Abstract: The invention concerns a core barrel, in particular in the field of oil exploration, comprising at least an outer tube (2) and a core bit (3) forming an outer assembly (4) and at least an inner tube (5) forming with a drilling core optionally present therein, and optionally with part of the groups arranged under the drilling core base, an inner assembly (7), suspension and/or guiding means being provided for maintaining the inner assembly (7) inside the outer assembly (4), the suspension and/or guiding means being further arranged such that the inner assembly (7) maintains at least perpendicular to these means (9), with respect to the outer assembly (4), a predetermined axial and/or radial and/or angular freedom of movement greater than usual.

Abstract: A pressure and temperature core sampler comprises a tool for recovering cores specifically enabling the evaluation of methane hydrate resources. Because methane hydrate tends to decompose under conditions of pressure decrease and/or temperature increase as the samples are retrieved to the surface, a coring tool in accordance with the present invention provides a self-contained system for retrieving core samples at or near in situ pressure while cooling the core sample. The coring tool is preferably a wire line retrievable device that provides for nearly continuous coring during the drilling operation.

Abstract: A pressure and temperature core sampler comprises a tool for recovering cores specifically enabling the evaluation of methane hydrate resources. Because methane hydrate tends to decompose under conditions of pressure decrease and/or temperature increase as the samples are retrieved to the surface, a coring tool in accordance with the present invention provides a self-contained system for retrieving core samples at or near in situ pressure while cooling the core sample. The coring tool is preferably a wire line retrievable device that provides for nearly continuous coring during the drilling operation.

Abstract: A crown drill including a hollow cylindrical carrier body, which is formed of two coaxially arranged tubes connected with each other, and a cutting member attached to the carrier body and projecting axially beyond the leading end of the carrier body.

Abstract: Method and device for detecting and/or measuring at least one geophysical parameter from a core sample (1), in particular in the oil sector, comprising, during an operation of core drilling with a sampler (2); arranging, substantially fixed relative to the sampler (2), a sensor (3) for detecting and/or measuring said parameter, directly downstream of the exit orifice (5) of the sampler (2) relative to the direction of withdrawal of the core sample (1), in the vicinity of the withdrawal path of the core sample (1), detecting and/or measuring values of the parameter at at least one location on the core sample (1) while the latter is being withdrawn from and/or moved back in the sampler (2), and processing of the detected and/or measured values of the parameter, in order to store them in memory and/or use them immediately.

Abstract: The obtaining of undisturbed core samples of subsurface soils for analysis and study is disclosed. Percussion-type downhole drilling equipment uses compressed air directed internally of a pipe casing to actuate a percussion-type piston adjacent the bottom of a hole being drilled. A tubular adapter is mounted in a chuck at the lower end of a casing and house the piston and the adapter for rotation and for longitudinal movement relatively thereto. The adapter has a striking face interfacing with the piston and has its opposite end provided with pipe threads for connection of an open-ended core sampler which is preferably of the split-spoon type. The adapter is provided with ports at a location spaced axially away from the core sampler for exhaust air released by the percussion means during a power stroke upwardly and thus away from the core sampler.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wire line core barrel inner tube assembly capable of travelling longitudinally within a drill string toward and away from a drill bit carried on the lower end of the string, the drill string having an annular landing shoulder therein. The inner tube assembly includes an elongated body having an annular landing shoulder adapted to co-operate with and seat on the landing shoulder of the drill string when in use. The body has a valve chamber defined therein and inlet and outlet ports leading from the valve chamber to the exterior of the body on opposite sides of the landing shoulder. These define a by-pass passage through which drilling liquid passing along the drill string must flow on its way toward the bit when the landing shoulder of said body is seated on the landing shoulder of the drill string. The valve chamber has a valve seat therein and a valve closure is located within the valve chamber.

Abstract: A system for reliably indexing and separating sidewall core samples obtained with a sidewall coring tool comprises markers made of a magnetic material and a mechanism body made of a combination of magnetic and non-magnetic materials to reliably insert and position markers in between successive core samples. The sidewall core is not altered in any way by the marking process. Further, a flexible rubber boot apparatus is disclosed to ensure the complete transfer of retrieved samples in cases where the sample is broken, shattered or segmented and to ensure that broken, shattered or segmented cores will be retrieved in cases where the borehole is horizontal and the tool must operate in a horizontal position or in any other rotational orientation.

