ERGONOMIC CORE DRILLING SYSTEM SHOE INTERFACE

Abstract

A shoe assembly of a core drilling system includes a lower tubular body threaded onto an upper shoe component, the shoe assembly in turn removably threaded on to an annular inner pipe integral to the earth core drilling system, the lower shoe having a torque pattern of two or more surface indentations or slots disposed strategically about the outer periphery thereof, the torque pattern matching a pattern of protrusive elements on a friction-breaking socket tool, wherein a worker may place the friction-breaking socket tool on or over the lower tubular body and use that tool to break the threaded interface between the upper shoe component and the inner pipe of the core drilling system and unscrew the shoe assembly from the inner pipe to remove an earth core sample from the inner tube pipe and to screw the shoe assembly back on to the inner tube pipe.

Claims

1. A shoe assembly of an earth core drilling system comprising: a lower tubular body having a first threaded connection to an inner tube pipe at one end, the inner tube pipe enabled to limit movement of at least one core retaining mechanism within the inner tube pipe, the inner tube pipe having a second threaded connection to an upper tubular body, the lower tubular body having a torque pattern of two or more surface indentions or slots disposed strategically about an outer periphery, the torque pattern matching a pattern of protrusive elements on a friction-breaking annular tool; wherein the friction-breaking annular tool is enabled to encompass the lower tubular body to break the second threaded connection and unthread the lower tubular body from the inner tube pipe, thereby removing an earth core sample from the core retaining mechanism, and to thread the lower tubular body back on to the inner tube pipe and the upper tubular body.

2. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein additional tubular bodies may be threaded together to form a shoe assembly which limits the motion of at least one core retaining device.

3. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the two or more surface indentations comprising the torque pattern are elongated slots parallel to one another and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lower tubular body, and wherein the friction breaking tool is a socket tool with a handle and the matching protrusions are elongated keys that fit into the slots.

4. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface indentations are blind seats linear in orientation, the torque pattern disposed orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the tubular assembly body around the periphery thereof, and wherein the friction-breaking tool is a crescent tool having matching protrusions on the inside of a crescent head, the crescent head having a handle.

5. The shoe assembly of claim 3, wherein the torque pattern includes five slots in a star pattern accepting a matching star pattern of five elongated keys arrayed about the inside of the socket tool.

6. The shoe assembly of claim 3, wherein the socket tool handle is a breaker bar handle.

7. The shoe assembly of claim 3, wherein the socket tool handle is a ratchet handle.

8. The shoe assembly of claim 3, wherein the friction breaking tool is a socket tool and the handle is replaced by a pneumatic system, an electric drive system, or a hydraulic drive system.

9. The shoe assembly of claim 3, wherein the slots extend at least partially on to the peripheral surface of additional tubular bodies in the shoe assembly of claim 2, the threaded interface designed to align the slot patterns when the components are fully threaded together.

10. A method of removing a core sample from an inner tube assembly including a lower tubular body having a first connection to an inner tube pipe, the lower tubular body enabled to limit movement of at least one core retaining mechanism within the shoe comprising the steps of: securing the inner tube pipe in a vice apparatus on a surface; placing a friction-breaking annular tool having a pattern of protrusive elements aligned to engage a torque pattern of two or more surface indentations or slots disposed strategically about an outer periphery of the lower tubular body; applying force to the friction-breaking annular tool to break the second threaded connection and unthread the lower tubular body from the inner tube pipe, thereby allowing for the removal of an earth core sample from the inner tube assembly; utilizing the friction-breaking annular tool to thread the lower tubular body back on to the inner tube pipe.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein additional tubular bodies are threaded together to form a shoe assembly which limits the motion of at least one core retaining device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the two or more surface indentations comprising the torque pattern are elongated slots parallel to one another and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lower tubular body, and wherein the friction breaking tool is a socket tool with a handle and the matching protrusions are elongated keys that fit into the slots.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the surface indentations are blind seats linear in orientation, the torque pattern disposed orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the tubular assembly body around the periphery thereof, and wherein the friction-breaking tool is a crescent tool having matching protrusions on the inside of a crescent head, the crescent head having a handle.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the torque pattern includes five slots in a star pattern accepting a matching star pattern of five elongated keys arrayed about the inside of the socket tool.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the socket tool handle is a breaker bar handlespec.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the socket tool handle is a ratchet handle.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the friction breaking tool is a socket tool and the handle is replaced by a pneumatic system, an electric drive system, or a hydraulic drive system.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the slots extend at least partially on to the peripheral surface of additional tubular bodies in the shoe assembly of claim 2, the threaded interface designed to align the slot patterns when the components are fully threaded together.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary core drill system according to prior art.

