CA1237666A - Setting tool with retractable torque fingers - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A setting tool is shown of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore. The setting tool is designed to set a liner hanger using right hand as well as left hand rotation and is released from the setting sleeve using right hand rotation. A plurality of retractable, spring loaded torque fingers carried on a torque collar are used to transmit torque to the setting sleeve but, are moved into a retracted position after the setting sleeve is released to avoid damage to the torque fingers. A plurality of splines and a splined ring within the torque collar are used to latch the tool in the running-in position to perform well bore operations, such as hanging a liner. The splines and splined ring have specially mating surfaces which form a key arrangement to facilitate reinsertion of the splines within the splined ring for subsequent operations as the tool is manipulated between the running-in and weight set down positions.

Description

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Lo 8 1. no id Cal the love rat The present invention relates generally to oil well 11 setting tools of the type adapted for engaging a setting 12 sleeve run on a pipe string into a well bore, an 13 specifically to a setting tool which allows left and 14 right hand torque to be used during well bore operations as well as right hand torque to release the setting tool 16 from the setting sleeve.
I
18 Setting tools are used for various purposes during g well drilling and completion operations. As an example, a setting tool is typically used during setting of a I liner hanger in a well bore. The setting tool is made up 22 as a part of the pipe string between the liner hanger and 23 the pipe string running to the well surface. The setting 24 oily serves as a link to transmit torque to the liner hanger to hang the liner in a well bore. The setting 26 tool is then typically manipulated from the well surface 27 to effect a release of the setting tool from the liner 28 hanger and the liner is then cemented into place in the 29 well bore.
31 on a typical well drilling pipe string, the lengths 32 of pipe are connected by tool joints with right hand 33 threads which are released by left hand torque. Drilling 34 is thus carried out by clockwise rotation of the drill 3 5 string to avoid breaking out of the wool joints making up ~23~7~

1 the pipe string. In certain prior setting tool designs,

2 connecting threads were used to engage the setting tool

3 with the setting sleeve which were releasable by right

4 hand torque on the pipe string from the surface.
However, this necessitated holding left hand torque on 6 the pipe string while running into the well bore and 7 dictated what the finer be set to the left in order to 8 avoid releasing the setting tool connecting threads.
g Because left hand torque was used to set the liner, the possibility existed that tool joints in the pipe string 11 would be unscrewed and a joint broken out.

13 It is, therefore, preferred to utilize a setting 14 tool which allows the liner to be set by applying right hand torque from the surface and which allows the setting 16 tool to be released and pulled out of the well bore by 17 applying a similar right hand torque. There exists a 18 need, therefore, for a setting tool which will allow 19 right hand torque to be used during setting of a liner Jo hanger or similar tool which also allows right hand 21 torque to be used to release the tool.

I In certain prior tools, radially moving dogs were 24 used to initially secure the setting tool to the setting sleeve. Vertical manipulation of the pipe string from I the surface, accompanied by radial movement of the 27 latching dogs, allowed torque to be transmitted to a 28 setting nut to release the setting tool from the 29 surrounding setting sleeve. The radial movement of the latching dogs presented a possible problem, in that sand 31 and other contaminates could impede their action, causing 32 the tool to malfunction.

34 In US. Pat. No. 4,441,560, issued April 10, 1984 to John L. Bough et at., a setting tool is shown which ~Z3 76~i 1 allows left and fight hand torque for well bore 2 operations and which is releasable by right hand torque.
3 A plurality of fixed torque fingers were received within 4 end notches on the surrounding setting sleeve to transmit torque to the setting sleeve to perform well bore 6 operations. In field practice, operators would sometimes 7 release the setting tool from the setting sleeve and 8 thereafter temporarily set the setting tool back down g upon the upper end of the setting sleeve. If the torque finger did not line up axially with the complimentary end 11 notch of the setting sleeve, the torque finger could 12 become damaged, bent or broken, requiring service. A
13 need exists, therefore, for a setting tool with I retractable torque fingers to avoid the possibility of damage during temporary weight set-down.

17 There also exists a need, therefore, for a device of 18 the above type with means for facilitating realignment of 19 the setting tool within the setting sleeve complimentary profile, whereby the setting tool can be reattaches to 21 apply further torque to the setting sleeve for further 22 well bore operations.

