Abstract: A brake device for engaging an inner surface of a drill string within a borehole. The brake device has a driving member that defines a plurality of wedge surfaces, a brake retainer that receives at least a portion of the driving member, and a plurality of braking elements positioned in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the driving member. The brake retainer has a biasing member that is operatively coupled to the driving member. The biasing member of the brake retainer biases the driving member in a proximal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string to position the wedge surfaces in contact with corresponding braking elements, and the wedge surfaces drive the braking elements radially outwardly to engage the inner surface of the drill string. The brake device is not coupled to an inner tube assembly.

Abstract: A brake device for engaging an inner surface of a drill string within a borehole. The brake device has a driving member that defines a plurality of wedge surfaces, a brake retainer that receives at least a portion of the driving member, and a plurality of braking elements positioned in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the driving member. The brake retainer has a biasing member that is operatively coupled to the driving member. The biasing member of the brake retainer biases the driving member in a proximal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string to position the wedge surfaces in contact with corresponding braking elements, and the wedge surfaces drive the braking elements radially outwardly to engage the inner surface of the drill string. The brake device is not coupled to an inner tube assembly.

Abstract: A brake device for engaging an inner surface of a drill string within a borehole. The brake device has a driving member that defines a plurality of wedge surfaces, a brake retainer that receives at least a portion of the driving member, and a plurality of braking elements positioned in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the driving member. The brake retainer has a biasing member that is operatively coupled to the driving member. The biasing member of the brake retainer biases the driving member in a proximal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string to position the wedge surfaces in contact with corresponding braking elements, and the wedge surfaces drive the braking elements radially outwardly to engage the inner surface of the drill string. The brake device is not coupled to an inner tube assembly.

Abstract: A brake device for engaging an inner surface of a drill string within a borehole. The brake device has a driving member that defines a plurality of wedge surfaces, a brake retainer that receives at least a portion of the driving member, and a plurality of braking elements positioned in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the driving member. The brake retainer has a biasing member that is operatively coupled to the driving member. The biasing member of the brake retainer biases the driving member in a proximal direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string to position the wedge surfaces in contact with corresponding braking elements, and the wedge surfaces drive the braking elements radially outwardly to engage the inner surface of the drill string. The brake device is not coupled to an inner tube assembly.

Abstract: An overshot assembly for operative coupling to a wireline and a head assembly within a drilling system. The overshot assembly has at least one latch member that securely engages the inner surface of the head assembly without the use of a spearhead.

Abstract: A bushing for positioning within a core barrel assembly during an up-hole drilling operation. The bushing has a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines an inlet, an outlet, and a central bore of the bushing. The central bore surrounds a longitudinal axis of the bushing and extends between the inlet and the outlet. The outer surface has a first portion positioned proximate the inlet and a second portion positioned proximate the outlet. The first portion of the outer surface of the wall projects outwardly from the second portion of the outer surface relative to the longitudinal axis of the bushing such that the first portion of the outer surface defines opposed first and second shoulder surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis. Core barrel head assemblies including such bushings are also described.

Abstract: Drilling systems and methods for deploying a latch mechanism upon reaching a drilling position. The drilling systems and methods permit spinning of a drill string to cause a core barrel head assembly to spin through the frictional mating of a landing shoulder of the head assembly and a landing ring of an outer tube assembly. The spinning of the drill string induces a centrifugal and/or radial force that acts on the latch mechanism to overcome the frictional retention forces acting on the latch mechanism, thereby permitting deployment of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: Implementations include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. The driven latch mechanism can further include a refracted groove adapted to lock the plurality of wedge members radially within the core barrel assembly, thereby allowing for faster travel within the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.

Abstract: Implementations include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.

Abstract: A core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism that can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Drilling systems including the driven latch mechanism and methods of using the driven latch mechanism are also described.

Abstract: An assembly may be disposed within a drill string. The assembly may be moved within and along the drill string using hydraulic pressure. A core sample may be collected within the assembly, and the assembly may be retrieved to obtain the core sample. The assembly may include a seal that may be configured to form a seal with different inner diameters of a variable-diameter drill rod of the drill string.

Abstract: A latch body for use in a drilling head assembly including a fluid control subassembly, a check valve element, and/or a hollow spindle. A distal end portion of the latch body includes a port section that defines a chamber for receiving the check valve element and promoting movement of the check valve element between a blocking position and an open position. The hollow spindle of the fluid control subassembly is operatively coupled to the chamber of the port section and supports the check valve element in the blocking position. A proximal end portion of the latch body supports the fluid control subassembly of the drilling head assembly in an operative position. The latch body includes male protrusions extending inwardly toward and spaced from a longitudinal axis of the latch body. A plurality of channels extend radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the latch body, spanning between adjacent male protrusions.

Abstract: Drilling systems and methods for deploying a latch mechanism upon reaching a drilling position. The drilling systems and methods permit spinning of a drill string to cause a core barrel head assembly to spin through the frictional mating of a landing shoulder of the head assembly and a landing ring of an outer tube assembly. The spinning of the drill string induces a centrifugal and/or radial force that acts on the latch mechanism to overcome the frictional retention forces acting on the latch mechanism, thereby permitting deployment of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: An overshot assembly for operative coupling to a wireline and a head assembly within a drilling system. The overshot assembly has at least one latch member that securely engages the inner surface of the head assembly without the use of a spearhead.

Abstract: A latch body for use in a drilling head assembly including a fluid control subassembly, a check valve element, and/or a hollow spindle. A distal end portion of the latch body includes a port section that defines a chamber for receiving the check valve element and promoting movement of the check valve element between a blocking position and an open position. The hollow spindle of the fluid control subassembly is operatively coupled to the chamber of the port section and supports the check valve element in the blocking position. A proximal end portion of the latch body supports the fluid control subassembly of the drilling head assembly in an operative position. The latch body includes male protrusions extending inwardly toward and spaced from a longitudinal axis of the latch body. A plurality of channels extend radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the latch body, spanning between adjacent male protrusions.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. The driven latch mechanism can further include a refracted groove adapted to lock the plurality of wedge members radially within the core barrel assembly, thereby allowing for faster travel within the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. The driven latch mechanism can further include a refracted groove adapted to lock the plurality of wedge members radially within the core barrel assembly, thereby allowing for faster travel within the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. The driven latch mechanism can further include a refracted groove adapted to lock the plurality of wedge members radially within the core barrel assembly, thereby allowing for faster travel within the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.