ASSEMBLING SAFETY

Special Safety Signs

In the assembly manual, you may come across the following warning signs.

The “DANGER” sign warns for immediate hazards, which, when ignored, will inevitably cause seri-
ous personal injury or death!

The “Warning” sign warns for hazards or unsafe practice which, when ignored, could lead
to serious personal injury or death.

The “CAUTION” sign indicates hazards or unsafe practice, which could lead to minor injury
or damage to equipment.

The “IMPORTANT” sign is used for recommendations such as how to assembling the components
efficiently and in compliance with environmental regulations.

•Use approved spare parts only. Any damage or malfunction that can be attributed to the use of
unauthorized spare parts is not covered by the warranty and invalidates product liability.

Also observe the following general safety instructions:

• Always use proper protective equipment while assembling the components of the core barrel.
• Always use proper tools while assembling the components of the core barrel.

NOTE: Throughout this assembly manual, the use of grease is mentioned. Please assure that the
use of petroleum based grease is not prohibited in the area of the world where these assemblies
will be used. Contact your Atlas Copco representative for lubricant alternatives.

1
Head Assembly

The purpose of the Head Assembly is to con-

nect the Core Barrel to the Drill String, and al-
low the Inner Tube to remain stationary so that
it may receive core. The rest of the Core Barrel
rotates to drive the Reaming Shell and Bit.

NOTE: Throughout this assembly manual, the

use of grease is mentioned. Please assure
that the use of petroleum based grease is not
prohibited in the area of the world where these
assemblies will be used. Contact your Atlas
Copco representative for lubricant alternatives.

Thread the Lock Nut (Item 2) onto the Spindle

(Item 3).

Be certain that the numbered side of the

Lock Nut (Item 2) is facing down when
threaded onto the Spindle (Item 3).

2
 Place the Spindle (Item 3) in the vice, and
alternate the two Shut Off Valves (Item 4)
with the two Adjusting Washers (Item 5) in the
following order:

Shut Off Valves (Item 4)

Adjusting Washers (Item 5)
Shut Off Valves (Item 4)
Adjusting Washers (Item 5)

Place the Thrust Bearing (Item 6) on the Spindle

(Item 3) so it comes to rest with the moving side
down against the Adjusting Washer (Item 5).

Place the Spindle Bearing (Item 7) on the Spindle

(Item 3). It will sit over top of the Thrust Bearing
(Item 6) with the threads facing up towards the
threads of the Spindle (Item 3).

3
Install the Hanger Bearing (Item 8) on the
Spindle (Item 3) with the open balled end of the
Hanger Bearing (Item 8) facing up towards the
threads of the Spindle (Item 3).

Now place the Compression Spring (Item 9)

onto the Spindle (Item 3) so it rests on the
Hanger Bearing (Item 8).

The Lock Nut (Item 10) is now threaded onto

the Spindle (Item 3) and tightened with an
adjustable wrench until it is snug against the
Compression Spring (Item 9).

Do NOT overtighten and compress the

Compression Spring (Item 9). This will
cause a “preload” on the Shut Off Valves
(Item 4) and a blocked Inner Tube (Item 15)
will be prematurely indicated by the water
pressure.

4
 Insert the Grease Fitting or “zerk” (Item 12)
into the grease fitting socket on the Inner Tube
Cap Assembly (Item 11) and tighten with the
appropriate sized socket and ratchet.

Place the Ball (Item 13) in the open end of the

Inner Tube Cap Assembly (Item 11).

Thread the Check Valve Body (Item 14) into the

Inner Tube Cap Assembly (Item 11) and tighten
using an adjustable wrench until it is wrench
tight.

5
Place the Inner Tube Cap Assembly (Item 11)
on the Spindle (Item 3) and thread it to the
Spindle Bearing (Item 7).

Fill the Inner Tube Cap Assembly (Item 11) with

grease, via the Grease Fitting (Item 12).

Now take the newly assembled Bearing

Assembly and thread it to the Head (Item 1).

6
 Thread the Lock Nut (Item 2) so that it buts
against the Head (Item 1). Be certain not to
tighten the Lock Nut (Item 2) too much as you
may have to make adjustments to it later.

