Coring Tool Indexing Device for Seamless Drilling Transition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coring tools face challenges in efficiently alternating between coring and conventional drilling operations without the costly and time-consuming process of tripping the drill string, leading to inefficiencies in drilling and core sample retrieval.
Innovation Solution
The development of coring tools featuring a core bit with a drill plug and an indexing device that maintains a predetermined angular relationship, allowing for seamless transition between coring and drilling operations by forming a continuous cutting structure, enabling efficient drilling and core sample collection without the need to remove the drill string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a coring tool is used to obtain core samples, then formation characteristics can be analyzed, but the process requires tripping the drill string to alternate between coring and drilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The coring tool incorporates a dynamic receptacle assembly that can be selectively removed and replaced with a drill plug while the drill string remains in the borehole. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same drill string to perform both coring and conventional drilling operations without tripping, thereby improving productivity and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The coring tool is designed with universal functionality to perform both coring and conventional drilling operations. The ability to swap between a core sample receptacle and a drill plug with cutting structures enables a single tool to serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate drilling and coring operations and reducing tripping time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the receptacle is removed and a drill plug is inserted to enable conventional drilling, then alternating operations are possible, but maintaining angular alignment between core bit and drill plug is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
An indexing device serves as an intermediary mechanism between the core bit and the drill plug. This indexing device includes features such as protrusions and recesses that engage to maintain a predetermined angular relationship between the core bit and drill plug, simplifying the alignment process and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with a simplified indexing mechanism that uses geometric features (protrusions and recesses) to automatically establish the correct angular relationship between components. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability for operation switching.
3Productivity
If cutting structures are positioned on both core bit and drill plug, then continuous cutting action is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing device incorporates self-aligning features where protrusions on one component automatically engage with corresponding recesses on the other component. This self-service alignment mechanism ensures that the cutting structures on the core bit and drill plug are properly positioned relative to each other, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling continuous cutting action for improved productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A coring tool may comprise a core bit, and the core bit may comprise at least one cutting structure extending from adjacent an inner bore of the core bit to an outer gage of the core bit. A drill plug may be configured to close the inner bore of the core bit, and the drill plug may comprise at least one cutting structure. An indexing device may be disposed between the drill plug and the core bit. The indexing device may be configured to maintain a predetermined angular relationship between the core bit and the drill plug. The at least one cutting structure of the core bit and the at least one cutting structure of the drill plug may form a substantially continuous cutting structure at the predetermined angular relationship. Related methods of drilling with a coring tool.