[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a lower shoe of a shoe assembly modified for ergonomic removal and replacement of the assembly relative to an inner pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a shoe assembly.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an end view of the lower shoe portion of the shoe assembly of FIG. 2B.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower shoe of the shoe assembly of FIG. 2B depicting core breaker apparatus.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a partial overhead view of a ratchet socket tool for breaking the shoe assembly/inner pipe interface and for tightening the shoe interface to the inner pipe.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an inner pipe with a shoe assembly in position for core sample removal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In various embodiments described in enabling detail herein, the inventor provides a unique system for removing and replacing the shoe assembly attached to an inner pipe of an earth core drilling apparatus. An object of the invention is to reduce the manual labor currently required to remove and replace the shoe assembly, thereby reducing the potential for injury to production bench workers performing the operation. The present invention is described using the following examples, which may describe more than one relevant embodiment falling within the scope of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary core drill system 100 according to prior art. Core drill system 100 includes a cylindrical core barrel 101 having a heavy coring bit 103, and an inner tube assemblyl02 designed to operate within core barrel 101 to slide over a stationary core and separate a core sample for retrieval and analysis. Core barrel 101 is cylindrical and somewhat larger in diameter than inner tube assembly 102 which is adapted to have an inside diameter that may slide over a stationary centered core sample produced by coring bit 103. Inner tube assembly 102 has an outside diameter somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of core barrel 101 to enable lowering of the inner tube assembly into the core barrel and retrieving the assembly back out of the barrel. Inner tube assembly 102 fits into core barrel 101 according to the direction of the depicted arrows. Inner tube assembly 102 latches inside core barrel 101 prior to the drilling process via latch system 104 and machined feature 117 and anchor points or landing ring 116.

[0026] Inner tube assembly 102 includes all of the components needed to slide down around a stationary core, and in conjunction with an upward relative force provided by the drilling rig to separate a measured section of that core, and retain the separated core sample section within the inner tube assembly. The inner tube assembly 102 can then be retrieved by wire line, using latch 115 for example, and an empty inner tube assembly 102 may then be attached to the drill equipment wire line and lowered back down into core barrel 101 to capture a next sample. The inner tube assembly 102 may include a latching head section 115 at the top interfacing with drill equipment suspending apparatus. Inner tube assembly 102 may include a bearing 105 connected to a lead-screw mechanism 114 on top, and to an inner tube pipe section 106. Lead-screw mechanism 114 may hold a landing-nut 109 which, after lowering the inner tube assembly into the core barrel, is suspended by the core barrel landing ring 116.

[0027] Inner tube pipe 106 may include a check valve 107, which may be a ball check valve. Inner tube assembly may further include a plastic pipe lining pipe 108 adapted with an outside diameter just smaller than the inside diameter of the inner tube pipe 106. The inside diameter of lining pipe 108 is just large enough to slide over a stationary core without excessive play. The inner tube assembly may further include a plastic pipe lining pipe 108 adapted with an outside diameter just smaller than the inside diameter of the inner tube pipe 106. Liner pipe 108 slides up into inner tube pipe 106.

[0028] Inner tube assembly 102 includes a lower shoe 112 in the shoe assembly, the lower shoe 112 hosting a core breaking apparatus 113 (not visible). Lower tubular body 112 may be somewhat larger in outside diameter than the upper shoe component 111. Outside diameters of shoe components 112 (lower shoe) and 111 (upper shoe) may vary according to a desired core diameter, which may range from one and one-half inches to several inches in diameter depending on system and operation. A shoe assembly containing an upper shoe component 111 with a basket catcher apparatus 110 is adapted to be installed (threaded) onto the lower end of inner tube pipe 106. Basket catcher 110 seats within the inside diameter of upper shoe component 111 and functions to retain hold of a separated core sample.

