Abstract: In a rotary table driven hollow auger type sampling device, a rod is mounted at an end above the rotary table to be substantially fixed against rotation, but for axial movement. The rod extends through a hollow spindle driven by the table, and is fixedly mounted below the table to the upper end of a thin wall sampling tube mounted within a hollow auger to project a short distance below the lower end of the auger. The rod, hence the sampling tube, is forced downwardly with the auger, but is positively restrained from rotation.

Abstract: This relates to sidewall coring tools used to obtain samples of the formation through which the wellbore is drilled. It includes a housing which supports a guide means along which the drill bit, core barrel and motor can be moved to extend or retract the cutting bit and core barrel along a selected path. The core barrel is retracted inwardly on a horizontal path and tilted in an upward position such that the outer end of the core barrel is higher than the end near the motor. Means are provided to force the cut core from the barrel into a core container in association with indexing means.

Abstract: An inner tube 2 of a core barrel is releasably locked within an outer tube 1 by pivotable latch feet 32 engaging an annular recess 31 in the outer tube. A retrieving head 3 is slidably coupled via a pin 40 and slot 41 to the inner tube, and carries sealing rings 6 disposed, during coring, within a recess 5 in the outer tube to permit fluid passage. To retrieve a core sample in an ascending boring the pressure in the lower part of the column is reduced, whereupon the retrieving head drops by gravity to seal off the outer tube. A pin 37 on the inner tube then drops to cam release the latch feet and unlock the inner tube from the outer tube. Thereafter, as the lower column is drained, the inner tube and retained core sample descend by gravity down through the outer tube to a retrieval site.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting cores from the sidewall of a borehole after the borehole has been drilled. The apparatus includes an elongated housing which supports guide means which provides a path along which a core bit and motor can be moved to extend and retract the core bit. The guide means has a rotational control section and a transverse control section. The rotation control section guides the motor and its core bit from an upright position in the housing to a selected angle and the vertical transverse control section guides the coring bit means in the direction of the formation.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the recovery of sediments from the sea bottom, a suction head having a mouth is lowered into the sediment, raised from the sediment to form a depression, laterally moved to a new location adjacent the first depression, and the cycle is repeated to form a new depression. The suction head includes loosening means in the form of a worm or flukes which exert a low frictional resistance with respect to the sediment during lowering of the suction head and high frictional resistance when the head is being raised from the sediment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus suitable for stabilizing hydrocarbon cores are given. Such stabilized cores have not previously been obtainable for laboratory study, and such study is believed to be required before the hydrate reserves can become a utilizable resource. The apparatus can be built using commercially available parts and is very simple and safe to operate.

Abstract: A device for obtaining a plurality of samples from mineral deposits such as placer deposits in order to discover the presence of valuable metals comprises an elongated tubular member in which is rotatably positioned an elongated cylindrical storage member, the tubular member including sets of windows along its length and the cylindrical storage member including compartments capable of alignment with the sets of windows upon rotation of the storage member relative to the tubular member. Spring-like tooth members mounted in the compartments are capable of extending through the windows of the tubular member to help the movement of deposit material therethrough.

Abstract: A core barrel flushing device and method is disclosed particularly for flushing drilling fluid, mud and other undesirable material from a pressure core barrel downhole at existing conditions and pressure.The flushing device (F) comprises an outer barrel attachable to the drill string and core barrel (10), and an inner barrel (90) within the outer barrel (70). A sealed chamber (C) within the outer barrel (70) contains a piston (114) and flushing medium (M) displacable from the chamber (C) and into the core barrel during forceful displacement of the piston following actuation of the flushing device.Actuation of the flushing device is initiated by means (B) passed down the drill string into engagement with actuating means (94) allowing displacement of the piston and flushing medium from the chamber into the core barrel.Tripping means (112) are also disclosed responsive to the final movement of the piston to actuate, and seal the flushed pressure core barrel (10) and core sample (51) therein downhole.

Abstract: A method of core cutting and apparatus operable on a seven conductor wireline logging cable for drilling a hole in the sidewall of a drill hole which comprises an elongted housing with a hydraulically operated backup shoe mounted within the housing for wedging the housing at a selected location in the drill hole and a hydraulic motor with a drilling bit connected thereto for rotation by the hydraulic motor. Hydraulic means are mounted within the housing and are connected to the hydraulic motor for moving the bit into drilling engagement with the sidewall of the drill hole. In one embodiment, a core cutting bit is connected to the motor for obtaining a sample of a subterranean formation at the selected location.

Abstract: An earth drilling device for extracting earth samples including a rotatable drill tube and means for rotating said drill tube, a drill bit supported by said rotatable drill tube, said drill bit and said drill tube defining an inner shoulder, a hollow probe movably disposed within said drill tube and adapted to be supported by said inner shoulder, an exchangeable plastic sleeve disposed within said hollow probe, and means for extracting said hollow probe and associated plastic sleeve containing an earth sample without removing the drill tube from the earth.

