US2126684A

US2126684A - Container core barrel

Info

Publication number: US2126684A
Application number: US161550A
Authority: US
Inventors: Granville A Humason; Walter J Clay
Original assignee: MCDONOUGH IRON WORKS
Current assignee: MCDONOUGH IRON WORKS
Priority date: 1937-08-30
Filing date: 1937-08-30
Publication date: 1938-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 1955-08-09

Description

2 l 2 Sheets-Sheet l G. A. HUMASON El AL CONTAINER CORE BARREL Filed Aug. 30, 1937 Aug. 9, 193s.

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G. A. HuMAsoN ET AL 2,126,684

CONTAINER CORE BARREL Aug. 9, 1938.

Filed Aug. 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @Glade fle Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED STATES *PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER CORE BARREL Application August 30,

16 Claims.

The invention relates to a core taking device or tool such as is employed for removing from a well bore oi cores or samples of the formation penetrated during the drilling of the well bore.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient device for obtaining intact and uncontaminated samples from formations penetrated when utilizing the rotary method of well drilling.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a coring tool having a core barrel in which a core or sample is completely encased preliminary to its removal from the well bore.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the class described in which novel means is provided for severing a section of core and vencasing said section or sample for later ana-lysis and observation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in which, after the'sample or core has been cut, the drill c ollar and bit may be moved longitudinally relative to each other, means being provided for operation by means of such relative movement for severing a section of the core and encasing such section within the core barrel.

Other objects and features will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments and application of the invention, reference being had tok the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a tool eme bodying the invention, the parts being shown in position during the taking of a core or sample.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing parts in relative positions after the taking of the core has been completed and the tool is ready to be withdrawn from the well bore.

Fig; 3 is an elevation partly in section showing the relative position of the parts in the early stage of closing of the ends of the sample encasing core barrel.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of each of Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of each of Figs. 1 and 3.

In the drawings, the drill collar I is of special construction which is attached at its upper end by means of threads'2 to an operating string or drill stem 3. The lower end of the collar I is attached to a core bit 4 having a shank 5.

The drill collar I is of a composite construction comprising a, head 6, in which the axial bore 'I is counter-bored at 8, the counter bore 8 being provided with threads 2 whereby the operating string 1937, Serial No. 161,550

(Cl. Z55-72) 3 is attached' thereto. The lower end of the head 6 has a reduced portion 9 provided with peripheral 4threads Iii, to which is attached a sleeve II having an axial bore forming a cylindrical chamber I2 therein.

Within the counter-bore 8 is positioned an upwardly opening check valve I5 threadably secured in the bore 'i by means of a iianged nipple Iii.` The check valve I5 comprises a valve cage il, a valve seat insert I8, clamped between the cage il and the nipple IE, and the ball valve I9 resting upon the valve seat IB. It will be apparent that the construction just described will permit the movement of fluid upwardly from within the bore l but will prevent the movement of fluid downwardly therein from the operating string or stem 3. In order to provide downward movement of the drilling fluid from the stem 3 a plurality of pas- -sages 20 are provided in the walls of the head 6.

Below the check valve I5 in the head 6 is provided a supplementary check valve which is generally designated as 2| and which opens outwardly from within the bore'l. This valve together with the check valve I5 assures the discharge of uid from within the-bore I when the pressure therein exceeds the pressure upon either the check valve I5 or the supplementary check valve 2|. Below the check valve 2I in the head 6 the bore 'I is enlarged to receive the upper end of the core barrel 24, such enlargement terminating at its upper end in a rounded shoulder 23 to engage a complementary end on the core barrel 24.

The lower end of the head 6 is counterbored at 25 and hence provides a skirt 26 which serves as a stop in a manner to be hereafter described. An annular 'recess 21 within the bore 1 is provided adjacent the counterbore 26 to receive a lipped sealing ring 28 to provide a seal between the head 6 and the core barrel 24.

