Patent ID: 9151129
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A core barrel assembly for retrieving a core sample, said core barrel assembly being insertable in an outer tube part of a drill string and defining an outer tube passageway extending substantially longitudinally therethrough, said outer tube defining a recess extending substantially radially outwardly into said outer tube from said outer tube passageway, said core barrel assembly being usable with a fluid, said core barrel assembly comprising: a core retrieving element defining an inner tube for retrieving said core sample thereinto; a locking assembly for locking said core retrieving assembly inside said outer tube by latching to said recess, said locking assembly being mechanically coupled to said core retrieving element, said locking assembly including a valve assembly mechanically coupled to said locking assembly and provided proximally relative thereto, said valve assembly including a valve body defining a valve body proximal end and a substantially longitudinally opposed valve body distal end, said valve body also defining a fluid flow passageway extending longitudinally in said valve body, said valve body also defining an inlet and an outlet both in fluid communication with said fluid flow passageway, said inlet being provided proximally relative to said outlet, said valve body being movable substantially longitudinally relative to said locking assembly body between a valve body proximal position and a valve body distal position, said valve body and said locking assembly body being distanced from each other to a greater extent in said valve body proximal position than in said valve body distal position, said valve body including a seal provided outside of said fluid flow passageway between said inlet and said outlet for preventing flow of said fluid outside of said valve when said core barrel assembly is inserted in said outer tube, said valve assembly also including a valve element movable relative to said valve body between a closing position and an opening position, wherein, in said closing position, said valve element substantially obstructs said fluid flow passageway to prevent a substantial flow of said fluid therethrough, and, in said opening position, said valve element is at least partially retracted from said fluid flow passageway to allow a flow of said fluid therethrough; said core barrel assembly being operable between a lowering configuration, a locked configuration and a retrieving configuration, wherein whereby