Core sample orientation

Abstract

A core orientation device ( 10 ) for a core drill ( 12 ). The device ( 10 ) includes an arrangement ( 14 ) for providing signals ( 16 ) associated with a physical orientation ( 18 ) of the core orientation device ( 10 ). Processing means ( 22 ) are provided for processing the signals ( 16 ) so as to provide processed data ( 23 ) from which a measure ( 24 ) of the physical orientation ( 18 ) of the core orientation device ( 10 ) can be established. The measure ( 24 ) is associated with the physical orientation ( 18 ) of the device ( 10 ) at a particular moment in time. A memory ( 26 ) is coupled to the processing means 22 for storing the processed data 23. To this end there is provided an interface means ( 27 ) including first means ( 28 ) for storing the processed data ( 23 ) in the memory ( 26 ) and second means ( 30 ) for accessing the memory ( 26 ) to provide the measure ( 24 ) of the physical orientation ( 18 ) of core orientation device ( 10 ) when required.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
         1 . A core orientation device for a core drill, the device comprising: an arrangement for providing signals associated with a physical orientation of the core orientation device; processing means for processing the signals provided by the arrangement so as to provide processed data from which a measure of the physical orientation of the core orientation device can be established, the measure being associated with the physical orientation of the device at a particular moment in time; memory for storing the processed data; and interface means having first means for storing the processed data in the memory and second means for accessing the memory to provide the measure of the physical orientation of core orientation device when required. 
     
     
         2 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the physical orientation of the core orientation device comprises a rotational orientation about a longitudinal axis of the core orientation device. 
     
     
         3 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1  the physical orientation of the core orientation device comprises an angular orientation of the longitudinal axis above or below the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         4 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement for providing signals comprises triaxial accelerometer means. 
     
     
         5 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the core orientation device includes means for relating the measure of the orientation of the core orientation device with the present orientation thereof such that the core orientation device can be rotated to reflect the measure of the orientation of the core orientation device. 
     
     
         6 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the core orientation device includes input means for inputting the particular moment in time into the processing means and display means for subsequently displaying the measure of the physical orientation of the device, the measure being associated with the inputted moment in time. 
     
     
         7 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the core orientation device is cylindrical and one end of the core orientation device includes the display and input means in the form of a LCD display and keypad. 
     
     
         8 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the core orientation device has a body in the form of a housing having at least one threaded end for being engaged by an inner tube assembly of the core drill. 
     
     
         9 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein, when engaged by the inner tub assembly, the core orientation device forms a length of the inner tube assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the processing means includes a timer configured for ensuring that the processing means processes signals from the arrangement over predetermined time intervals. 
     
     
         11 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the processor means includes integration means for integrating signals from the arrangement over a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         12 . A core orientation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the processor means includes timer means for determining predetermined intervals relative to a reference time, and means for storing the processed data in the memory upon each of the predetermined intervals terminating. 
     
     
         13 . A core drill having a core orientation device comprising: an arrangement for providing signals associated with a rotational orientation of the core orientation device; processing means for processing the signals provided by the arrangement so as to provide processed data from which a measure of the rotational orientation of the core orientation device can be established, the measure being associated with the rotational orientation of the device at a particular moment in time; memory for storing the processed data; and interface means having first means for storing the processed data in the memory and second means for accessing the memory to provide the measure of the rotational orientation of core orientation device when required; wherein the core drill comprises: means for maintaining knowledge of the relative rotational orientation of a core drilled by the core drill and the core orientation device such that a measure of the rotational orientation of the core can be established using the measure of the rotational orientation of the core orientation device. 
     
     
         14 . A core drill as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the means for maintaining knowledge of the relative rotational orientation of the core drilled by the core drill comprises a mechanism for preventing rotational movement about the length of the core sample, relative to the core orientation device. 
     
     
         15 . A core drill as claimed in  claim 13  including means for relating the measure of the orientation of the core orientation device with the present orientation thereof such that the core orientation device can be rotated to reflect the measure of the orientation of the core orientation device. 
     
     
         16 . A core drill as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the core drill includes an outer tube assembly and an inner tube assembly with the inner tube assembly having a means for accommodating the core orientation device along the length of the inner tube assembly. 
     
     
         17 . A core drill as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the inner tube assembly includes a bearing allowing the means for accommodating the core orientation device to rotate relative to the outer tuber assembly but not relative to the core sample when the core is received by the inner tube assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A core drill as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the core orientation device is cylindrical and one end of the core orientation device includes display and input means in the form of a LCD display and keypad, the end of the core orientation device being protected by the inner tube assembly when accommodated. 
     
     
         19 . A core drill as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the outer tube assembly includes a spacer for allowing the inner tube assembly to be fitted with the outer tube assembly when the core orientation device is accommodated. 
     
     
         20 . A method of obtaining and orientating a core sample comprising: moving a core drill having a core orientation device from a first location to a drilling location and thereafter operating the core drill to drill a core sample; generating signals associated with a physical orientation of the core orientation device between the first location and the drilling location; processing the signals to provide processed data from which a measure of orientation of the core orientation device at the drilling location can be established; and storing the processed data in memory such that the measure of the physical orientation of the core orientation device can be obtained therefrom.