Cutting Apparatus for Core Sample Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for visually inspecting core samples at drilling sites often damage the sample due to the need for tools to separate inner tube receptacle portions, causing contamination and sample damage.

Innovation Solution

A cutting apparatus with adjustable cutter wheels and stabilizing rollers allows for longitudinal cutting of inner tubes without motorization, enabling safe removal of a tube portion for visual inspection without damaging the core sample, using a support track and drive arrangement to facilitate relative movement between cutter assemblies and the tube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tool such as a crow bar is used to separate the two receptacle portions of the inner tube, then visual inspection of the core sample is enabled, but the core sample is damaged due to damage to the receptacle portions during separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to core sampleVSAvoidsample damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inner tube is divided into two separate receptacle portions that can be independently manipulated. The first receptacle portion can be removed without damaging the second receptacle portion containing the core sample, allowing visual inspection while preserving sample integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first receptacle portion is extracted and removed from the inner tube assembly, taking with it any potential contaminants or damage risks. This leaves the second receptacle portion with the core sample intact for safe visual inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the inner tube is cut using existing methods, then visual inspection is possible, but contamination of the sample occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual inspection capabilityVSAvoidsample contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A disposable cutting tool or cutting mechanism is used that can be discarded after a single use, preventing cross-contamination between samples. The cutting element is replaced rather than cleaned, ensuring no contamination is transferred to the core sample.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If motorized cutting equipment is used to cut the inner tube, then cutting precision is improved, but the risk of jamming the drilling equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidequipment jamming risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex motorized cutting systems with a simpler manual or mechanically-assisted cutting method. This substitution maintains sufficient cutting precision while eliminating motors and complex mechanisms that could jam or fail during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9957764B2Cutting apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Described herein is a cutting apparatus (100) for allowing visual inspection of a core sample in an inner tube at a drilling site after the inner tube has been removed from a coring tube and prior to it being transported to a laboratory. The cutting apparatus (100) comprises a support track (110, 112, 114, 116)) on which is mounted a tube support member (120), a cutter wagon (130, 132, 138) and a drive arrangement (140, 142, 144, 146). The apparatus (100) provides relative movement between an inner tube (150) and the cutter wagon (130, 132, 138) to allow a section of the inner tube (150) to be removed along its entire length for visual inspection. The drive arrangement (140, 142, 144, 146) provides the relative movement between the inner tube (150) and the cutter wagon (130, 132, 138).