24 A need also exists for a device which will allow the setting tool to be used to rotate the liner during the 26 cementing operation without being attached to the liner 27 by the setting nut.

29 the above described objects are accomplished by an improved setting tool design as will be described in the 31 following written description.

~37~66 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

3 the setting tool of the invention is adapted to be 4 made up in a pipe string for releasable engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore. The setting tool has a 6 mandrel having an upper end adapted to be connected in 7 the pipe strung and having a lower end. A setting nut is 8 carried on the mandrel having external connecting threads g for engaging mating connecting threads located on the interior of the setting sleeve and disposed about the 11 mandrel. the mandrel is slldably disposed within the 12 setting nut when the setting nut is engaging the setting 13 sleeve. The mandrel is slid able between an extended, 14 running-in position and a weight set-down position.
16 A torque collar carried Oil the mandrel exterior has 17 at least one axially slid able torque finger mounted 18 thereon. The setting sleeve has at least one end notch 19 which is adapted to receive the axially slid able torque finger. Latch means are provided within the torque 21 collar for preventing relative rotational movement 22 between the connecting threads of the setting nut and the 23 setting sleeve when the mandrel is in the extended, ^ laIining-ln position and allowing relative movement between the connecting threads when the mandrel is in the 26 weight set-down position to release the connecting 27 threads.

29 The torque collar is a generally cylindrical member having a lower circumferential edge and the torque finger 31 is axially slid able between a torque transmitting 32 position in which a portion of the torque finger extends 33 past the lower circumferential edge and a retracted 34 position.

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1 The torque collar lower circumferential edge rests 2 upon an upper circumferential edge of the setting sleeve 3 when the setting nut is engaging the setting sleeve. The 4 torque finger is engage able with the setting sleeve end notch when the torque finger is axially aligned with the 6 end notch.

8 The torque finger is forced to the retracted g position by contacting the setting sleeve upper circumferential edge when the torque finger is moved out 11 of axial alignment with the end notch. Preferably, the 12 torque finger is spring biased toward the torque 13 transmitting position. A plurality of axially slid able 14 torque fingers can be mounted equidistantly about the exterior of the mandrel for alignment with mating end 16 notches provided in the setting sleeve.

18 A plurality of torque transmitting splints are 19 located on the mandrel exterior. A portion of each of the splints is received within a setting nut axial groove 21 to allow torque transmitted to the mandrel to be 22 transmitted to the setting nut when the mandrel is in the 23 weight set-down position. Another portion of each splint 24 is received within a mating interior surface of the torque collar when the mandrel is in the extended 26 running-in position to thereby prevent the transmission 27 of torque to the setting nut. Key means on the mating 28 interior surface of the torque collar orient the torque 29 transmitting,splines during receipt of the splints within the torque collar Jo facilitate preengagement of the 31 setting tool to the surrounding setting sleeve.

33 Additional objects, features and advantages will be 34 apparent in the written description which follows.

3 Figure lo is a side, partial cross-sectional view of 4 the upper end of the setting tool of the invention in the running-in position.

7 Figure lb is a downward continuation of the tool of 8 jig.- lo showing the running-in position.

foggier pa is a side, partial cross-sectional view of Thea upper end of the setting wool in the weight set-down 12pOSitlon.
I
foggier 2b is a downward continuation of Fig. pa shying the setting tool in the weight set-down position Wyeth the connecting means still engaged.

foggier pa is a side, partial cross-sectional view of Thea upper end of the setting tool similar to Fig. pa.
foggier 3b is a downward continuation of Fig. pa shying the setting tool in the weight set-down position Wyeth the connecting means disconnected.

foggier 4 is a schematic view of the key means and 26splined ring of the invention.

foggier 5 is a perspective view of the setting tool off the invention with parts broken away.
foggier pa is a side, partial cross-sectional view of anther embodiment of the upper end of the setting tool wish allows rotation of the liner after release of the sweating tool.

~;~3~666 1 figure 6b is a downward continuation of the device 2 of Fig. pa in the running in position.

