Abstract: A drilling system can comprise a drill string having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one drill rod and a wireless sub coupled to the at least one drill rod. The wireless sub can comprise processing circuitry that is configured to detect mechanical impulses of the drill string. The processing circuitry can be configured to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to a remote computing device.

Abstract: A core barrel head assembly having at least one electronic instrument that is configured to obtain orientation data; a power source; and a communication means to receive and/or transmit orientation data for use in a core sample down hole surveying and sample orientation system that is configured to provide an indication of the orientation of a core sample relative to a body of material from which the core has been extracted, and also to a method of core sample orientation identification.

Abstract: Drill string components having at least two threads extending around a body. The leading end of each thread can have a configuration having increased strength and resistance to jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of each thread can comprise a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of each thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading and can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. Each thread can further provide at least one of a variable thread width and a variable thread pitch configured to create an axial progressive fit. Each thread can also provide a cylindrical thread root and a thread crest that circumscribes a frusta-cone over at least a portion of the axial length of the threads configured to create a radial progressive fit.

Abstract: A drilling system can comprise a drill string having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one drill rod and a wireless sub coupled to the at least one drill rod. The wireless sub can comprise processing circuitry that is configured to detect mechanical impulses of the drill string. The processing circuitry can be configured to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to a remote computing device.

Abstract: A core barrel head assembly having at least one electronic instrument that is configured to obtain orientation data; a power source; and a communication means to receive and/or transmit orientation data for use in a core sample down hole surveying and sample orientation system that is configured to provide an indication of the orientation of a core sample relative to a body of material from which the core has been extracted, and also to a method of core sample orientation identification.

Abstract: Drill string components having at least two threads extending around a body. The leading end of each thread can have a configuration having increased strength and resistance to jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of each thread can comprise a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of each thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading and can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. Each thread can further provide at least one of a variable thread width and a variable thread pitch configured to create an axial progressive fit. Each thread can also provide a cylindrical thread root and a thread crest that circumscribes a frusta-cone over at least a portion of the axial length of the threads configured to create a radial progressive fit.

Abstract: A core sampling tool having a core barrel and a core barrel head assembly coupled to a proximal end of the core barrel. The core barrel head assembly does not include a grease port or a grease fitting. The core barrel head assembly has a spindle and at least one bearing that rotationally engages the spindle. Each of the bearings is a self-lubricating bearing, such as, for example, a solid oil bearing.

Abstract: A core barrel head assembly having a longitudinal axis can comprise an elongate tube body having an outer surface, an interior cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end. The elongate tube body can define a helical groove that extends from the interior cavity to the outer surface of the elongate tube body. The helical groove can be configured to allow the elongate tube body to elastically extend and compress. The elongate tube body can define at least one aperture that extends between the interior cavity and the outer surface. The core barrel head assembly can further comprise a valve body that is attached to the elongate tube body and is movable with respect to the proximal end of the elongate tube along the longitudinal axis, as the elongate tube body compresses. When sufficiently compressed, the valve body restricts flow through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A drill string component having a central axis can comprise an outer tube having a pin end and a box end. The outer tube can define an inner bore. An inner tube can be disposed within the inner bore of the outer tube. The inner tube can defines an inner bore. A plurality of rolling elements can be disposed between the outer tube and the inner tube. The wall thickness of each of the outer tube and the inner tube can be less than ¼ inch.

Abstract: A drill bit can be configured to form core segments during drilling. The drill bit can have having a central axis and a shank defining an inner bore. A crown can be coupled to the shank. The crown can define a cutting face and a core receiving slot that extends inwardly into the crown from the cutting face. The crown can define an inner operative circumference. A core break structure can be disposed within the shank. The core break structure can define a core break surface that extends inwardly toward the central axis and intersects an imaginary 3D projection of the inner circumference projected along the central axis.

