Core barrel support system and methods of using same

Abstract

A core barrel support system for supporting at least one core barrel during removal of a core sample from the at least one core barrel. The core barrel support system includes an enclosure, a first core barrel holder secured to and positioned witin the enclosure and configured to receive a first core barrel, and a sonic vibrator positioned proximate the first core barrel holder. The sonic vibrator applies sonic energy to the core sample within each respective core barrel of the at least one core barrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A core barrel support system for supporting at least one core barrel during removal of a core sample from the at least one core barrel, the core barrel support system comprising:
 an enclosure;   a first core barrel holder secured to and positioned within the enclosure and configured to receive a first core barrel of the at least one core barrel; and   a sonic vibrator positioned proximate the first core barrel holder,   wherein the sonic vibrator is configured to apply sonic energy to the core sample within each respective core barrel of the at least one core barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The core barrel support system of claim I, wherein the sonic vibrator is positioned within the enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The core barrel support system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mount, wherein the mount is coupled to the enclosure and configured for secure attachment to a stationary object. 
     
     
         4 . The core barrel support system of  claim 3 , wherein the mount comprises a bracket that is configured for pivotal connection to a drill rod sloop. 
     
     
         5 . The core barrel support system of  claim 3 , wherein the enclosure is rotationally coupled to the mount. 
     
     
         6 . The core barrel support system of  claim 5 , wherein the enclosure defines opposed first and second openings, and wherein the first core barrel holder is mounted within the enclosure and positioned in communication with the opposed first and second openings of the enclosure to permit advancement of the core sample of the first core barrel through the first opening of the enclosure, through the first core barrel holder, and then through the second opening of the enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The core barrel support system of  claim 6 , further comprising a second core barrel holder, wherein the enclosure defines opposed third and fourth openings, and wherein the second core barrel holder is mounted within the enclosure and positioned in communication with the opposed third and fourth openings of the enclosure to permit advancement of the core sample of a second core barrel of the at least one core barrel through the third opening of the enclosure, through the second core barrel holder, and then through the fourth opening of the enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The core barrel support system of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second openings of the enclosure are aligned relative to a first alignment axis, wherein the third and fourth openings of the enclosure are aligned relative to a second alignment axis, and wherein the first and second alignment axes are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The core barrel support system of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one lateral support that securely couples the first core barrel holder to the second core barrel holder. 
     
     
         10 . The core barrel support system of  claim 5 , further comprising a coupling assembly that rotationally couples the enclosure to the mount, wherein the coupling assembly comprises:
 a first coupling member having a first end portion, an opposed second end portion, and a central portion positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion; and   a second coupling member defining a bore,   wherein the central portion of the first coupling member is positioned within the bore of the second coupling member, wherein the second coupling member is secured to the enclosure, wherein the second end portion of the first coupling member is secured to the mount, wherein the second coupling member is configured for rotation relative to the first coupling member, and wherein rotation of the second coupling member results in a corresponding rotation of the enclosure.   
     
     
         11 . The core barrel support system of  claim 10 , wherein the coupling assembly further comprises a locking pin, wherein the second coupling member defines an opening positioned in communication with the bore of the second coupling member, and wherein the opening is configured to receive the locking pin to permit engagement between the locking pin and the central portion of the first coupling member. 
     
     
         12 . The core barrel support system of  claim 11 , wherein the central portion of the first coupling member defines at least one opening that is configured to receive the locking pin. 
     
     
         13 . The core barrel support system of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling assembly further comprises a handle that is operatively coupled to the locking pin, and wherein movement of the handle is configured to effect selective advancement and retraction of the locking pin. 
     