I

guy DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

3 Turnillg to Fig. lay there is shown a setting tool 4 designated generally as 11 of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasable engaging a setting 6 sleeve extension 13 in a well bore. By "well bore" is 7 meant the annular space between the setting tool 11 and 8 the -casing, it being understood that the well bore could g be unlined, as well.
11 Setting tool 11 includes a tubular mandrel 15 having 12 an upper end 17 which is internally threaded at the upper 13 extent 19 thereof for matlngly engaging the external 14 connecting threads of the lower extent of the pipe string (not shown) running to the well surface. The internally 16 threaded upper extent 19 of the upper end 17 is connected 17 by means of a tapered bore 21 to an internal bore 23 18 which runs through the remainder of the length of the 19 mandrel to the lower end 25 which has an internally threaded surface 27.

22 The tubular mandrel 15 is comprised of upper and 23 lower sections, as shown in Fig. lay which are connected I by meting threats 29 Outer and inner support collars 31, 33 surround the upper portion of the tubular mandrel 26 lo and are retained in position by a plurality of pins 27 35, 37, respectively.

29 As shown, in Fig. lb, the setting sleeve extension 13 extends from a setting sleeve sub 39 at the lower end 31 thereof. The sub 39 has external connecting threads for I engaging mating connecting threads 41 of the setting 33 sleeve extension 13. The sub 39 also has an internally 34 threaded profile 43 which ma tingly engages the external threads 45 of a setting nut 47. The setting nut 47 is 1 carried on the tubular mandrel 15 about the lower end I
2 thereof, 4 The setting sleeve sub 39 is provided with end notches 51 for receiving the axially slid able torque 6 fingers 53 of a torque collar 55. The torque collar 55, 7 as seen in Fig. lb, is a generally cylindrical member 8 having a lower circumferential edge 59 and axial openings g or slots 57 for receiving torque fingers 53. Each torque finger 53 is axially slid able in a plane parallel to the 11 longitudinal axis of the tool between a torque 12 transmitting position, as shown in Fig. I in which a 13 portion of the torque finger 53 extends past the lower 14 circumferential edge 59 and a retracted position, as shown in Fig. 3b. In the "retracted" position of Fig.
16 3b, the torque fingers are completely received within the 17 axial openings 57 in the torque collar 55 and the torque 18 finger outer portions 54 do not extend past the lower 19 circumfential edge 59.
21 In the running-in position shown in Fig's. lo and 22 lb, the torque collar circumferential edge 59 rests upon 23 an upper circumferential edge 61 of the setting sleeve sub 39. The setting nut 47 is engaging the setting sleeve sub 39 and the torque fingers 53 are engage able 26 with the setting sleeve end notches 51 when the torque 27 fingers 53 are axially aligned with said end notches 51.

29 Each torque finger 53 is spring biased for sliding movement in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of 31 the tool toward the torque transmitting position by means 32 of a coil spring 63 which surrounds the tubular mandrel 33 and engages an upper ledge 65 of the torque fingers 53.
34 The torque fingers 53 are mounted by means of screws 67 to a cylindrical latch ring 6g which surrounds the go 766 6;

1 tubular mandrel 15 within the torque collar US. As shown 2 in Fig. lb, the latch ring 69 is initially affixed by 3 means of shear pins 71 to the tubular mandrel lo.

Torque is transmitted to the setting nut 47 by means 6 of a plurality of torque transmitting splints 73 carried 7 on the mandrel exterior. As shown in Fig. lb and Fig. 5, 8 each splint 73 is retained by means of an end nut 75 at g the lower extent thereof, the upper extents thereof being received within a mating interior surface of a splinted 11 ring 77 carried within the torque collar 55. A portion 12 of each splint 73 is received within a setting nut axial 13 groove 79 to allow torque transmitted to the mandrel 15 14 to be transmitted to the setting nut 47 when the mandrel is in the weight set-down position, as shown in Fogs 2b 16 and 3b. Another portion of each splint 73 is received 17 within a mating interior surface (81 in Fig. S) of the 18 splinted ring 77. Since the splinted ring is initially 19 pinned to the torque collar 55 by means of shear pins 83, torque transmitted to the mandrel 15 is transmitted 21 through the splinted ring 77 pins 83 and torque fingers 53 22 to the setting sleeve 13, in the position shown in Fig.
23 lb.

