Patent Grant
12286849
The disclosure relates generally to assemblies for use in a drilling operation.
The disclosure relates generally to a head assembly for a drilling operation. The head assembly is a portion of the equipment needed to execute a drilling operation, and works in concert with a drill bit below, a core barrel above the drill bit, a head assembly above the core barrel, and an overshot that is introduced into the hole created by the drill bit. The overshot latches onto the head assembly, which in turn couples with the core barrel to lift the drilled earth from the formation out of the hole.
Conventional, known wireline drilling operations include head assemblies that can perform their intended tasks, albeit with some inefficiencies and losses that have been considered unavoidable and accepted. The head assembly and some of its subcomponents experience a harsh environment in the newly drilled hole and are subject to wear due to friction, fracture, and deformation due to stress. Drilling operations with the conventional head assemblies also consume fluid, including water and/or drilling mud. Consuming less of these fluids translates directly to a more efficient drill, and therefore a more profitable endeavor. Thus, there are problems with conventional head assemblies that remain in need of a solution.
The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description, which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like, which has been included in the specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this disclosure.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive implementations of the disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Advantages of the disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for performing drilling operations. Specifically disclosed herein is an assembly for performing a drilling operation. The assembly disclosed herein includes at least a latch assembly portion, a check valve assembly portion, and a tube cap assembly portion.
The latch assembly portion of the assembly described herein is configured to secure the assembly to a separate tube that surrounds the assembly during a drilling operation. The latch assembly described herein includes a retractor case comprising a retractor sidewall and a retractor pin slot disposed within the retractor sidewall, wherein the retractor sidewall defines a retractor interior space. The latch assembly includes a body comprising a body sidewall and a body pin slot disposed within the body sidewall, wherein the body sidewall defines a body interior space, and wherein the body interior space is configured to receive the retractor case. The latch assembly includes a latch ear coupled to the body, wherein at least a portion of the latch ear extends outward relative to the body sidewall. The latch assembly includes an expansion block at least partially disposed within the retractor interior space. The latch assembly is such that a position of the expansion block along a longitudinal axis of the assembly determines whether the latch ear is in an extended position or a retracted position relative to the body sidewall.
The check valve assembly portion of the assembly described herein is configured to adjust the flow of fluid through the assembly. The assembly includes a body comprising a sidewall, wherein the sidewall defines a hollow interior comprising a fluid chamber, and wherein the hollow interior is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the assembly. The assembly includes a fluid retention piston disposed within the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid retention piston comprises a fluid port enabling a fluid to pass through the fluid retention piston. The assembly includes the check valve assembly disposed within the fluid retention piston, wherein the check valve assembly comprises: a valve bushing comprising a sidewall that defines a bushing interior space; a valve ball; and a valve spring. The check valve assembly is in a closed configuration when the valve ball is at least partially disposed within the bushing interior space and prevents fluid from flowing through the bushing interior space.
The tube cap assembly portion of the assembly described herein is configured to adjust the maximum viscosity of fluid permitted to flow through ports of the assembly. The tube cap assembly includes a tube cap piston comprising a threaded recess. The tube cap assembly includes a viscosity adjustment screw coupled to the tube cap piston, wherein a threaded portion of the viscosity adjustment screw is screwed into the threaded recess of the tube cap piston. The tube cap assembly includes a tube cap comprising a tube cap sidewall, wherein the tube cap further comprises a tube cap port disposed within the tube cap sidewall. The tube cap assembly is such that the tube cap piston and the viscosity adjustment screw are disposed within a hollow interior space defined by the tube cap sidewall. The tube cap assembly is such that a fluid passageway is formed in between the tube cap port and an exterior surface of the tube cap piston. The tube cap assembly is such that the threaded portion of the viscosity adjustment screw is threaded into or out of the threaded recess of the tube cap piston to adjust a size of the fluid passageway.
In the following description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Before the methods, systems, and devices that form this disclosure of a novel head assembly are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
In describing and claiming the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” and grammatical equivalents thereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim.
As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed disclosure.
Referring now to the figures,
The head assembly 102 includes an upper body 208 that comprises a cylindrical geometry. The upper body 208 includes a body pin slot 210, which is an opening disposed in a sidewall of the cylindrical upper body 208. The upper body 208 further includes a body pivot hole 212, which is an opening disposed in a sidewall of the cylindrical upper body 208. The upper body 208 encases components of the latch assembly 202 and is configured to interface with a retractor case (not illustrated in
The head assembly 102 includes at least one latch ear 214 as a component of the latch assembly 202. As shown in
The latch ears 214 are pivotably connected to the upper body 208 and positioned within a latch ear opening (not shown) that is disposed through the sidewall of the upper body 208. The latch ears 214 are selectively pivoted to expand or retract away from or toward cylindrical geometry of the upper body 208. Expanding and retracting the latch ears 214 prevents or at least mitigates wear on the latch ears 214, and further facilitates releasing the latch ears 214 such that the head assembly 102 may be pulled up from the drilling hole. Conventional designs of head assemblies comprising a latching mechanism do not have the ability to retract the latching mechanism. This results in the traditional head assemblies experiencing excessive wear when the latching mechanisms drag along an interior surface of the tube when the head assembly is removed from the tube.