Abstract: A system is described which enables the safe release of formation gases when corebarrel is being raised. A corebarrel has an elongate cylindrical outer casing (1) and an elongate cylindrical liner (2), the liner (2) being disposed within the outer casing (1) such that there is a space (3) between the liner and the outer casing. The liner (2) has a plurality of unidirectional valves (4) which enable the passage of gas from the volume (5) within the liner (2) to the space (3) between the liner and outer casing, and prevent the passage of fluids from the space (3) to the volume (5).

Abstract: A stabilizer bearing assembly is described for maintaining separation between a substantially nonrotating inner tube assembly and a rotating core barrel within which the inner tube assembly is disposed. The bearing assembly comprises a cylindrical tube having a cylindrical sleeve segment concentrically slidably mounted on the tube over an external bearing portion thereof. The tube includes an upper and a lower segment, with the hardened bearing portion over which the sleeve sits being located near the lower end of the upper segment. A flange demarcs the upper edge of the bearing portion. The upper end of the lower tube segment is threadedly attached over the lower end of the upper segment. The sleeve segment is trapped between the flange and the edge of the upper end of the lower tube segment. The inner surface of the sleeve has a plurality of spaced longitudinal furrows and the outer surface of the sleeve has raised ridges corresponding to the furrows.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful coring assembly for mounting on the end of a drill string and comprising a core barrel; abrading means on at least a part of the core barrel; a reaming collar mounted about a lower section of the core barrel and selectable between a first condition in which the collar is rotatable with the barrel and a second condition in which the collar is rotatable relative to and slidable longitudinally relative to the core barrel; a housing suspended from the core barrel; a deflection crank extending between the housing and the core barrel; and means within the housing for transferring power from a power source to the crank for selectively rotating the crank for moving the core barrel between a first position in which the core barrel and the housing are aligned and a second position in which the barrel and the housing are not aligned.

Abstract: A coring apparatus which includes a drill bit and a receiving member. The drill bit includes discrete cutting elements for cutting the outer dimension of the core. The receiving member is adapted to lie proximate to the discrete cutting surfaces and to receive the core as it leaves the cutting surfaces. Additionally, drilling fluid is directed away from the cut core.

Abstract: For use with a core sample tool removing a sample from a formation of interest, a sonde supported sample receiving chamber is disclosed. It includes a main valve for sample insertion into a cavity in a resilient sleeve. The sleeve is in a chamber connected by suitable valved passages to enable ambient pressure at the cavity to equal downhole pressure; by valve operation this pressure can be maintained after chamber removal and transfer.

Abstract: Core barrel apparatus that includes an inner tube assembly that may fall under gravity or be fluidly propelled through a drill string to the bit end thereof for being retained at the bit end by latches and being retractable by an overshot assembly. The inner tube assembly includes an annular seal portion for forming a fluid seal with the drill string and a fluid by-pass channel with valving mechanism extending therein to permit outward flow but block inward flow while the inner tube assembly is being fluidly propelled inwardly. The inner tube assembly also includes control mechanism to prevent the valving mechanism being moved to permit significant inward flow through the channel only after fluid pressure has been applied to the inner tube assembly at the bit end of the drill string, the latches have moved to their latch seat engaging position and then inward fluid pressure has been significantly decreased.

Abstract: A device for extracting an undisturbed sample of soil to be tested from a subsurface location uses a cutter to remove unwanted soil from above the undisturbed sample. The device is particularly intended for extraction of soil from contaminated areas without loss of contaminants which are volatile at ambient temperatures. The device also is capable of chilling or freezing the sample in situ before extraction and testing. A method of using the device to take samples whenever volatile contaminants are sensed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A well coring apparatus is provided with the capability for monitoring the length of the core in the inner barrel (32) of a core barrel (16) and the rate at which the core enters the inner barrel (32). The device includes a Sonic Core Monitor (78) which is disposed in the upper end of the inner barrel (32) and a piston (68) which is disposed in the lower end thereof. The inner barrel (32) is filled with a pressurized fluid. The Sonic Core Monitor (78) generates an ultrasonic pulse that is transmitted down to the surface of the piston (68) and reflected back up to the Sonic Core Monitor (78). The time between the transmitted and received pulse is then measured and distance determined therefrom. Both length of core and rate of core entry into the inner barrel (32) can then be determined. If the core is proceeding at too slow a rate, a valve (50) can be opened to allow drilling fluid to bypass the core barrel (16). This provides the surface operator with an indication that a jam has occurred.

