pipe diameters, and reduces operator fatigue by enabling wireless data transfer, maintaining data integrity and reducing operation time.
Implementation Method 1
the detector (9) comprises a triaxial accelerometer configured to detect a breaking of the core sample from the subsoil
Implementation Method 2
a set of triaxial accelerometers arranged mutually orthogonal to each other for orienting the core sample by means of measuring the gravitational vector
Implementation Method 3
the detector (9) comprises a gyroscope configured to detect an orientation of the inner tube and/or of the core sample disposed in the inner tube
Data Source
AI summary
A device for orienting core samples relative to their position in the subsoil before extraction, attaching to a core bit during drilling features a robust tubular body with a detector to identify core sample breakage and orientation using triaxial accelerometers and gyroscopes, measuring orientation by the gravity vector or true north. An electronic control unit stores, timestamps, and transmits data wirelessly via BLUETOOTH®, ensuring data reliability without removing the device. The device includes adapters for different pipe diameters, minimizing the need for disassembly and reducing user fatigue, while maintaining pump functionality with a bypass valve if needed.