The check valve assembly 204 is formed where a downhole end of the upper body 208 interfaces with an uphole end of a lower body 218. As discussed further herein, the check valve assembly 204 includes components for creating a valve that reacts to an external force to permit or block the flow of fluid. The upper body 208 includes an upper body fluid port 216 that permits fluid to flow into and out of an interior space defined by a sidewall of the upper body 208. The lower body 218 includes a lower body fluid port 220 that permits fluid to flow into and out of an interior space defined by a sidewall of the lower body 218.
The fluid passageways defined through the head assembly 102 created by ports within the upper body 208 and lower body 218 cause fluid to flow through the head assembly 102 with laminar flow, rather than turbulent flow. In at least one implementation, the fluid flow is dominated by laminar flow, with some limited turbulence. With the laminar or laminar-dominated flow, the head assembly 102 can be run in-hole through the fluid in a more efficient manner than other known conventional head assemblies that do not achieve laminar flow. The turbulence causes wear and energy losses.
The head assembly 102 further includes a spindle 222, a shock absorber body 224, and a tube cap 226. The spindle 222 includes a shaft for receiving bearings to be attached to the head assembly 102 as a replaceable wear item. Additionally, the spindle 222 serves as a shock absorber when the latch assembly portion 202 is stopped at a landing ring located within a core barrel. The stopping forces are transferred to the head assembly 102 and then absorbed by a shock absorption spring disposed around the spindle 222.
The tube cap includes a tube cap port 228 that permits fluid to flow into and out of an interior space defined by a sidewall of the tube cap 226. The spindle 222 is a shock-absorbing component that prevents or mitigates damage to the head assembly 102 caused when the components of the drilling operation contact one another, such as when the head assembly 102 is lowered into the well and reaches the core barrel, or when an overshot is lowered to the head assembly 102 and strikes the retractor case (see, e.g., retractor case 302 first discussed in connection with
The head assembly 102 is designed such that the amount of fluid passing through the head assembly 102 can be controlled and adjusted during operation. In operation the procedure may be as follows. The head assembly 102 is lowered through the tube, and as it does so, at some point the head assembly 102 reaches the water table and begins to pass through the water which may also include mud, sand, debris, sediment, hydrocarbons, and other objects. The head assembly 102 eventually reaches the core barrel (not shown) below and interfaces with it. The core barrel and head assembly 102 connect securely together. The drilling operation can continue with the bit being below the core barrel. As the bit is operated, a fluid is pumped down to the head assembly 102 and through the head assembly 102 to lubricate and cool the drill bit. The fluid may comprise water, mud, or some combination thereof. By adjusting the flow of fluid through the head assembly 102, an operator can retain more of the fluid that is below the head assembly 102, and thereby reduce the amount of new fluid that must be pumped down into the well from above.
The head assembly 102 includes a retractor case 302 disposed within the upper body. 208. The upper body 208 comprises a sidewall that defines a hollow interior space and a substantially cylindrical geometry. Similarly, the retractor case 302 includes a sidewall that defines a hollow interior space and a substantially cylindrical geometry. The diameters of the upper body 208 and the retractor case 302 are optimized such that the retractor case 302 can slide into the upper body 208. In some implementations, the retractor case 302 interfaces with an overshot (not pictured) that is lowered down into a drilling hole and then attaches to the retractor case 302. The retractor case 302 may include grooves, recesses, or other features that permit the overshot to be urged downward without actuating a tool or other moving part to secure the overshot to the retractor case 302. The retractor case 302 includes a retractor pin slot (not shown) that matches with the body pin slot 210 of the upper body 208. Thus, a single pin may be pushed through the overlapping retractor pin slot and body pin slot 210.
The latch assembly 202 of the head assembly 102 includes an expansion block 304 disposed within an interior space defined by the sidewall of the upper body 208. The expansion block 304 is configured to interface with the latch ears 214 to cause the latch ears 214 to extend outward in a “latched” position or retract inward in an “unlatched” position. The expansion block 304 includes an expansion block pinhole 306 disposed through the expansion block 304. The expansion block pinhole 306 is configured to receive a pin to pull the expansion block 304 upward toward the uphole end of the head assembly 102 or push the expansion block 304 down toward the downhole end of the head assembly 102. The pin disposed through the expansion block pinhole 306 is also disposed through the body pin slot 210 and the retractor pin slot (not shown). Thus, the expansion block 304 can only slide along the longitudinal axis of the head assembly 102 from a downhole end of the body pin slot 210 (as shown in
The expansion block 304 is attached to a piston shaft 308, which is attached to a piston cage (not shown). The piston cage (not shown) includes holes that permit fluid to flow into and out of the piston cage. When pressurized fluid flows through the piston cage, the pressurized flow is able to actuate the check valve assembly 204. Some, but not all, components of the check valve assembly 204 are visible in
The head assembly 102 further includes threading 316 within the spindle 222. The threading 316 includes corresponding threading on the spindle 222 and the lower body 218. The threading 316 is utilized to securely attach the spindle 222 to the lower body 218. The head assembly 102 further includes threading 318 on the shock absorber body 224 and tube cap 226. This threading 318 is utilized to attach the tube cap 226 to the shock absorber body 224.