The drill shank or sub 5 has a head portion 30 which is adapted to slidingly t within the chamber I2 and which is provided with a peripheral sealing ring 3I to prevent the leakage of the drilling fluid into the coarse threads 32 on the `drill shank below the head 30. The threads32 on the drill shank 5 engage complementary threads in the lower end of the sleeve II. In order to prevent leakage of the drilling fluid upwardly into the threads 32, a lipped sealing ring 33 is secured to the lower end of the sleeve II by means of a clamp ring 34 and cap screws 35. By means of this construction a lubricant may be retained about the threads 32 whereby relative movement Aof the threads may be readily eiected.

The bore within the drill shank 5 is of such Cil diameter as to slidingly receive the core barrel 24. This bore isv enlarged at its upper end to receive packing 40 and a packing gland 4| whereby a seal is formed between the barrel 24 and the drill shank 5. It is apparent from this construction that a fluid seal exists between the core barrel 24 and the surrounding elements whether all parts rotate as a unit or the core barrel 24 remains stationary while the remainder of the tool rotates thereabout.

The drill shank 5 is provided with longitudinal passages 42 for downward conduction of the drilling iluid to the core bit 4, which is attached to the drill shank by means of threads 45. An annular groove 46 is provided in the core bit 4, so that fluid from the passages in the drill shank will be conducted to outwardly extending passages 41 in the bit 4. It is to be understood that the present invention is not confined to the use of the sh tail type of bit which is here described as an element of the preferred embodiment. On the other hand, it is apparent that a roller bit or other suitable type of bit may be utilized instead of the flshtail bit 4.

Within the bit 4 is provided a rounded shoulder similar to the shoulder 23, which is provided in the head 6. This shoulder 50 is adapted to engage the complementary rounded lower end of the core barrel 24. While the shoulder 50 is shown as provided within the bit 4, it is to be understood that such sh'oulder may be provided as desired in either the core bit or within the shank 5.

The core barrel 24 is of special construction which is best illustrated in Fig. l where it may be clearly s'een that the ends thereof are provided with serrations or fingers 5| and 52 at the upper and lower ends respectively. The fingers 5| and 52 are of such configuration and dimension that when they are hanged inwardly at a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the

shoulders

23 and 50, they form a flange which completely encloses the section of the core which is severed as the anging of the fingers takes place. As previously mentioned the ends of the core barrel 24 are rounded to cooperate with the

shoulders

23 and 50 for this anging operation. While the core barrel 24 is shown as having serratlons or fingers at both the upper and lower ends and the core drill assembly is shown as provided with

anging shoulders

23 and 50, it is apparent that the serrations at either the upper or lower end of the core barrel 24 may be omitted with the omission of the function thereof and yet there will accrue advantages which are inherent in the present invention. l

In the use oi' the device thus far described the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. l and ordinary coring operations are pursued, the device being rotated righthandedly, thus causing the threads 5*. to tighten and to prevent relative movement between the collar. i and the drill shank 5. Drilling fluid is pumped downwardly through the operating stem 3 and is discharged outwardly through passages 41 in the core bit 4 as is well known in the art. As the bit advances the core which is cut enters the core barrel 24. When the desired length of core is obtained the operating string is rotated lei'thandedly whereby the threads 32 are unscrewed and the shank 5 is released for telescopic movement relative to the drill collar I. When the threads 32 are released, downward pressure from the operating string will cause downward movement of the drill collar I whereupon the core barrel 24 is forced into conis removed therefrom. Information from the sample may be obtained by removing the core barrel therefrom in any suitable manner. If it is desired to keep the sample for any material length of time prior to analysis the ends of the core barrel may be coated with any suitable sealing material whereby the assembly is protected from gaseous contamination from without and at the same time any gaseous component of the sample is sealed within the core barrel. In order to obtain additional samples a new core barrel 24 is inserted within the core drill assembly and the operation above described is repeated.

