Abstract: A drill bore protection device and method for protecting a drill bore are provided. The drill bore protection device includes an elongated member. The elongated member is defined by a front end and a rear end. A first sleeve is placed on the elongated member next to the front end of the elongated member. Additionally, a second sleeve is placed on the elongated member next to the rear end of the elongated member. The first sleeve and the second sleeve each have an open end and a closed end. The closed ends of the first sleeve and the second sleeve face the front end of the elongated member, while the open ends of the first sleeve and the second sleeve face the rear end of the elongated member. The first sleeve defines a first interior cavity. A liner is disposed in the first interior cavity of the first sleeve.

Abstract: Core sample catchers for use with coring tools for obtaining core samples from subterranean formations may include at least one flap catcher member configured to be movably coupled to an inner barrel of the coring tool and configured to move between an open position and a closed position. A piston member including a central bore may be disposed in a passageway extending through the inner barrel. The piston member may be configured to move between a first position and a second position, the piston member configured to retain the at least one flap catcher member in the open position when the piston member is in the first position, and allow flap catcher member to move into the closed position when the piston member is in the second position.

Abstract: A core sample catcher for a coring tool includes at least one flap catcher member movably coupled to an inner barrel of the coring tool. The at least one flap catcher member is configured to move between a first position and a second position. A passageway extending through the inner barrel is at least substantially un-occluded by the at least one flap catcher member in the first position and at least partially occluded by the at least one flap catcher member in the second position. The core sample catcher also includes a piston member located and configured to retain the at least one flap catcher member in the first position. The piston member is sized and configured to release the at least one flap catcher member as the piston is forced upward within the inner barrel by the core sample. Components are provided and assembled to form core sample catchers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coring system and a determining method that can determine whether accurate coring was achieved. A coring system according to the present invention includes: a coring part with a core to be filled with an object to be cored; a driving unit controlling upward/downward movement of the coring part; a rope connecting the coring part with the driving unit; and a tensiometer measuring tension in the rope.

Abstract: A slide-type core retainer for a sample collector including a sampler tube driven into a sea floor. The slide-type core retainer includes a catcher holder detachably coupled to a tip end of the sampler tube; a catcher installed on an inner peripheral surface of a tip end of the catcher holder and configured to allow sediment introduction into the sampler tube and preventing sediment from being lost using resiliency. A control member slidably installed inside the catcher holder controls opening and closing of the catcher. The control member is coupled to the catcher before sample collection so that the catcher remains opened. The control member slides into an inner side of the catcher holder while being separated from the catcher by the resistance of the solid sediment such that the catcher is closed, when resistance is generated by solid sediment after the sampler tube is driven into the sediment.

Abstract: A core lifter may be used in a drilling system. An exterior surface of the core lifter may include a plurality of longitudinally-oriented recesses. The core lifter may include a raised contact feature that may extend inwardly away from a gripping surface of the core lifter. The core lifter may include a flared skirt configured to limit movement of the core lifter relative to a core lifter case. The core lifter may be formed via stamping a sheet of material.

Abstract: Drill stern test apparatus includes a drill string, wireline coring system and a downhole tool that is seated in the core barrel of the coring system. A valve packer within the downhole tool is inflated to seal the core barrel and allow a valve to be operated by movement of the drill string. One or more packers can be inflated to isolate the test zone in the borehole below the coring system. The apparatus is operated to allow the test zone fluid to flow upwardly in the downhole tool and be measured. Downhole tool transducers accumulate the data and transmit the same to the surface. The wireline can be pulled to relieve packer inflation pressure, release a latch and allow the downhole tool to be pulled to the surface while leaving the coring system in place.

Abstract: An example coring tool includes a cylindrical body having a leading edge to contact a substance and a cavity defined at least in part by an inner surface of the cylindrical body. The inner surface is to engage and retain a sample from the substance with a plurality of raised features. The raised features are shaped so that at least one of the raised features or an exterior surface of a sample in the cavity deforms to increase a force required to remove the sample from the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting core samples includes an outer tube having an open end and a cover removably mounted to the open end; a core tube slidable into and out of the outer tube when the cover is removed from the outer tube; and a supporting structure between the core tube and the outer tube. The supporting structure supports the core tube within the outer tube with the core tube spaced from contact with an inner wall of the outer tube.