The tube cap assembly 206 of the head assembly 102 includes a shock absorber 320, which may include a compression spring configured to absorb a force along a longitudinal axis of the head assembly 102. The tube cap assembly 206 further includes a tube cap piston 322 (only partially visible in
The check valve assembly 204 of the head assembly 102 includes at least a valve bushing 404, a valve ball 406, the valve spring 312, and the retention piston 314. The piston cage is disposed within an interior space defined by the retention piston 314. The valve bushing is also disposed within the interior space of the retention piston 314, and the valve ball 406 is disposed within the interior space defined by the valve bushing 404. Each of the valve spring 312 and the valve ball 406 is also disposed within the interior space defined by a sidewall of the retention piston 314.
The head assembly 102 additionally includes one or more spacers 408 disposed between the spindle 222 and the shock absorber body 224. As shown in
The tube cap assembly 206 includes at least the tube cap 226, tube cap port(s) 228, tube cap piston 322, viscosity adjustment screw 324, and terminating tube cap 410. As shown in
The retractor case 302 includes a substantially cylindrical hollow geometry defined by a sidewall. The retractor case 302 includes one or more latch channels 502 disposed within the sidewall forming the substantially cylindrical geometry. The latch channel 502 is configured to receive the latch ear 214 when the retractor case 302 is disposed within the upper body 208. Thus, each of the one or more latch ears 214 can rotate about a pivot point because the latch channel 502 prevents the latch ear 214 from being obstructed by a sidewall of the retractor case 302. The retractor case 302 additionally includes one or more retractor pin slots 504. In most implementations, the retractor case 302 includes retractor pin slots 504 that are diametrically opposed to one another relative to the cylindrical geometry of the retractor case 302.
The upper body 208 includes one or more latch ear openings 506 disposed within a sidewall of the upper body 208. In most implementations, the head assembly 102 includes two latch ears 214 that are diametrically opposed to one another, and therefore the upper body 208 similarly includes two latch ear openings 506 that are diametrically opposed to one another. The latch ear opening 506 is configured to receive the latch ear 214 and thus enable the latch ear to rotate about its pivot point 508. The pivot point 508 of the latch ear 214 aligns with the body pivot hole 212 disposed within a sidewall of the upper body 208.
The latch assembly 202 includes the expansion block 304, which is responsible for causing rotation of the latch ears 214 about their pivot points 508. A pin (not shown) is disposed through a first body pin slot 210 on a first side of the upper body 208, and through a first retractor pin slot 504 on a first side of the retractor case 302, and through the expansion block pinhole 306, and through a second retractor pin slot 504 on a second (opposite) side of the retractor case 302, and through a second body pin slot 210 on a second (opposite) side of the upper body 208. The combination of the pin and the pin slots 210, 504 ensures that the expansion block 304 can only move from a downhole end of the pin slots 210, 504 to an uphole end of the pin slots 210, 504.
When the pin is located at the downhole end of the pin slots 210, 504, the expansion block 304 causes the latch ears 214 to extend outward in the latched position. When the latch ears 214 extend outward, at least a portion of the latch ears 214 will interface with a surrounding tube, such as the overshot 104 discussed in connection with
The expansion block 304 is attached to the piston shaft 308 at an attachment point 510. The piston shaft 308 is attached to the piston cage, and the piston cage is disposed within an interior space defined by the retention piston 314. The retention piston 314 includes one or more check valve ports 512 disposed within a sidewall of the retention piston 314. The check valve ports 512 enable fluid to flow into and out of the retention piston 314. When the check valve assembly 204 is in the open position, fluid is permitted to flow out through the check valve ports 512. When the check valve assembly 204 is in the closed position, fluid is prevented from flowing out through the check valve ports 512.
The head assembly 102 includes a float tension bushing 514 configured to be disposed around a portion of the retention piston 314. The head assembly 102 additionally includes a landing shoulder 516 located within a mid-region of the head assembly 102. The landing shoulder 516 interacts with a landing ring located within a core barrel during a drilling operation. The landing shoulder 516 stops the latch head assembly 202 portion of the head assembly 102 at the core barrel when the head assembly 102 is installed within the core barrel to perform the drilling operation. Following this, the retention piston 314 drops down to the float tension bushing 514 along with interacting parts attached to the piston shaft 308, the latch ear 214, and the pin slots 210. This thereby locks the head assembly 102 into place within the core barrel.
As shown in
The lower body 218 includes lower body fluid ports 518 similar to the upper body fluid ports 216 associated with the upper body 208. When the check valve assembly 204 is in the open position, fluid is permitted to flow out through the check valve ports 512 of the retention piston 314, and further out through the lower body fluid ports 518 of the lower body 218.
