Core drilling tools with external fluid pathways
View Patent ↗Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly including external fluid pathways extending generally axially long the outer surface of the core barrel assembly. The one or more external fluid pathways can allow for increased fluid flow around a latch mechanism. The increased fluid flow around the latch mechanism can allow the core barrel assembly to travel faster within the drill string, can allow drilling fluid to pass by the latch mechanism when engaged. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including external fluid pathways, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.
1. A latch body of a core barrel assembly, comprising:
a tubular body comprising a first member, a sleeve, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the first member being moveably coupled to the sleeve, wherein the tubular body is adapted to house a latch mechanism for securing the tubular body to a drill string;
at least two latch openings extending through the tubular body;
at least one fluid groove extending into the outer surface of the tubular body, wherein the at least one fluid groove extends axially along the outer surface of the tubular body;
a first fluid port extending through the tubular body, and
a driving member coupled to the first member, the driving member being configured to be received within the sleeve,
wherein the first fluid port is adapted to allow fluid to flow between the inner surface and the outer surface,
wherein the first fluid port is positioned proximate a first end of the tubular body, and
wherein at least one fluid groove intersects the first fluid port.
2. The latch body as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid groove is positioned between the at least two latch openings.
3. The latch body as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one groove extends along the entire length of the tubular body.
4. The latch body as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
a second fluid port extending through the tubular body;
wherein the second fluid port is adapted to allow fluid to flow between the inner surface and the outer surface; and
wherein the second fluid port is positioned proximate a second end of the tubular body, the second end being opposite the first end.
5. The latch body as recited in claim 4 , wherein at least one fluid groove intersects the first fluid port and the second fluid port.
6. The latch body as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least two latch openings each comprise a generally circular shape.
7. The latch body as recited in claim 6 , wherein the at least two latch openings comprise five latch openings.
8. The latch body as recited in claim 7 , wherein the at least one fluid groove comprises five fluid grooves equally circumferentially spaced about the tubular body.
9. A latch body of a core barrel assembly, comprising:
a tubular body comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a first member, and a sleeve, the first member being moveably coupled to the sleeve, the tubular body being adapted to house a latch mechanism for securing the tubular body to a drill string;
a driving member coupled to the first member, the driving member being configured to be received within the sleeve,
at least one fluid port extending through the tubular body, the at least one fluid port being adapted to allow fluid to flow between the inner surface and the outer surface; and
at least one fluid groove extending into the outer surface of the tubular body, wherein the at least one fluid groove extends axially along the outer surface of the tubular body and intersects the at least one fluid port,
wherein the at least one fluid groove extends axially along both the first member and the sleeve.
10. The latch body as recited in claim 9 , wherein the at least one fluid groove has a linear configuration.
11. The latch body as recited in claim 9 , wherein the at least one fluid port has a width between about five percent and thirty percent of a circumference of the tubular body.
12. The latch body as recited in claim 9 , wherein the at least one fluid port comprises:
a first fluid port positioned proximate a first end of the tubular body; and
a second fluid port positioned proximate a second end of the tubular body, the second end being opposite the first end.
13. The latch body as recited in claim 9 , wherein the at least one fluid groove comprises a plurality of fluid grooves circumferentially spaced about the tubular body.
14. A core barrel head assembly, comprising:
a latch body comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
a plurality of latch openings extending through the latch body;
a latch mechanism secured within the latch body, the latch mechanism comprising a plurality of latch members configured to move radially in and out of the plurality of latch openings; at least one fluid groove extending into the outer surface, the at least one fluid groove extending axially along the outer surface of the tubular body; and
a first fluid port extending through the latch body,
wherein the first fluid port is adapted to allow fluid to flow between the inner surface and the outer surface,
wherein the first fluid port is positioned proximate a first end of the tubular body, and
wherein at least one fluid groove intersects the first fluid port.
15. The core barrel head assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the latch members comprise generally spherical wedge members.
16. The core barrel head assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the at least one fluid groove is positioned between the adjacent latch openings of the plurality of latch openings.
17. The core barrel head assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the at least one fluid groove extends along the entire length of the latch body.
18. The core barrel head assembly as recited in claim 14 , further comprising:
a second fluid port extending through the latch body;
wherein the second fluid port is adapted to allow fluid to flow between the inner surface and the outer surface; and
wherein the second fluid port is positioned proximate a second end of the latch body, the second end being opposite the first end.
19. The core barrel head assembly as recited in claim 18 , wherein at least one fluid groove intersects the first fluid port and the second fluid port.
20. A drilling system for retrieving a core sample, comprising:
a drill string comprising a plurality of drill rods;
a core barrel assembly adapted to be inserted within the drill string, the core barrel assembly comprising:
a latch body;
a driven latch mechanism positioned within the latch body, the driven latch mechanism being configured to lock the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string;
a fluid port extending through the latch body; and
at least one fluid groove extending into an outer surface of the latch body, the at least one fluid groove extending axially along the outer surface of the tubular body, the at least one fluid groove intersecting the fluid port,
wherein the driven latch mechanism is adapted to rotationally and axially lock the core barrel assembly to the drill string.
21. The drilling system as recited in claim 20 , wherein at least one drill rod of the plurality of drill rods comprises an inner diameter that varies along the length of the at least one drill rod.
22. The drilling system as recited in claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of latch openings extending through the latch body.
23. The drilling system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the at least one fluid groove is positioned between adjacent latch openings of the plurality of latch openings.
24. A method of drilling, comprising:
using a drilling system as recited in claim 20 ;
inserting the core barrel assembly within the drill string;
sending the core barrel assembly along the drill string to a drilling position, whereby fluid flows in the at least one fluid groove from a first end of the latch body to a second end of the latch body, as the core barrel assembly travels along the drill string; and
rotating the drill string thereby causing the plurality of latch members to extend radially from the core barrel assembly into an annular groove of the drill string, thereby locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string.
25. The method as recited in claim 24 , further comprising:
lowering an overshot onto a spearhead of the core barrel assembly; and
pulling on the overshot to retract the core barrel assembly;
wherein the pulling moves the plurality of latch members into the core barrel assembly.
26. The method as recited in claim 24 , further comprising advancing the drill string into a formation thereby causing a portion of the formation to enter the core barrel assembly.