Patent GB-1475851-A (GB)
Title: Drilling and sampling/testing equipment
Inventor: WILKINS JOHN WILLIAM
IPC: E21B49/02
Filed: 1976-02-05
Abstract: 1475851 Earth testing apparatus TAYLOR WOODROW CONSTRUCTION Ltd and SELTRUST CONSTRUCTION Ltd [trading as TAYWOOD SELTRUST OFFSHORE] 5 Feb 1976 [6 Feb 1975] 5173/75 Heading G1S [Also in Division E1] Earth sampling and/or testing equipment includes a plurality of sample receivers and/or test units which are arranged to enter a borehole with a drill and which are moved in succession to a sampling/testing station for actuation by an operating mechanism which also controls the movement of the sample receivers and/or test units to and from the station. The equipment allows samples to be obtained or tests conducted at successive depths during the drilling of a borehole. The equipment disclosed is intended for use underwater and includes a drill head 3 which is reciprocable along a mast 2 by a chain drive 4 and which carries a motor 10 for rotating a hollow drive-shaft 1 supplied with air or water as drilling fluid. The shaft accommodates a coaxial cassette 15 indexed angularly in response to each upstroke of a ram 11 via a mechanical linkage 21-27 and a pawl and ratchet 28, 29 so that each of a set of core tubes 16 in the cassette is aligned in turn with the ram to be driven into the bottom of the hole by the next downstroke of the ram. The piston-rod 11A of the ram carried an overshot 43 which upon initial downward movement of the rod moves clear of a sleeve 47 and contracts above the top 38 of a valve head 36 in the core tube currently aligned with the ram. Continued downward movement of the rod depresses a slider 34 relative to the valve head 36 to permit detent balls 32 to shift clear of a recess in a core tube holder so that the core tube can accompany the rod as it completes its downstroke. As the rod is retracted, the detent balls automatically re-engage the holder and the overshot is caused to release the valve head as it enters sleeve 47. During the final part of the upstroke of the rod, the overshot abuts and raises a slidable collar 22 on the rod to cause the next angular advance of the cassette. A detent pin 31 engages the ratchet wheel 29 to prevent reverse rotation thereof. Actuation of the ram may be automic or remote controlled. One or more of the sample tubes may be replaced by a penetrometer, in which case the back pressure in the ram may provide an indication of the penetration resistance. In the Fig. 7 embodiment, the shaft 1 also accommodates a coaxial ram 58 whose piston is connected via one rod 58A to a penetrometer 61, 62 and via another rod to an instrument package 63. The rams 11, 58 are controlled by a sequencing valve 69 which upon receipt of an appropriate signal via conduits 68 initiates a downstroke of ram 58, a digital recording system in the instrument package then being energized by a switch 70 actuated by movement of the package away from plate 65. The recording system records signals from strain gauges in the penetrometer, and also records the position of the penetrometer as indicated by a potentiometer driven by a wheel 66 engaging a fixed chain 67. Once the back pressure in ram 58 reaches a selected level, valve 69 causes ram 11 to undergo a downstroke to collect a sample and then valve 69 retracts rams 58, 11 in sequence. The recording system is de-energized by switch 70 as ram 58 completes its upstroke. A plug 71 provides for transfer of data stored within the instrument package to a tape storage unit once the equipment is recovered.