Apparatus for lowering and retrieving a core barrel

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator means includes an actuator element that is positioned to slide upon said main body and means on said actuator element for gripping a section of said seal element.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said seal element is a flexible ring positioned around said main body and held at one point by said means for gripping a section of said seal element.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said flexible ring has a central opening with a diameter larger than the external diameter of said main body.

Claim 6

In a system for obtaining a core sample of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole wherein a hollow drill string and a coring bit, connected to the lower end of the drill string, extend into the borehole and a core barrel for collecting the core sample is moved through the drill string into coring position adjacent the coring bit, apparatus for withdrawing the core barrel from coring position within the drill string, comprising: a main body adapted to fit within and be transported through the drill string; a line connected to said main body; a seal element adapted to fit on said main body and form a fluid seal with the drill string; engaging means on said main body for connecting the core barrel to the main body; and movable actuator means slidable relative to said main body for adjusting said seal element so that it does not form a fluid seal with the drill string when the engaging means have connected the core barrel to the main body, said movable actuator means including means for gripping a section of said seal element.

Claim 7

In a system for obtaining a core sample of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole wherein a hollow drill string and a coring bit, connected to the lower end of the drill string, extend into the borehole and a core barrel for collecting the core sample is moved through the drill string into coring position adjacent the coring bit, apparatus for withdrawing the core barrel from coring position within the drill string, comprising: a main body adapted to fit within and be transported through the drill string; a line connected to said main body; a seal element adapted to fit on said main body and form a fluid seal with the drill string; engaging means on said main body for connecting the core barrel to the main body; and movable actuator means slidable relative to said main body for adjusting said seal element so that it does not form a fluid seal with the drill string when the engaging means have connected the core barrel to the main body, said movable actuator means including means for gripping a section of said seal element.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said movable actuator means includes an actuator element that is positioned to slide upon said main body and means on said actuator element for gripping a section of said seal element.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said seal element is a flexible ring positioned around said main body and held at one point by said means for gripping a section of said seal element.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flexible ring has a central opening with a diameter larger than the external diameter of said main body.

Claim 11

In a system for obtaining a core sample from an earth formation penetrated by a hollow drill string with a coring bit attached wherein a core barrel for collecting the core sample is moved through the drill string into coring position adjacent the coring bit, apparatus for moving the core barrel into coring position and for withdrawing the core barrel from the coring position, comprising: a main body; a line connected to said main body; an elongated spear point connected to said core barrel; seal means on said main body for forming a fluid seal with the drill string; movable actuator means slidable relative to said main body for adjusting said seal element so that it does not form a fluid seal with the drill string when the actuator means is contacted by said elongated spear point, said movable actuator means including means for gripping a portion of said seal means; and engaging means on said main body for gripping the spear point when the core barrel is being moved through the drill string and for releasing the core barrel when the core barrel is moved into coring position.

Claim 12

In a system for obtaining a core sample from an earth formation penetrated by a hollow drill string with a coring bit attached wherein a core barrel for collecting the core sample is moved through the drill string into coring position adjacent the coring bit, apparatus for moving the core barrel into coring position and for withdrawing the core barrel from the coring position, comprising: a main body; a line connected to said main body; an elongated spear point connected to said core barrel; seal means on said main body for forming a fluid seal with the drill string; movable actuator means slidable relative to said main body for adjusting said seal element so that it does not form a fluid seal with the drill string when the actuator means is contacted by said elongated spear point, said movable actuator means including means for gripping a portion of said seal means; and engaging means on said main body for gripping the spear point when the core barrel is being moved through the drill string and for releasing the core barrel when the core barrel is moved into coring position.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said seal means is a flexible ring positioned around said main body and held at one point by said means for gripping a portion of said seal means.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said movable actuator means includes an actuator element that is positioned to slide upon said main body and means on said actuator element for gripping a section of the flexible ring.