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EP0883731B1 - Core sampler - Google Patents

Core sampler Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0883731B1
EP0883731B1 EP97900510A EP97900510A EP0883731B1 EP 0883731 B1 EP0883731 B1 EP 0883731B1 EP 97900510 A EP97900510 A EP 97900510A EP 97900510 A EP97900510 A EP 97900510A EP 0883731 B1 EP0883731 B1 EP 0883731B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
core
longitudinal channel
fluid
coring
barrel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97900510A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0883731A1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Fanuel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Baroid Technology Inc
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Baroid Technology Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Baroid Technology Inc filed Critical Baroid Technology Inc
Publication of EP0883731A1 publication Critical patent/EP0883731A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0883731B1 publication Critical patent/EP0883731B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B25/00—Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B25/00—Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors
    • E21B25/02—Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors the core receiver being insertable into, or removable from, the borehole without withdrawing the drilling pipe
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B25/00—Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors
    • E21B25/06—Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors the core receiver having a flexible liner or inflatable retaining means

Definitions

  • the annular space between the tubes inside and outside is usually used to channel a coring fluid to the internal space of the tube inside and / or to crown nozzles.
  • US Patent 2,658,726 describes a core barrel with three coaxial tubes in which a valve can prevent the coring fluid from entering the space inner tube and let out fluid of this internal space to mix with the normal flow coring fluid
  • US-A-2,147,896 describes a Corer with three coaxial tubes, the innermost of which is closed at its posterior end to take press on the carrot that enters, to form a temporary plug for the anterior end of the corer and to keep away from the start of the carrot the means intended to seize the carrot for the shoot from the hole.
  • passage means arranged to send towards the internal space, at the anterior end of it, a fluid of coring leaving the anterior end of said second longitudinal channel.
  • the said passage means are arranged to put directly in fluid communication the end anterior of the second longitudinal canal with a annular gap formed between the crown and a carrot during coring and, through this gap, with said internal space at its end earlier.
  • the anterior end of the second longitudinal channel is at least partially closed relative to an annular gap formed between the crown and a carrot during coring, and passages between the second longitudinal channel and internal space are arranged close to their respective anterior ends, these passages being preferably regularly distributed around the axis longitudinal of the core barrel.
  • Figure 1 shows schematically in longitudinal section, broken, one end anterior core barrel according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows schematically in longitudinal section, with broken edges, the core barrel of the FIG. 1, at the location of the connection of the inner tubes, median and external and means of realization and aforementioned selective blocking.
  • Figure 3 shows schematically in longitudinal section, broken, one end anterior of a core barrel following another form of realization of the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows schematically in longitudinal section, with broken edges, the core barrel of the FIG. 3 at the location of the connection of the inner tubes, middle and outside and that of the means of realization and selective blocking above.
  • Figure 5 shows schematically in longitudinal section, broken, anterior end of a corer following yet another form of realization of the invention, the corer being ready for coring.
  • Figure 6 is a representation practically similar to that of Figure 5 but the core barrel is shown there during coring.
  • Figure 7 shows schematically in longitudinal section, with broken edges, the core barrel Figures 5 and 6 at the location of the tube connection interior, median and exterior and that of the means of realization and selective blocking above.
  • Figure 8 shows schematically in longitudinal cut, with broken, another form of connection between the inner and middle tubes of the core barrel according to the invention as that of the connection of the figure 2.
  • Figure 9 shows schematically in longitudinal section, broken, one end anterior core barrel according to one embodiment particular of the invention, in which the middle and inner tubes form a constitutive whole movable in the outer tube.
  • Figure 10 shows schematically in longitudinal section, with broken lines, the connection point middle and inner tubes of the core barrel of the figure 9.
  • the core barrel 1 ( Figures 1 and 2) of the invention, intended in particular for oil exploration, includes a core bit 2, a tube exterior 3, which can be formed of several sections 4, screwed into each other and to the crown 2, and which is used inter alia for the rotation drive of this last, and an inner tube 5, which can also be composed of several sections 6 to receive a core 7 in its internal space 8 during coring.
  • the inner 5 and outer 3 tubes are substantially coaxial.
  • the inner tube 5 comprises for example, at its anterior end 9 (considering the meaning in advance of the core barrel 1 during the cutting of a carrot 7), a known system 10 with a frustoconical ring split 11 to hold a carrot 7 near its base in the internal space 8 during a rise of the tube inside 5 or core 1 towards the surface.
  • the core barrel 1 of the invention comprises plus a median tube 15 arranged coaxially between the inner 5 and outer 3 tubes and delimiting with this last a first longitudinal channel 16 annular for a coring fluid and, with the inner tube 5, a second longitudinal channel 17 for a coring fluid.
  • the first longitudinal channel 16 has a front end 16A close to the crown 2 and a posterior end 16B distant from the crown 2.
  • the second longitudinal channel 17 has one end anterior 17A and a posterior 17B and space internal 8 has an anterior end 8A and a posterior end 8B.
  • the core barrel 1 of the invention comprises in in addition to means 18 which selectively produce and / or block, at least temporarily, preferably from controlled way, coring fluid communication between the posterior end 17B of the second channel longitudinal 17 and / or that 16B of the first longitudinal channel 16 and / or that 8B of the internal space 8.
  • the middle tube 15 can also be formed by several sections 19 for example welded or screwed to one another.
  • the means 18 are arranged so as to allow, for a fluid to core drilling, constant communication between the ends posterior 8B and 17B, through conduits, for example axial 20 and radial 21.
  • a communication that can be ordered can be made between these two posterior ends 8B and 17B and the rear end 16B by the means 18, for example using the axial duct 20, a valve 22, an axial conduit 23 and conduits divergent and radial 24.
  • the valve 22 can be a ball 25 applied to an appropriate seat 26.
  • the valve 22 may possibly include a spring (not shown), adjustable or not, to produce an effect of selective pressure regulation between upstream and downstream of valve 22.
  • the selective means 18 are arranged to connect at least temporarily fluid a conduit 27 for supplying a fluid coring from a tank (not shown) at the soil surface and nozzles 28 (Figure 1) of the crown 2, via the first longitudinal channel 16 and, for example, the axial duct 23 and divergent and radial conduits 24.
  • the selective means 18 can be arranged, as shown in Figure 2, for at least temporarily connect fluid the posterior end 8B of the internal space 8 and the coring fluid supply conduit 27 when the ball 25 is for example absent or away from the valve seat 26 and, if necessary, to interrupt selectively this fluid communication in placing the ball 25 on the valve seat 26.
  • the ball 25 can be arranged so as to block a flow of fluid from the conduit 27 to the internal space 8 and so as to possibly allow reverse flow, if also possibly towards the first longitudinal channel 16.
  • the anterior end 17A of the second longitudinal channel 17 can be in communication coring fluid with a gap annular 29 between a core 7 and the crown 2 and by this with a bottom of hole 31 during the coring.
  • core barrel 1 of Figures 1 and 2 can be used as follows.
  • the ball 25 When it is judged that the internal space 8 is released, the ball 25 is thrown into the conduit inlet 27 (or released from its storage location) and, carried away by the coring fluid, it ends on valve seat 26 to block communication fluid from the supply line 27 to the internal space 8 and towards the second longitudinal channel 17. Then all the coring fluid from the supply duct 27 is transmitted to the nozzles 28 by the first longitudinal channel 16. As a result of blockage given by the ball 25, the top of the carrot 7 which gradually enters the internal space 8 is no longer subject to the pressure of the coring fluid such that it is established in the supply duct 27.
  • the core fluid included in the space internal 8, above the core 7 can be pushed back by carrot 7 as it enters this internal space 8 because this coring fluid can escape through the axial 20 and radial 21 conduits towards the second longitudinal channel 17 and from there to the gap annular 29 and the bottom of the hole 31 where, depending pressure losses known in the core barrel 1, the coring fluid is usually at a pressure lower than that prevailing in the supply duct 27.
  • the core 7 is subjected everywhere to a pressure less than that of the coring fluid in the supply duct 27 and it is therefore practically not subject to a compaction which, moreover, could rub excessively against the wall of the tube interior 5, for example in the case of a little material consolidated.
  • the coring fluid which must escape from internal space 8 towards the gap ring finger 29 is blocked for some reason from the radial conduits 21, it can escape by the axial conduits 20 and 23 to the first longitudinal channel 16, for example from the moment when its pressure overcomes the pressure applied to the ball 25 by the coring fluid in the supply duct 27.
  • the aforementioned spring (not shown) can be arranged to modify the pressure threshold to overcome.
  • the core barrel 1 can have ( Figure 3) a constricted passage 42, possibly adjustable, between the front end 17A of the second longitudinal channel 17 and annular gap 29 above, for the communication of core fluid to the bottom of core hole 31.
  • the inner tube 5 can for example having two coaxial circular walls 43, 44 delimiting an annular chamber 45 closed at its axially opposite ends 46, 47, for example each time by a thickening of the wall 43 and by an O-ring between these two walls 43, 44, the more internal 43 is relatively thin compared to the more external 44.
  • the annular chamber 45 can be in fluid communication with the second longitudinal channel 17 via one or more radial passages 48.
  • This other embodiment of the core barrel 1 according to Figures 3 and 4 can be used as following.
  • the ball 37 closes the valve seat 38 so as to prevent direct flow of core fluid from the supply duct 27 towards the rear end 8B of the internal space 8 and therefore in it.
  • the coring fluid discharged to the top of this internal space 8 through the core 7 can escape from this posterior end 8B, as soon as its pressure overcomes the pressure on the ball 37, and it can then flow into the intermediate space 34 and from there for example, by the off-center line (s) 35, towards the second longitudinal channel 17 and / or, by the off-axis conduits 33 and the axial conduit 23, towards the supply duct 27 or rather towards the duct (s) obliques 36 and then towards the first longitudinal channel 16 and the adjustments 28.
  • the core 7 is not not subjected, on the side of its top, to a pressure higher than that of the coring fluid.
  • the ball 39 is for example sent in the supply duct 27 and, carried away by the fluid coring, it ends up on the valve seat 40 of way to at least greatly reduce or even block the flow of the coring fluid towards the oblique conduits 36 and therefore towards the first channel longitudinal 16 and nozzles 28 which no longer need to be fed at this time, the actual core drilling being finished.
  • This fluid exhaust blockage core drilling can lead to a known increase sensitive to the pressure of the coring fluid, among others in the second longitudinal channel 17 and so in the annular chamber 45, so as to obtain towards the interior of the internal space 8 a deformation of the thin wall 43 which then encloses the core 7 for keep it in this internal space 8 and take it out of the bottom of hole 31.
  • the wall thin 43 can constitute a sleeve mounted so sliding in the thick wall 44 and present a external frusto-conical part 50 pointing towards the end anterior of the core barrel 1, provided with at least one notch longitudinal and cooperating with a frustoconical part internal 51 corresponding, for example of the wall 44.
  • the thin wall 43 already enclosing according to a certain degree the carrot 7, can be driven towards this anterior end of the corer 1 and cause by this an additional tightening of the frustoconical part external 50 against the carrot 7 by the action of the part internal frustoconical 51.
  • the piston 54 is pushed into the internal space 8 as the carrot 7 enters it.
  • the coring fluid is expelled from the internal space 8 by the piston 54 in the radial conduits 53 and from there into the second channel longitudinal 17 to escape for example somewhat above the base of carrot 7 when the second longitudinal channel 17 comprises (as in the case of the Figure 1) a front end 17A opening to the location of the front end 9 of the inner tube 5, substantially around the periphery of the latter.
  • Corer 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, it can be provided on the end 54A of the piston 54 facing the carrot 7, a pusher 56 arranged to bear, at start of coring, on the bottom 3 of the coring hole and then on top of carrot 7 being training.
  • the pusher 56 can also form only one part with piston 54.
  • the piston 54 or, according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pusher 56 comprises, at the place of its end intended to cooperate with the top of the core 7, a filling port 57 and, connected thereto, a line 58 through pusher 56 and / or piston 54 up to the internal space 8.
  • a non-return valve 59 is advantageously installed in line 58 or at the place of the filling orifice 57.
  • the piston 54 is arranged in the above starting position (figure 5).
  • a fluid of coring is injected through the filling orifice 57 and through the conduit 58 in the internal space 8 and preferably until the fluid leaves the radial channels 53 (figure 7) and flows down from the corer 1 through the second longitudinal channel 17 (Figure 5).
  • the actual core drilling is started.
  • the pusher 56 pushed by the bottom of the hole 31 and then by the carrot 7 which enters the corer 1, pushes the piston 54 in the internal space 8.
  • the fluid coring driven up this internal space 8 escapes through the radial conduits 53 to the second longitudinal channel 17 and therefrom through passages 55 from which the coring fluid is distributed in an annular gap between the wall of the tube interior 5 and carrot 7 to cover the latter as it enters the internal space 8.
  • the push-button 56 advantageously exceeds the corer 1 so as to give access to the orifice of filling 57 arranged laterally.
  • the piston 54 may include seals O-ring seal 60 cooperating with the wall of the tube interior 5, if we want to avoid direct fluid from internal space 8 to the top carrot 7.
  • the coring injected into the internal space 8 can be different from that which comes from the aforementioned tank by through the supply duct 27.
  • the fluid different can be a protective fluid the carrot 7 or a fluid capable of lubricating the sliding of the carrot 7 in the inner tube 5, known to man business.
  • the radial conduits 21 (figure 2) and / or 53 (figure 7) can constitute a choked passage of the coring fluid which goes from the internal space 8 towards the second longitudinal channel 17.
  • Adjustment means known to those skilled in the art (spring valve, etc.), can be added to these ducts to be able to adjust the passage, for example so as to subject the core 7 to a selected pressure which helps maintain its structural stability.
  • a safety valve 61 ( Figure 7) and / or pressure relief means such as a screw 62 can be arranged so that they can escape for example internal space 8 and / or the second channel longitudinal 17 of the fluid which is pressurized therein following the insertion of the carrot 7 into this internal space 8 and which is kept under pressure at the following a blockage of the ducts intended for evacuation of this pressure.
  • the safety valve 61 can act during the coring and lets escape, in if necessary, fluid from the internal space 8 towards the first longitudinal channel 16.
  • the inner tubes 5 and median 15 can, together, rotate or not around their common longitudinal axis, regardless of a rotation of the outer tube 3.
  • Figure 8 shows an embodiment in which the inner tubes 5, median 15 and outside 3 can independently rotate any of the other around their common longitudinal axis.
  • a screw 70 fixed in a threaded hole of the end posterior of the inner tube 5 is mounted on a ring 71 arranged between two thrust ball bearings 72, 73 which are mounted on a shaft 74 carried by a appropriate fitting 75 which is mounted in the outer tube 3 as is the connector 63 of the figure 7.
  • the constituent assembly 80 includes known fastening means 81 arranged at its end furthest from the front end 9 of the tube interior 5.
  • a core barrel 1 of the kind depicted in Figures 9 and 10 can be part of the so-called "wire" type line ".
  • all component 80 is held in the stop position at means of the pressure of the coring fluid applied to its exposed surfaces.
  • the selective means 18 of the core barrel 1 of the Figure 10 have an annular boss 82 arranged on the inner wall 83 of the outer tube 3 and at least one outlet 84, such as that of the oblique duct 36 opening into the first longitudinal channel 16.
  • the annular boss 82 In coring position, the constituent assembly 80 being with stop at the front end in the outer tube 3, the annular boss 82 is outside of a flow liquid from outlet 84 in the first longitudinal channel 16.
  • the constituent assembly 80 can deviate from the stop position, for example because it gets stuck at a certain level of the carrot 7 while the crown 2 continues to progress. Such a blockage may result from the fact that the inner tube 5 is stuck around the carrot 7 or that of the liquid accumulated between the core 7 and the bottom of the tube interior 5 cannot escape.
  • the annular boss 82 and the orifice 84 are gradually disposing of one facing each other so as to restrict to an extent wanted the liquid flow from the orifice of exit 84 towards the longitudinal channel 16.
  • This restriction flow can be almost total or at less than enough to cause an increase in core fluid pressure, this increase can be interpreted as a signal from a blocking of the penetration of the carrot 7 in the tube interior 5.
  • the tube median 15 can be in leaktight support, on the end side anterior 16A, against a bearing surface of the crown 2 or possibly the outer tube 3, of so as to close the first longitudinal channel 16 there.
  • Figure 9 shows, without limitation the corer 1 in a case with circular walls coaxial thin 43 and thick 44.
  • a valve 85 allows you to choose, by adjusting the sound spring, the fluid pressure from which this can pass from the supply duct 27 to the second longitudinal channel 17, via a coaxial conduit 86 and radial conduits 87, in order to deform, as explained above, the thin wall 43.
  • a slight passage of fluid may be desired between the inner 5 and middle 15 tubes of the Figure 9, at their anterior end.
  • an inlet 90 for injecting either this fluid or compressed air in order to push the piston 54 back into position of departure.
  • a plug 91 is removed from this input 90 and is placed in an output 92 to prevent leakage through the valve 61.
  • the plug 91 is removed from exit 92 and put back into entry 90 to avoid a leak, not controlled by the valve 61, of the fluid included in the inner tube 5.
  • plug 91 can again be moved from inlet 90 to outlet 92 and a fluid suitable (compressed air, etc.) can be injected to push the piston 54 and thus drive out a carrot 7 housed in the inner tube 5, for example after having disassembled ( Figure 9) a section of the latter which includes the thin wall 43, if the latter is used.
  • a fluid suitable compressed air, etc.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Investigation Of Foundation Soil And Reinforcement Of Foundation Soil By Compacting Or Drainage (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Processing Of Stones Or Stones Resemblance Materials (AREA)

