Core Tray Structure for Stable Drill Core Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional core trays are prone to misalignment and damage of drill core samples during transport, lack standardization, and suffer from inaccurate photographic analysis due to distortion issues, particularly at the corners.
Innovation Solution
A tray design with constant cross-section slots featuring convexly curved support portions, ribbing arrangements, and strategically positioned reference markers to stabilize and align core samples, reducing rolling and enhancing photographic accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional core trays are used with curved slots meeting at a ridge, then core samples can be held in the slots, but the ridge penetrates softer rock cores and induces or propagates fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing support portions with a radius of curvature that matches the core sample radius, creating a smooth cradle-like surface. This curved support structure eliminates sharp ridges that would penetrate and fracture softer rock cores, while still providing adequate support to prevent rolling during transport.
2Ease of operation
If core samples are allowed to roll side to side in traditional trays, then they can be easily accessed, but markings made by geologists lose their upward alignment and fragile cores break apart
Solution Approach 1:
The curved support portions act as cradles that naturally hold core samples in a stable, upright position. The matching radius of curvature creates a snug fit that prevents side-to-side rolling while maintaining easy accessibility. This curvature-based support system preserves the upward alignment of geological markings without requiring complex restraining mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If reference markers are placed at the corners of the tray for photographic analysis, then position and orientation can be established, but wide-angled lens distortion severely inaccurately reconstructs the corner markers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically positions reference markers away from the corner regions of the tray, placing them in areas that are less affected by wide-angled lens distortion. This asymmetric placement strategy acknowledges that corner regions suffer from severe distortion and positions markers in more reliable zones for accurate photographic reconstruction and measurement.
4Strength
If core trays are made from heavy materials like wood or metal, then they can support heavy rock samples, but they become quite heavy themselves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs plastic material with strategically designed ribbing arrangements to create a composite-like structure that combines the benefits of lightweight material with high strength characteristics. The ribs provide structural reinforcement that enables the tray to support heavy rock samples while maintaining overall lightweight construction, avoiding the need for heavy materials like wood or metal.
Data Source
AI summary
A tray for storing geological drill core samples, comprising a plurality of slots, each slot, when viewed in cross-section, comprise a laterally extending slot base (24), a pair of side walls (26), and a support portion (28) extending from a lower end of each side wall to a proximal lateral side of the base, and the support portions receive and support the at least one drill core sample above the slot base and inhibit said drill core sample from contacting said slot base. The support portions may be convexly curved and may have a channel recessed (30) thereinto. The tray may further comprise ribbing between a pair of adjacent slots of the plurality of slots; a slot divider; peripheral upper surface portions comprising a reference marker; a substantially planar surface or panel to enable a user to write on or affix a label; ruler is formed upon an upper surface.