An important advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that the sample or core which is taken thereby is sealed prior to removal of the sample from the well. Hence the secrecy which surrounds drilling operations may be more eiectively maintained and at the same time deflnite knowledge may be had of the nature of the formations penetrated'during the drilling operations.

What is claimed is:

l. A core drill assembly including a core drill and a drill collar telescopically connected thereto, an operating string connected to said drill collar, a threaded connection between said drill and collar whereby the drill and collar are held in -extended relation when the bit is driven by the operating string, a core barrel within said assembly, and means for flanging the ends of said core barrel upon relative movement of the drill and collar when said threaded connection is released.

2. A core drill assembly including a core drill and a drill collar telescopically connected thereto, a core barrel disposed within said assembly, means within the assembly for ianging and closing the ends of said core barrel upon relative longitudinal movement of said drill and collar, and a releasable connection between the drill and collar so that telescopic movement thereof may be effected whereby said means will close the ends of the barrel and conne the core therein.

3. A core drill assembly including a core drill, a drill collar, and a core barrel disposed within said assembly, means in said assembly to engage the ends of said core barrel, a releasable connection between said drill and collar so that said collar may telescope along said drill and said means will inwardly iiange the ends of said barrel to confine the core therein.

4. A core drill assembly including a core drill,

, a drill collar, a core barrel within said assembly,

means in said assembly for engaging and inwardly Hanging the ends of said core barrel upon relative longitudinal movement of the drill and collar, and releasable means comprising a threaded connection between said drill and collar for maintaining the drill and collar in extended relation during the cutting operation.

5. In a core drill assembly including a core drill and a drill collar telescopically connected thereto, a core barrel disposed within said assembly, means within the assembly for hanging and closing the upper end of the core barrel upon relative longitudinal movement of said drill and collar, and a releasable connection between the drill and collar so that telescopic movement therebetween may be effected.

6. A core drill assembly including a core ,drill and a drill collar having co-axial bores, a core barrel slidably fitting within the chamber provided by said bores, and means in said bores adapted to collapse the ends of said core barrel inwardly, whereby a section of core is'severe and encased within said core barrel.

7. A core taking device comprising a core drill, a drill collar telescopically connected to said drill, an axial bore in said drill and collar, a core barrel slldably fitting within said bore, and shoulders in said bore adapted to bend the ends of said core barrelinwardly upon relative longitudinal movement of said. drill and collar whereby a section of core is encased Within said core barrel.

8. A core taking device comprising a core drill, a drill collar telescopically connected to said'drill, an axial bore in said drill and collar, a core barrel slidably mounted in said bore, means for releasably connecting said drill and collar against relative longitudinal movement, and means in said axial bore for iianging the ends of the core l barrel when said first mentioned means is resaid core barrel, and additional means for producing relative movement of said first mentioned means to collapse the ends of said core barrel.

11. A. core barrel of the character described, a core drill assembly to receive said barrel, and means on said assembly to engage and collapse the ends of said barrel to confine a core therein.

l2. The combination of a core and container comprising a cylindrical tube, a core therein, the ends .of said container being flanged inwardly to enclose the containerand corinne the core therein. l

13. The combination of a core and container comprising a cylindrical tube, a core therein, and means comprising fingers on each end of the con tainer adapted to be flanged inwardly to completely enclose the core within the container.

14. A core barrel for receiving and completely encasing al core or sample therein while in a well bore comprising a tubular member, and means comprising fingers forming an integral part of the ends of the tubular member and adapted to bel flanged inwardly to completely enclose the ends of the member.

15. In a core drill assembly a tubular core barrel comprising an annular shell having axially directed fingers on the ends thereof, said ngers being so constructed that they may be flanged finwardly to completely enclose the ends of the core barrel and encase a core therein.

16. A core barrel to receive a sample of the formation being penetrated by the core drill, and means to inwardly flange and close the ends of said barrel so that such closed core barrel will thereafter serve as a container for the core.

GRANVILLE A. HUMASON. WALTER'J. CLAY.