Description

La présente invention se rapporte à un carottier, en particulier dans le domaine de la prospection pétrolière, comprenant :

  • une couronne de carottage,
  • un tube extérieur pour l'entraínement en rotation de la couronne de carottage,
  • un tube intérieur pour recevoir une carotte dans son espace interne au cours du carottage, les tubes intérieur et extérieur étant sensiblement coaxiaux,
  • un tube médian agencé coaxialement entre les tubes intérieur et extérieur et délimitant, d'une part avec le tube extérieur, un premier canal longitudinal pour un fluide de carottage et, d'autre part avec le tube intérieur, un second canal longitudinal pour un fluide de carottage, les deux canaux longitudinaux et l'espace interne présentant chacun une extrémité antérieure proche de la couronne de carottage et une extrémité postérieure éloignée de cette couronne, et
  • des moyens qui réalisent et/ou bloquent sélectivement, au moins temporairement, une communication de fluide de carottage entre l'extrémité postérieure du second canal longitudinal et/ou celle du premier canal longitudinal et/ou celle de l'espace interne.
The present invention relates to a core barrel, in particular in the field of oil prospecting, comprising:
  • a core drilling core,
  • an outer tube for driving in rotation of the coring ring,
  • an inner tube for receiving a core in its internal space during coring, the inner and outer tubes being substantially coaxial,
  • a median tube arranged coaxially between the inner and outer tubes and delimiting, on the one hand with the outer tube, a first longitudinal channel for a coring fluid and, on the other hand with the inner tube, a second longitudinal channel for a fluid coring, the two longitudinal channels and the internal space each having an anterior end close to the coring ring and a posterior end remote from this ring, and
  • means which selectively and / or block, at least temporarily, a coring fluid communication between the posterior end of the second longitudinal channel and / or that of the first longitudinal channel and / or that of the internal space.

L'espace annulaire entre les tubes intérieur et extérieur sert usuellement à canaliser un fluide de carottage vers l'espace interne du tube intérieur et/ou vers des ajutages de la couronne. The annular space between the tubes inside and outside is usually used to channel a coring fluid to the internal space of the tube inside and / or to crown nozzles.

Par le brevet US-A-2.713.473, on connaít un carottier du genre décrit ci-dessus, dans lequel tout fluide de carottage s'en échappe à l'extrémité antérieure en direction de la paroi latérale du trou de carottage.By US-A-2,713,473, we know a corer of the kind described above, in which all coring fluid escapes at the end anterior towards the side wall of the hole coring.

Le brevet US-2.658.726 décrit un carottier à trois tubes coaxiaux dans lequel une soupape peut empêcher le fluide de carottage d'entrer dans l'espace interne du tube intérieur et laisser sortir du fluide de cet espace interne pour se mélanger au flux normal de fluide de carottageUS Patent 2,658,726 describes a core barrel with three coaxial tubes in which a valve can prevent the coring fluid from entering the space inner tube and let out fluid of this internal space to mix with the normal flow coring fluid

Le brevet US-A-2.147.896 décrit un carottier à trois tubes coaxiaux dont le plus intérieur est fermé à son extrémité postérieure pour prendre appui sur la carotte qui y entre, pour former un bouchon temporaire pour l'extrémité antérieure du carottier et pour tenir à l'écart du début de la carotte les moyens destinés à saisir la carotte pour la tirer du trou.US-A-2,147,896 describes a Corer with three coaxial tubes, the innermost of which is closed at its posterior end to take press on the carrot that enters, to form a temporary plug for the anterior end of the corer and to keep away from the start of the carrot the means intended to seize the carrot for the shoot from the hole.

Il y a un besoin de pouvoir canaliser ce fluide et/ou un autre. fluide de carottage de façon commandée vers ou en provenance de cet espace interne ou encore vers un dispositif particulier du carottier, éventuellement d'une manière indépendante pour l'un et l'autre fluides de carottage.There is a need to be able to channel this fluid and / or another. coring fluid so ordered to or from this internal space or towards a particular device of the corer, possibly independently for one and the other coring fluids.

D'une façon surprenante, pour résoudre ce problème il s'est avéré très avantageux de prévoir suivant l'invention, dans un carottier du genre cité ci-dessus, des moyens de passage agencés pour envoyer en direction de l'espace interne, au niveau de l'extrémité antérieure de celui-ci, un fluide de carottage quittant l'extrémité antérieure dudit second canal longitudinal.Surprisingly, to resolve this problem it turned out to be very advantageous to plan according to the invention, in a corer of the kind cited above, passage means arranged to send towards the internal space, at the anterior end of it, a fluid of coring leaving the anterior end of said second longitudinal channel.