[0029] When assembled, the only visible parts of the inner pipe assembly 102 are lower shoe component 112, upper shoe component 111, inner tube pipe 106, rig-latching head 104, lead-screw mechanism 114, landing nut 109, bearing assembly 105, and the bearing crossover assembly 118. In the operation of extracting core samples, connection between the upper shoe component 111 and the inner tube pipe 106 must be loosed and the shoe threaded off from the inner tube pipe 106. Inner tube pipe 106 has external threads that match a female thread pattern on the inside top end of upper shoe component 111. To extract a core sample, the whole shoe assembly must be removed from the inner pipe assembly 102 and replaced once the core sample is removed from the inner pipe assembly.

[0030] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a lower tubular body 112 modified for ergonomic removal and replacement of a shoe assembly relative to an inner tube pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is an exploded elevation view of the lower and upper shoe components and an inner tube pipe. Lower tubular body 112 is a heavy thick-walled pipe that has a female pipe threading classified as a fine thread pattern 202 on the inside diameter that accepts a male thread pattern on the external interfacing surface of the upper shoe component 111 introduced above in FIG. 1. Inner tube pipe 106 (see FIG. 6) has a male external thread pattern on a thin wall pipe form which fits into a female thread pattern on the inside diameter surface of the upper shoe component 111.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2B, shoe assembly 200 includes an upper shoe component 111 which has a relatively large diameter pipe and exists in a field where dirt, sand, grit and tar create friction between the shoe interface and the inner tube pipe 106. Significant force may be required to break the friction lock of the mated threads to unscrew the shoe assembly from inner pipe 106. The external male threads on inner pipe 106 are referenced herein as threads 207. The mating female threads on upper shoe component 111 are referenced herein as threads 209. In a preferred embodiment, it is desired that the shoe assembly 200 (lower tubular body 112 and upper shoe component 111) be unscrewed as a rigid tightly threaded (greater friction lock) assembly from the end of inner tube pipe 106. In current art, the larger diameter of the lower tubular body 112 prevents access by socket tool to the upper shoe component 111, which may have machined flats 208 provided thereon for seating a pipe wrench.

[0032] The annular form of the shoe interface acts in conjunction with hydraulic fluid and the bearing assembly described in FIG. 1 above to minimize yaw and tilt of the inner pipe during drilling operations making the provision of flats on the outside surface of the lower shoe for fitting a pipe wrench detrimental to the assembly.

[0033] Additionally, in many core drilled formations the pressurized hydraulic fluid discharging around the annular form of the lower shoe assembly may play an important role in cutting a cylindrical core from the earth and in cleaning the bit of certain types of core build ups. In particular if the inner tube assembly 102 tilts or yaws relative to the core barrel, core may jam and thereby plug the inner tube orifice prior to the end of the core drilling cut. Inner tube assembly yaw and tilt may also cause the inner tube assembly to be sheared into an ovular form, which can potentially cause core slippage during wireline retrieval.

[0034] In the current art, a pipe wrench which grips on only two surfaces of the shoe assembly creates an increased risk of marring or ovalling of the shoe. On the outside diameter the shoe must remain annular due to the tolerances with the rotating polygonal inside diameter shape of the core bit, and also for even distribution of discharging hydraulic fluid. Discharging hydraulic fluid plays a crucial role within the lubrication of core entering into the inner tube assembly, cleaning the bit, and in some earth formations cutting the core with hydraulic pressure. Core drillers may set and change the distance between the lower shoe and core bit using the lead screw mechanism 114 and landing nut 109 depending on which earth formation they are within, as fluid discharge pressure is a key parameter of core successful core drilling. Providing flats for fitting a wrench on lower tubular body 112 similar to flats 208 on upper shoe component 111 may be detrimental to the shoe assembly due to the possibility of yaw, and uneven fluid discharge.

[0035] A consequence of utilizing tool steel dies to grip the shoe interface is that a relatively softer material, perhaps 4140 molybdenum alloy steel may be used for the shoes' bodies, which decreases the lifespan of the shoe assembly itself relative to harder materials; the threads wearing faster, and the annular form becoming marred, or distorted quicker. The use of tool steel dies to grip the shoe relatively decreases the lifespan of the shoe's annular form, as the dies require slight deformation of the surface of the shoe to grip it. Alternatively keys 504 (of Fig.5) may use relatively softer material, such as brass, aluminum or copper to transfer torque to slots 203 (of FIG. 4), the keys 504 being replaceable. Since the keys may be made out of a softer material than the shoe interface, the keys (504) wear instead of the shoe assembly.