Abstract: A core barrel head assembly having a longitudinal axis can comprise an elongate tube body having an outer surface, an interior cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end. The elongate tube body can define a helical groove that extends from the interior cavity to the outer surface of the elongate tube body. The helical groove can be configured to allow the elongate tube body to elastically extend and compress. The elongate tube body can define at least one aperture that extends between the interior cavity and the outer surface. The core barrel head assembly can further comprise a valve body that is attached to the elongate tube body and is movable with respect to the proximal end of the elongate tube along the longitudinal axis, as the elongate tube body compresses. When sufficiently compressed, the valve body restricts flow through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A drilling system can comprise a drill string having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one drill rod and a wireless sub coupled to the at least one drill rod. The wireless sub can comprise processing circuitry that is configured to detect mechanical impulses of the drill string. The processing circuitry can be configured to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to a remote computing device.

Abstract: Drill string components having at least two threads extending around a body. The leading end of each thread can have a configuration having increased strength and resistance to jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of each thread can comprise a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of each thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading and can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. Each thread can further provide at least one of a variable thread width and a variable thread pitch configured to create an axial progressive fit. Each thread can also provide a cylindrical thread root and a thread crest that circumscribes a frusta-cone over at least a portion of the axial length of the threads configured to create a radial progressive fit.

Abstract: A core barrel head assembly having at least one electronic instrument that is configured to obtain orientation data; a power source; and a communication means to receive and/or transmit orientation data for use in a core sample down hole surveying and sample orientation system that is configured to provide an indication of the orientation of a core sample relative to a body of material from which the core has been extracted, and also to a method of core sample orientation identification.

Abstract: A drilling system can comprise a drill string having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one drill rod and a wireless sub coupled to the at least one drill rod. The wireless sub can comprise processing circuitry that is configured to detect mechanical impulses of the drill string. The processing circuitry can be configured to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to a remote computing device.

Abstract: A drill rod having a central axis can comprise a hollow, elongate body having a box end portion defining a first end of the elongate body and an opposing pin end portion. The elongate body can have an outer surface that defines a circumference of the elongate body. A plurality of stabilizing projections can extend outwardly from the circumference of the elongate body. The plurality of stabilizing projections can be spaced from the first end by at least 40 cm. The plurality of stabilizing projections can be spaced about the circumference of the elongate body.

Abstract: A core barrel head assembly having a longitudinal axis can comprise an elongate tube body having an outer surface, an interior cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end. The elongate tube body can define a helical groove that extends from the interior cavity to the outer surface of the elongate tube body. The helical groove can be configured to allow the elongate tube body to elastically extend and compress. The elongate tube body can define at least one aperture that extends between the interior cavity and the outer surface. The core barrel head assembly can further comprise a valve body that is attached to the elongate tube body and is movable with respect to the proximal end of the elongate tube along the longitudinal axis, as the elongate tube body compresses. When sufficiently compressed, the valve body restricts flow through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: Drill string components having at least two threads extending around a body. The leading end of each thread can have a configuration having increased strength and resistance to jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of each thread can comprise a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of each thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading and can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. Each thread can further provide at least one of a variable thread width and a variable thread pitch configured to create an axial progressive fit. Each thread can also provide a cylindrical thread root and a thread crest that circumscribes a frusta-cone over at least a portion of the axial length of the threads configured to create a radial progressive fit.

Abstract: A method includes advancing a drill bit into a formation to form core sample pieces. The drill bit has a central axis and includes a crown defining an inner operative circumference. The crown is configured to form a core sample. A core receiving space is configured to receive the core sample as the drill bit is advanced into the formation. A base surface is spaced from the cutting face along the central axis of the drill bit. The base surface is configured to break apart portions of the core sample to form core sample pieces. The method can further include associating the core sample pieces with respective depths at which the core sample pieces were separated from the formation.

Abstract: A drill bit comprises a first and a second body received within the first body. Each of the first body and second body has a respective crown, each crown having an inner and an outer operative circumference. The outer operative circumference of the second body and the inner operative circumference of the first body can define a first volume that can receive a tubular core sample. The second body can define a break surface that breaks the tubular core sample into core pieces. The drill bit can be employed in a borehole with a reverse circulation system that pumps fluid around an outer surface of the bit, and returning fluid can carry the core pieces out of the borehole.