De préférence, suivant l'invention les moyens de passage susdits sont agencés pour mettre directement en communication de fluide l'extrémité antérieure du second canal longitudinal avec un interstice annulaire formé entre la couronne et une carotte en cours de carottage et, par cet interstice, avec ledit espace interne au niveau de son extrémité antérieure.Preferably, according to the invention the said passage means are arranged to put directly in fluid communication the end anterior of the second longitudinal canal with a annular gap formed between the crown and a carrot during coring and, through this gap, with said internal space at its end earlier.

Suivant une forme de réalisation avantageuse de l'invention, l'extrémité antérieure du second canal longitudinal est au moins partiellement fermée par rapport à un interstice annulaire formé entre la couronne et une carotte en cours de carottage, et des passages entre le second canal longitudinal et l'espace interne sont agencés à proximité de leurs extrémités antérieures respectives, ces passages étant de préférence régulièrement répartis autour de l'axe longitudinal du carottier. According to an embodiment advantageous of the invention, the anterior end of the second longitudinal channel is at least partially closed relative to an annular gap formed between the crown and a carrot during coring, and passages between the second longitudinal channel and internal space are arranged close to their respective anterior ends, these passages being preferably regularly distributed around the axis longitudinal of the core barrel.

Suivant encore une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention,

  • les moyens sélectifs mettent en communication de fluide, par leurs extrémités postérieures, l'espace interne et le second canal longitudinal,
  • un piston est monté dans le tube intérieur de façon à pouvoir être poussé, depuis pratiquement l'extrémité antérieure de l'espace interne vers l'extrémité postérieure de celui-ci, par une carotte en cours de formation, et
  • un fluide de carottage est logé dans le tube intérieur, au moins entre le piston et l'extrémité postérieure de l'espace interne.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention,
  • the selective means bring the internal space and the second longitudinal channel into communication with fluid, by their posterior ends.
  • a piston is mounted in the inner tube so that it can be pushed, from practically the anterior end of the internal space towards the posterior end thereof, by a core being formed, and
  • a coring fluid is housed in the inner tube, at least between the piston and the rear end of the internal space.

Suivant le cas d'espèce auquel est destiné le carottier de l'invention, il peut être préféré que

  • soit les tubes extérieur et médian sont montés de façon à pouvoir tourner indépendamment l'un de l'autre autour de leur axe longitudinal commun et alors le tube intérieur est monté de manière fixe, au moins en rotation, par rapport au tube médian,
  • soit les tubes extérieur et médian sont montés de manière fixe l'un par rapport à l'autre, au moins en ce qui concerne leur rotation autour de leur axe longitudinal commun, et alors les tubes médian et intérieur sont montés de façon à pouvoir tourner indépendamment l'un de l'autre autour de leur axe longitudinal commun.
Depending on the specific case for which the corer of the invention is intended, it may be preferred that
  • either the outer and middle tubes are mounted so that they can rotate independently of each other about their common longitudinal axis and then the inner tube is fixedly mounted, at least in rotation, relative to the middle tube,
  • either the outer and middle tubes are fixedly mounted relative to each other, at least as regards their rotation about their common longitudinal axis, and then the middle and inner tubes are mounted so as to be able to rotate independently of each other around their common longitudinal axis.

D'autres détails et particularités de l'invention ressortiront des revendications secondaires et de la description des dessins qui sont annexés au présent mémoire et qui illustrent, à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, des formes de réalisation avantageuses de l'invention.Other details and peculiarities of the invention will emerge from the secondary claims and of the description of the drawings which are annexed to the present brief and which illustrate, by way of examples non-limiting, advantageous embodiments of the invention.

La figure 1 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, une extrémité antérieure d'un carottier suivant une forme de réalisation de l'invention.Figure 1 shows schematically in longitudinal section, broken, one end anterior core barrel according to one embodiment of the invention.

La figure 2 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, le carottier de la figure 1, à l'endroit de la liaison des tubes intérieur, médian et extérieur et des moyens de réalisation et de blocage sélectifs précités.Figure 2 shows schematically in longitudinal section, with broken edges, the core barrel of the FIG. 1, at the location of the connection of the inner tubes, median and external and means of realization and aforementioned selective blocking.

La figure 3 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, une extrémité antérieure d'un carottier suivant une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention.Figure 3 shows schematically in longitudinal section, broken, one end anterior of a core barrel following another form of realization of the invention.

La figure 4 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, le carottier de la figure 3 à l'endroit de la liaison des tubes intérieur, médian et extérieur et à celui des moyens de réalisation et de blocage sélectifs précités.Figure 4 shows schematically in longitudinal section, with broken edges, the core barrel of the FIG. 3 at the location of the connection of the inner tubes, middle and outside and that of the means of realization and selective blocking above.

La figure 5 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, une extrémité antérieure d'un carottier suivant encore une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention, le carottier étant prêt pour un carottage.Figure 5 shows schematically in longitudinal section, broken, anterior end of a corer following yet another form of realization of the invention, the corer being ready for coring.

La figure 6 est une représentation pratiquement analogue à celle de la figure 5 mais le carottier y est montré en cours de carottage.Figure 6 is a representation practically similar to that of Figure 5 but the core barrel is shown there during coring.

La figure 7 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, le carottier des figures 5 et 6 à l'endroit de la liaison des tubes intérieur, médian et extérieur et à celui des moyens de réalisation et de blocage sélectifs précités.Figure 7 shows schematically in longitudinal section, with broken edges, the core barrel Figures 5 and 6 at the location of the tube connection interior, median and exterior and that of the means of realization and selective blocking above.

La figure 8 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, une autre forme de liaison entre les tubes intérieur et médian du carottier suivant l'invention que celle de la liaison de la figure 2.Figure 8 shows schematically in longitudinal cut, with broken, another form of connection between the inner and middle tubes of the core barrel according to the invention as that of the connection of the figure 2.

La figure 9 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, une extrémité antérieure d'un carottier suivant une forme de réalisation particulière de l'invention, dans laquelle les tubes médian et intérieur forment un ensemble constitutif mobile dans le tube extérieur.Figure 9 shows schematically in longitudinal section, broken, one end anterior core barrel according to one embodiment particular of the invention, in which the middle and inner tubes form a constitutive whole movable in the outer tube.

La figure 10 représente schématiquement en coupe longitudinale, avec brisures, l'endroit de liaison des tubes médian et intérieur du carottier de la figure 9.Figure 10 shows schematically in longitudinal section, with broken lines, the connection point middle and inner tubes of the core barrel of the figure 9.

Dans les différentes figures, les mêmes notations de référence désignent des éléments identiques ou analogues.In the different figures, the same reference notations designate identical elements or the like.

Le carottier 1 (figures 1 et 2) de l'invention, destiné en particulier à la prospection pétrolière, comprend une couronne de carottage 2, un tube extérieur 3, qui peut être formé de plusieurs tronçons 4, vissés l'un dans l'autre et à la couronne 2, et qui sert entre autres à l'entraínement en rotation de cette dernière, et un tube intérieur 5, qui peut être également composé de plusieurs tronçons 6 pour recevoir une carotte 7 dans son espace interne 8 au cours du carottage. Les tubes intérieur 5 et extérieur 3 sont sensiblement coaxiaux. Le tube intérieur 5 comporte par exemple, à son extrémité antérieure 9 (en considérant le sens d'avance du carottier 1 en cours de découpe d'une carotte 7), un système 10 connu à bague tronconique fendue 11 pour maintenir près de sa base une carotte 7 dans l'espace interne 8 pendant une remontée du tube intérieur 5 ou du carottier 1 vers la surface.The core barrel 1 (Figures 1 and 2) of the invention, intended in particular for oil exploration, includes a core bit 2, a tube exterior 3, which can be formed of several sections 4, screwed into each other and to the crown 2, and which is used inter alia for the rotation drive of this last, and an inner tube 5, which can also be composed of several sections 6 to receive a core 7 in its internal space 8 during coring. The inner 5 and outer 3 tubes are substantially coaxial. The inner tube 5 comprises for example, at its anterior end 9 (considering the meaning in advance of the core barrel 1 during the cutting of a carrot 7), a known system 10 with a frustoconical ring split 11 to hold a carrot 7 near its base in the internal space 8 during a rise of the tube inside 5 or core 1 towards the surface.

Le carottier 1 de l'invention comporte de plus un tube médian 15 agencé coaxialement entre les tubes intérieur 5 et extérieur 3 et délimitant avec ce dernier un premier canal longitudinal 16 annulaire pour un fluide de carottage et, avec le tube intérieur 5, un second canal longitudinal 17 pour un fluide de carottage. Le premier canal longitudinal 16 présente une extrémité antérieure 16A proche de la couronne 2 et une extrémité postérieure 16B éloignée de la couronne 2. Selon le même repère que constitue la couronne 2, le second canal longitudinal 17 présente une extrémité antérieure 17A et une postérieure 17B et l'espace interne 8 présente une extrémité antérieure 8A et une extrémité postérieure 8B.The core barrel 1 of the invention comprises plus a median tube 15 arranged coaxially between the inner 5 and outer 3 tubes and delimiting with this last a first longitudinal channel 16 annular for a coring fluid and, with the inner tube 5, a second longitudinal channel 17 for a coring fluid. The first longitudinal channel 16 has a front end 16A close to the crown 2 and a posterior end 16B distant from the crown 2. According to the same reference mark that constitutes crown 2, the second longitudinal channel 17 has one end anterior 17A and a posterior 17B and space internal 8 has an anterior end 8A and a posterior end 8B.

Le carottier 1 de l'invention comporte en outre des moyens 18 qui réalisent et/ou bloquent sélectivement, au moins temporairement, de préférence de façon commandée, une communication de fluide de carottage entre l'extrémité postérieure 17B du second canal longitudinal 17 et/ou celle 16B du premier canal longitudinal 16 et/ou celle 8B de l'espace interne 8.The core barrel 1 of the invention comprises in in addition to means 18 which selectively produce and / or block, at least temporarily, preferably from controlled way, coring fluid communication between the posterior end 17B of the second channel longitudinal 17 and / or that 16B of the first longitudinal channel 16 and / or that 8B of the internal space 8.

Le tube médian 15 peut également être formé par plusieurs tronçons 19 par exemple soudés ou vissés l'un à l'autre.The middle tube 15 can also be formed by several sections 19 for example welded or screwed to one another.

Dans le cas de la figure 2, les moyens 18 sont agencés de façon à permettre, pour un fluide de carottage, une communication constante entre les extrémités postérieures 8B et 17B, par l'intermédiaire de conduits par exemple axial 20 et radiaux 21.In the case of FIG. 2, the means 18 are arranged so as to allow, for a fluid to core drilling, constant communication between the ends posterior 8B and 17B, through conduits, for example axial 20 and radial 21.

Une communication qui peut être commandée peut être réalisée entre ces deux extrémités postérieures 8B et 17B et l'extrémité postérieure 16B par les moyens 18, par exemple à l'aide du conduit axial 20, d'une soupape 22, d'un conduit axial 23 et de conduits divergents et radiaux 24. La soupape 22 peut être une bille 25 appliquée sur un siège 26 approprié. La soupape 22 peut éventuellement comporter un ressort (non représenté), réglable ou non, pour produire un effet de régulation sélective de pression entre l'amont et l'aval de la soupape 22.A communication that can be ordered can be made between these two posterior ends 8B and 17B and the rear end 16B by the means 18, for example using the axial duct 20, a valve 22, an axial conduit 23 and conduits divergent and radial 24. The valve 22 can be a ball 25 applied to an appropriate seat 26. The valve 22 may possibly include a spring (not shown), adjustable or not, to produce an effect of selective pressure regulation between upstream and downstream of valve 22.