The Head Assembly is now complete.

7
 Inner Tube Assembly

The purpose of the Inner Tube Assembly is to

transport core samples. While drilling, the Inner
Tube Assembly houses and retains the core
and while retrieving, the Inner Tube Assembly
protects and transports the core. If the Inner
Tube becomes blocked with core, the Inner Tube
will put pressure on the Shut Off Valves. This
will compress the Shut Off Valves which will shut
off the water flow. The increased water pressure
will be the signal the drill operator that the tube is
blocked.

Use proper personal protective equipment

and proper tools. Avoid the pinch point.

Secure the Inner Tube (Item 15) in place so it will

not move.

Be careful not to distort or dent the Inner

Tube when securing it in the vice.

8
 Place the Core Lifter (Item 17) inside of the
Core Lifter Case (Item 18), it should drop right
in.

Now, slide the stop ring (Item 16) inside of the

Core Lifter Case (Item 18) until it is seated in
the designated groove, behind the core spring.

Check to see if the core spring can move freely

inside the Core Lifter Case (Item 18). If this is
so, all is well.

9
 Thread the Core Lifter Case (Item 18) to the
pin end of the Inner Tube (Item 15). Be sure to
tighten the Core Lifter Case with the Inner Tube
Wrench until it’s wrench tight.

At this point, secure the Bearing Assembly to

the pin end of the Inner Tube (Item 15). Apply
grease to the threads and thread the Bearing
Assembly. Be sure to tighten the Bearing
Assembly using the Inner Tube Wrench until it is
wrench tight.

The Inner Tube Assembly is now

complete.

10
 Outer Tube Assembly

The purpose of the Outer Tube Assembly is to

connect the Bit and Shell to the drill rod string. It
houses and secures the Inner Tube Assembly
during drilling operations and shipping.

Use proper personal protective equipment

and proper tools. Avoid the pinch point

Before beginning to assemble any pieces of the

core barrel, always ensure that the threads of
each individual piece are free of dirt and grit.
Wipe all threads down when assembling and
disassembling. This will ensure individual pieces
fit together properly and will also help to avoid
any damage to pieces. Safety glasses should be
worn at all times. Following the steps outlined in
this manual will help to ensure the optimum and
safest usage of the core barrel.

11
Place the Thread Protector (Item 21), threaded
end up on the bench and insert the Inner Tube
Stabilizer (Item 20). This should drop in and
seat itself on the shoulder.

The Thread Protector (Item 21) is now ready

to be threaded onto the Outer Tube (Item 19).
Be certain to tighten this using the Outer Tube
Wrench until it is wrench tight.

The Outer Tube Assembly is now

complete.

12
 Final Core Barrel Assembly

The purpose of the Final Core Barrel Assembly is

to connect the Inner Tube Assembly with the
Outer Tube Assembly, and there by resulting a
finished product.

Place the Outer Tube (Item 19) in a vice.

Insert the Inner Tube Assembly, Core Lifter Case

(Item 18) first, into the Outer Tube Assembly.

13
Thread the Head (Item 1) to the box end of the
Outer Tube (Item 19).

With the Coring Bit properly installed onto the Outer

Tube (Item 19) and the Inner Tube Assembly (Item 11)
threaded to the Outer Tube (Item 19), the operator will
measure the gap between the inside shoulder of the
Coring Bit and the Core Lifter Case (Item 18). There
should be a distance of 1/8” to 3/16”. If the
measurement is off the Inner Tube Assembly must be
removed from the Outer Tube (Item 19). Using proper
tools, the operator will loosen the Lock Nut (Item 2)
and proceed with the proper adjustments turning the
Bearing Assembly clockwise or counter clockwise into
the Head (Item 1). Once satisfied with the adjustment,
the operator will tighten the Lock Nut (Item 2) against
the Head (Item 1). The operator should take note and
record the distance between the Head (Item 1) and the
Inner Tube Cap Assembly (Item 11). This measurement
can be used to adjust other Inner Tube Assembly’s.

The Final Core Barrel Assembly is

now complete.