As shown in
In some implementations, and as shown in
When the latch assembly 202 is in the unlatched configuration, as shown in
When the latch assembly 202 is in the latched configuration, as shown in
The latch ear 214 includes a main body 1006. When the latch ear 214 is in the latched configuration, the main body 1006 is oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the head assembly 102. The latch ear 214 includes a radial arm 1002 portion attached to the main body 1006. When the latch ear 214 is in the latched configuration, the radial arm 1002 is located substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head assembly 102, and further extends substantially radially outward relative to the cylindrical geometry of the upper body 208. The latch ear 214 additionally includes leg 1004 portion attached to the main body 1006. The leg 1004 is located at an opposite end of the main body 1006 relative to the radial arm 1002.
The latch ear 214 includes a latching surface 1008 running along the main body 1006. The latching surface 1008 is configured to interface with a corresponding surface of the expansion block 304. The latch ear 214 includes an external longitudinal surface 1010 that is located opposite to the latching surface 1008 relative to the main body 1006. The latch ear 214 includes a leg surface 1012 running along the internal side of the leg 1004. The latch ear 214 includes a leg stop surface 1014 located at an edge of the leg 1004.
The bend of the leg 1004 relative to the main body 1006 forms interior-side angle 1018 and an exterior-side angle 1016. The interior-side angle 1018 is from about 100 degrees to about 170 degrees. The exterior-side angle 1016 is measured as an exterior angle as shown in
The expansion block 304 includes a first latching surface 1102 and a second latching surface 1104. The first latching surface 1102 and the second latching surface 1104 are diametrically opposed to one another relative to the body of the expansion block 304, as shown in
The expansion block 304 includes a polygonal geometry and may specifically include an irregular octagonal geometry as shown in
Each of the exterior angles 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112 may include an angle from about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees. In an implementation, each of the exterior angles 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112 is substantially identical. In a further implementation, one or more of the exterior angles 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112 is substantially identical to the exterior-side angle 1016 of the latch ear 214. In a further implementation, a sum of the interior-side angle 1018 of the latch ear 214, and one of the exterior angles 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112 of the expansion block 304, is substantially equal to 180 degrees.
Retracting the latch ears 214 is useful in many applications. A first application is when the head assembly is run in-hole. The latch ears 214 may be retracted (i.e., moved into the unlatched configuration) to prevent the latch ears 214 from dragging along the interior surface of a tube disposed around the head assembly 102. Dragging any component causes wear which can lead to failure that may cause an expensive and time-consuming repair. A second useful application is to release the head assembly 102 from a latched configuration as the head assembly 102 and a core barrel (or any other equipment) is being pulled up and out of the hole. In some implementations, an overshot latches onto the retractor case 302 and thereby pulls on the head assembly 102. Thus, pulling up on the retractor case 302 may cause the slot pin 604 to move up the pin slots 210, 504. The slot pin 604 is connected to the expansion block 304, which moves uphole. Thus, moving the expansion block 304 uphole causes the expansion block 304 to retract the latching surface of the latch ears 214. Accordingly, pulling on the retractor case 302 will cause the latch ears 214 to retract and enable an operator to lift the head assembly more easily 102 from the hole.
As shown in
As shown in
The retention piston 314 includes a barrel portion 1602, a valve portion 1604, and an end portion 1606. The retention piston 314 further includes a roll pin 1608 that is configured to attach the piston shaft 308 to the piston.
As shown in
As disclosed in connection with
The check valve assembly 204 may be opened during a drilling operation by applying an external force to the valve ball 406. This external force is typically applied by pumping pressurized fluid into the interior space defined by the various components of the head assembly 102. If the force applied by the pressurized fluid exceeds a valve threshold, then the pressurized fluid will cause the valve to open. In one implementation, the pressurized fluid will create sufficient force to overcome the valve spring's 312 neutral position allowing the valve ball 406 to slide through the valve bushing 404. When the valve ball 406 passes through the valve bushing 404, fluid is then permitted to flow through the valve bushing 404, flow around the valve ball 406, and flow out through the check valve ports 512. Thus, the check valve assembly 204 is in the open configuration. In one implementation, the check valve assembly 204 is in the open configuration when the valve ball 406 is located downhole relative to the valve bushing 404. In another implementation, the check valve assembly 204 is in the open configuration when the valve ball 406 is located uphole relative to the valve bushing 404.
The check valve assembly 204 may be closed during a drilling operation by ceasing to apply the external force, or by decreasing the external force such that the magnitude of the external force fails to satisfy the valve threshold. When the force applied by the pressurized fluid fails to meet the valve threshold, then the valve spring 312 will decompress to its neutral position and the valve ball 406 will return to its resting position within and with respect to the valve bushing 404 as illustrated in
As shown in the cross-sectional view, the spindle 222 is located adjacent to the shock absorber body 224, and a shaft of the spindle 222 is disposed within the shock absorber 320. Thus, the shaft of the spindle 222 is also disposed through a hollow space defined by the shock absorber body 224.
