Patent ID: 9399898
Filing Date: 2016-07-26
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A core barrel head assembly configured to be removably received within a drill string, the drill string having a longitudinal axis, an outer tube, and an inner surface defining an annular groove, the core barrel head assembly comprising: a sleeve having a plurality of openings extending there through; a plurality of wedge members positioned at least partially within respective openings of the plurality of openings, the plurality of wedge members being unattached to the core barrel head assembly; a driving member having an outer surface defining a plurality of driving surfaces spaced circumferentially about the outer surface, the driving member being positioned at least partially within the sleeve, the driving member comprising at least one first groove extending therein, the at least one first groove being configured to receive and maintain the plurality of wedge members in a retracted position within the sleeve, wherein, within the at least one first groove, the plurality of wedge members are retained in the retracted position by a retention force; a biasing member configured apply a biasing force to bias the driving member against the plurality of wedge members; and a landing portion defining a landing shoulder, the landing shoulder configured for frictional engagement with a landing ring of the outer tube, wherein, during the frictional engagement between the landing shoulder and the landing ring of the outer tube, the core barrel head assembly is configured to rotate with the drill string, and wherein the rotation of the drill string is configured to produce a centrifugal force that overcomes the retention force, thereby causing the wedge members to extend radially outward of the sleeve into the annular groove in the inner surface of the drill string.