Coring Tool Sponge Gap and Stabilizer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coring tools face challenges in accurately capturing escaping materials from core samples, leading to incomplete representation of earth formation characteristics due to either loss of fluids or interference issues with the sponge material, which affects the accuracy of measurements.
Innovation Solution
The coring tool design reduces the distance between the core sample and the sponge material while maintaining a controlled space between them, using a rotating body to form precise gages and a stabilizer to minimize wobbling, ensuring efficient absorption of escaped fluids without interfering with the core sample retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sponge material is placed close to the core sample to improve fluid absorption, then fluid capture efficiency is improved, but the sponge material may interfere with core sample retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The coring tool is divided into distinct functional zones: a first region containing the core sample and a second region containing the sponge material, separated by a defined interface. This segmentation allows each region to perform its function independently without interference, resolving the contradiction between close proximity for absorption and separation for retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid communication path is established as an intermediary mechanism between the core sample region and sponge material region. This path allows fluids to travel from the core sample to the sponge material without requiring direct contact between the two, enabling absorption while preventing interference with core sample retrieval.
2Measurement precision
If the distance between core sample and sponge material is reduced to improve absorption, then measurement accuracy is improved, but fluid loss occurs due to insufficient containment
Solution Approach 1:
The internal volume is segmented into a first region for the core sample and a second region for the sponge material, with a defined boundary between them. This segmentation creates a controlled environment that maintains measurement accuracy through close proximity while preventing fluid loss through the established regional separation and fluid communication path.
3Ease of operation
If the coring tool uses conventional design with larger gap between core sample and sponge material, then core sample retrieval is easier, but fluid absorption efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid communication path acts as an intermediary that enables efficient fluid absorption without requiring the sponge material to be in direct contact with or adjacent to the core sample in a way that would complicate retrieval. This intermediary path maintains ease of operation while improving absorption efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid communication path provides an alternative dimensional route for fluid transport, allowing fluids to move from the core sample region to the sponge material region through a designated path rather than requiring direct spatial proximity. This resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient absorption through a different operational dimension.
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
This design enhances the accuracy of core sample representations by maintaining a reduced gap between the core sample and the sponge material, allowing for precise fluid absorption and complete core sample retrieval, thereby improving the reliability of earth formation characteristic measurements.
Implementation Method 1
A sponge material formed from an absorbent material, which may be particularly adapted to absorb materials of interest, such as, hydrocarbons, may line the receptacle and may capture at least some of the liquids and gases as they escape from the core sample.
Implementation Method 2
A sponge material formed from an absorbent material... may line the receptacle and may capture at least some of the liquids and gases as they escape from the core sample.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods of procuring a core sample may involve engaging an earth formation with a cutting structure of a coring bit. A core sample may be received within a receptacle connected to the coring bit, the receptacle being lined with a sponge material. A space of about 1 mm or less may be maintained between the core sample and the sponge material. Coring tools may include a coring bit comprising an inner gage and an outer gage and a sponge material positioned to at least partially surround a core sample cut by the coring bit. A radial distance between an inner surface of the sponge material and the inner gage of the coring bit may be about 1 mm or less. A distance between a center of curvature of the inner gage and a center of curvature of the outer gage may be about 0.3 mm or less.