Abstract: A core orientation head (12) comprises a substantially cylindrical body (28) having a first end (30) and an opposite end (34). A core face profile recording system (41) is carried by the body (28) to record a profile of the face of a core cut by a core drill in which the orientation head (12) is disposed. The system (41) comprises a plurality of pins (42) housed with an interference fit inside respective axially extending holes (38) provided in the body (28). A bearing scale (48) is marked on an outer circumferential surface 50 of the body (28). A cap (74) is demountably connectable to either of the ends (30) and (34). When connected to the end (30), the caps (74) protects the system (41). The caps (74) is also provided with a vernier scale (110) which, when the cap (74) is connected to the end (34), co-operates with the bearing scale (48) to facilitate marking of the core sample (46).

Abstract: A housing (15) for connection to a downhole assembly (17), the housing comprising first and second sections (31, 32), the first section (31) being adapted for connection to a portion of the downhole assembly, the second section (32) defining a compartment (23) to receive a downhole tool (11) or component thereof, the second section (32) being configured to provide a path (40) for fluid flow past the compartment (23) as the assembly descends within the borehole, and the first section (31) being configured for fluid communication between a passage in said portion of the downhole assembly and the fluid flow path (40).

Abstract: A core barrel restraint adapted to prevent inadvertent dropping of a core barrel assembly during retrieval of a core sample can include a cup adapted to fit over an overshot and a brace adapted to be coupled to a core barrel assembly. A cable can connect the cup and brace and prevent the core barrel from falling if the overshot latch mechanism holding the core barrel assembly and overshot together fails.

Abstract: A rotary dry drilling system comprises a surface mounted drill having a drill bit and a drill bit driver rotationally connected by a hollow drill string. There is included core sample capture means adapted to travel from the head of the drill string to the tail of the drill string. The system also comprises an auger for removing cuttings from a comminution zone and cuttings fluidization means to facilitate transport of cuttings from the comminution zone to the auger. Once the cuttings are removed by the auger they are collected and transported to the surface for disposal.

Abstract: A rotary dry drilling system comprises a surface mounted drill having a drill bit and a drill bit driver rotationally connected by a hollow drill string. There is included core sample capture means adapted to travel from the head of the drill string to the tail of the drill string. The system also comprises an auger for removing cuttings from a comminution zone and cuttings fluidization means to facilitate transport of cuttings from the comminution zone to the auger. Once the cuttings are removed by the auger they are collected and transported to the surface for disposal.

Abstract: A rotating dry drilling bit for low thrust drilling of an annular bore hole into a body of rock and obtaining an extremely small diameter core sample comprises a bit crown moulded to the end of an annular steel body. The bit crown comprises a plurality of radially extending channels and a plurality of evenly spaced radially extending cutting blades surrounding an annulus. The bit crown is a hard metal matrix formed onto the bottom end of the annular steel body using a powdered metallurgy process. Embedded within each cutting blade are natural and synthetic diamonds. A reverse auger mechanism within the annulus removes cuttings from the annulus and the surface of the bit crown.

Abstract: Core orientator for a core drill includes a face orientator and a bottom orientator supported by a shaft which extends into a shroud. A tubular extension is coupled to the shroud and is slidably coupled to a main body. The main body includes first and second latches. The first latches releasably lock the device to a core lifter case assembly disposed within the core drill, to selectively prevent the device from advancing in an uphole direction within the core drill. The latching system operates to prevent the device from falling out of the core drill. Face orientator includes a plurality of pins which can move axially to provide a plurality of profile reference points to a facing surface of a hole to be drilled. The bottom orientator includes a plurality of balls disposed within respective braces.