Abstract: A hollow truncated cone made from material with elastic properties which expands around a core being cut from the sidewall of a borehole drilled in the earth with a core cutting means rigidly connected to a core barrel. The hollow truncated core is held in position inside the core barrel such that it does not rotate with the core cutting means during the cutting of a core.

Abstract: A well coring apparatus is provided with the capability for monitoring the length of the core in the inner barrel (32) of a core barrel (16) and the rate at which the core enters the inner barrel (32). The device includes a Sonic Core Monitor (78) which is disposed in the upper end of the inner barrel (32) and a piston (68) which is disposed in the lower end thereof. The Sonic Core Monitor (78) generates an ultrasonic pulse that is transmitted down to the surface of the piston (68) and reflected back up to the Sonic Core Monitor (78). The time between the transmitted and received pulse is then measured and distance determined therefrom. Both length of core and rate of core entry into the inner barrel (32) can then be determined. If the core is proceeding at too slow a rate, a valve (50) can be opened to allow drilling fluid to bypass the core barrel (16). This provides the surface operator with an indication that a jam has occurred.

Abstract: Coring of a subaqueous structure having a significant water pressure head on one side is carried out through a full port valve assembly mounted on the inner or dry side of the structure. With the valve open, the barrel of a coring device is inserted, and a core is cut and removed. The valve is closed to prevent inflow of soil and water. The hole from which the core has been removed can be sealed by injecting a grouting compound through the mounted ball valve assembly, or can be injected by means of a mechanical packer. The valve assembly permits coring to be interrupted, for example, to permit rail service operations through a subaqueous railroad tunnel.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to obtain continuous undisturbed sampling, by rotational boring in non-plastic granular tills. The designation of non-plastic granular till refers to a heterogeneous glacial deposit containing an unstratified and unsorted mixture of silt, sand, gravel, cobbles and boulders with no clay particles. In the geotechnical terminology, this material is generally classified as a gravely silty sand with variable percentage of cobbles and boulders (the non-cohesive matrix consisting of silt and sand). The apparatus comprises a string of drill rods having a core barrel and a new designed coring bit of preselected diameter secured at an end thereof. A drive rotates the drill rod at a predetermined rpm, dependent on the coring bit diameter, to impart rotation to the coring bit to penetrate the core barrel in the soil at a predetermined rate. The coring bit has a crown shaped drilling head having a plurality of fluid convection channels therein.

Abstract: The longitudinal position of an inner barrel within a core barrel assembly can be adjusted and locked in the field without necessitating the disassembly of the cartridge cap assembly within the core barrel tool, and therefore without entailing loss of expensive rig time. The inner tube is coupled through a swivel assembly to a cartridge cap. The cartridge cap is threadedly coupled to the coring tool, and in particular to the outer tube. Thus, the cartridge cap is arranged and configured to be rotated, and thus longitudinally adjusted with respect to the outer tube. An upper portion of the cartridge cap is provided with a plurality of radially expanding fingers. A jam nut is disposed within a cylindrical array formed by the fingers, and is threadably engaged with the inside surface of the fingers.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible hand tool is disclosed wherein successive small samples of suspected contaminated earth soil may be directly deposited in a sampler bottle, following selective penetrations and extractions of the soil. The sampler is characterized by a substantial balanced mass which is vertically disposed above the sampler tool head, the head having in extension thereof a soil probe column which forms a tube of reverse draft, the same being interconnected to an inverted sampler bottle which is retained within the head where it is shock protected.

Abstract: A double core barrel for carrying out boring and arc drilling in oilfields comprises a rotary outer tube 1 with a boring bit 3 and a non-rotary inner tube 2, with an extractor cone 9, screwed onto the lower non-rotary portion of a pivoting means 11 whose upper rotary position 12 is screwed into a tapped body 4 of the outer tube 1. The upper end 15 of the portion 12 cooperates with an adjustment spanner 16 which transmits a rotation couple to the upper end, to allow adjustment of the spacing for the passage of water between the bit 3 and the cone 9. The upper end 15 has an external longitudinal groove, while the tapped body has a slot 8 at the base of a smooth cylindrical bore 6 and at the level of the longitudinal groove 17.