In the view illustrated in
The uphole end of the viscosity adjustment screw 324 abuts against the viscosity adjustment wall 1902. Thus, when the viscosity adjustment screw 324 is only partially screwed into the tube cap piston 322, then the maximum fluid viscosity permitted to pass around the tube cap piston 322 and through the tube cap ports 228 will be decreased. Likewise, when the viscosity adjustment screw 324 is further screwed into the tube cap piston 322, and the tube cap piston 322 is thereby abutted directly against the viscosity adjustment wall 1902, then the maximum fluid viscosity permitted to pass around the tube cap piston 322 and through the tube cap ports 228 will be maximized. The viscosity adjustment screw 324 is utilized to accommodate for changes in viscosity when the viscosity of the drill fluid is raised to slow down the movement of fluid, or when the viscosity of the drill fluid is lowered to increase the movement of fluid. Thus, viscous fluids will pass through the bodies more efficiently when the viscosity adjustment screw 324 is utilized to create a wider opening.
The tube cap piston 322 includes a larger diameter body 2110 and a smaller diameter body 2114, wherein the smaller diameter body 2114 comprises a shorter diameter when compared with the larger diameter body 2110. As shown in
The viscosity adjustment screw includes a shaft portion (i.e., the portion screwed into the tube cap piston 322), and further includes a head 2102 portion. The system may additionally include a washer 2104 or spacer disposed in between the larger diameter face 2106 of the tube cap piston 322, and the head 2102 of the viscosity adjustment screw 324. As shown in
The tube cap piston 322 includes the viscosity adjustment screw 324 that protrudes from the larger diameter face 2106 (i.e., the uphole face) of the tube cap piston 322. The viscosity adjustment screw is threaded into the tube cap piston 322. The viscosity adjustment screw 324 has a threaded body that fits within the threaded blind recess 2120 in the tube cap piston 322. The head 2102 portion of the viscosity adjustment screw 324 engages with the viscosity adjustment wall 1902 of the tube cap 226. An operator may rotate the viscosity adjustment screw 324 and thereby cause the tube cap piston 322 to move in an uphole or downhole direction relative to the viscosity adjustment wall 1902 of the tube cap 226. This thereby adjusts the size of the fluid passageway through the tube cap 226. A larger passageway is better suited for fluids with high viscosity, and a smaller passageway is better suited for fluids with low viscosity.
The tube cap piston 322 fits within the tube cap 226 and selectively blocks the tube cap ports 228. Controlling the position and movement of the tube cap piston 322 allows the operator to control the fluid flow through the tube cap assembly 206 portion of the head assembly 102. When the viscosity adjustment screw 324 is fully screwed into the threaded blind recess 2120 of the tube cap piston 322, as shown in
The tube cap piston 322 is a generally cylindrical member having a uniform cross-sectional shape. In some implementations, the tube cap piston 322 has a round outer profile. However, in other implementations, the tube cap 226 or the terminating tube cap 410 are configured with a non-round shape, such as a hexagonal geometry or other polygonal geometry. This may be implemented to prevent the tube cap piston 322 from rotating relative to the tube cap 226 or the terminating tube cap 410.
The head assembly 102 of the disclosure can be implemented in a core drilling operation according to the following procedures. There are three stages for the head assembly: descent, operation, and ascent. Beginning with the descent, the latch assembly 202 portion of the head assembly 102 is oriented in a descending position, with the expansion block 304 located toward the uphole end of the head assembly 102. This causes the latch ears 214 to retract radially relative to the cylindrical body of the upper body 208.
In the operation stage, an operator may pump fluid down to the head assembly 102 to urge the valve ball 406 in the downhole direction until the valve ball 406 passes through the valve bushing 404. When the valve ball 406 passes through the valve bushing 404, additional fluid will be permitted to flow through the upper body 208 and into the lower body 218.
In the ascent stage, the retractor case 302 is pulled upward, which also pulls the expansion block 304 upward, and causes the latch ears 214 to retract. This facilitates releasing the head assembly 102 from a tube surrounding the head assembly 102, and this thereby decreases wear on the latch ears 214 during ascent.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, while several implementations are described and shown in the exemplary figures herein, one implementation may have any number of features shown. The figures shown herein are intended to be exemplary and non-limiting, and some figures show some features that other figures do not simply for clarity and readability. In other words, it is contemplated that one implementation of the disclosure may feature each and every feature disclosed, or an implementation may feature a subset combination of the features shown without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
In various implementations, a stand for holding or otherwise housing reservoirs and tubes, hoses or lines may be located outside of the edifice. The stand may be a metal stand or made from another material and may be configured to fit inside the edifice for transport to a location.
The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the disclosure.
Further, although specific implementations of the disclosure have been described and illustrated, the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the disclosure is to be defined by the claims appended hereto, any future claims submitted here and in different applications, and their equivalents.
In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in a single implementation for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed implementation. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate implementation of the disclosure.
It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.
Reference throughout this specification to “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one implementation or embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation or embodiment.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on its presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various implementations, embodiments, and examples of the disclosure may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such implementations, embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the disclosure.
Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the implementations or embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive.
Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described implementations or embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.
The following examples pertain to further implementations or embodiments.
Example 1 is an assembly. The assembly includes An assembly for performing a drilling operation in a substrate, the assembly comprising: a retractor case comprising a retractor sidewall and a retractor pin slot disposed within the retractor sidewall, wherein the retractor sidewall defines a retractor interior space; a body comprising a body sidewall and a body pin slot disposed within the body sidewall, wherein the body sidewall defines a body interior space, and wherein the body interior space is configured to receive the retractor case; a latch ear coupled to the body, wherein at least a portion of the latch ear extends outward relative to the body sidewall; and an expansion block at least partially disposed within the retractor interior space; wherein a position of the expansion block along a longitudinal axis of the assembly determines whether the latch ear is in an extended position or a retracted position relative to the body sidewall.
Example 2 is an assembly as in Example 1, wherein the assembly comprises an uphole end and a downhole end that is located opposite to the uphole end; wherein the downhole end is located deeper in the substrate when at least a portion of the assembly is disposed within the substrate to perform the drilling operation.
Example 3 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-2, wherein the expansion block comprises a pin hole disposed therethrough; wherein the body pin slot comprises a body pin slot length extending along the longitudinal axis of the assembly; and wherein the body pin slot comprises a body pin slot uphole end corresponding with the uphole end of the assembly; and wherein the body pin slot comprises a body pin slot downhole end located at an opposite end of the body pin slot length relative to the body pin slot uphole end.
Example 4 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-3, further comprising a pin, wherein the pin is configured to be disposed through each of the body pin slot, the retractor pin slot, and the pin hole.
Example 5 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-4, wherein the expansion block is located at a maximum uphole expansion position when the pin abuts one or more of the retractor pin slot uphole end or the body pin slot uphole end.
Example 6 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-5, wherein the latch ear is in the retracted position relative to the body sidewall when the expansion block is located at the maximum uphole expansion position along the longitudinal axis of the assembly.
Example 7 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-6, wherein the expansion block is located at a maximum downhole expansion position when the pin abuts one or more of the retractor pin slot downhole end or the body pin slot downhole end.
Example 8 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-7, wherein the latch ear is in the extended position relative to the body sidewall when the expansion block is located at the maximum downhole expansion position along the longitudinal axis of the assembly.
Example 9 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-8, wherein the latch ear comprises: a latch ear body; a latch pivot hole disposed through the latch ear body; a latch ear radial extension, wherein the latch ear radial extension extends substantially radially outward relative to the body sidewall; and a latch ear expansion interface leg.
Example 10 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-9, wherein the latch ear radial extension is located at a latch downhole end of the latch ear, wherein the latch downhole end corresponds with the downhole end of the assembly; and wherein the latch ear expansion interface leg is located at a latch uphole end of the latch ear, wherein the latch uphole end is located opposite to the latch downhole end.
Example 11 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-10, wherein the retractor case is configured to engage with a tube to lift the assembly upward out of a hole formed in the substrate; and wherein the latch ear radial extension interfaces with an interior surface of the tube when the assembly is installed within the tube.
Example 12 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-11, wherein the body further comprises: a latch channel disposed within the body sidewall, wherein the latch channel is configured to receive the latch ear body; and a body pivot hole disposed within the body sidewall; wherein the latch pivot hole aligns with the body pivot hole when the latch ear body is disposed within the latch channel; and wherein a latch axis of rotation is formed at the aligned body pivot hole and latch pivot hole such that the latch ear rotates about the latch axis of rotation when the latch ear body is disposed within the latch channel.
Example 13 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-12, wherein the expansion block comprises an expansion body that comprises a polygonal geometry; wherein the polygonal geometry comprises at least one exterior interface angle that is less than 45 degrees; and wherein the exterior interface angle is configured to interface with the latch ear expansion interface leg.
Example 14 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-13, wherein latch ear comprises an interface angle defined by a first angle arm extending along a surface of the latch ear body, and a second angle arm extending along a surface of the latch ear expansion interface leg; and wherein the interface angle is greater than 90 degrees.
Example 15 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-14, wherein a sum of the exterior interface angle of the expansion block and the interface angle of the latch ear is equal to about 180 degrees.
Example 16 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-15, further comprising a fluid retention piston coupled to the expansion block.
Example 17 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-16, wherein the assembly comprises two latch ears; wherein each of the two latch ears is coupled to the body and extends outward relative to the body sidewall; and wherein the two latch ears are positioned on the body sidewall that the two latch ears are diametrically opposed to one another.
Example 18 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-17, wherein the expansion block comprises a surface that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the assembly.
Example 19 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-18, wherein the latch ear comprises a latching surface; wherein, in response to the latch ear being disposed in the extended position, the latching surface of the latch ear forms an interference fit with an interior surface of a tube when the assembly is disposed within the tube for performing the drilling operation; and wherein, in response to the latch ear being disposed in the retracted position, the latching surface of the latch ear is radially narrow sufficient to avoid contacting the interior surface of the tube when the assembly is disposed within the tube.
