Core Sample Marking Guide for Accurate Orientation Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manually marking core samples to indicate orientation are cumbersome, prone to errors, and pose safety risks due to the weight and size of the core samples, leading to inaccurate alignment and potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing, marking guide, communications module, and user interface that aligns with downhole tool data to guide precise marking of core samples using light emitters and feedback mechanisms for accurate orientation indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual marking of core samples is performed using traditional methods, then the marking process can be completed, but the accuracy of orientation indication deteriorates due to parallax error and user misplacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual marking system with an automated optical marking system. A camera captures images of the core sample, and a processor automatically determines the BoC position and generates marking instructions, eliminating manual estimation and parallax errors associated with traditional mechanical marking jigs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying by capturing an image of the core sample with a camera. The processor then analyzes this optical copy to identify the BoC position and generate marking instructions, replacing direct mechanical measurement with indirect optical measurement that avoids parallax errors
2Measurement precision
If the core sample and core tube are manually rotated to align with BoC position, then the orientation can be identified, but the time and energy required increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing an image of the core sample before any rotation or alignment operations. The processor then automatically determines the BoC position from this preliminary image, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual rotation and alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the captured image to identify the BoC position and generate marking instructions without requiring user intervention for rotation or alignment. The processor independently completes the orientation identification task
3Ease of operation
If manual marking is performed without automated guidance, then the marking process is simple, but the risk of user error and injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical marking operations with an automated optical system. The camera and processor automatically identify the BoC position and generate marking instructions, reducing the need for users to manually handle heavy core samples and marking equipment, thereby improving safety while maintaining operational simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
Device (10) for guiding a user to mark a core sample (12) carried by a core tube (14), the device (10) including: a housing (20) mountable relative to the core sample (12) or the core tube (14) and having a marking guide (22) configured to be arranged adjacent the core sample (12) to guide marking; a communications module (26) operable to communicate with the downhole tool (16) to receive data; a user interface (28) operable to convey perceptible feedback to the user; and a processor (30) and associated memory (32). The processor (30) is configured to store data in the memory (32) and determine a marking position based on the data, and operate the user interface (28) to direct the user to cause relative rotation of the marking guide (22) and the core sample (12) so that the marking guide (22) is aligned with the marking position, allowing the user to use the marking guide (22) to mark the core sample (12) at the marking position.