     
         14 . The core barrel support system of  claim 1 , wherein the first core barrel holder has a longitudinal axis and comprises:
 a housing having a longitudinal length, a proximal surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the housing defining a proximal opening and a distal opening, the inner surface having a proximal portion and a distal landing portion and defining an interior space of the housing;   an inner sleeve having a longitudinal length, an outer surface, an inner surface, and a support portion, the inner sleeve defining a proximal opening and a distal opening, the inner surface of the inner sleeve defining an interior space of the inner sleeve, the support portion of the inner sleeve being positioned between the proximal and distal openings of the inner sleeve along the longitudinal length of the inner sleeve, the support portion extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the inner sleeve relative to the longitudinal axis of the core barrel holder and defining a proximal engagement surface, a distal engagement surface, and a plurality of bores radially spaced about the longitudinal axis of the core barrel holder, each bore of the plurality of bores extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the inner sleeve;   a plurality of support elements, each support element of the plurality of support elements being received within a respective bore of the plurality of bores of the support portion of the inner sleeve such that a portion of the support element projects inwardly from the inner surface of the inner sleeve;   a spring having a proximal end and a distal end; and   a cap having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a proximal lip portion and defining a proximal opening and a distal opening, the proximal lip portion extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the cap relative to the longitudinal axis of the core barrel holder, thereby defining an inner engagement surface,   wherein the inner sleeve is received through the proximal opening of the housing such that the support portion of the inner sleeve is positioned within the interior space of the housing, the spring is positioned such that the distal end of the spring engages the proximal engagement surface of the support portion of the inner sleeve, the outer surface of the cap engages the proximal portion of the inner surface of the housing, and the inner engagement surface of the lip portion engages the proximal end of the spring, and   wherein the proximal opening of the inner sleeve is configured to receive the core barrel, and, upon advancement of the core barrel through the interior space of the inner sleeve relative to the longitudinal axis of the core barrel holder, the distal engagement surface of the support portion of the inner sleeve is configured to engage the distal landing portion of the housing, and the plurality of support elements are configured to frictionally engage the core barrel within the interior space of the inner sleeve.   
     
     
         15 . The core barrel support system of  claim 5 , wherein the first core barrel holder has a longitudinal axis and comprises:
 a housing having a longitudinal length, a proximal surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the housing defining a proximal opening and a distal opening, the inner surface having a proximal portion and a distal landing portion and defining an interior space of the housing;   an inner sleeve having a longitudinal length, an outer surface, an inner surface, and a support portion, the inner sleeve defining a proximal opening and a distal opening, the inner surface of the inner sleeve defining an interior space of the inner sleeve, the support portion of the inner sleeve being positioned between the proximal and distal openings of the inner sleeve along the longitudinal length of the inner sleeve, the support portion extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the inner sleeve relative to the longitudinal axis of the core barrel holder and defining a proximal engagement surface, a distal engagement surface, and a plurality of bores radially spaced about the longitudinal axis of the core barrel holder, each bore of the plurality of bores extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the inner sleeve;   a plurality of support elements, each support element of the plurality of support elements being received within a respective bore of the plurality of bores of the support portion of the inner sleeve such that a portion of the support element projects inwardly from the inner surface of the inner sleeve;   a spring having a proximal end and a distal end; and   a cap having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a proximal lip portion and defining a proximal opening and a distal opening, the proximal lip portion extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the cap relative to the longitudinal axis of the core barrel holder, thereby defining an inner engagement surface,   wherein the inner sleeve is received through the proximal opening of the housing such that the support portion of the inner sleeve is positioned within the interior space of the housing, the spring is positioned such that the distal end of the spring engages the proximal engagement surface of the support portion of the inner sleeve, the outer surface of the cap engages the proximal portion of the inner surface of the housing, and the inner engagement surface of the lip portion engages the proximal end of the spring, and   wherein the proximal opening of the inner sleeve is configured to receive the core barrel, and, upon advancement of the core barrel through the interior space of the inner sleeve relative to the longitudinal axis of the core barrel holder, the distal engagement surface of the support portion of the inner sleeve is configured to engage the distal landing portion of the housing, and the plurality of support elements are configured to frictionally engage the core barrel within the interior space of the inner sleeve.   
     
     
         16 . A method of supporting a core barrel during removal of a core sample from the core barrel, the method comprising:
 receiving the core barrel within a core barrel holder; and   applying sonic energy to the core sample within the core barrel to promote movement of the core sample out of the core barrel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the core barrel holder is secured to and positioned within an enclosure, and wherein the sonic energy is applied by a sonic vibrator positioned proximate the core barrel holder. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the enclosure is coupled to a mount, and wherein the mount is securely attached to a stationary object. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the mount comprises a bracket that is pivotally connected to a drill rod sloop. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the enclosure is rotationally coupled to the mount. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising securing the core barrel holder in a desired angular orientation relative to a horizontal plane, wherein securing the core barrel holder in a desired angular orientation comprises rotating the enclosure, and wherein the desired angular orientation of the core barrel holder ranges from about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.