US2401893A

US2401893A - Side wall core barrel

Info

Publication number: US2401893A
Application number: US485824A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Edward B Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-05-06
Filing date: 1943-05-06
Publication date: 1946-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1963-06-11

Description

June 11, 1946. E; B. WILLIAMS, JR 2,401,893

SIDE WALL CORE BARREL Filed May 6, 1943 Patented June'll,Y 1946 UNITED sinergias PATENT oFFlcE.

SIDE WALL CORE BARREL Edward B. Williams. Jr., Greenville, Tex. Application May 6. 1943, Serial No. 485,824

This invention relates to core bits, particularly for taking side wall cores of wells and other bore holes to ascertain the character of earth formations through which a borehole has been drilled. The principal object of the invention is to provide a core drill bit of this character adapted to be set at any selected depth and actuated by the usual drill rod or to make a side wall core of relatively long length.

Other objects ofthe invention are to provide a side wall core drill with'a whipstock adaptedv to be set by pressure of drilling fluid within the core barrel soas to deilect the bit and core barrel into the side wall at the desired level, to provide a side wall core bit wherein the whipstock element thereof is readily withdrawn when the bit is to be removed therefrom, to provide a side wall core bit that may be readily positioned for taking a succeeding core in a different direction A 'or at another level, and to provide a side wall core bit that is safely operated without endangerbit embodying the features of the present invention and shows the bit being lowered into a borehole.

` Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the bit.

ll'ig.` 3 is a similar section showing the sleevelike'body of the bit supported at a nxed level in a borehole and illustrating the whipstock. supporting the drill in denected position for taking a side wall core. l l y Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the bit on the lined-tof Fig. 2. Referring more in detail to the drawing:` I designates aside wall core bit constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is adapted for attachment to the lower e'nd of a drill pipe 2 whereby the bit is lowered into the well androtated to take a side wall core. The bit includes a core barrel 3 of a length to contain the desired length core therein. The

lower end of the core barrel is internally threaded as at 4 to accommodate the threaded shank l5 of a cutter (having an annular cutting face .'I as in standard core bit construction. The cutter has'a central opening I registering with the axis of the core. barrel to pass the core therein, the core being the portion of the earthformation within the annular cut produced by the vannulant (Cl. Z55-1.4)

, 2 cutting face l of the cutter. The core is retained within-the core barrelby a conventional core catcher as indicated atl, Figs. 2 and 3. The upper end of the core barrel includesa coupling 6 section M) that is threadedly connected with the lower portion of the barrel as at II and has the usual connection for attachment to the end of the drill pipe.

Projecting laterally from the` coupling section I on opposite diametrical sides thereof are arcuate lugs I2 having Aadjacent ends I3 thereof spaced apart to engage interiltting lugs Il on the head Il of a sleeve-like body I8 which is positioned over the core barrel and which is suspended therefrom when the drill bit is loweredr into a borehole. The sleeve-like body IB'includes 'an annular wall Il of slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the core barrel to accommodate the lugsy I2 so that the sleeve-like body is freely movable downwarmywithin che sleeve-like body as later described. The upper end of the sleeve-likebody is internally threaded to mount the head I6, which head is provided with an inwardly extending flange I8 encircling 25 the core barrel and which is adapted to seat upon the lugs I2. The lugs Il are formed on the under side of the flange Il at a point intermediate the ends of the lugs I2,.each having ends I8 adapted to abut the ends Il of the lugs when the flange is seated on the lugs so that the sleeve-like body may be rotated with the-drill pipe when desired. The lower end of the sleeve-like body is internally threaded as at to receive the external threads 2l on the ange 22 of a cap 2l. 'I'he side wall ofthe sleeve-like -body has an elongated opening or passageway 24 through which the core barrel is deflected to drill intothe side wall of a formation as later described.

The sleeve-like body contains a whipstock 25 having a substantially cylindrical body 20 freely contained within the sleeve-like body I8 and hav. ing its upper end sloping upwardly and inwardly iromthe opening 24 at an angle; for example, approximately 15, toprovide a deecting lace and guide 21 for directing the core bit into the side wall of the bore hole when the sleeve-like body is set within the bore hole.

The sleeve-like body is set by gripping means which is carried by the cap 23. The gripping 50 means includes a pair of

jaws

28 and 29 of euh1 stantially arcuate cross section and having a plurality of downwardly facing teeth adapted to bite within the wall of the borehole and prevent movement of thesleeve-like body therein.

