Detecting and measuring a coring sample

Abstract

Detecting and measuring the presence of a coring sample within a coring tool. These include moving a handling piston of the coring tool from a first position to a second position with respect to the coring tool, measuring a distance of the movement of the handling piston between the first position and the second position, comparing the measured distance with a predetermined distance, and determining if a coring sample is present within the coring tool based upon the comparison of the measured distance with the predetermined distance.

1 . A method to detect the presence of a coring sample within a coring tool, the method comprising:
 moving a handling piston of the coring tool from a first position to a second position with respect to the coring tool, the handling piston moving through a coring bit to the second position;   measuring the distance of the movement of the handling piston between the first position and the second position;   comparing the measured distance with a predetermined distance; and   determining if the coring sample is present within the coring tool based upon the comparison of the measured distance with the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, if determined the coring sample is present within the coring tool, the method further comprises:
 determining a length of the coring sample based upon the measured distance of the movement of the handling piston.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, if determined the coring sample is present within the coring tool, the method further comprises:
 disposing the coring sample within a storage area of the coring tool.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, if determined the coring sample is not present within the coring tool, the method further comprises:
 moving the handling piston from the second position to the first position with respect to the coring tool;   moving the coring bit from a second position to a first position with respect to the coring tool; and   re-drilling into a wall of the borehole with the coring bit of the coring tool.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 moving the coring bit from the first position to the second position with respect to the coring tool;   moving the handling piston of the coring tool from the first position to a third position with respect to the coring tool, the handling piston being at least partially disposed within the coring bit in the third position;   measuring a second distance of the movement of the handling piston between the first position and the third position; and   determining if a coring sample is present within the coring tool based upon the comparison of the second measured distance with the predetermined distance   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the comparing the measured distance with the predetermined distance comprises:
 subtracting the measured distance from the predetermined distance, thereby resulting in a differential distance between the measured distance and the predetermined distance; and   comparing the differential distance with a threshold value.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving the handling piston of the coring tool from the first position to the second position with respect to the coring tool comprises:
 moving the handling piston from the first position with respect to the coring tool;   measuring pressure upon the handling piston with a pressure sensor; and   stopping movement of the handling piston when the measured pressure upon the handling piston is more than a predetermined pressure;   wherein the handling piston stops in movement at the second position with respect to the coring tool.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, when the handling piston moves from the first position to the second position with respect to the coring tool, the handling piston moves, at least partially, at a duty cycle less than about 100 percent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving a coring bit from a first position to a second position with respect to the coring tool comprises rotating the coring bit from a coring position to an ejection position with respect to the coring tool. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving the handling piston of the coring tool from the first position to the second position with respect to the coring tool comprises extending the handling piston of the coring tool from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to the coring tool. 
     
     
         11 . A method to drill within a borehole with a coring tool, the method comprising:
 drilling into a wall of the borehole with a coring bit of the coring tool, the coring bit disposed in a coring position with respect to the coring tool and the coring tool having an axis extending therethrough;   rotating the coring bit from the coring position to an ejection position with respect to the coring tool;   extending a handling piston of the coring tool from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to the coring tool;   measuring a distance of the movement of the handling piston between the retracted position and the extended position;   comparing the measured distance with a predetermined distance; and   determining if a coring sample is present within the coring tool based upon the comparison of the measured distance with the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, if determined the coring sample is present within the coring tool, the method further comprises:
 determining a length of the coring sample if determined the coring sample is present within the coring tool; and   storing the coring sample within a storage area of the coring tool if determined the coring sample is present within the coring tool.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the coring sample is disposed within a coring sample holder before disposing the coring sample within the storage area of the coring tool. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 retracting the handling piston from the extended position to the retracted position with respect to the coring tool;   rotating the coring bit from the ejection position to the coring position with respect to the coring tool; and   re-drilling into the wall of the borehole with the coring bit of the coring tool.   rotating the coring bit from the coring position to the ejection position with respect to the coring tool;   extending the handling piston of the coring tool from the retracted position to a second extended position with respect to the coring tool, the handling piston being at least partially disposed within the coring bit in the second extended position;   measuring a second distance of the movement of the handling piston between the retracted position and the second extended position;   comparing the second measured distance with the predetermined distance; and   determining if a second coring sample is present within the coring tool based upon the second comparison of the measured distance with the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, if determined the coring sample is not present within the coring tool, the method further comprises:
 re-drilling into the wall of the borehole with the coring bit of the coring tool if determined the coring sample is not present within the coring tool.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the handling piston stops in movement at the extended position when the pressure upon the handling piston is more than a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, when the handling piston extends from the first position to the second position with respect to the coring tool, the handling piston extends, at least partially, at a duty cycle less than about 100 percent. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the comparing the measured distance with the predetermined distance comprises:
 subtracting the measured distance from the predetermined distance, thereby resulting in a differential distance between the measured distance and the predetermined distance; and   comparing the differential distance with a threshold value.   
     
     
         19 . A method to detect the presence of a coring sample within a coring tool, the method comprising:
 moving a transporter of the coring tool from a first position to a second position with respect to a borehole;   measuring a distance of the movement of the transporter between the first position and the second position;   comparing the measured distance with a predetermined distance; and   determining if the coring sample is present within the coring tool based upon the comparison of the measured distance with the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the transporter comprises a handling piston. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 drilling into a wall of the borehole with a coring bit of the coring tool, the coring bit disposed in a first position with respect to the coring tool and the coring tool having an axis extending therethrough; and   moving the coring bit from the first position to a second position with respect to the coring tool.