As shown in Fig's. 4 and S, the splints 73 have 26 pointed upper ends 85 which are adapted to be received 27 within mating grooves 87 of the splinted ring 77 as the 28 tubular mandrel is moved axially upwardly and downwardly.
29 Preferably, where are four torque transmitting splints 73, equidistantly spaced about the exterior surface of 31 the mandrel lo. The splinted ring 77 has a series of 32 spaced grooves 87 which are separated by inwardly 33 protruding regions 89. A pair of adjacent keys 91, 93 34 project downwardly from the splinted ring mating interior surface 81 to locate and position the torque transmitting ~3~766~

1 splints 73. As shown in Fig. 4, by providing four 2 equidistantly spaced torque transmitting splints 73 with 3 ends facing two points 91, 93 on the corresponding 4 splinted ring 77, the torque transmitting splints are automatically aligned for proper entry within the ring 6 77.

8 Each torque transmitting splint 73 is a longitudinal g bar of generally rectangular shape. Each splint 73 has a lo step region 74 at the lower end thereof and a rectangular 11 shaped flat 76 which underlies the pointed upper end 85.
I Each splint 73 also has an undercut area 95 adjacent the 13 upper end thereof into which is received a spring biased 14 dog 97. As best seen in Fig. S, the spring biased dog 97 lo has a projecting ear 39 for engaging the upper surface 16 101 of the setting nut 47. In this way, a downward 17 biasing force is applied to the setting nut 47 when in 18 the disengaged position shown in Fig. 3b to facilitate lo preengagement of the setting nut with the internal threads of the setting sleeve should this be desired.

22 The coiled spring 63 (Fig. lb) which rests upon the 23 latch ring upper ledge 65 has an opposite end 103 which 24 is retained within a cylindrical spring sleeve 105. A
port 107 within the sleeve 105 allows the passage of 26 fluids as the spring sleeve 105 is moved in the direction 27 Of the torque collar 55. Spring sleeve 105 contains a 28 bearing arrangement including lower race 109, upper race 29 111, and a plurality of balls 113. A rotatable collar 115 rests upon the bearing arrangement whereby relative 31 rotational movement between the rotatable collar 115 and 32 the spring sleeve 105 is facilitated when the spring 33 sleeve lQ5 contacts the torque collar 55, as shown in 34 Fig. 2b. The rotatable collar 115 is affixed by means of a plurality of pins 117, Jo a ring 118 which, in turn, -11~

1 rests upon a shoulder 120 formed by a region of increased 2 diameter 122 in the tubular mandrel 15. The region 122 3 has an externally threaded surface which engages mating 4 threats provided in the interior of the rotatable collar 115.

7 The operation of the present invention will now be 8 described. In a typical liner hanging operation, the g setting tool of the invention would be made up in a pipe string by threading the upper end 17 (Fig. lay onto the 11 lower extent (not shown) of a pipe string running to the 12 surface. The setting nut 47 (Fig. lb) would be enraging 13 the setting sleeve extension 13 by means of right hand 14 release connecting threads 43, 47, respectively. The mandrel 15 would be spring biased by means of coil spring lo 63 in the extended running-in position shown in Fig's. lo 17 and lb. Shear pins 71 fix the mandrel 15 to the latch 18 ring 69 to retain the mandrel 15 in the extended running-19 in position until a predetermined downward force is applied to the mandrel through the pipe string from the 21 surface. Thus, in the running-in position shown in 22 Fig's. lo and lb, the setting tool 11 and setting sleeve 23 13 can be run into the well bore and left or right hand 24 torque can be applied from the surface to the pipe string, mandrel 15, torque fingers 53 and setting sleeve 26 extension 13 to manipulate a conventional hanger 27 mechanism to hang the liner in the well bore.

29 The liner, which is carried below the setting sleeve, is hung in the conventional manner, as by setting 31 gripping slips located along a portion of the liner 32 exterior. Once the liner is hung within the well bore, 33 weight is taken off the pipe siring, below the setting 34 tool 11, allowing weight to be set-down on the pipe string above the setting tool from the surface. This .