Dans l'exemple de réalisation de l'invention représenté à la figure 2, les moyens sélectifs 18 sont agencés pour mettre au moins temporairement en communication de fluide un conduit 27 d'amenée d'un fluide de carottage depuis un réservoir (non représenté) à la surface du sol et des ajutages 28 (figure 1) de la couronne 2, par l'intermédiaire du premier canal longitudinal 16 et, par exemple, du conduit axial 23 et des conduits divergents et radiaux 24.In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the selective means 18 are arranged to connect at least temporarily fluid a conduit 27 for supplying a fluid coring from a tank (not shown) at the soil surface and nozzles 28 (Figure 1) of the crown 2, via the first longitudinal channel 16 and, for example, the axial duct 23 and divergent and radial conduits 24.

Les moyens sélectifs 18 peuvent être agencés, comme cela est représenté à la figure 2, pour mettre au moins temporairement en communication de fluide l'extrémité postérieure 8B de l'espace interne 8 et le conduit 27 d'amenée de fluide de carottage lorsque la bille 25 est par exemple absente ou à l'écart du siège de soupape 26 et, le cas échéant, pour interrompre de façon sélective cette communication de fluide en disposant la bille 25 sur le siège de soupape 26. Par exemple alors, la bille 25 peut être agencée de façon à bloquer un écoulement de fluide allant du conduit d'amenée 27 vers l'espace interne 8 et de façon à éventuellement permettre un écoulement inverse, le cas échéant également vers le premier canal longitudinal 16.The selective means 18 can be arranged, as shown in Figure 2, for at least temporarily connect fluid the posterior end 8B of the internal space 8 and the coring fluid supply conduit 27 when the ball 25 is for example absent or away from the valve seat 26 and, if necessary, to interrupt selectively this fluid communication in placing the ball 25 on the valve seat 26. By example then, the ball 25 can be arranged so as to block a flow of fluid from the conduit 27 to the internal space 8 and so as to possibly allow reverse flow, if also possibly towards the first longitudinal channel 16.

Selon la figure 1, l'extrémité antérieure 17A du second canal longitudinal 17 peut être en communication de fluide de carottage avec un interstice annulaire 29 entre une carotte 7 et la couronne 2 et par cela avec un fond de trou 31 au cours du carottage.According to Figure 1, the anterior end 17A of the second longitudinal channel 17 can be in communication coring fluid with a gap annular 29 between a core 7 and the crown 2 and by this with a bottom of hole 31 during the coring.

Par exemple le carottier 1 des figures 1 et 2 peut être utilisé comme suit.For example the core barrel 1 of Figures 1 and 2 can be used as follows.

Le carottier 1 de l'invention est descendu de façon usuelle dans un trou de carottage, la bille 25 n'étant pas encore introduite dans le carottier 1 ou, par exemple, n'étant pas encore libérée d'un endroit de stockage (non représenté) prévu dans le carottier 1. Un fluide de carottage envoyé depuis un réservoir (non représenté) à la surface du sol, via le conduit 27 d'amenée est réparti, par l'intermédiaire des moyens sélectifs 18,

  • vers le premier canal longitudinal 16, via les conduits 23 et 24, et de là vers les ajutages 28 de la couronne 2 et le fond de trou 31, pour que le fluide y remplisse sa fonction connue,
  • vers le second canal longitudinal 17, via les conduits 23, 20 et 21, et de là vers l'interstice annulaire 29 et le fond de trou 31, pour que par exemple le fluide de carottage y remplisse sa fonction connue et lubrifie la carotte 7 à mesure qu'elle entre dans le tube intérieur 5, et
  • vers l'espace interne 8 pour dégager celui-ci de débris qui s'y seraient accumulés pendant la descente du carottier 1 dans le trou de carottage, ces débris étant alors par exemple expulsés dans le fond de trou 31 avant de commencer le carottage proprement dit et y étant broyés par la couronne 2 de façon à pouvoir être évacués de façon usuelle vers la surface du sol par le fluide de carottage.
The core barrel 1 of the invention is lowered in the usual way into a coring hole, the ball 25 not yet being introduced into the core barrel 1 or, for example, not yet being released from a storage place (not shown) provided in the core barrel 1. A coring fluid sent from a reservoir (not shown) to the ground surface, via the supply duct 27 is distributed, by means of the selective means 18,
  • towards the first longitudinal channel 16, via the conduits 23 and 24, and from there towards the nozzles 28 of the crown 2 and the bottom of the hole 31, so that the fluid fulfills its known function there,
  • towards the second longitudinal channel 17, via the conduits 23, 20 and 21, and from there towards the annular gap 29 and the bottom of the hole 31, so that, for example, the coring fluid fulfills its known function therein and lubricates the carrot 7 as it enters the inner tube 5, and
  • towards the internal space 8 to free it of debris which would have accumulated there during the descent of the corer 1 into the coring hole, this debris then being for example expelled into the bottom of the hole 31 before starting the coring properly said and being crushed by the crown 2 so as to be able to be evacuated in the usual way towards the ground surface by the coring fluid.

Lorsqu'il est jugé que l'espace interne 8 est dégagé, la bille 25 est lancée dans le conduit d'amenée 27 (ou est libérée de son endroit de stockage) et, emportée par le fluide de carottage, elle aboutit sur le siège de soupape 26 pour y bloquer la communication de fluide depuis le conduit d'amenée 27 vers l'espace interne 8 et vers le second canal longitudinal 17. Alors tout le fluide de carottage provenant du conduit d'amenée 27 est transmis aux ajutages 28 par le premier canal longitudinal 16. Par suite du blocage donné par la bille 25, le sommet de la carotte 7 qui pénètre progressivement dans l'espace interne 8 n'est plus soumis à la pression du fluide de carottage telle qu'elle est établie dans le conduit d'amenée 27. Par contre, le fluide de carottage compris dans l'espace interne 8, au-dessus de la carotte 7, peut être repoussé par la carotte 7 à mesure que celle-ci pénètre dans cet espace interne 8 parce que ce fluide de carottage peut s'échapper par les conduits axial 20 et radiaux 21 vers le second canal longitudinal 17 et de là vers l'interstice annulaire 29 et le fond du trou 31 où, en fonction de pertes de charges connues dans le carottier 1, le fluide de carottage est usuellement à une pression inférieure à celle régnant dans le conduit d'amenée 27. Ainsi, la carotte 7 est soumise partout à une pression régulière inférieure à celle du fluide de carottage dans le conduit d'amenée 27 et elle n'est donc pratiquement pas soumise à un tassement qui, de plus, pourrait la faire frotter exagérément contre la paroi du tube intérieur 5, par exemple dans un cas d'une matière peu consolidée.When it is judged that the internal space 8 is released, the ball 25 is thrown into the conduit inlet 27 (or released from its storage location) and, carried away by the coring fluid, it ends on valve seat 26 to block communication fluid from the supply line 27 to the internal space 8 and towards the second longitudinal channel 17. Then all the coring fluid from the supply duct 27 is transmitted to the nozzles 28 by the first longitudinal channel 16. As a result of blockage given by the ball 25, the top of the carrot 7 which gradually enters the internal space 8 is no longer subject to the pressure of the coring fluid such that it is established in the supply duct 27. By against, the core fluid included in the space internal 8, above the core 7, can be pushed back by carrot 7 as it enters this internal space 8 because this coring fluid can escape through the axial 20 and radial 21 conduits towards the second longitudinal channel 17 and from there to the gap annular 29 and the bottom of the hole 31 where, depending pressure losses known in the core barrel 1, the coring fluid is usually at a pressure lower than that prevailing in the supply duct 27. Thus, the core 7 is subjected everywhere to a pressure less than that of the coring fluid in the supply duct 27 and it is therefore practically not subject to a compaction which, moreover, could rub excessively against the wall of the tube interior 5, for example in the case of a little material consolidated.

Au cas où le fluide de carottage qui doit s'échapper de l'espace interne 8 vers l'interstice annulaire 29 se trouve bloqué, pour une raison quelconque, à partir des conduits radiaux 21, il peut s'échapper par les conduits axiaux 20 et 23 vers le premier canal longitudinal 16, à partir par exemple du moment où sa pression vainc la pression appliquée sur la bille 25 par le fluide de carottage dans le conduit d'amenée 27. Le ressort précité (non représenté) peut être agencé pour modifier le seuil de pression à vaincre.In the event that the coring fluid which must escape from internal space 8 towards the gap ring finger 29 is blocked for some reason from the radial conduits 21, it can escape by the axial conduits 20 and 23 to the first longitudinal channel 16, for example from the moment when its pressure overcomes the pressure applied to the ball 25 by the coring fluid in the supply duct 27. The aforementioned spring (not shown) can be arranged to modify the pressure threshold to overcome.

Suivant une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention, représentée à la figure 4, les moyens sélectifs 18 réalisent

  • une communication de fluide directe et constante entre le conduit d'amenée 27 et le second canal longitudinal 17 par l'intermédiaire du conduit axial 23, d'un ou de conduits désaxés 33, d'un espace intermédiaire 34 et d'un ou de conduits désaxés 35 débouchant dans l'extrémité postérieure 17B du second canal longitudinal 17,
  • une communication de fluide, qui peut être commandée, entre le conduit d'amenée 27 et le premier canal longitudinal 16, par l'intermédiaire du conduit axial 23 et d'un ou de conduits obliques 36, et
  • une communication sélective de fluide dans un sens qui va de l'espace interne 8, d'une part, vers le second canal longitudinal 17 par l'intermédiaire de l'espace intermédiaire 34 et du ou des conduits désaxés 35 et, d'autre part, vers le conduit d'amenée 27 par l'intermédiaire du conduit axial 23 et, le cas échéant, vers le conduit oblique 36 par l'intermédiaire du même conduit axial 23.
According to another embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 4, the selective means 18 realize
  • direct and constant fluid communication between the supply duct 27 and the second longitudinal channel 17 by means of the axial duct 23, of one or more off-centered ducts 33, of an intermediate space 34 and of one or more off-axis conduits 35 opening into the rear end 17B of the second longitudinal channel 17,
  • a fluid communication, which can be controlled, between the supply conduit 27 and the first longitudinal channel 16, via the axial conduit 23 and one or more oblique conduits 36, and
  • a selective communication of fluid in a direction which goes from the internal space 8, on the one hand, to the second longitudinal channel 17 via the intermediate space 34 and the off-center line (s) 35 and, on the other hand part, towards the supply duct 27 via the axial duct 23 and, if necessary, towards the oblique duct 36 via the same axial duct 23.

A cet effet, cette autre forme de réalisation du carottier 1 comporte alors des soupapes

  • dont l'une peut avoir la forme d'une bille 37 prisonnière dans l'espace intermédiaire 34 dont elle peut fermer par un siège de soupape 38 l'entrée du conduit axial 20 vers l'espace interne 8 et
  • dont l'autre peut avoir la forme d'une bille 39 à, par exemple, lancer dans le conduit d'amenée 27 de façon à fermer par un siège de soupape 40 le départ du ou des conduits obliques 36 vers l'extrémité postérieure 16B du premier canal longitudinal 16.
To this end, this other embodiment of the core barrel 1 then comprises valves
  • one of which may be in the form of a ball 37 trapped in the intermediate space 34 of which it can close by a valve seat 38 the inlet of the axial duct 20 towards the internal space 8 and
  • the other of which may be in the form of a ball 39 to, for example, launch into the supply conduit 27 so as to close by a valve seat 40 the departure of the oblique conduit (s) 36 towards the rear end 16B of the first longitudinal channel 16.