Example 20 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-19, wherein the latch ear is rotatably coupled to the body at a pivot point, and wherein the pivot point is located at substantially a center of a length of the latch ear.
Example 21 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-20, wherein the assembly includes a body comprising a sidewall, wherein the sidewall defines a hollow interior comprising a fluid chamber, and wherein the hollow interior is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the assembly. The assembly includes a fluid retention piston disposed within the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid retention piston comprises a fluid port enabling a fluid to pass through the fluid retention piston. The assembly includes a valve assembly disposed within the fluid retention piston, wherein the valve assembly comprises: a valve bushing comprising a sidewall that defines a bushing interior space; a valve ball; and a valve spring. The assembly is such that the valve assembly is in a closed configuration when the valve ball is at least partially disposed within the bushing interior space and prevents fluid from flowing through the bushing interior space.
Example 22 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-21, wherein the assembly comprises an uphole end and a downhole end that is located opposite to the uphole end; wherein the downhole end is located deeper in the substrate when at least a portion of the assembly is disposed within the substrate to perform the drilling operation; and wherein the spring is located nearer the downhole end relative to the ball.
Example 23 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-22, wherein the valve assembly is in an open configuration when the fluid is permitted to flow through the bushing interior space.
Example 24 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-23, wherein the valve spring is located nearer the downhole end relative to the valve bushing and the valve ball.
Example 25 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-24, wherein the valve ball is located nearer the downhole end relative to the valve bushing when the valve assembly is in the open configuration.
Example 26 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-25, wherein the valve ball is disposed within the bushing interior space when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration.
Example 27 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-26, wherein the valve bushing comprises an interior bushing diameter defined as a diameter of the bushing interior space; wherein the valve ball comprises a ball diameter; and wherein the interior bushing diameter is substantially equivalent to the ball diameter such that the fluid is prevented from flowing through the bushing interior space when the valve ball is disposed within the valve bushing.
Example 28 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-27, wherein a maximum volumetric flow rate through the fluid chamber is adjusted by opening or closing the valve assembly.
Example 29 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-28, wherein the valve assembly transitions from the closed configuration into an open configuration in response to the valve ball experiencing an external force that exceeds a valve threshold force; and wherein the external force moves from the uphole end of the assembly toward the downhole end of the assembly.
Example 30 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-29, wherein the valve assembly transitions from the closed configuration into the open configuration in response to the valve ball moving from being at least partially disposed within the bushing interior space, to being located nearer the downhole end of the assembly relative to the valve bushing; and wherein the valve ball is disposed in between the valve spring and the valve bushing when the valve assembly is in the open configuration.
Example 31 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-30, wherein the valve ball comprises a ball diameter; and wherein the valve threshold force is substantially equivalent to a magnitude of force required to compress the valve spring a compression distance that is substantially equal to the ball diameter.
Example 32 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-31, wherein a restoring force applied by the valve spring on the valve ball urges the valve ball toward the uphole end of the assembly; and wherein the valve assembly transitions from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to the restoring force applied by the valve spring on the valve ball exceeding the external force applied on the valve ball.
Example 33 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-32, wherein the external force comprises pressurized fluid pumped into the assembly from the uphole end toward the downhole end.
Example 34 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-33, wherein the fluid flows through the fluid chamber with laminar flow.
Example 35 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-34, wherein the body comprises: an upper body comprising an upper sidewall defining a substantially cylindrical geometry, wherein the upper sidewall defines an upper hollow interior; one or more upper body ports disposed within the upper sidewall, wherein the one or more upper body ports permit the fluid to pass into and out of the upper hollow interior; a lower body comprising a lower sidewall defining a substantially cylindrical geometry, wherein the lower sidewall defines a lower hollow interior; and one or more lower body ports disposed within the lower sidewall, wherein the one or more lower body ports permit the fluid to pass into and out of the lower hollow interior.
Example 36 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-35, wherein at least a portion of the upper sidewall is overlapped with at least a portion of the lower sidewall to form the fluid chamber of the body; and wherein the fluid passes into and out of the fluid chamber through one or more of: the one or more upper body ports; or the one or more lower body ports.
Example 37 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-36, wherein at least a portion of the upper sidewall is overlapped with at least a portion of the lower sidewall to form the fluid chamber of the body; and wherein the fluid enters and exits the assembly through the fluid port of the fluid retention piston, and further through one or more of the one or more upper body ports or the one or more lower body ports.
Example 38 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-37, further comprising: a fluid retention shaft; and a fluid retention cage attached to the fluid retention shaft, wherein the fluid retention cage comprises a plurality of fluid cage ports enabling the fluid to pass into and out of the fluid retention cage; wherein the fluid retention cage is located nearer the downhole end of the assembly relative to the fluid retention shaft.
Example 39 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-38, wherein the fluid retention piston comprises a cylindrical piston body comprising a piston diameter; wherein the piston diameter of the cylindrical piston body is greater than a cage diameter of the fluid retention cage; wherein the cylindrical piston body is configured to receive the fluid retention cage.
