Modular core orientation system

Abstract

A core sample orientation system ( 10 ) comprising a first portion ( 11 ) and a second portion ( 12 ). The first portion ( 11 ) comprises a downhole unit adapted to be connected to a core tube of a core drill, and the second portion ( 12 ) comprises a control unit. The downhole unit ( 11 ) is adapted for cooperation with a core tube for recording data relating to the orientation of the core tube, and the control unit ( 12 ) is adapted to cooperate with the downhole unit to receive and process orientation data from the downhole unit and provide an indication of the orientation of a core sample within the core tube at a time prior to separation of the core sample from the underground environment from which it was obtained. The downhole unit ( 11 ) is configured to cooperate with the control unit ( 12 ) to establish an operative connection therebetween. More particularly, the downhole unit ( 11 ) and the control unit ( 12 ) are configured to provide a coupling ( 23 ) for releasably connecting them together in a manner allowing selective rotation therebetween. The coupling ( 23 ) comprises a combination of magnetic coupling and mechanical coupling.

1 . A core orientation system comprising a first portion adapted for cooperation with a core tube for recording data relating to the orientation of the core tube, and a second portion adapted to cooperate with the first portion to receive and process orientation data from the first portion and provide an indication of the orientation of a core sample within the core tube at a time prior to separation of the core sample from the underground environment from which it was obtained, the first and second portions being adapted for cooperation in a manner allowing selective rotation therebetween. 
     
     
         2 . The core orientation system according to  claim 1  wherein the first portion is adapted for cooperation with a core tube by being adapted for connection to the core tube for rotational movement in unison therewith. 
     
     
         3 . The core orientation system according to  claim 2  wherein first portion is adapted for direct connection with the core tube. 
     
     
         4 . The core orientation system according to  claim 3  wherein first portion is adapted to be accommodated within a housing adapted for connection to the core tube. 
     
     
         5 . The core orientation system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling for releasably coupling the two portions together. 
     
     
         6 . The core orientation system according to  claim 5  wherein the coupling is so configured that the second portion can dock onto the first portion. 
     
     
         7 . The core orientation system according to  claim 5  wherein the coupling is configured to allow selective rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion. 
     
     
         8 . The core orientation system according to  claim 5 , wherein the coupling comprises a mechanical coupling. 
     
     
         9 . The core orientation system according to  claim 5  wherein the coupling comprises a magnetic coupling. 
     
     
         10 . The core orientation system according to  claim 5  wherein the coupling comprises a combination of magnetic coupling and mechanical coupling. 
     
     
         11 . The core orientation system according to  claim 8 , wherein the mechanical coupling comprises a spigot formation associated with one of the two portions and a corresponding socket formation associated with the other of the two portions for providing alignment between the two portions when the spigot formation is received within the socket formation. 
     
     
         12 . The core orientation system according to  claim 11  wherein the magnetic coupling comprises an attractive force between the two portions for biasing the spigot formation and the socket formation into engagement. 
     
     
         13 . The core orientation system according to  claim 11  wherein the spigot formation is provided on the second portion and the corresponding socket formation may be associated with the first portion. 
     
     
         14 . The core orientation system according to  claim 13  wherein the corresponding socket formation is provided in the first portion. 
     
     
         15 . The core orientation system according to  claim 13  wherein the corresponding socket formation is provided in a member associated with the first portion. 
     
     
         16 . The core orientation system according to  claim 15  wherein the member comprises a housing accommodating the first portion. 
     
     
         17 . The core orientation system according  claim 16  wherein the housing at least two parts adapted for connection together and selectively separable to provide access to the first portion accommodated therein. 
     
     
         18 . The core orientation system according to  claim 1  wherein orientation data is transmitted from the first portion to the second portion by wireless communication. 
     
     
         19 . The core orientation system according to  claim 1  wherein the first portion comprises a downhole unit and the second portion comprises a control unit. 
     
     
         20 . A core orientation system comprising a first portion for recording orientation data and a second portion adapted to cooperate with the first portion to receive and process orientation data from the first portion, the first and second portions being adapted for cooperation in a manner allowing selective rotation therebetween. 
     
     
         21 . A survey tool system comprising a housing and a core orientation system, wherein the core orientation system comprises a first portion for recording data relating to the orientation of a core sample, and a second portion adapted to cooperate with the first portion to receive and process orientation data from the first portion and provide an indication of the orientation of the core sample at a time prior to separation of the core sample from the underground environment from which it was obtained, the first portion being contained within the housing, the housing comprising at least two parts adapted for connection together and selectively separable to permit the second portion to access the first portion for cooperation therebetween. 
     
     
         22 . A survey tool system comprising a housing, a downhole unit for recording data relating to the orientation of a core sample, and a control unit adapted to cooperate with the downhole unit to receive and process orientation data from the downhole unit and provide an indication of the orientation of the core sample at a time prior to separation of the core sample from the underground environment from which it was obtained, the downhole unit being contained within the housing, the housing comprising at least two parts adapted for connection together and selectively separable to permit the control unit to access the downhole for cooperation therebetween. 
     
     
         23 . A method of providing an indication of the orientation of a core sample relative to a body of material from which the core sample has been extracted, the method being performed using an orientation system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         24 . A method of providing an indication of the orientation of a core sample relative to a body of material from which the core sample has been extracted, the method being performed using an tool survey system according to  claim 21 . 
     
     
         25 .- 26 . (canceled)