Il The upper ends of the jaws are pivotally susassises l 35 which is operable within a slot 36 of a plunger 5 rod 31. The plunger rod is reciprocable through a bore A38 extending axially of a boss 39 that is formed on the lower falce of the cap 23 as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The upper end of the plunger rod projects into the sleeve-like body and 10 has a head d thereon for seating the lower end of the whipstock 25. The plunger rod is normally retained in position to 'effect retraction of the gripping jaws by means of a coil spring 4I `having one end seated rist the

cap

23 and 15 its other end bearing under the head Miss best shown in Fig. 2. V lC'he laws are retained in retracted position by meansof a friction clamp 42 having one end pivotally. engaging a 'pints on one of the jaws and its other end latchingly engaging a. pin 46 on'the other jaw. The end of the plunger when in retracted position is positioned directly under the clamp so that the irst movement thereof effects disengagement of the clamp.

Downward movement of the plunger is limited 25 by an annular stop 45 encircling the spring 4| as shown in Fig. e. The upperv end of the' whipstock is guidedly supported within the sleeve-like body by means of a transverse pin 68 having its ends extending through slots 41 formed in oppo- 30 site diametrlcal sides of the sleeve-like body and which are'of a length to accommodate ample movement of the whlpstock in effecting setting of the gripping laws.

Mounted on the portion of the pin et -that extends across a slot or groove 41m the whipstock is thelower end 4S of. a piston element e9 extending into the lower end of the core barrel to close the end thereof. Thcpiston element is preferably formed of some readily disintegrable o material such as cork, wood or the like and which may form Va suiliciently tight contact with. the inner surface of the core barrel to provide esubstantially leak-'tight Joint therebet e but which will accommodate movement of the piston ele- 45 whipstock above the head 4d as shown inFig. 2. 55

In order to facilitatelowex'ing of the drill into a borehole, the piston-like Velement $8 has a bore E0 therethrough which is closed at the upper end by means of flap valve 5l seated within a utilm-v terbore 52intheupperendothepisfon.-The su nap valve is normally retained. in valving position` by a spring 83 yleldable under pressureof uid in the well bit is being loweredthereinto for equalizing p fa: u fr within and without thedrlllingtrlngsothttheplstonmits position in the corebarrel.

In-usingacorebitconstruetedandbled as described, the drill blt'bly' is mounted on thelower end of the drill pipe 2 and lowered within the borehole to a position at which a core is to be taken.- During downward movement of the assembly into the well, the sleevelike body' @frying the grilling laws. is depending fromi thelugs i2 andthepistontispositioned withintheboreofthewtter. yWellllid' bodyhavingacorebarrel thereoga core barreLmeansfor sspendingthe v 4 v l upwardly throughthe bore and into the drill pipe to accommodate any liquid that is displaced in the borehole. When the device reaches the Domtion at which a side wall core is to be taken. pressure of the drilling iiuid in 'the drill pipe is increased to the point where the piston-like element 49 is forced downwardly within the core barrel to eect downward movement of the whipstock and corresponding movement of the plunger rod 31, the initial movement of which eects disengagement of the friction clamp 42 that holds the jaws in retracted position. Further downward movement of the plunger brings the upper end of the slot 36 into engagement with. the pin 35 to effect movementof the jaws 28 and 2d into gripping engagement with the walls of the borehole to support the sleeve-like body l@ oi the drill in xed relation therewith. The drill pipe is then lowered so that the bitengages the deiiection end of the whipstock and the bit is caused to move outwardly therealong and throughthe passageway 23 to engage the wall of the borehole. During this movement, the lugs I2 clear the lugs i4 on the head i5 whereupon the drilling rod and core barrel may b e rotated to cause the cutter to produce a channel-like annular recess within the formation with the intermediate portion of the formation contained within the core barrel to form the core, which core is retained therein by the core catcher 9. The drilling is continued until a core of desired length is taken whereupon the drill pipe 2 is raised within the borehole so 'that the lugs l2 again engage the ange on. the

head IE. Continued upward movement of the drill pipe lifts the sleeve-like body i6 andgpulls the gripping Jaws loose from the wall of the well so that they drop to released position. If necessary, the drill pipe may be roted in either direction to assist in loosening the jaws since the ends of .the lugs I2 engage the endsoi the lugs It on the ange of the head i5. When the lugs are in engagement, thecutter 6 has cleared the whipstockl whereupon the whipstock may move upwardly responsive to action of the spring 8l which assists in releasing the Jaws and keeps the jaws in retracted position as the drill is brought to the top .of the borehole. A- When. the core'is removed, anew piston element may be applied to the whipstock and the upper end positioned within the lower end of the core barrel -so that, pressure may again be reestablished to effect setting of the' laws as previously described. From the foregoing'it is obvious that -I have provided a side wall core drill which may be positively operated to take a sidewall core at any selected position within a borehole and which is readily withdrawn from the borehole after the corehasbeentaken; Itisalsoobviousthatl have provided a side wall core drill which may be rotated within the borehole to position the cutter for. deection in the desired radial direction. Y

what IA claim and desire-to .secure by Letten Pnt is: l

1. A side wall core drill including a sleeve-like in. a side Vsleeve-like body. on the come barrel. gripping means carried by the sleeve-like body, a whip- -stock having limited inthe sleeve-@like body-and arranged todeilect the core barrel ewes. anactuating'connection I a; ernst to mmm M tm Y.'