Abstract: A method and a machine for obtaining of samples from the ground to determine the presence of certain substances in the ground. A drilling machine drives a drill down into the section of the ground to be prospected and cooling air is forced through the drill bit and down into the drill hole during the drilling. At least a part of the dust-laden air which escapes from the drill hole during the drilling is induced to pass through a filter web which is advanced continuously at a rate proportional to the drilling rate. When dust particles deposited on the web are analyzed, it becomes possible to determine what kind of minerals and other substances are contained in the prospected section of the ground and from which level they originate.

Abstract: A duct-forming device is disclosed for use in a well completion apparatus of the kind, wherein a bore hole casing is positioned in a bore hole and duct-forming devices of alkali- and acid-resistant metal--such as steel--are secured at spaced levels to the casing in alignment with holes machined in the casing wall. In accordance with the invention, a closure device is arranged within the duct-forming device which permits flow of predetermined amounts of liquid, such as acid, from the interior of the casing through the duct-forming device and into the producing formation, while gradually being moved by the liquid into a position in which such fluid flow is prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus operable on a wireline logging cable for drilling a hole in the sidewall of a drill hole which comprises a hydraulically operated backup shoe for wedging the apparatus at a selected location in the drill hole, a hydraulic motor with a drilling bit connected thereto for rotation by the hydraulic motor and hydraulic means connected to the hydraulic motor for moving the bit into drilling engagement with the sidewall of the drill hole. In the improvement of this invention, the hydraulic means for moving the bit into drilling engagement comprises a new flow restrictor valve. This flow restrictor valve has an orifice and a slender pointed rod for restricting the flow of fluid through the orifice. Opposing spring means and control fluid means engage the rod for controlling its movement toward and away from the orifice.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for obtaining a plurality of samples from mineral deposits such as placer deposits to determine the presence of valuable metals. The device comprises a tubular member having a plurality of windows extending along its longitudinal axis and having a tapered point at one end, and a rotatable shaft within the tubular member having a plurality of compartments capable of aligning with the windows of the tubular members upon appropriate rotation of the shaft relative to the tubular member, each compartment having at least one spring-like tooth capable of extending from the compartment and through a window when the compartments and windows are aligned. The device may further include a pounder for driving the tubular member into a deposit.

Abstract: A pressure differential seafloor corer-carrier for obtaining long core samples of seafloor sediments. The corer-carrier is composed of two main components: The first component is a pump assembly that pumps seawater and sediment as to create a negative pressure differential; the negative pressure differential being the driving force that forces the corers into the seafloor such that cores of over 100 feet in length can be obtained. The second component is a space frame mounted and fastened to the pump and functions as a rack to which conventional corers are attached. Once the corers are embedded to their full length, the pump is used to create a positive pressure differential which helps remove the corer-carrier from the seafloor.

Abstract: An aquatic plant sampler which includes an aquatic craft characterized by a plurality of pontoons secured to a flat deck member and propelled and steered by a dual power system including an above water air propulsion system and an underwater, inboard, outboard or inboard-outboard propulsion system. The aquatic plant sampler is further characterized by a sampling bucket fitted with a chain driven cutter system, which bucket is capable of being lowered through a hole provided in the center of the barge to collect aquatic plant specimens and water bottom samples for analysis with a view toward controlling such aquatic vegetation in lakes, rivers and reservoirs.

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: In a system for obtaining core samples from a submerged bottom a core barrel and holder assembly attached at its upper end to a cable is dropped through the water from a floating vessel, and after the barrel has penetrated the submerged bottom a winch on the vessel is operated to raise the assembly into a guide tube carried by the vessel in an over-water position. An operator on the deck of the vessel swings the barrel through a vertical slot in the guide tube and as the cable is released slowly the barrel is guided to a near horizontal position so that the core sample can be removed from the barrel. The holder tilts within the guide tube during this operation but is prevented from passing through the slot, thereby preventing the assembly from swinging as a result of wave action on the vessel. The system can be used to take samples while the vessel is being propelled through the water and during rough weather.

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: Method and apparatus for cutting a core in a bore hole and means of marking the core in which a groove is cut into the core along its length and providing an external arm in a definite angular relation to the core marking means and which may be aimed at some particular point so that when the core is removed, the marking on the core will be known to have the orientation with respect to the position that the arm is aimed such, for instance, as possibly a magnetic bearing or any other known reference mark on the surface to which the core may be related.

