Core Sample Inner Tube Separation for Continuous Deep Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency of core sample drilling operations is primarily due to the limited length of inner tubes, which necessitates frequent stops to retrieve and reposition the tubes, reducing drilling time and productivity, especially in deep holes, while longer tubes pose handling and safety challenges.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a clamp and coupling mechanism that allows for the extension of inner tubes by uncoupling and separating them at the surface, enabling continuous drilling with extended core sample retrieval without manual handling of long tubes, using a positioning apparatus for precise alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the inner tube length is increased to reduce drilling stops, then drilling efficiency is improved, but handling and safety challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube system is segmented into multiple sections that can be coupled together to form extended lengths during drilling operations, then separated for individual handling. This allows the drilling system to benefit from long tube lengths while maintaining ease of handling through segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple inner tube sections are nested within each other during storage and handling, with smaller diameter tubes inside larger diameter tubes. This compact nesting arrangement reduces handling complexity and space requirements while enabling extended drilling capabilities when tubes are coupled together.
2Loss of time
If the inner tube length is increased to reduce drilling stops, then drilling time is reduced, but safety challenges increase due to heavy core samples
Solution Approach 1:
The core sample retrieval process is segmented by separating the inner tube into multiple sections, which divides the heavy core sample into manageable portions. This reduces safety risks associated with handling heavy long-core samples while maintaining continuous drilling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The core sample is extracted from the inner tube sections individually at the surface rather than handling the entire extended core sample as one piece. This extraction approach reduces safety hazards by breaking down the heavy load into smaller, safer units for handling.
3Ease of operation
If frequent stops are made to retrieve and reposition inner tubes, then handling simplicity is maintained, but drilling productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is segmented into multiple couplable sections that can be assembled to the required length for each drilling run. This segmentation allows operators to maintain simplicity by using standard sections while achieving extended lengths that reduce the frequency of retrieval stops and improve productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for handling core samples during a core sample drilling operation is disclosed. In use, the core sample is received in a string of inner tubes within a drill string. The device includes a clamp and a coupling mechanism. The clamp is configured to grip a lower inner tube below a joint between the lower inner tube and an adjacent upper inner tube of the string of inner tubes, with the lower tube received in the drill string and with the joint exposed above a top end of the drill string. The coupling mechanism is configured to engage the upper inner tube and/or the joint and operate to uncouple the upper inner tube from the lower inner tube.