[0036] Referring now back to FIG. 2A, in this embodiment, lower tubular body 112 has a larger diameter then the upper shoe component (111, FIG. 2A) when threaded together due to the thicker wall. A substantial amount of surface material, perhaps half of the pipe thickness, may be removed by lathe from the outside surface of lower tubular body 112 forming a step-down feature 201 leaving a smaller concentric diameter 204 extending to the end of the lower tubular body. At the free end of lower tubular body 112 the pipe thickness is machined to provide a taper down feature 205. The pipe wall has greater thickness at the free end of the lower tubular body, the lower tubular body also presenting a smaller diameter at the free end. The inside of the free end of the pipe has an inside taper producing a conical inside surface for hosting an internal core breaker ring designed to help separate a core sample from a stationary core resulting from drilling.

[0037] A plurality of elongated slots 203 are machined longitudinally along the outside surface of lower tubular body 112 to form a torque pattern of slots for securely seating a torque busting tool (not illustrated here) that may be attached to or otherwise fitted over the outside surface of lower tubular body 112. Such a tool may include a leverage handle or pneumatic power interface that can be used in place of a gripping pipe wrench to break the thread lock so unscrewing the shoe assembly from the end of the inner pipe is possible without tool slippage that may mar the outside surface of the pipe material. Electric and hydraulically powered socket tools may be used instead of a pneumatic tool without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0038] In one embodiment, there may be two elongated parallel slots 203 provided on opposite sides of lower tubular body 112. In other embodiments, an equally spaced array of parallel slots 203 may present a three-slot pattern, a four-slot pattern, a star pattern (five slots) and so on. In alternative embodiments, slots 203 may be spaced unequally without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In this embodiment, slots 203 break out of both ends of the thicker wall of material comprising the center portion of lower tubular body 112. That is not required in order to practice the invention as long as the slot pattern 203 breaks out to the free end of the pipe allowing a tool like a deep socket with a key pattern that matches the slot pattern to be placed over the lower tubular body 112 from the free end wherein the key pattern engages the slot pattern 203. In this embodiment, slots 203 break out of both ends of the thicker wall of material comprising the center portion of lower shoe. That is not required in order to practice the invention as long as the slot pattern breaks out to the free end of the pipe allowing a tool like a deep socket with a key pattern that matches the slot pattern to be placed over the lower shoe from the free end wherein the key pattern engages the slot pattern. In an alternative embodiment, the lower tubular body does not include a step-down feature like feature 204. In still another embodiment, the larger diameter pipe of the lower shoe and slots extend to the upper shoe, the threads machined to enable the slots of the upper shoe component 111 and the lower tubular body 112 to align.

[0039] In yet another embodiment only a lower shoe is used, in such an embodiment if basket catchers (110 of FIG. 1) are used they seat within the lower shoe. In yet another embodiment, slots extend from the lower shoe component 112 to the upper shoe 111 regardless of pipe diameter, the threads being machined to line up the slot pattern when assembled.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 2B, inner tube pipe 106 includes male (external) thread pattern 207 on thin wall pipe which fits into female (internal) thread pattern 209 on upper shoe component 111. The components are aligned in the orientation of assembly as indicated by the directional arrows.

[0041] FIG. 3 is an end view of the lower tubular body of FIG. 2A. In this view looking directly into the interfacing end of lower tubular body 112, it may be seen that the torque pattern of slots 203 is a star pattern. Slots 203 have a key-way architecture having a width and a depth and a relatively flat floor. A key architecture for slots 203 is not required to practice the invention. Slots 203 may comply to a variety of available geometric slot or keyway designs so long as the key apparatus on the torque busting tool engages the slot pattern 203 securely such that the tool does not come off or slip out of the slot pattern when being used to break the friction lock of the threaded interface.