Abstract: A soil sample core extraction tool having a handle member on which is movably mounted a soil probe member and a clutch arranged for selectively preventing movement of the soil probe with respect to the handle member. By sequential actuation and release of the clutch, the depth of the probe member into the soil being sampled becomes independent of the position of the handle member relative to an operator, thus permitting the operator to manipulate the handle member from a convenient position during the entire sampling operation. A cleaner is removably attached to the handle member for facilitating removal of a core sample from a sampling tube of the probe member and permitting subsequent lubrication of the sampling tube in order to eliminate resistance of the tube to insertion into a soil being sampled.

Abstract: An open-spindle earth sampling apparatus for taking and retrieving core samples of coil comprising a drilling apparatus having rotary power means, a hollow auger section, a hollow-centered drive shaft connected to the drilling apparatus, a gimbal ring auger coupling and a sampling device suspended into the hollow auger section by means of a reelable hoist cable. The hoist cable is attached between the drilling apparatus and the sampling device and the gimbal ring auger coupling bearingly connects the hollow auger section to the drive shaft. The sampling device includes a rotatable locking portion and a pivotally-stationary, thin-walled sampling tube which is bearingly connected to the rotatable locking portion. The rotatable locking portion is rigidly secured to the hollow auger by a pair of expandable latches such that the thin-walled sampling tube projects from the end of the hollow auger.

Abstract: A sampling drill comprising a plurality of drill rods coupled together to form a drill stem suspended from a drill head, each of the drill rods comprising a pair of substantially concentric tubular members defining an inner central passage and an annular passage, the lower end of the drill stem being fitted with a drill bit having an inner chamber adapted to be connected to the inner central passage of the drill stem, and one or more passages adapted to be connected at one end to the annular passage in the drill stem and at the other end to discharge into the inner chamber, the inner chamber being provided with openings located adjacent the cutting edges of the drill bit so that material cut by the drill bit can pass into the chamber, and means for shutting off the inner central passage to prevent material entering the inner chamber of the drill bit and entering the inner central passage.

Abstract: Equipment for drilling and obtaining samples from, and/or testing at, locations where the soil being investigated is unstable, or where access to the equipment is difficult during drilling, for example underwater. Samples can be obtained, or tests carried out, at several depths in one bore hole by the employment of equipment, including a drill, a plurality of sample receivers and a testing means mounted to enter a bore with the drill and including a first means for operating the sample receiver, a second means to operate the testing means, and a third means arranged to be actuated in dependence upon the sample receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling to the base of a vertically suspended core barrel inside a drilling rig for controllably receiving intact the columnar mass of core material contained therein. A tubular housing is provided for connecting to the barrel and includes a piston element slidably positioned therein for abutting engagement with and underlying support of the core sample to be received from the barrel. The piston element includes expandable side walls adapted for frictional engagement with the side walls of the tubular housing. Control means are provided for controlling the expansion of the piston walls, the resultant friction produced therealong and the preferred rate of movement of the core into the tubular housing under the force of gravity. The construction of the tubular housing permits the core received therein to be retained in its original extracted condition while facilitating the handling, subsequent examination and analysis thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure includes additional features of the apparatus and technique disclosed in Applicant's U.S. application Ser. No. 575,429. For example, in one embodiment, the motor is adapted to drive a rotary drill rod of the type mentioned in the foregoing Application, but wherein the abutment on the rod opens into the working face of the bit; and the anvil member in the motor has a bit on the distal end thereof which is adapted to insert into the opening of the abutment when said end of the anvil member is engaged with the abutment, and the anvil member is relatively rotatably interconnected with the piston member and has means on the periphery thereof for interengaging with the rod to undergo conjoint rotation therewith. Manipulatively, the additional features include a process wherein an inner bit is inserted in the opening of the abutment, having an anvil on the relatively rear end portion thereof, and the anvil is engaged with the abutment and the inner bit with the rod to rotate in conjunction therewith.

Abstract: A method of obtaining geological specimens is disclosed along with methods of producing a geological or geochemical map and apparatus for accomplishing the method. A fixed wing or other airborne vehicle, such as a light plane or a helicopter, is operated at relatively low absolute altitude over a region of the surface of the earth from which specimens are to be obtained. A sampling device is extended from the vehicle and caused to contact the surface of the earth while the vehicle is maintained airborne. The sampling device is then returned to the vehicle and the sample thus obtained is removed therefrom and the operation is repeated at various selected points in the region. The apparatus includes various sampling devices including tubular bodies having stabilizing fins or the like to direct the bodies at the surface of the earth in a desired manner.

Abstract: A water-weighted corer comprising a cylindrical tank mounted concentrically n a core barrel intermediate the coring tube and the shackle is provided. The tank has a water inlet at its bottom and an air vent at its top so that during descent water enters the tank through the bottom inlet, forcing air out the top vent. During free fall the falling speed imparts a substantial amount of kinetic energy to the water mass in the tank, providing the driving force required for the corer to penetrate deeply into a sediment bed.