' core barrel, and means connecting the piston element with the whipstock'to effect said movement of the whipstock.

2. A side wall core drill including a sleeve-like body having a core barrel passageway in the side thereof, a core barrel, means forsuspending the sleeve-like body on the core barrel, gripping means carried by the sleeve-like body, a whipstock having limited movement in the sleeve-like. body and arranged to deiiect the core barrel through the passageway, a core bit on the core l barrel, an actuating connection between the whipstock and the gripping means to move the gripping means into gripping rposition responsive to movement of the whipstock, a. frangible piston element in the core barrel and movable when pressure is applied to a iluid admitted to the core barrel, means connecting the piston element with the whipstock to effect said movement of the whipstoek, said piston being disintegrated through rotation of the core barrel when the core barrel is deilected through the passageway responsive to lowering of the core barrel after setting of gripping means.

3. A side wall core drill including a sleeve-like body having a core barrel passageway in a side thereof, a core barrel, means for slidably and rotatably supporting the sleeve-like body on the core barrel, gripping laws having pivotal support by the sleevelike body, means normally retain- Aing the gripping jaws in retracted position, a

plunger slidably -supported by the sleeve-like body and having an end arranged to engage said retaining means, means connecting the gripping jaws with the plunger including a pin and slot connection for eiIecting disengagement of the retaining means upon an initial movement of the plunger, a whipstock in the sleeve-like body andv supported by said plunger, and a piston elemait connected with the whips/rock and movable in the core barrel upon application of pressure in the core barrel for effecting actuation of the gripping jaws through the whipstock and plunger so that the jawsare adapted to support the whipstock in fixed position for deecting the core barrel through said passageway when the core barrel is lowered after setting of the gripping means. 4. A side wall core drill including a sleeve-like body having a' core barrel passageway in the side thereof, a core barrel, means supporting the sleeve-like body on the core barrel, a core bit carried on the lower end 'of the core barrel, gripping jaws pivotally suspended from the sleevelike body, a. plunger movable in said sleeve-like body, means connecting the plunger with the gripping jaws, a whipstxzk movably mounted in the sleeve-like body in position to engage the plunger, a piston-like element having pivotal connection with the whipstock and vlnvinY en upperendwlthin'thelowerendofthecorebarrel.

said piston being movable in the core barrel responsive to pressure applied to the core barrel to eiect setting of the gripping jaws for supporting the whipstock iniixed position within a borehole to through the core barrel passageway.

5. A side wall core drill including a sleeve-like body having a core barrel passageway in a side ,'thereof, a core barrel, means supporting the sleeve-like body on the core barrel, gripping jaws having pivotal support by the sleeve-like body, a clamp normally retaining the gripping laws in retracted position, a plungerslid'ably supported by the sleeve-like body and having an end arranged to engage said clamp, means connecting the gripping jaws with the plunger including a pinv and slot .connection for eil'ecting disengagement of the clamp upon initial movement of the plunger, a whipstock supported in said sleeve-like body by said plunger, and a piston element connected with the 'whipstockand having a portion in the lower end ofthe core barrel and movable upon application of pressure duid through the core barrel to effect actuation o! the gripping jaws' through the whipstock and plunger.

- 6. A side wall drill including a barrel having a passageway for fluid under pressure, a whipstock carrier having a lateral opening through which the barrel is adapted to be dei'iected, interengaging releasable means between the whipstock carrier and the barrel for supporting the whipstock carrier on the barrel, a -whlpstock movable in said carrier, wall gripping means on the whipstock carrier, a plunger engaged .with the whipstock, an operating connection between the plunger and the gripping means. means closing the passageway in the barrel and movable responsive' to pressure of said fluid, and means connecting said closing means with the .whipetock for moving the whipstock in the carrier for actuating the plunger. for setting said rippin means.

'1. A side wall core barrel including a body member having a core barrel passageway in a sidethereof, acore barrel, means carrying the body member from the core barreLgripplng jaws havlngpivotl Support on the body member. j

means having dicengageable connection with the gripping jaws for normally retaining the gripping Jaws in retracted position, a plunger siidablt supported by the body member and disengage said retaining neans, a whipstock movable in said body member and cngageable with said plunger, a piston element connected wi*h. the whipetock and movable in the core barrel when pressure is applied on fluid admitted'into the core barrel to effect actuation o! the tripping jaws through the whipetock and plunger, and valve mean; for admitting fluid into the core barrel when said core barrel is lowered into a' borehole. mwa-an B. wmmms. Jn.

fleet deilection of the core barrel,