En particulier dans le cas de cette autre forme de réalisation, le carottier 1 peut présenter (figure 3) un passage étranglé 42, éventuellement réglable, entre l'extrémité antérieure 17A du second canal longitudinal 17 et l'interstice annulaire 29 précité, pour la communication de fluide de carottage au fond du trou de carottage 31. De plus, aux environs de cette extrémité antérieure 17A, le tube intérieur 5 peut par exemple présenter deux parois circulaires coaxiales 43, 44 délimitant une chambre annulaire 45 fermée à ses extrémités 46, 47 axialement opposées, par exemple chaque fois par un épaississement de la paroi 43 et par un joint torique entre ces deux parois 43, 44 dont la plus interne 43 est relativement mince par rapport à la plus externe 44. La chambre annulaire 45 peut être en communication de fluide avec le second canal longitudinal 17 par l'intermédiaire d'un ou de passages radiaux 48.Particularly in the case of this other embodiment, the core barrel 1 can have (Figure 3) a constricted passage 42, possibly adjustable, between the front end 17A of the second longitudinal channel 17 and annular gap 29 above, for the communication of core fluid to the bottom of core hole 31. In addition, around this anterior end 17A, the inner tube 5 can for example having two coaxial circular walls 43, 44 delimiting an annular chamber 45 closed at its axially opposite ends 46, 47, for example each time by a thickening of the wall 43 and by an O-ring between these two walls 43, 44, the more internal 43 is relatively thin compared to the more external 44. The annular chamber 45 can be in fluid communication with the second longitudinal channel 17 via one or more radial passages 48.

Cette autre forme de réalisation du carottier 1 suivant les figures 3 et 4 peut être utilisée comme suit. Au début et au cours d'un carottage, la bille 37 ferme le siège de soupape 38 de façon à empêcher un écoulement direct de fluide de carottage depuis le conduit d'amenée 27 vers l'extrémité postérieure 8B de l'espace interne 8 et donc dans celui-ci. Cependant du fluide de carottage refoulé vers le haut de cet espace interne 8 par la carotte 7 peut s'échapper de cette extrémité postérieure 8B, dès que sa pression vainc la pression subie par la bille 37, et il peut s'écouler alors dans l'espace intermédiaire 34 et de là par exemple, par le ou les conduits désaxés 35, vers le second canal longitudinal 17 et/ou, par le ou les conduits désaxés 33 et le conduit axial 23, vers le conduit d'amenée 27 ou plutôt vers le ou les conduits obliques 36 et ensuite vers le premier canal longitudinal 16 et les ajustages 28. Ainsi, la carotte 7 n'est pas soumise, du côté de son sommet, à une pression supérieure à celle du fluide de carottage.This other embodiment of the core barrel 1 according to Figures 3 and 4 can be used as following. At the start and during a core drilling operation, the ball 37 closes the valve seat 38 so as to prevent direct flow of core fluid from the supply duct 27 towards the rear end 8B of the internal space 8 and therefore in it. However of the coring fluid discharged to the top of this internal space 8 through the core 7 can escape from this posterior end 8B, as soon as its pressure overcomes the pressure on the ball 37, and it can then flow into the intermediate space 34 and from there for example, by the off-center line (s) 35, towards the second longitudinal channel 17 and / or, by the off-axis conduits 33 and the axial conduit 23, towards the supply duct 27 or rather towards the duct (s) obliques 36 and then towards the first longitudinal channel 16 and the adjustments 28. Thus, the core 7 is not not subjected, on the side of its top, to a pressure higher than that of the coring fluid.

De plus, au début et au cours du carottage, le fluide de carottage amené par le conduit d'amenée 27 est canalisé

  • d'une part, vers le premier canal longitudinal 16 par le conduit axial 23 et par le ou les conduits obliques 36, en l'absence de la bille 39 sur le siège de soupape 40, et du premier canal longitudinal 16 vers le fond de trou 31 par les ajutages 28, et
  • d'autre part, par les conduits désaxés 33 et 35 et par le second canal longitudinal 17 vers ledit passage étranglé 42 et vers les passages radiaux 48 par lesquels le fluide de carottage transmet sa pression dans la chambre annulaire 45.
In addition, at the start and during the coring, the coring fluid supplied by the supply conduit 27 is channeled
  • on the one hand, towards the first longitudinal channel 16 by the axial duct 23 and by the oblique duct or ducts 36, in the absence of the ball 39 on the valve seat 40, and from the first longitudinal channel 16 towards the bottom of hole 31 through the nozzles 28, and
  • on the other hand, by the offset lines 33 and 35 and by the second longitudinal channel 17 towards said constricted passage 42 and towards the radial passages 48 by which the coring fluid transmits its pressure in the annular chamber 45.

Au moment où il est choisi de retirer la carotte 7 produite, la bille 39 est par exemple envoyée dans le conduit d'amenée 27 et, emportée par le fluide de carottage, elle aboutit sur le siège de soupape 40 de façon à au moins fortement réduire ou même bloquer l'écoulement du fluide de carottage vers le ou les conduits obliques 36 et donc vers le premier canal longitudinal 16 et les ajutages 28 qui ne doivent plus être alimentés à ce moment, le carottage proprement dit étant terminé. Ce blocage d'échappement de fluide de carottage peut conduire de façon connue à une augmentation sensible de la pression du fluide de carottage, entre autres dans le second canal longitudinal 17 et donc dans la chambre annulaire 45, de façon à obtenir vers l'intérieur de l'espace interne 8 une déformation de la paroi mince 43 qui enserre alors la carotte 7 pour la maintenir dans cet espace interne 8 et la sortir du fond de trou 31. Pour améliorer cet enserrage, la paroi mince 43 peut constituer un manchon monté de façon coulissante dans la paroi épaisse 44 et présenter une partie tronconique externe 50 pointant vers l'extrémité antérieure du carottier 1, munie d'au moins une entaille longitudinale et coopérant avec une partie tronconique interne 51 correspondante, par exemple de la paroi 44. Ainsi, la paroi mince 43, enserrant déjà selon un certain degré la carotte 7, peut être entraínée vers cette extrémité antérieure du carottier 1 et provoquer par cela un serrage additionnel de la partie tronconique externe 50 contre la carotte 7 par l'action de la partie tronconique interne 51.When it is chosen to withdraw the carrot 7 produced, the ball 39 is for example sent in the supply duct 27 and, carried away by the fluid coring, it ends up on the valve seat 40 of way to at least greatly reduce or even block the flow of the coring fluid towards the oblique conduits 36 and therefore towards the first channel longitudinal 16 and nozzles 28 which no longer need to be fed at this time, the actual core drilling being finished. This fluid exhaust blockage core drilling can lead to a known increase sensitive to the pressure of the coring fluid, among others in the second longitudinal channel 17 and so in the annular chamber 45, so as to obtain towards the interior of the internal space 8 a deformation of the thin wall 43 which then encloses the core 7 for keep it in this internal space 8 and take it out of the bottom of hole 31. To improve this clamping, the wall thin 43 can constitute a sleeve mounted so sliding in the thick wall 44 and present a external frusto-conical part 50 pointing towards the end anterior of the core barrel 1, provided with at least one notch longitudinal and cooperating with a frustoconical part internal 51 corresponding, for example of the wall 44. Thus, the thin wall 43, already enclosing according to a certain degree the carrot 7, can be driven towards this anterior end of the corer 1 and cause by this an additional tightening of the frustoconical part external 50 against the carrot 7 by the action of the part internal frustoconical 51.

Dans le cas d'une forme de réalisation particulière du carottier 1 de l'invention, représentée aux figures 5 à 7,

  • les moyens sélectifs 18 (figure 7) mettent en communication de fluide, par leurs extrémités postérieures respectives 8B et 17B, l'espace interne 8 et le second canal longitudinal 17, par exemple par un ou des conduits radiaux 53,
  • un piston 54 est monté dans le tube intérieur 5 de façon à pouvoir être poussé, par une carotte 7 en cours de formation, depuis pratiquement l'extrémité antérieure 8A de l'espace interne 8 vers l'extrémité postérieure 8B de celui-ci, et
  • un fluide de carottage peut être logé dans l'espace interne 8, au moins entre le piston 54 et l'extrémité postérieure 8B.
In the case of a particular embodiment of the core barrel 1 of the invention, shown in FIGS. 5 to 7,
  • the selective means 18 (FIG. 7) put the internal space 8 and the second longitudinal channel 17 into communication with fluid, via their respective posterior ends 8B and 17B, for example by one or more radial conduits 53,
  • a piston 54 is mounted in the inner tube 5 so that it can be pushed, by a core 7 during formation, from practically the front end 8A of the internal space 8 towards the rear end 8B of the latter, and
  • a coring fluid can be housed in the internal space 8, at least between the piston 54 and the rear end 8B.

Dans ce cas, en cours de carottage, le piston 54 est poussé dans l'espace interne 8 à mesure que la carotte 7 y pénètre. Le fluide de carottage est chassé de l'espace interne 8 par le piston 54 dans les conduits radiaux 53 et de là dans le second canal longitudinal 17 pour s'échapper par exemple quelque peu au-dessus de la base de la carotte 7 lorsque le second canal longitudinal 17 comporte (comme dans le cas de la figure 1) une extrémité antérieure 17A s'ouvrant à l'endroit de l'extrémité antérieure 9 du tube intérieur 5, sensiblement sur le pourtour de cette dernière.In this case, during coring, the piston 54 is pushed into the internal space 8 as the carrot 7 enters it. The coring fluid is expelled from the internal space 8 by the piston 54 in the radial conduits 53 and from there into the second channel longitudinal 17 to escape for example somewhat above the base of carrot 7 when the second longitudinal channel 17 comprises (as in the case of the Figure 1) a front end 17A opening to the location of the front end 9 of the inner tube 5, substantially around the periphery of the latter.

La forme de réalisation particulière du carottier 1 peut, à la différence du cas de la figure 1, être agencée suivant les figures 5 et 6 dans lesquelles :

  • l'extrémité antérieure 17A du second canal longitudinal 17 est au moins partiellement, et de préférence totalement, fermée par rapport à l'interstice annulaire 29, et
  • des passages radiaux 55 entre le second canal longitudinal 17 et l'espace interne 8 sont agencés à proximité de leurs extrémités antérieures 17A, 8A respectives et débouchent dans l'espace interne 8 du côté de l'extrémité 54A du piston 54 tournée vers la carotte 7 même lorsque le piston est dans une position de départ, au plus près par exemple de l'extrémité antérieure 9 du tube intérieur 5. Le piston 54, éventuellement un poussoir 56 expliqué ci-dessous, est agencé pour que du fluide sortant des passages 55 dans cette position de départ puisse s'échapper vers le fond du trou 31. Les passages 55 sont de préférence régulièrement répartis autour de l'axe longitudinal du carottier 1.
Unlike the case of FIG. 1, the particular embodiment of the core barrel 1 can be arranged according to FIGS. 5 and 6 in which:
  • the front end 17A of the second longitudinal channel 17 is at least partially, and preferably completely, closed relative to the annular gap 29, and
  • radial passages 55 between the second longitudinal channel 17 and the internal space 8 are arranged near their respective front ends 17A, 8A and open into the internal space 8 on the side of the end 54A of the piston 54 facing the carrot 7 even when the piston is in a starting position, as close as possible for example to the anterior end 9 of the inner tube 5. The piston 54, possibly a pusher 56 explained below, is arranged so that fluid leaving the passages 55 in this starting position can escape towards the bottom of the hole 31. The passages 55 are preferably regularly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the core barrel 1.

