Coring Apparatus Inner Barrel Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for obtaining core samples from formations using coring tools often result in fracturing and destruction of the core integrity due to rotation of the coring inner barrel during drilling, limiting the length and continuity of the core sample.
Innovation Solution
A drilling system with a coring tool that includes a rotation measurement apparatus to detect and maintain the inner barrel in a stationary state, using sensors and targets to measure relative rotation and take corrective actions to prevent barrel rotation, ensuring a continuous and unbroken core sample is obtained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the coring inner barrel rotates during drilling to enable core sample extraction, then the core sample can be obtained, but the core integrity is compromised due to fracturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by keeping the inner barrel stationary while the outer barrel rotates, thereby preventing core fracturing while still enabling core sample extraction through the stationary barrel's opening
Solution Approach 2:
The coring device is divided into two separate rotating components: an outer barrel that rotates to drill and an inner barrel that remains stationary to receive and protect the core sample, allowing independent optimization of each component's function
2Stability of the object's composition
If the coring inner barrel is kept stationary to maintain core integrity, then core sample continuity is improved, but the ability to rotate the barrel for core extraction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the operational mode by rotating the outer barrel instead of the inner barrel, allowing the inner barrel to remain stationary and maintain core integrity while the outer barrel's rotation enables drilling and core extraction through coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The outer barrel acts as an intermediary that rotates to perform drilling operations while the stationary inner barrel receives the core, mediating between the rotating drilling mechanism and the stationary core containment function
3Productivity
If rotation of the coring inner barrel is allowed during drilling, then drilling operation continues, but measurement of core rotation becomes necessary to maintain stationary state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for complex rotation measurement and control systems by inverting the operational approach: the outer barrel rotates freely while the inner barrel remains stationary, removing the contradiction between continuous drilling and stationary core containment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the rotation function from the inner barrel and assigns it to the outer barrel, thereby removing the need for complex measurement and control systems that would be required to maintain inner barrel stationarity during rotation
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
The system effectively maintains the core sample's integrity by preventing rotation of the inner barrel, allowing for longer, unbroken core samples to be extracted while monitoring and adjusting drilling parameters to ensure stability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is coupled to the outer rotating member and configured to detect a position of a target on the inner substantially non-rotating member
Data Source
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AI summary
A coring apparatus is provided, which apparatus, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a rotatable member coupled to a drill bit configured to drill a core from a formation, a substantially non-rotatable member in the rotatable member configured to receive the core from the formation, and a sensor configured to provide signals relating to rotation between the rotatable member and the substantially non-rotatable member during drilling of the core from the formation, and a circuit configured to process the signals from the sensor to estimate rotation between the rotatable member and the non-rotatable member.