Abstract: A double-tube core drill wherein the inner tube (2) is connected to the outer tube (1) by a multi-element needle and/or ball bearing (11), allows for the inner tube (2) to be made rigid and prevents it from rotating along with the outer tube (1). The extraction device (9) and the inner wall (38) of the tube are preferably covered with an antifriction coating. A set of stabilizing elements (67) are spread along the outer tube to stabilize the inner tube (2). Said inner tube has a tapered shoe (32) provided with a lower bevelled lip (14). The drill also comprises a device for indicating that the core has jammed in the inner tube (2) and a sealing device (19) designed to receive a ball (46) provided for sealing the inner tube (2) of said core drill.

Abstract: A retrieval device, suitable among other uses for lifting solid and liquid materials from underground locations, comprises a generally cylindrical section, a plurality of projecting members extending from said generally cylindrical section and hinged or otherwise flexibly secured thereto so as to be capable of movement between a first position in which they are aligned with the surface of said generally cylindrical section and a second position in which they are inclined inwards towards the axis of the cylinder, and flexible webs extending between adjacent projecting members.

Abstract: A coring tool, which includes a flexible wire mesh in which the core is disposed, includes a mechanism for maintaining tension on the wire mesh sleeve which then seizes the core disposed within the sleeve, and which serves to retain the core and maintain it under tension. The sleeve is maintained under tension by tensile force transmitted to the sleeve through a stripper tube. The stripper tube is axially disposed through a piston ratchet assembly connected to a piston slidable within the drill string. The piston is resiliently urged upward within the drill string by a return spring but is longitudinally forced downward within the drill string and advanced downwardly with respect to the stripper tube by an increase in pressure within the drill string thereby compressing the return spring.

Abstract: Core barrel apparatus for obtaining and retrieving sealed core samples of subterranean formations are disclosed. The core barrel comprises a sample chamber for receiving a core sample as it is formed at the bottom of a bore hole and an expansion chamber for receiving sample fluids. The expansion chamber comprises a cylinder having a movable sealing member therein adapted to movably seal the expansion chamber. The volume of the expansion chamber is determined by the position of the sealing member in the cylinder, movement of the sealing member changing the volume of the expansion chamber. The sample chamber and expansion chamber are selectively connected to one another by means of a seal therebetween. The expansion chamber is sealed closed by the sealing member at one end and said seal at the other end while the sample is being cut and received within the sample chamber. Thereafter, the lower portion of the sample chamber is sealed by a flap-valve and the expansion chamber is opened to the sample chamber.

Abstract: A core barrel having a hollow cutting ring is placed within a hollow drill and connected to a coupling which permits the core barrel to remain stationary while the bit rotates and also produces pressure to force the sharp edge of the cutting ring into the earth formation, the diameter of the cutting edge and inside of the cutting ring being slightly less than the internal diameter of the core barrel. A holder for a resilient sleeve, such as woven of nylon and is bunched onto the holder with the closed end of the sleeve across the open top of the holder, moves upwardly around the core as the core barrel moves downwardly and retains the core, particularly when from a soft formation or loose unconsolidated material, in the same relative position and shape as when cut. The inside diameter of the holder is intermediate that of the cutting ring and the core barrel. An adjustment means determines the axial spacing between the cutting edge of the core barrel cutting ring and the lower edge of the drill bit or teeth.

Abstract: A probe construction for use in geological surveys designed to extract earth samples at a predetermined depth. The probe consists essentially of an elongated metal body with a hollow core, the longitudinal axis of the core being at approximately 5.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the metal body. A side outlet is provided along substantially the length of the metal body. The probe is adapted for engagement with the drive rod of a hammer mill or the like machine.

Abstract: A device for taking soil samples from a hole drilled in the ground by another tool, and for drilling shallow holes. The device comprises a pneumatic impact mechanism rigidly connected with a soil sampling socket provided with an appliance for holding the soil sample in the socket when the latter is being extracted from the hole. This appliance is made in the form of an elastic inflatable element which, being inflated with compressed gas, covers completely the inner cross-sectional area of the socket, thus making it possible to take complete and high-quality samples irrespective of the type and condition of the soil.