Dans la forme de réalisation particulière du carottier 1 représenté aux figures 5 et 6, il peut être prévu, sur l'extrémité 54A du piston 54 tournée vers la carotte 7, un poussoir 56 agencé pour prendre appui, au début d'un carottage, sur le fond 3 du trou de carottage et ensuite sur le dessus de la carotte 7 en cours de formation. Le poussoir 56 peut aussi ne former qu'une pièce avec le piston 54.In the particular embodiment of the Corer 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, it can be provided on the end 54A of the piston 54 facing the carrot 7, a pusher 56 arranged to bear, at start of coring, on the bottom 3 of the coring hole and then on top of carrot 7 being training. The pusher 56 can also form only one part with piston 54.

Le piston 54 ou, suivant les figures 5 et 6, le poussoir 56 comporte, à l'endroit de son extrémité destinée à coopérer avec le sommet de la carotte 7, un orifice de remplissage 57 et, raccordée à celui-ci, une conduite 58 à travers le poussoir 56 et/ou le piston 54 jusqu'à l'espace interne 8. Une soupape anti-retour 59 est avantageusement installée dans la conduite 58 ou à l'endroit de l'orifice de remplissage 57.The piston 54 or, according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pusher 56 comprises, at the place of its end intended to cooperate with the top of the core 7, a filling port 57 and, connected thereto, a line 58 through pusher 56 and / or piston 54 up to the internal space 8. A non-return valve 59 is advantageously installed in line 58 or at the place of the filling orifice 57.

Pour un carottage au moyen du carottier 1 des figures 5 à 7, le piston 54 est disposé dans la position de départ précitée (figure 5). Un fluide de carottage est injecté par l'orifice de remplissage 57 et par le conduit 58 dans l'espace interne 8 et de préférence jusqu'à ce que le fluide sorte des canaux radiaux 53 (figure 7) et s'écoule vers le bas du carottier 1 par le second canal longitudinal 17 (figure 5).For coring using the corer 1 Figures 5 to 7, the piston 54 is arranged in the above starting position (figure 5). A fluid of coring is injected through the filling orifice 57 and through the conduit 58 in the internal space 8 and preferably until the fluid leaves the radial channels 53 (figure 7) and flows down from the corer 1 through the second longitudinal channel 17 (Figure 5).

Le carottage proprement dit est démarré. Le poussoir 56, poussé par le fond du trou 31 et ensuite par la carotte 7 qui entre dans le carottier 1, pousse le piston 54 dans l'espace interne 8. Le fluide de carottage chassé vers le haut de cet espace interne 8 s'échappe par les conduits radiaux 53 vers le second canal longitudinal 17 et de celui-ci par les passages 55 à partir desquels le fluide de carottage se répartit dans un interstice annulaire entre la paroi du tube intérieur 5 et la carotte 7 pour recouvrir cette dernière à mesure qu'elle pénètre dans l'espace interne 8.The actual core drilling is started. The pusher 56, pushed by the bottom of the hole 31 and then by the carrot 7 which enters the corer 1, pushes the piston 54 in the internal space 8. The fluid coring driven up this internal space 8 escapes through the radial conduits 53 to the second longitudinal channel 17 and therefrom through passages 55 from which the coring fluid is distributed in an annular gap between the wall of the tube interior 5 and carrot 7 to cover the latter as it enters the internal space 8.

Comme le montre la figure 5, dans sa position de départ le poussoir 56 dépasse avantageusement du carottier 1 de façon à donner accès à l'orifice de remplissage 57 agencé latéralement.As shown in Figure 5, in its position the push-button 56 advantageously exceeds the corer 1 so as to give access to the orifice of filling 57 arranged laterally.

Le piston 54 peut comporter des joints d'étanchéité toriques 60 coopérant avec la paroi du tube intérieur 5, si l'on veut éviter des écoulements de fluide directs depuis l'espace interne 8 vers le sommet de la carotte 7.The piston 54 may include seals O-ring seal 60 cooperating with the wall of the tube interior 5, if we want to avoid direct fluid from internal space 8 to the top carrot 7.

Dans le cas de la forme de réalisation particulière suivant les figures 5 à 8, le fluide de carottage injecté dans l'espace interne 8 peut être différent de celui qui provient du réservoir précité par l'intermédiaire du conduit d'amenée 27. Le fluide différent peut être un fluide de protection de la carotte 7 ou un fluide apte à lubrifier le glissement de la carotte 7 dans le tube intérieur 5, connu de l'homme de métier.In the case of the embodiment particular according to Figures 5 to 8, the coring injected into the internal space 8 can be different from that which comes from the aforementioned tank by through the supply duct 27. The fluid different can be a protective fluid the carrot 7 or a fluid capable of lubricating the sliding of the carrot 7 in the inner tube 5, known to man business.

Suivant l'invention, les conduits radiaux 21 (figure 2) et/ou 53 (figure 7) peuvent constituer un passage étranglé du fluide de carottage qui va de l'espace interne 8 vers le second canal longitudinal 17. Des moyens de réglage, connus de l'homme de métier (soupape à ressort, etc.), peuvent être adjoints à ces conduits pour pouvoir en régler le passage, par exemple de façon à soumettre la carotte 7 à une pression choisie qui aide à conserver sa stabilité de structure. According to the invention, the radial conduits 21 (figure 2) and / or 53 (figure 7) can constitute a choked passage of the coring fluid which goes from the internal space 8 towards the second longitudinal channel 17. Adjustment means, known to those skilled in the art (spring valve, etc.), can be added to these ducts to be able to adjust the passage, for example so as to subject the core 7 to a selected pressure which helps maintain its structural stability.

Une soupape de sécurité 61 (figure 7) et/ou un moyen de décharge de pression comme une vis 62 peuvent être agencés de façon à pouvoir laisser échapper par exemple de l'espace interne 8 et/ou du second canal longitudinal 17 du fluide qui y est mis sous pression à la suite de l'enfoncement de la carotte 7 dans cet espace interne 8 et qui est maintenu sous pression à la suite d'un blocage des conduits prévus pour l'évacuation de cette pression. Par exemple, la soupape de sécurité 61 peut agir pendant le carottage et laisse échapper, en cas de nécessité, du fluide depuis l'espace interne 8 vers le premier canal longitudinal 16. Par exemple aussi, après le carottage et avant de libérer la carotte 7 du système 10 à bague tronconique fendue 11, on peut dévisser la vis-pointeau 62 pour s'assurer qu'il n'y a plus dans l'espace interne 8 une pression qui pourrait expulser dangereusement de ce dernier la carotte 7.A safety valve 61 (Figure 7) and / or pressure relief means such as a screw 62 can be arranged so that they can escape for example internal space 8 and / or the second channel longitudinal 17 of the fluid which is pressurized therein following the insertion of the carrot 7 into this internal space 8 and which is kept under pressure at the following a blockage of the ducts intended for evacuation of this pressure. For example, the safety valve 61 can act during the coring and lets escape, in if necessary, fluid from the internal space 8 towards the first longitudinal channel 16. For example also, after coring and before releasing the carrot 7 of the system 10 with a split frustoconical ring 11, it is possible unscrew the needle screw 62 to ensure that there is more in the internal space 8 a pressure which could dangerously expel the carrot from the latter 7.

Les figures 2, 4 et 7 montrent chaque fois un agencement des trois tubes intérieur 5, médian 15 et extérieur 3 dans lequel :

  • les tubes intérieur 5 et médian 15 sont reliés l'un à l'autre par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'un premier raccord 63 qui, par un système connu de réglage axial à vis, trou fileté et contre-écrou 64, permet d'une part de régler axialement l'un par rapport à l'autre les tubes intérieur 5 et médian 15 et, d'autre part, de bloquer ceux-ci l'un par rapport à l'autre en ce qui concerne une rotation autour de leur axe longitudinal commun,
  • le premier raccord 63 est fixé par exemple par un autre système connu de réglage axial à vis, trou fileté et contre-écrou 65, à un moyeu 66 (en deux pièces) d'une butée à billes 67 retenue entre le tube extérieur 3 et un écrou 68.
FIGS. 2, 4 and 7 each time show an arrangement of the three inner 5, middle 15 and outer 3 tubes in which:
  • the inner 5 and middle 15 tubes are connected to each other for example by means of a first connector 63 which, by a known system of axial adjustment with screw, threaded hole and lock nut 64, makes it possible to on the one hand to adjust the inner tubes 5 and median 15 axially with respect to each other and, on the other hand, to block these one with respect to the other with regard to rotation around of their common longitudinal axis,
  • the first connector 63 is fixed for example by another known system of axial adjustment with screws, threaded hole and lock nut 65, to a hub 66 (in two pieces) of a ball bearing 67 retained between the outer tube 3 and a nut 68.

De cette façon, les tubes intérieur 5 et médian 15 peuvent, ensemble, tourner ou non autour de leur axe longitudinal commun, indépendamment d'une rotation du tube extérieur 3.In this way, the inner tubes 5 and median 15 can, together, rotate or not around their common longitudinal axis, regardless of a rotation of the outer tube 3.

La figure 8 montre une forme de réalisation dans laquelle les tubes intérieur 5, médian 15 et extérieur 3 peuvent tourner indépendamment l'un de l'autre autour de leur axe longitudinal commun. A cet effet, une vis 70 fixée dans un trou fileté de l'extrémité postérieure du tube intérieur 5 est montée sur une bague 71 agencée entre deux butées à billes 72, 73 qui sont montées sur un arbre 74 porté lui-même par un raccord 75 approprié qui est monté quant à lui dans le tube extérieur 3 comme l'est le raccord 63 de la figure 7.Figure 8 shows an embodiment in which the inner tubes 5, median 15 and outside 3 can independently rotate any of the other around their common longitudinal axis. In this effect, a screw 70 fixed in a threaded hole of the end posterior of the inner tube 5 is mounted on a ring 71 arranged between two thrust ball bearings 72, 73 which are mounted on a shaft 74 carried by a appropriate fitting 75 which is mounted in the outer tube 3 as is the connector 63 of the figure 7.

Un montage semblable à celui de la figure 8 mais sans butée à billes 67 peut aussi être utilisé au cas où il est souhaité que les tubes médian 15 et extérieur 3 soient fixés l'un à l'autre en ce qui concerne leur rotation autour de leur axe longitudinal commun et que le tube intérieur 5 puisse tourner ou rester immobile autour de l'axe longitudinal commun, indépendamment des tubes médian 15 et extérieur 3.An assembly similar to that of figure 8 but without ball bearing 67 can also be used at case it is desired that the middle tubes 15 and outside 3 are attached to each other in what concerns their rotation around their longitudinal axis common and the inner tube 5 can rotate or remain stationary around the common longitudinal axis, independently of the middle 15 and outer 3 tubes.

