Coring Assembly Sensor Placement and Pressure Relief Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coring operations lack reliable feedback to operators regarding core sample entry and capture, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to incorrect judgments about core sample presence or jamming, and existing monitoring systems are cumbersome and costly to install and maintain, especially when used with Full Closure Type Systems (FCS).
Innovation Solution
A down-the-hole coring assembly with a sensor and signal transmitter, where the signal transmitter is located below the attachment end and swivel assembly, allowing for reliable signaling of coring parameters and enabling the use of FCS systems, and incorporating a core barrel pressure relief valve to prevent hydraulic lock, reducing on-site assembly time and risk, and eliminating the need for heavy, expensive flow subs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor and signal transmitter are installed in the coring assembly to provide real-time feedback, then monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmitter is positioned to serve dual purposes: providing real-time feedback for monitoring operations AND enabling Full Closure Type Systems (FCS) functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved monitoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing drilling fluid circulation system to transmit signals from the sensor to the surface, rather than requiring a separate communication infrastructure. The drilling fluid acts as the transmission medium, allowing the monitoring system to leverage existing infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the signal transmitter is positioned above the swivel assembly for easy access, then ease of installation is improved, but the ability to work with FCS systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmitter is positioned in a different spatial dimension - within the inner barrel of the coring assembly rather than above the swivel assembly. This repositioning allows the system to accommodate FCS requirements while maintaining functionality through alternative access methods during installation.
3Strength
If heavy flow subs are used to support the signal transmitter, then structural strength is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmitter is extracted from the heavy flow sub structure and integrated directly into the coring assembly's inner barrel. This eliminates the need for heavy flow subs while maintaining structural integrity through the coring assembly's own structural design, thereby reducing installation time and cost.
4Reliability
If the inner barrel is sealed to prevent core sample slippage, then core sample retention is improved, but hydraulic lock and pressure build-up occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is applied locally and selectively - the inner barrel is sealed to prevent core sample slippage, but the pressure relief valve provides a localized controlled opening to release excessive pressure. This localized differentiation allows the system to maintain core retention while preventing hydraulic lock.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve is pre-configured to automatically open when excessive pressure is detected, preventing hydraulic lock before it can cause harmful effects. This preliminary protective mechanism counteracts the potential harmful effect of sealing the inner barrel.
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 provides real-time feedback on core entry, capture, and jamming, reduces on-site installation risks and costs, and allows for efficient use with FCS systems, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of coring operations while preventing hydraulic lock issues.
Implementation Method 1
a signal transmitter connected to the sensor for transmitting said indicative signal to the surface, characterised in that the signal transmitter comprises a mud pulser located in the inner barrel and electrically coupled to said sensor
Implementation Method 2
The drilling fluid is passed through the inner barrel to clear the inner barrel. The drilling fluid is passed through the annulus between the inner barrel and the outer barrel and out of the ports of the coring bit in order to cool and lubricate the coring bit
Implementation Method 3
The drilling fluid lubricates and cools the drill bit, and carries drill cuttings from the borehole back to the surface
Implementation Method 4
incorporating a core barrel pressure relief valve to prevent hydraulic lock
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for monitoring coring operations has a sensor 80 for detecting one or more drilling parameters relating to a down-the-hole coring operation. An indicative signal from the sensor is communicated to a signal transmitter (30) for transmitting the indicative signal to the surface. The signal transmitter is located in or adjacent the coring assembly. The signal transmitter can be a mud pulser (30) housed above a core barrel (14). Communication of the indicative signal to the signal transmitter can be wireless, hard wired or conducted through the material of an outer barrel (12) of a drilling assembly. The core barrel can include a core limit recognition/detection device (34). An adapter/sub (90) incorporates a check valve (92) to relieve excess fluid pressure if there is sufficient hydraulic lock immediately above a core sample within the core barrel as the core sample enters the core barrel.