[0042] Step down surface 204 is preferably concentric with the outside diameter of lower tubular body 112. Wall 201 depicts the stepped down wall marking the ends of slots 203. In one embodiment, a socket device may be fabricated with a matching key pattern that may be slipped onto the free end of lower shoe component 112 far enough along the longitudinal axis of the pipe material to engage the key pattern into the slot pattern. A socket device may be fashioned to fit a breaker bar or sturdy ratchet handle functioning as a lever that may be operated to loosen the interface between the shoe assembly and the inner tube pipe. The internal diameter of lower shoe component 112 has a conical taper in the wall thickness 301 to provide a seat for a core breaker apparatus (not illustrated). FIG. 4 is a perspective view of lower tubular body 112 of FIG. 2A depicting a core breaker apparatus 113 introduced in FIG. 1 above but not rendered visible in that Fig. Three slots 203 of a star pattern are visible in this perspective view. In this view, the free end of the lower shoe 112 is depicted in perspective and includes core breaker apparatus 113 seated within the pipe form at an angle formed by the conical taper feature described further above machined on the inside of the pipe. In this view, the slot pattern comprising slots 203 terminates before breaking out at the interfacing end of the shoe. Three slots of a star pattern are visible in this perspective view.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a partial overhead view of a socket tool 501 for breaking the threaded interface between the shoe assembly (between the upper shoe component) and the inner tube pipe, and for force tightening the shoe interface to the inner tube pipe. A socket tool 501 is provided in this embodiment that includes a star pattern key array of key-ways 504 that may be manually slipped over the diameter of shoe component 112 and into the slot pattern operating from the free end of lower tubular body 112.

[0044] Elongated keys 504 are square keys in this embodiment that have a width dimension just smaller than the inside diameter of the slots. Socket 501 may be modified at the back wall with a center opening that may fit a square key of a breaker bar handle 502. In addition to a square key, any geometric pattern may be used to couple a socket tool to a breaker bar. In this case a breaker bar (not pictured) may be leveraged by handle 502 to break the thread lock keeping the shoe assembly and inner pipe 106 tightly threaded together before the shoe assembly remaining fictionally joined may be removed from the inner tube pipe 106.

[0045] In one embodiment, the breaking tool is a ratchet tool having a bi-directional ratchet disc 503, a drive square 505, and a handle 502 allowing the socket tool 501 to be used entirely for screwing the shoe assembly on to the inner tube pipe. In one embodiment, the ratchet tool may be a pneumatic tool that uses compressed air to spin the socket in the two directions saving workers from manual threading operations which may be difficult with fine pipe threads that tend to become sticky or otherwise friction tight and resist movement, or may be friction locked to the part or all of the 3m core sample by the result of drilling practice and core breakers.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a block diagram 600 depicting an inner pipe with an intact shoe assembly in position for core sample removal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Inner tube pipe 106 containing a core sample for removal is placed horizontal onto a work bench 601 so bench line workers can remove the shoe assembly to retrieve the core sample. In this example, a vise apparatus 602 may be provided at the end of bench 601 and used to hold the inner tube pipe 106 in a fixed state preventing the inner tube pipe 106 from rotating on the bench. In this position, lower tubular body 112 is suspended by vice 602 at the very end of the workbench 601 so the free end is accessible to socket tool 501 with handle 502. In one variant embodiment, the bench 601 extends past the vice and could interfere with a breaker bar or a long handle. In such a case the socket tool may be operated by a pneumatic system, an electric drive system, or a hydraulic drive system. With the use of pneumatics, hydraulics or electric power, handle 502 may not be specifically required to practice the invention.

[0047] A bench worker may place socket tool 501 over the free end of lower tubular body 112 from FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrow with the key pattern on the inside diameter of the socket tool 501 engaging the slot pattern 203 on the lower tubular body 112. In this position, inner tube pipe 106 is suspended by the vice at the very end of the workbench 601 so the free end is accessible to socket tool 501. An additional configuration may be provided by extending the step down feature to the upper shoe component. In another configuration, blind seats may be used. Handle 502 may be leveraged with relative minor force to unlock the threaded interface between the shoe assembly and the inner pipe.

[0048] After the thread lock is overcome, rotation of the shoe assembly may need to overcome friction related to the core retention mechanisms and their friction lock to the core. A typical embodiment of the invention uses a high torque mode, for example a breaker bar which leverages a manually produced force to break the initial thread lock. After the high torque mode of the tool overcomes the initial high friction resistance to rotation, typically the tool will use a high speed method of rotation, for example a pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic drive which spins a socket tool. An additional method of high speed rotation is to use a 90 degree handle attached to the breaker bar, offset and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube assembly which acts as a crank handle to spin the socket, and shoe interface. Within the method of using a manual hand crank for high speed rotation, a segment of the breaker bar can pivot 90 degrees to turn into a crank handle. The shoe assembly contains all of the components which host core retention mechanisms, typically an upper and lower shoe, core breakers (113), and basket-catchers (110). To break the friction lock of the shoe assembly the shoe assembly must rotate relative to the inner tube pipe.