Il doit être entendu que l'invention n'est nullement limitée aux formes de réalisation décrites et que bien des modifications peuvent être apportées à ces dernières sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention.It should be understood that the invention is not in no way limited to the embodiments described and that many modifications can be made to these last without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Ainsi les conduits dits radiaux, axiaux, désaxés, obliques, peuvent être orientés et disposés différemment que dans les dessins.So the so-called radial, axial conduits, offset, oblique, can be oriented and arranged differently than in the drawings.

Par exemple également, comme le montre la figure 10, les tubes intérieur 5 et médian 15 sont fixés l'un à l'autre par deux butées à billes pour former un ensemble constitutif 80 et de façon à pouvoir tourner indépendamment l'un de l'autre autour de leur axe longitudinal commun. L'ensemble constitutif 80 est disposé dans le tube extérieur 3 de façon à pouvoir y coulisser entre :

  • une position de carottage représentée dans les figures 9 et 10, dans laquelle le tube médian 15 est à butée dans la couronne 2, tel que représenté, ou éventuellement (de façon non représentée) contre le tube extérieur 3 et
  • une position retirée du tube extérieur 3 pour retirer la carotte 7 réalisée.
Also for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the inner 5 and middle 15 tubes are fixed to each other by two thrust ball bearings to form a constituent assembly 80 and so as to be able to rotate independently of one of the other around their common longitudinal axis. The constituent assembly 80 is disposed in the outer tube 3 so that it can slide there between:
  • a coring position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in which the median tube 15 is in abutment in the crown 2, as shown, or possibly (not shown) against the outer tube 3 and
  • a position withdrawn from the outer tube 3 to withdraw the core 7 produced.

L'ensemble constitutif 80 comporte des moyens d'accrochage 81 connus disposés à son extrémité la plus éloignée de l'extrémité antérieure 9 du tube intérieur 5. Un carottier 1 du genre représenté dans les figures 9 et 10 peut faire partie du type dit "wire line". Au cours d'un carottage normal, l'ensemble constitutif 80 est maintenu en position de butée au moyen de la pression du fluide de carottage appliqué sur ses surfaces exposées.The constituent assembly 80 includes known fastening means 81 arranged at its end furthest from the front end 9 of the tube interior 5. A core barrel 1 of the kind depicted in Figures 9 and 10 can be part of the so-called "wire" type line ". During normal core drilling, all component 80 is held in the stop position at means of the pressure of the coring fluid applied to its exposed surfaces.

Les moyens sélectifs 18 du carottier 1 de la figure 10 comportent un bossage annulaire 82 agencé sur la paroi interne 83 du tube extérieur 3 et au moins un orifice de sortie 84, tel que celui du conduit oblique 36 débouchant dans le premier canal longitudinal 16. En position de carottage, l'ensemble constitutif 80 étant à butée à l'extrémité antérieure dans le tube extérieur 3, le bossage annulaire 82 est en dehors d'un écoulement de liquide allant de l'orifice de sortie 84 dans le premier canal longitudinal 16. L'ensemble constitutif 80 peut s'écarter de la position de butée, par exemple parce qu'il reste bloqué à un certain niveau de la carotte 7 alors que la couronne 2 continue à progresser. Un tel blocage peut résulter de ce que le tube intérieur 5 est coincé autour de la carotte 7 ou de ce que du liquide accumulé entre la carotte 7 et le fond du tube intérieur 5 ne peut pas s'échapper. Suivant l'invention, à mesure que l'ensemble constitutif 80 s'écarte ainsi de sa position de butée, le bossage annulaire 82 et l'orifice de sortie 84 se disposent progressivement l'un en face de l'autre de façon à restreindre dans une mesure voulue l'écoulement de liquide depuis l'orifice de sortie 84 vers le canal longitudinal 16. Cette restriction d'écoulement peut être pratiquement totale ou au moins suffisante pour entraíner une augmentation de pression du fluide de carottage, cette augmentation pouvant être interprétée comme étant un signal d'un blocage de la pénétration de la carotte 7 dans le tube intérieur 5.The selective means 18 of the core barrel 1 of the Figure 10 have an annular boss 82 arranged on the inner wall 83 of the outer tube 3 and at least one outlet 84, such as that of the oblique duct 36 opening into the first longitudinal channel 16. In coring position, the constituent assembly 80 being with stop at the front end in the outer tube 3, the annular boss 82 is outside of a flow liquid from outlet 84 in the first longitudinal channel 16. The constituent assembly 80 can deviate from the stop position, for example because it gets stuck at a certain level of the carrot 7 while the crown 2 continues to progress. Such a blockage may result from the fact that the inner tube 5 is stuck around the carrot 7 or that of the liquid accumulated between the core 7 and the bottom of the tube interior 5 cannot escape. According to the invention, as the constituent assembly 80 thus deviates from its stop position, the annular boss 82 and the orifice 84 are gradually disposing of one facing each other so as to restrict to an extent wanted the liquid flow from the orifice of exit 84 towards the longitudinal channel 16. This restriction flow can be almost total or at less than enough to cause an increase in core fluid pressure, this increase can be interpreted as a signal from a blocking of the penetration of the carrot 7 in the tube interior 5.

En position de carottage (figure 9), le tube médian 15 peut être en appui étanche, du côté de l'extrémité antérieure 16A, contre une surface d'appui de la couronne 2 ou éventuellement du tube extérieur 3, de façon à y fermer le premier canal longitudinal 16.In the coring position (figure 9), the tube median 15 can be in leaktight support, on the end side anterior 16A, against a bearing surface of the crown 2 or possibly the outer tube 3, of so as to close the first longitudinal channel 16 there.

La figure 9 montre de façon non limitative le carottier 1 dans un cas avec parois circulaires coaxiales mince 43 et épaisse 44. Dans ce cas une soupape 85 permet de choisir, par un réglage de son ressort, la pression du fluide à partir de laquelle celui-ci peut passer du conduit d'amenée 27 vers le second canal longitudinal 17, par un conduit coaxial 86 et des conduits radiaux 87, afin de déformer, comme expliqué ci-dessus, la paroi mince 43.Figure 9 shows, without limitation the corer 1 in a case with circular walls coaxial thin 43 and thick 44. In this case a valve 85 allows you to choose, by adjusting the sound spring, the fluid pressure from which this can pass from the supply duct 27 to the second longitudinal channel 17, via a coaxial conduit 86 and radial conduits 87, in order to deform, as explained above, the thin wall 43.

Un léger passage de fluide peut être souhaité entre les tubes intérieur 5 et médian 15 de la figure 9, à leur extrémité antérieure.A slight passage of fluid may be desired between the inner 5 and middle 15 tubes of the Figure 9, at their anterior end.

Pour préparer le carottier 1 de la figure 10 et éventuellement en vue d'un carottage et, par exemple, pour remplir le tube intérieur d'un fluide de protection et/ou de lubrification de la carotte 7, il peut être prévu une entrée 90 pour injecter soit ce fluide soit de l'air comprimé afin de repousser le piston 54 en position de départ. Pour cette opération, un bouchon 91 est retiré de cette entrée 90 et est placé dans une sortie 92 pour éviter des fuites par l'intermédiaire de la soupape 61. Après cette opération, le bouchon 91 est retiré de la sortie 92 et est mis à nouveau dans l'entrée 90 pour éviter une fuite, non contrôlée par la soupape 61, du fluide compris dans le tube intérieur 5. Après un carottage, le bouchon 91 peut à nouveau être déplacé de l'entrée 90 à la sortie 92 et un fluide approprié (air comprimé, etc.) peut être injecté pour pousser le piston 54 et ainsi chasser une carotte 7 logée dans le tube intérieur 5, par exemple après avoir démonté (figure 9) un tronçon de ce dernier qui comporte la paroi mince 43, si celle-ci est mise en oeuvre. To prepare the core barrel 1 of figure 10 and possibly for coring and, for example, to fill the inner tube with a protective fluid and / or lubrication of the core 7, it can be provided an inlet 90 for injecting either this fluid or compressed air in order to push the piston 54 back into position of departure. For this operation, a plug 91 is removed from this input 90 and is placed in an output 92 to prevent leakage through the valve 61. After this operation, the plug 91 is removed from exit 92 and put back into entry 90 to avoid a leak, not controlled by the valve 61, of the fluid included in the inner tube 5. After core drilling, plug 91 can again be moved from inlet 90 to outlet 92 and a fluid suitable (compressed air, etc.) can be injected to push the piston 54 and thus drive out a carrot 7 housed in the inner tube 5, for example after having disassembled (Figure 9) a section of the latter which includes the thin wall 43, if the latter is used.

Liste des numéros de référenceList of reference numbers

11
Carottiercorer
22
Couronne de carottageCoring core
33
Tube extérieurOuter tube
44
Tronçon de tube extérieur 3Outer tube section 3
55
Tube intérieurInner tube
66
Tronçon de tube intérieur 5Inner tube section 5
77
CarotteCarrot
88
Espace interneInternal space
8A8A
Extrémité antérieure de l'espace interne 8Anterior end of internal space 8
8B8B
Extrémité postérieure de l'espace interne 8Posterior end of internal space 8
99
Extrémité antérieure du tube intérieur 5Front end of inner tube 5
1010
Système à bague tronconique fendue 11Slotted tapered ring system 11
1111
Bague tronconique fendueSplit frustoconical ring
1515
Tube médianMedian tube
1616
Premier canal longitudinalFirst longitudinal channel
16A16A
Extrémité antérieure du premier canal longitudinal 16Anterior end of the first longitudinal canal 16
16B16B
Extrémité postérieure du premier canal longitudinal 16Posterior end of the first longitudinal canal 16
1717
Second canal longitudinalSecond longitudinal channel
17A17A
Extrémité antérieure du second canal longitudinal 17Anterior end of the second longitudinal canal 17
17B17B
Extrémité postérieure du second canal longitudinal 17Posterior end of the second longitudinal canal 17
1818
Moyens sélectifsSelective means
1919
Tronçon de tube médian 15Middle tube section 15
2020
Conduit axialAxial duct
2121
Conduit radialRadial duct
2222
SoupapeValve
2323
Conduit axialAxial duct
2424
Conduits divergents et radiauxDivergent and radial ducts
2525
Bille de soupape 22Valve ball 22
2626
Siège de la soupape 22 ou bille 25Valve seat 22 or ball 25
2727
Conduit d'amenéeSupply duct
2828
Ajutage de la couronne 2 Crown 2 adjustment
2929
Interstice annulaireAnnular gap
3131
Fond de trou de carottageCore hole bottom
3333
Conduit désaxéOffset duct
3434
Espace à fluideFluid space
3535
Conduit désaxéOffset duct
3636
Conduit obliqueOblique duct
3737
Bille de soupapeValve ball
3838
Siège de soupape de la bille 37Ball valve seat 37
3939
Bille de soupape auxiliaireAuxiliary valve ball
4040
Siège de soupape de la bille 39Ball valve seat 39
4242
Passage étrangléStrangled passage
4343
Paroi circulaire coaxiale interne minceThin internal coaxial circular wall
4444
Paroi circulaire coaxiale externe épaisseThick external coaxial circular wall
4545
Chambre annulaireAnnular chamber
4646
Extrémité de la chambre 45Chamber end 45
4747
Extrémité de la chambre 45Chamber end 45
4848
Passage radialRadial passage
5050
Partie tronconique externeExternal frustoconical part
5151
Partie tronconique interneInternal frustoconical part
5353
Conduit radialRadial duct
5454
PistonPiston
54A54A
Extrémité du piston 54End of piston 54
5555
Passagespassages
5656
Poussoirtappet
5757
Orifice de remplissageFilling hole
5858
ConduiteConduct
5959
Soupape anti-retourNon-return valve
6060
Joint d'étanchéité toriqueO-ring seal
6161
Soupape de sécuritéSafety valve
6262
Vis-pointeauVis-needle
6363
Raccord entre tubes intérieur 5 et médian 15Connection between inner 5 and middle 15 tubes
6464
Contre-écrou d'un système de réglage axialLock nut of an axial adjustment system
6565
Contre-écrou d'un autre système de réglage axialLock nut of another axial adjustment system
6666
Moyeu (en deux pièces) d'une butée à billes 67Hub (in two pieces) of a thrust ball bearing 67
6767
Butée à billesThrust ball bearing
6868
Ecrou de butée à billes 67 Ball bearing nut 67
7070
VisScrew
7171
BagueRing
7272
Butée à billesThrust ball bearing
7373
Butée à billesThrust ball bearing
7474
ArbreTree
7575
RaccordConnection
8080
Ensemble constitutifConstituent set
8181
Moyens d'accrochageMeans of attachment
8282
Bossage annulaireRing boss
8383
Paroi interneInternal wall
8484
Orifice de sortieOutlet port
8585
SoupapeValve
8686
Conduit axialAxial duct
8787
Conduits radiauxRadial conduits
9090
EntréeEntrance
9191
BouchonPlug
9292
SortieExit

