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US 9,328,608 B2Granted
Driven latch mechanism
AssigneeLongyear TM, Inc.
InventorsChristopher L. Drenth, George Iondov, George Ibrahim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Implementations include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.
Claims26
A core barrel head assembly, comprising:
- a sleeve;
- a latch body moveably coupled to the sleeve;
- a driving member positioned at least partially within the sleeve;
- a landing member positioned at least partially within the latch body;
- a plurality of wedge members positioned on the driving member, wherein axial movement of the driving member relative to the plurality of wedge members moves the plurality of wedge members radially relative to the sleeve between a latched position and a released position, wherein the plurality of wedge members rotationally and axially lock the core barrel head assembly relative to a drill string when in the latched position;
- and
- a plurality of braking elements positioned on the landing member, wherein axial movement of the landing member relative to the plurality of braking elements moves the plurality of braking elements radially relative to the latch body between a retracted position and an extended position.
4 more elements
A drilling system for retrieving a core sample, comprising:
- a drill rod including a first annular recess extending into an inner diameter of the drill rod;
- a core barrel assembly adapted to be inserted within the drill rod;
- and
- a driven latch mechanism positioned within the core barrel assembly, the driven latch mechanism comprising a driving member including a plurality of planar driving surfaces and a plurality of wedge members positioned on the plurality of planar driving surfaces;
- and
- a biasing member configured to bias the plurality of planar driving surfaces against the plurality of wedge members;
- wherein the axial displacement of the driving member relative to the plurality of wedge members moves the plurality of wedge members radially between a latched position and a released position, wherein, in the latched position, the plurality of wedge members are received within the first annular recess to axially lock the core barrel head assembly relative to the drill rod, and wherein when the plurality of wedge members are in the latched position, rotation of the drill rod causes the plurality of wedge members to rotationally lock the core barrel assembly relative to the drill rod.
4 more elements
A method of drilling comprising:
- inserting a core barrel assembly within a drill string, the core barrel assembly comprising a driven latch mechanism including a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of planar driving surfaces of a driving member;
- moving the core barrel assembly within the drill string to a drilling position;
- axially moving the driving member to deploy the plurality of wedge members from a released position to a latched position within an annular groove of the dril string, wherein deployment of the plurality of wedge members to the latched position axially locks the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string;
- deploying a plurality of braking elements into a second annular groove extending into the inner diameter of the drill string;
- and
- with the plurality of wedge members in the latched position, rotating the drill string to cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between the inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of planar driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string.
3 more elements
A core barrel head assembly, comprising:
- a sleeve;
- a latch body moveably coupled to the sleeve;
- a driving member positioned at least partially within the sleeve and having a plurality of generally planar driving surfaces;
- a landing member positioned at least partially within the latch body;
- a plurality of generally spherical wedge members positioned on the plurality of generally planar driving surfaces of the driving member, wherein axial movement of the driving member relative to the plurality of wedge members moves the plurality of wedge members radially relative to the sleeve between a latched position and a released position;
- and
- a plurality of braking elements positioned on the landing member, wherein axial movement of the landing member relative to the plurality of braking elements moves the plurality of braking elements radially relative to the latch body between a retracted position and an extended position.
4 more elements
A method of drilling comprising:
- inserting a core barrel assembly within a drill string, the core barrel assembly comprising a driven latch mechanism including a plurality of generally spherical wedge members positioned on a plurality of planar driving surfaces of a driving member;
- moving the core barrel assembly within the drill string to a drilling position;
- axially moving the driving member to deploy the plurality of wedge members from a released position to a latched position within an annular groove of the drill string;
- deploying a plurality of braking elements into a second annular groove extending into the inner diameter of the drill string;
- and
- with the plurality of wedge members in the latched position, rotating the drill string to cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between the inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of planar driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.