[0049] After the core sample is secured, the shoe assembly must be threaded back onto the inner tube pipe. The same tool may be used to re-thread the shoe interface to the inner tube pipe, and then tighten the thread interface with sufficient force to establish the friction-lock bottoming of the threads. To re-fasten the shoe interface typically the shoe assembly spins relative to a stationary inner tube pipe. Sand dirt and tar can contaminate the threads 207, and 209 (referring to FIG. 2b). To prevent thread damage a regulated pneumatic tool may be used, an electric tool may be used with a known maximum torque output, or a torque limiter which limits the force applied to the threads may be used. When initially threading the shoe interface onto the stationary inner tube pipe, the threads can become cross threaded, hence a worker may manually thread the shoe interface onto the inner tube pipe (106) by hand 1-2 turns to avoid cross threading, and then use the socket tool to spin the full length of threads to fully attach the shoe assembly to the inner tube pipe 106. In an embodiment two tools identical in nature can be used, one driving the socket tool 501 (referring to FIG. 5) clockwise, and the other tool driving socket tool 501 counter clockwise. One tool of such a pair of tools may be dedicated to spinning the shoe assembly off, and the other tool of the pair to spinning the shoe assembly on. In a variation of this embodiment where two tools are used a torque limiter can be used when fastening the shoe interface to the inner tube pipe, to set the torque of the shoe to a measurable and common thread lock, to ensure the shoe is substantially friction locked to the inner tube pipe for drilling. Conceptually it is possible to spin the inner tube pipe, relative to a stationary shoe assembly using the socket tool described to hold the shoe assembly stationary relative to a spinning inner tube pipe. It is also conceptually possible to spin both the inner tube pipe and the shoe assembly in opposite directions to remove the shoe, and re-attach the shoe assembly using the keyed pattern socket to spin the shoe assembly.

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, automation may be used to remove the shoe assembly after the friction lock of the threaded interface is broken using the socket tool 501 and breaker handle 502. In one embodiment, in place of elongated slots, blind seats may be placed around the perimeter the lower tubular body, upper shoe component or any place on the shoe assembly wherein a breaker tool with a crescent head having matching protrusions may be placed orthogonally over the shoe assembly, provided that the seats are sufficiently far enough away from the free end of lower tubular body 112 to not impede stabilization, and fluid discharge. For example, an aircraft automation wrench tool that is essentially two motors that spins an open ended C-wrench.

[0051] In this embodiment, a worker may place the tool over the pipe engaging the blind orthogonal seats (208) and then use a leveraged small amount of force to break the friction lock. Within embodiments using crescent heads which fit onto orthogonal blind seats (208), an off axis pneumatic, electric or hydraulic gear system can be utilized to spin the crescent head and thereby spin the shoe in two directions, relieving the worker of manually threading.

[0052] Occasionally core sticks out of the lower shoe a few inches, in such cases a worker may break the core off using a hammer to allow a deep socket tool with a key pattern to reach slot pattern 203, or use a deeper reach socket. However, in a variation of an embodiment which works around the occasionally problem of core sticking out of the inner tube assembly mechanically, an open ended socket tool which slips over the core-sample, utilizes a handle which acts as a breaker bar. In a variation of this embodiment the breaker bar may contain a motor or an off axis power transmission, generally a ring gear, or pulley system which is powered by pneumatics, hydraulics, which spins the open ended key-pattern from its side. In another embodiment of the present invention, automation may be used to remove shoe assembly from the inner tube pipe. In that embodiment, a machine may place the socket tool over the shoe engaging the seats, or slots and may produce a leveraged force to break the friction lock. A pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic driven socket tool allows automation to perform all of the threading operations relieving the bench worker of threading by hand and therefore protecting the worker from potential injury over time.

[0053] It will be apparent with skill in the art that the torque pattern and matching tool of the present invention may be provided using some or all the elements described herein. The arrangement of elements and functionality thereof relative to the invention is described in different embodiments each of which is an implementation of the present invention. While the uses and methods are described in enabling detail herein, it is to be noted that many alterations could be made in the details of the construction and the arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. The present invention is limited only by the breadth of the claims below.