Claims (16)

  1. Core sampler comprising :
    a coring bit (2),
    an outer barrel (3) for rotating the coring bit (2), and
    an inner barrel (5) for receiving a core sample (7) in its interior space (8) during core sampling, the inner barrel (5) and outer barrel (3) being substantially coaxial,
    a middle barrel (15) arranged coaxially between the inner barrel (5) and the outer barrel (3) and delimiting, on the one hand with the outer barrel (3), a first longitudinal channel (16) for a core-sampling fluid and, on the other hand with the inner barrel (5), a second longitudinal channel (17) for a core-sampling fluid, the longitudinal channels (16, 17) and the interior space (8) each having a front end (16A, 17A, 8A) close to the coring bit (2) and a rear end (16B, 17B, 8B) remote from this bit (2), and
    means (18) which selectively, at least temporarily, provide and/or block coring-fluid communication between the rear end (17B) of the second longitudinal channel (17) and/or that (16B) of the first longitudinal channel (16) and/or that (8B) of the interior space (8),
       characterized in that it comprises passage means (42, 48, 55) arranged to convey in the direction of the interior space (8), at the level of the front end (8A) thereof, a coring fluid leaving the front end (17A) of said second longitudinal channel (17).
  2. Core sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid passage means are arranged in order to place directly in fluid communication the front end (17A) of the second longitudinal channel (17) with an annular gap (29) formed between the coring bit (2) and a core sample (7) during a coring and, through this gap (29), with said interior space (8) at the level of its front end (8A).
  3. Core sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that said passage means comprise at least a restricted, possibility adjustable, passage (42) arranged between the font end (17A) of the second longitudinal channel (17) and the aforementioned annular gap (29), for the fluid communication between them.
  4. Core sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that :
    the inner barrel (5) comprises at its front end (9) two coaxial circular walls (43, 44) delimiting an annular chamber (45) closed at its two axially opposed ends (46, 47), the innermost wall (43) being relatively thin with respect to the outermost wall (44), and
    the aforementioned passage means comprise at least one radial passage (48) arranged to place in fluid communication the annular chamber (45) with the front end (17A) of the second longitudinal channel (17).
  5. Core sampler according to claim 1, characterized in that:
    the front end (17A) of the second longitudinal channel (17) is at least partially closed with respect to an annular gap (29) formed between the coring bit (2) and a core sample (7) during a core sampling operation, and
    passages (55) between the second longitudinal channel (17) and the interior space (8) are arranged close to their respective front ends (17A, 8A), these passages (55) being preferably uniformly distributed about the longitudinal axis of the core sampler.
  6. Core sampler according to claim 5, characterized in that:
    a piston (54) is mounted in the inner barrel (5) so that it can be pushed, from the front end (8A) of the interior space (8) toward the rear end (8B) thereof, by a core sample (7) which is being formed, and,
    between the piston (54), at the front end (8A) of the interior space (8), and the rear end (8B) thereof, the inner barrel (5) contains, before a core-sampling operation, a coring fluid possibly different that the aforementioned,
    said passages (55) open into the interior space (8) at the end (54A) of the piston (54) that faces toward the core sample (7), and
    the selective means (18) are arranged to place at least temporarily in fluid communication, via their rear ends (8B, 17B) the interior space (8) and the second longitudinal channel (17).
  7. Core sampler according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a plunger (56) which is arranged on that end (54A) of the piston (54) which faces toward the core sample (7), so as to rest on the bottom (31) of a coring hole and then on the top of the core sample (7) as it is being formed, and in that the piston (54), or if appropriate, the plunger (56), comprises, at that point on its end that is intended to interact with the top of the core sample (7), a filling port (57) and, connected thereto, a duct (58) through the plunger (56) and/or the piston (54), so that a core-sampling fluid can be injected through the port (57) and the duct (58) at least into part of the interior space (8) prior to core-sampling, when the piston (54) is practically at the point of the front end (8A) of the interior space (8).
  8. Core sampler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the aforementioned selective means (18) are arranged to place at least temporarily in fluid communication a duct (27) for supplying a coring fluid from a reservoir on the surface and nozzles (28) of the coring bit (2), via the first longitudinal channel (16).
  9. Core sampler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the aforementioned selective means (18) are arranged to place at least temporarily in fluid communication the rear end (8B) of the aforementioned interior space (8) and the duct (27) for supplying coring fluid.
  10. Core sampler according to any one of claims 1 and 7, characterized in that the selective means (18) comprise a controlled valve (22) designed to selectively block a flow of fluid from the supply duct (27) toward the interior space (8), through the rear end (8B) of the latter, and so as possibly to allow a flow from this rear end (8B) toward the supply duct (27), if appropriate toward the first longitudinal channel (16).
  11. Core sampler according to any one of claims 1 and 7, characterized in that the selective means (18) are arranged to provide at least temporarily a fluid communication between the supply duct (27) and the second longitudinal channel (17), and comprise an auxiliary controlled valve (39) designed to selectively block a flow of fluid from the supply duct (27) toward the first longitudinal channel (16).
  12. Core sampler according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outer barrel (3) and the middle barrel (15) are mounted in such a way that they can rotate independently of one another about their common longitudinal axis and in that the inner barrel (5) is mounted so that it is unable to move, at least in terms of rotation, with respect to the middle barrel (15).
  13. Core sampler according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outer barrel (3) and the middle barrel (15) are mounted so that they are stationary with respect to one another, at least as far as their rotation about their common longitudinal axis is concerned, and in that the middle barrel (15) and the inner barrel (5) are mounted so that they can rotate independently of one another about their common longitudinal axis.
  14. Core sampler according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the inner barrel (5) and the middle barrel (15) are fixed together in the form of a constituent assembly (80), so that they can rotate independently of one another about their common longitudinal axis, and in that the constituent assembly (80) thus formed is arranged in the outer barrel (3) so that it can slide therein between a core-sampling position, in which the middle barrel (15) is practically in abutment in the coring bit (2), and a withdrawn position out of the outer barrel (3) so that a core sample (7) can be withdrawn therefrom, the constituent assembly (80) comprising attachment means (81) arranged at its end furthest from the front end (9) of the inner barrel (5).
  15. Core sampler according to claim 14, characterized in that the selective means (18) comprise an annular boss (82) on the interior wall (83) of the outer barrel (3) and at least one outlet port (84), such as that of an oblique duct (36) opening into the first longitudinal channel (16), and in that, when the constituent assembly (80) is in the core-sampling position in abutment in the outer tube (3), the annular boss (82) lies outside a flow of fluid from the outlet port (84) into the first longitudinal channel (16) and, as the constituent assembly (80) moves away from the abutment position, the annular boss (82) and the outlet port (84) gradually become closer together until they lie one facing the other so as to restrict the flow of liquid from the outlet port (84) toward the longitudinal channel (16).
  16. Core sampler according to either of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that, in the core-sampling position, on the same side as the front end (16A), the middle barrel (15) rests in a sealed fashion against a bearing surface of the coring bit (2) or of the outer barrel (3) in order therein to close the first longitudinal channel (16).
EP97900510A 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Core sampler Expired - Lifetime EP0883731B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE9600030 1996-01-15
BE9600030A BE1009965A3 (en) 1996-01-15 1996-01-15 Core.
PCT/BE1997/000003 WO1997026438A1 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Core sampler

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0883731A1 EP0883731A1 (en) 1998-12-16
EP0883731B1 true EP0883731B1 (en) 2002-04-10

Family

ID=3889468

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97900510A Expired - Lifetime EP0883731B1 (en) 1996-01-15 1997-01-14 Core sampler

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6158534A (en)
EP (1) EP0883731B1 (en)
BE (1) BE1009965A3 (en)
CA (1) CA2242970C (en)
DE (1) DE69711854T2 (en)
WO (1) WO1997026438A1 (en)

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WO2011011837A1 (en) 2009-07-31 2011-02-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Inner tube of a core barrel
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WO2014018737A1 (en) * 2012-07-26 2014-01-30 National Oilwell Varco L.P. Telescoping core barrel
US9869146B2 (en) 2013-04-17 2018-01-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and apparatus for coring
CN105525885B (en) * 2014-09-28 2017-11-07 中国石油化工集团公司 A kind of pole unconsolidated formation is rotatably inserted into formula coring tool
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AU2017101933A4 (en) * 2016-01-27 2022-12-15 Reflex Instruments Asia Pacific Pty Ltd Method and system for enabling acquisition of borehole survey data and core orientation data
CN105545238B (en) * 2016-01-28 2017-09-15 吉林大学 Self-adaptive coring inner tube
CN109025874B (en) * 2018-08-13 2023-05-26 四川大学 Automatic starting mechanism for core drilling rig
CN109930994B (en) * 2019-04-15 2024-05-24 浙江华东建设工程有限公司 Continuous coring reverse circulation drill bit, continuous coring device and continuous coring method
CN110617022B (en) * 2019-10-24 2024-07-19 四川康克石油科技有限公司 A coring drill with high coring rate and working method thereof
CN111579314B (en) * 2020-05-25 2025-01-24 平顶山天安煤业股份有限公司 A deep hole closed pressure maintaining sampler for coal mine
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0883731A1 (en) 1998-12-16
WO1997026438A1 (en) 1997-07-24
CA2242970A1 (en) 1997-07-24
BE1009965A3 (en) 1997-11-04
US6158534A (en) 2000-12-12
DE69711854D1 (en) 2002-05-16
CA2242970C (en) 2005-01-11
DE69711854T2 (en) 2002-11-14

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