Example 40 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-39, wherein a position of the valve ball along a longitudinal axis of the assembly indicates whether the valve assembly is in the closed configuration or is in an open configuration; wherein the valve assembly is in the closed configuration when the valve ball forms a fluid-tight fit against an interior wall of the valve bushing, such that the fluid is prevented from passing through the bushing interior space; and wherein the valve assembly is in the open configuration when the valve ball is located in between the valve spring and the valve bushing, such that the fluid is permitted to flow through the bushing interior space, around the valve ball, and through the fluid port.
Example 41 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-40, wherein a restoring force applied by the valve spring on the valve ball causes the valve assembly to transition from an open configuration to the closed configuration.
Example 42 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-41, wherein the assembly includes a tube cap piston comprising a threaded recess. The assembly includes a viscosity adjustment screw coupled to the tube cap piston, wherein a threaded portion of the viscosity adjustment screw is screwed into the threaded recess of the tube cap piston. The assembly includes a tube cap comprising a tube cap sidewall, wherein the tube cap further comprises a tube cap port disposed within the tube cap sidewall. The assembly is such that the tube cap piston and the viscosity adjustment screw are disposed within a hollow interior space defined by the tube cap sidewall. The assembly is such that a fluid passageway is formed in between the tube cap port and an exterior surface of the tube cap piston. The assembly is such that the threaded portion of the viscosity adjustment screw is threaded into or out of the threaded recess of the tube cap piston to adjust a size of the fluid passageway.
Example 43 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-42, further comprising a terminating tube cap located at a downhole end of the assembly; wherein the downhole end of the assembly is located deeper in the substrate when at least a portion of the assembly is disposed within the substrate to perform the drilling operation; and wherein a uphole end of the assembly is located opposite to the downhole end of the assembly.
Example 44 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-43, wherein the tube cap further comprises a viscosity wall disposed within the hollow interior space defined by the tube cap sidewall; wherein the viscosity adjustment screw comprises the threaded portion and further comprises a head portion; and wherein the head portion interfaces with the viscosity adjustment wall.
Example 45 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-44, wherein the tube cap piston comprises larger diameter body located nearer the uphole end of the assembly; and wherein the tube cap piston comprises a smaller diameter body located neared the downhole end of the assembly.
Example 46 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-45, wherein the tube cap piston further comprises: a larger diameter face located at the uphole end of the tube cap piston; and a smaller diameter face located at the downhole end of the tube cap piston.
Example 47 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-46, wherein a diameter of the larger diameter body is greater than a diameter of the larger diameter face; and wherein the tube cap piston comprises a chamfered edge extending from an edge of the larger diameter body to an edge of the larger diameter face.
Example 48 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-47, wherein a diameter of the smaller diameter body is greater than a diameter of the smaller diameter face; and wherein the tube cap piston comprises a chamfered edge extending from an edge of the smaller diameter body to an edge of the smaller diameter face.
Example 49 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-48, wherein the tube cap piston comprises a piston chamfered edge configured to form an interference fit with a corresponding chamfered edge of the tube cap.
Example 50 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-49, wherein partially unscrewing the threaded portion from the threaded recess of the tube cap piston increases the size of the fluid passageway; and wherein increasing the size of the fluid passageway enables higher viscosity fluids to flow through the fluid passageway.
Example 51 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-50, wherein screwing the threaded portion further into the threaded recess of the tube cap piston decreases the size of the fluid passageway; and wherein decreasing the size of the fluid passageway prevents higher viscosity fluids from flowing through the fluid passageway.
Example 52 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-51, wherein the fluid passageway permits fluids comprising a flow rate from about one quart per 28 seconds, to about one quart per 100 seconds, to pass through the fluid passageway when the threaded portion of the viscosity adjustment screw is fully threaded into the threaded recess of the tube cap piston.
Example 53 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-52, wherein a maximum fluid viscosity permitted to pass through the fluid passageway is a flow rate of up to about one quart per 65 seconds.
Example 54 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-53, further comprising a spindle; wherein the spindle comprises a shock absorption spring; and wherein the shock absorption spring is disposed within the hollow interior space defined by the tube cap sidewall.
Example 55 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-54, wherein the shock absorption spring prevents or mitigates damage to the assembly when one or more of: the assembly is lowered into the substrate and contacts a core barrel; or an overshot is lowered into the substrate and contacts a retractor case of the assembly.
Example 56 is an assembly as in any of Examples 1-55, wherein the tube cap piston is exchangeable, and wherein the size of the fluid passageway is further adjustable based on a size of the tube cap piston.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6739398 | Yokley | May 2004 | B1 |
| 7117940 | Campo | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7520336 | Mondelli | Apr 2009 | B2 |
| 9810025 | Mageren | Nov 2017 | B2 |
| 10865612 | Elfar | Dec 2020 | B2 |
| 10995582 | Petrie | May 2021 | B2 |
| 11261696 | Royer | Mar 2022 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63549196 | Feb 2024 | US |