14
Conventional Double Tube Thin Wall Core Barrel NV2
Ref. Description Qty. Part Number

121 1.5 m / 5 ft Core barrel assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3760 0042 95

121 3.0 m / 10 ft Core barrel assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3760 0046 88

114 Head assembly, NWJ Box connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3760 0047 05

1 Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0042 94

2 Lock nut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0268 4138 24
3 Spindle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0062 35
4 Shut-off valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3760 0062 36
5 Adjusting washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3760 0062 37
6 Thrust bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0064 61
7 Spindle bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0062 38
8 Hanger bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0064 62
9 Compression spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0064 63
10 Lock nut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0292 1338 07
11 Inner tube cap assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0063 25
12 Grease fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0544 1100 07
13 Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0517 1100 25
14 Check valve body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0072 21
15 1.5 m / 5 ft Inner tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0061 36
15 3.0 m / 10 ft Inner tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0061 37
16 Stop ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0063 26
17 Core lifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0077 64
18 Core lifter case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0063 28
19 1.5 m / 5 ft Outer tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0048 37
19 3.0 m / 10 ft Outer tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0048 39
20 Inner tube stabilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0063 30
21 Thread protector (For shipping/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3760 0062 45
handling purposes)

15
 Conventional Double Tube Thin Wall Core Barrel NV2
Part Board - NV2 Conventional Double Tube Thin Wall Core Barrel

1
19

15

2 20

3
21
4
5
4
5 6

9
16
17
10

18
11

12

13

14

16
3
 Component Descriptions

1. Head The Head simultaneously connects the drill string

to the Inner Tube, Spindle and the Outer Tube.
The Head also assists in stabilizing the upper
end of the Core Barrel via the hard surfacing
strips.

2. Lock Nut The Lock Nut is responsible for locking the

Spindle into the Head as well as securing the
length of the Inner Tube so that the Core Lifter is
the correct distance from the seat of the bit.

17
The Spindle is the link for all of the Head 3. Spindle
Assembly components. It is on its axis that the
Bearings, the Valves, Compression Springs,
Lock Nut, Head and the Inner Tube Cap are
installed.

Commonly called “The Rubbers”, the Shut-off 4. Shut-off Valve

Valves are made of a special compressible Note: Set of 2
rubber or nylon. The Shut-off Valves are
sandwiched between the Adjusting Washers.
The role of the two Shut-off Valves are to
restrict water flow to the coring bit while rock is
exerting pressure inside the Inner Tube during
the drilling cycle. This alerts the operator of a
potential core block or filled tube. This force
compresses the two “Rubbers” restricting
water flow to the coring bit. This results in an
increase of water pressure.

The Adjusting Washers are positioned on the 5. Adjusting Washer

Spindle. The first one sits next to the first Note: Set of 2
Shut-off Valve while the second is located next
to the second Shut-off Valve. The role of the
Adjusting Washer is to adjust the sensitivity of
the valve to restrict water flow to the coring bit.

18
6. Thrust Bearing The Thrust Bearing is a mechanical unit
assembly that allows free rotation of the lower
part of the Inner Tube Assembly. It is located
right below the lowest Valve Adjusting Washer,
immediately behind the Spindle Bearing.

Note: The moving part of the Thrust Bearing

is always facing away from the Spindle
Bearing.

7. Spindle Bearing The Spindle Bearing slides onto the Spindle and
houses the Thrust Bearing. It separates the
Hanger Bearing from the Thrust Bearing and
connects the Bearing Assembly to the Inner Tube
Cap.

8. Hanger Bearing The Hanger Bearing fits onto the Spindle below
the Spindle Bearing. It consists of three parts
being two washers and an open balled section in
the middle.

19
The Compression Spring is enclosed inside the 9. Compression Spring
Inner Tube Cap that is fitted onto the Spindle
Assembly. The Compression Spring is located
immediately below the Hanger Bearing. While
breaking the core at the end of the core run,
the Core Lifter Assembly will contact with the
inside bevel shoulder in the throat of the core
bit. Compression of the Compression Spring
will transfer forces onto the Outer Tube and
rod string aiding the breakage of the rock right
below the Core Lifter Case.

