Core barrel sonic latch mechanism and methods of sonic drilling using the same

A drilling assembly, comprising:

• an outer casing extending about a longitudinal axis, the outer casing including a radially outward extending groove and a radially inward extending ridge;
• and
• a head assembly configured to be positioned within the outer casing, the head assembly including:
• a body,
• a lip,
• a spearhead operatively associated with the body and configured to translate axially relative to the body, and
• a plurality of latches operatively associated with the spearhead and the body, the plurality of latches being configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body in response to axial translation of the spearhead relative to the body, the plurality of latches including upper and lower surfaces extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
• wherein when the plurality of latches are in an extended position and secured to the outer casing:
• the upper and lower surfaces of the plurality of latches extend into the groove of the outer casing,
• the plurality of latches covers more than 25% of the circumference of the body adjacent the plurality of latches to secure the head assembly in place relative to the outer casing,
• the plurality of latches engage the outer casing and prevent the head assembly from moving axially upward and axially downward relative to the outer casing, and
• the lip is seated against the ridge.

A drilling system, comprising:

• an outer casing;
• a sonic drill head configured to transmit vibratory forces to the outer casing;
• and
• a head assembly having a longitudinal axis and configured to be positioned within the outer casing, the head assembly comprising:
• a body having an inner surface and a connector portion, the inner surface of the body defining a central channel and a receiving opening in communication with the central channel, the receiving opening being axially opposed from the connector portion, the connector portion configured for engagement with a core barrel assembly,
• a spearhead having a frustoconical point, an opposed bit end, and an elongate shaft extending between the frustoconical point and the bit end, at least a portion of the elongate shaft of the spearhead being positioned within the central channel of the body, the frustoconical point of the spearhead being positioned external to the body and configured for engagement with a wireline assembly, the spearhead being operatively associated with the body and configured to translate axially relative to the body, and
• a plurality of latches operatively associated with the spearhead and the body and being positioned proximate the receiving opening of the body, the latches being configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body in response to axial translation of the spearhead relative to the body;
• a spring operatively associated with the spearhead, the spring being positioned within the central channel of the body such that at least a portion of the elongate shaft of the spearhead is ositioned within the spring, wherein the spring axially biases the spearhead toward the connector portion of the body along the longitudinal axis of the head assembly to oppose axial movement of the spearhead away from the connector portion of the body along the longitudinal axis;
• wherein in an extended position,
• the plurality of latches cover more than 25% of the circumference of the body adjacent the latches to secure the head assembly in place relative to the outer casing;
• and
• the plurality of latches engage the outer casing and prevent the head assembly from moving axially upward and axially downward relative to the outer casing when the outer casing is subjected to sonic vibratory forces by the sonic drill head.

A method of drilling, comprising:

• tripping a core barrel assembly into a casing until a lip of the core barrel assembly seats on a radially inward extending ridge of an outer casing, the outer casing extending along a longitudinal axis;
• engaging a latching mechanism into a radially outwardly extending groove in the outer casing by translating a plurality of latches of the latching mechanism radially outward such that the core barrel assembly is secured to the outer casing axially, wherein the plurality of latches comprise upper and lower surfaces extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the outer casing, wherein the plurality of latches engage the outer casing and prevent the head assembly from moving axially upward and axially downward relative to the outer casing, wherein when the plurality of latches engage the outer casing, the upper and lower surfaces of the plurality of latches extend into the groove of the outer casing, and wherein the plurality of latches of the latching mechanism occupy at least about 25% of the circumference of the core barrel assembly;
• and
• drilling using a sonic drilling process.

A head assembly, comprising:

• a body;
• a spearhead operatively associated with the body and configured to translate axially relative to the body;
• at least two latches operatively associated with the spearhead and the body, the at least two latches being configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body in response to axial translation of the spearhead relative to the body, wherein in an extended position, the at least two latches cover more than 25% of the circumference of the body adjacent the latches;
• at least one guide rail coupled to the spearhead, the guide rail having at least one cammed surface formed thereon;
• and
• at least one follower coupled to each latch of the at least two latches;
• wherein each follower is configured to move a latch from the extended position while each follower is in communication with the cammed surface to the retracted position when each follower is not in communication with the cammed surface.