Coring Tool Flap Catcher Retains Unconsolidated Samples

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing core sample catchers struggle to retain unconsolidated formation material, such as sand, within the coring tool, as loose material falls out through the catcher opening during retrieval.

Innovation Solution

A core sample catcher with a flap catcher member that moves between open and closed positions, coupled with a piston member that is forced upward by the core sample to release the flap catcher and retain the material, ensuring the core sample is fully captured within the inner barrel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a collet type core catcher is used, then consolidated core samples can be retained, but unconsolidated formation material falls out through the opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecore sample retentionVSAvoidunconsolidated material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The core catcher employs movable flap members that can transition between open and closed positions. During drilling, the flaps remain open to allow core sample passage. After coring completes, the flaps close to seal the opening and retain unconsolidated material, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring reliable retention for both consolidated and unconsolidated formations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational state of the core catcher from open to closed based on the coring process stage. The piston member detects when coring is complete and triggers the flap closure, changing the parameter of opening occlusion from 0% to 100% to prevent material loss while maintaining core sample passage capability during active coring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If the flap catcher member is in the closed position to retain material, then unconsolidated formation material is prevented from falling out, but the core sample cannot pass through during reception

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation material retentionVSAvoidcore sample passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The piston member is positioned in advance to hold the flap catcher members in the open position during the coring operation, ensuring the passageway remains unobstructed for core sample reception. Only after the core sample is fully received does the piston move, allowing the flaps to close and seal the opening for material retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The piston member acts as a feedback mechanism that detects when the core sample has been fully received in the inner barrel. Once the piston is pushed sufficiently upward by the received core sample, it triggers the transition of flap members from open to closed position, ensuring the opening is sealed only after complete core sample reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of substance

If the piston member is forced upward by the core sample, then the flap catcher members are released to close and retain material, but requires sufficient core sample length to activate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecore sample retentionVSAvoidcore sample length requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The piston member features a specific interaction surface with the flap catcher members that requires only a localized portion of the core sample to contact and activate the closure mechanism. This localized interaction point means that even shorter core samples can trigger the sealing action, reducing the overall length requirement while ensuring reliable material retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively retains both consolidated and unconsolidated core samples by occluding the passageway as the core sample is received, preventing material loss during retrieval and ensuring complete sample collection.

Implementation Method 1

the piston member is sized and configured to be forced upward within the inner barrel by the core sample and release the retention of the at least one flap catcher member in the first position by the piston member as the core sample is received within the inner barrel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10202813B2Coring tools including core sample flap catcher and related methods

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

Core sample catchers for use with coring tools for obtaining core samples from subterranean formations may include at least one flap catcher member configured to be movably coupled to an inner barrel of the coring tool and configured to move between an open position and a closed position. A piston member including a central bore may be disposed in a passageway extending through the inner barrel. The piston member may be configured to move between a first position and a second position, the piston member configured to retain the at least one flap catcher member in the open position when the piston member is in the first position, and allow flap catcher member to move into the closed position when the piston member is in the second position.