The Lock Nut threads onto the Spindle shaft 10. Lock Nut
securing the Compression Spring and the
Hanger Bearing against the Spindle Bearing.

The Inner Tube Cap is screwed onto 11. Inner Tube Cap Assembly
the Spindle Assembly and protects the
Compression Spring and Bearings. A Grease
Fitting permits insertion of the grease inside the
Inner Tube Cap.

20
12. Grease Fitting (zerk) The Grease Fitting or “Zerk” allows grease to be
inserted into the Inner Tube Cap Assembly.

13. Ball While drilling, the Ball will seal the waterway,
preventing any water pressure from entering the
Inner Tube. This aids the upward movement of the
core inside the Inner Tube.

14. Check Valve Body The Check Valve Body holds the ball, and
connects to the lower inner tube side of the Inner
Tube Cap.

21
The Inner Tube is a steel tube threaded on the 15. Inner Tube
outside (pin thread) at both ends. It serves the
purpose of collecting the core samples.

Note: In some cases as in O2 style, box and

pin will be on the Inner Tube.

The Stop Ring is part of the Core Lifter 16. Stop Ring
Assembly. The Stop Ring is inserted inside of
the Core Lifter Case after the Core Lifter. The
Stop Ring then locks into a groove located
inside of the Core Lifter Case. When the Stop
Ring is locked into position it will prevent the
Core Lifter from sliding up inside of the Inner
Tube.

The Core Lifter travels within the Core Lifter 17. Core Lifter
Case allowing the core to move smoothly into
the Inner Tube. As the core run is completed,
or if the rock sample is blocked anywhere
inside the Inner Tube the operator, after
stopping the rotation of the drill string, will lift
the rod string from the bottom of the hole. This
action will slide and tighten the Core Lifter onto
the core sample due to its beveled design. A
pressure is caused because of this and then it’s
exerted on the core allowing the core to break
before it slips out. The N2 style Core Lifter has
two lines engraved on the outer shell.

22
18. Core Lifter Case The Core Lifter Case carries the Core Lifter and
Stop Ring. The bevel on the inside of the Core
Lifter Case and the outside of the Core Lifter
allows the core to enter. When the Inner Tube is
raised, the core is locked in place which allows
the core to be broken off from the bottom of the
hole. The core is then held in the Inner Tube
during retrieval.

19. Outer Tube The Outer Tube houses the Reaming Shell,
Inner Tube Stabilizer, Core Bit and Inner Tube
Assembly. The Outer Tube, due to its rigidity, is
a very important part of the drilling equipment.
Different types of Outer Tube are offered to the
market depending on the ground conditions.

20. Inner Tube Stabilizer The Inner Tube Stabilizer plays two important
roles. It aligns and stabilizes the Inner Tube
inside the Reaming Shell, and allows the drilling
fluid to flow freely toward the Coring Bit.

23
The Thread Protector serves to protect the pin 21. Thread Protector
end thread of the Outer Tube Assembly. It is
part of the assembly when a Core Barrel is
being shipped to any distributor or end user
client. It is a good practice to use the Thread
Protector whenever the Core Barrel is stored
or in transit between drill projects. The Thread
Protector also houses the Inner Tube Stabilizer
for shipping.

24
 Manual Appendices

Wrench Tight Refers to how tight you should secure different

components. Meaning to not overtighten
but ensure that the components are securely
threaded together.

Grease All grease used through out the assembly

process is recommended by Atlas Copco to be:

Shell Darina XL EP2 Grease

25
Atlas Copco Geotechnical Drilling and Exploration
www.atlascopco.com
6991 1634 01 North Bay, Canada, October 2008
© Copyright 2008, Atlas Copco Exploration Products, North Bay, Canada. Any unauthorized use or copying of the contents or any part thereof is prohibited. This
applies in particular to trademarks, model denominations, part numbers and drawings. Illustrations and photos in this brochure may show equipment with optional
extras. Specifications and equipment subjects to change without notice. Consult your Atlas Copco Customer Center for specific information.