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1 action causes the shear pins 71 to shear and overcomes 2 the reload in coil spring 63, allowing sliding movement 3 of the mandrel 15 within the setting nut 47 until the 4 spring sleeve 105 contacts the upper ledge 121 of the torque collar 55, as shown in Fig. 2b. The port 107 of 6 the spring sleeve 105 allows any trapped well fluids in 7 the interior of the sleeve 105 to pass to the outside of 8 the tool during the sliding movement of the mandrel 15.
g The weight of the pipe string above the setting tool 11 is now carried on the upper ledge 121 of the torque 11 collar Andy the bearing mechanism allows rotational 12 movement of the mandrel 15 with respect to tile stationary 13 setting sleeve extension 13 without a load being imposed 14 upon the connecting threads 43, 45.
16 The torque transmitting splints 73 carried about the 17 mandrel exterior have now moved into a clearance 124 18 (Fig. 2b) with respect to the splinted ring 77, allowing 19 rotational movement of the splints 73 within the torque collar 55. This allows the setting nut 47 to be 21 unthreaded by applying right hand torque to the mandrel 22 I The application of Wright hand torque from the 23 surface through the pipe string is thus transmitted 24 through the splints 73 to the setting nut 47, to cause relative movement between the setting nut connecting 26 threads 45 and the internal connecting threads 43 of the 27 setting sleeve. As best seen in Fig. 3b, the setting nut 28 47 moves up the threaded surface 43 to the disengaged 29 position shown. Once the setting nut has been completely disengaged, the setting tool 11 can be purled out of the 31 setting sleeve extension 13 and raised to the well 32 surface.

34 The setting tool can also be released without the application of weight from the surface by means of a ~.~3'~6~

1 torque override made up of the shear screws 71 and shear 2 pins 83 fugue lb). IJpon the application of a 3 predetermined rotational torque to the mandrel 15, shear pins 71 and 83 are sheared to thereby allow relative

5 rotational movement between the connecting threads 43, 45

6 without the application of downward force to the mandrel

7 15 or downward sliding movement of the mandrel 15 with respect to the torque collar 55. The shear pins 71 and 9 83 are selectively sized to prevent inadvertent shearing during setting operations, but at the same time, allow 11 rotational release upon the application of sufficient 12 force from the surface.

14 Although the setting tool can be retrieved to the well surface at this point, operators sometimes wish to 16 set the setting tool back down on the upper 17 circumferential edge 61 of the setting sleeve 13. The 18 string loaded torque fingers 53 are retractable within 19 the longitudinal openings 57 in case the torque fingers 53 do not line up axially with the end notches 51 of the 21 setting sleeve extension 13. As shown in Fig. 3b, the 22 torque fingers I would then rest upon the upper 23 circumferential edge 61 to prevent damage to the torque 24 fingers.
26 The four pointed torque transmitting splints 73 and 27 facing end points 91, 93 of the splinted ring 77 28 automatically align the splint 73 for reentry of the 29 splints within the splinted ring 77 when weight is taken off the setting tool Asian in Fig. 5.

32 Figures pa and 6b show another embodiment of the 33 setting tool 11 of the invention which allows rotation of 34 the setting sleeve sub 39~ and hence the liner, after the setting nut 47 has been disengaged from the threaded ~3'7~i~i6 1 profile 43. It is sometimes desirable to be able to 2 rotate the liner as the liner is being cemented in place.
3 It is also desirable that the setting nut 47 be 4 disengaged at this point in the operation, in order to assure that the setting tool can be retrieved to the well 6 surface once the operation is complete.

8 In the design shown in Fig's. pa and 6b, the torque

9 collar 55 is extended upwardly to form a surrounding sleeve I (Fig. pa) which surrounds the coil spring Go, if bearing arrangement 109, 111, 113, and collar 116.
12 Collar 116 has an internally threaded surface 118 which 13 engages mating threads on the region 122 of the tubular 14 mandrel 15. The surrounding sleeve 56 also has a slot 124 into which a guide pin 126 and nut 128 are slid ably 16 received. A spacer 130 is received between a shoulder 17 13~ of region 122 and the upper race ill of the bearing 18 arrangement. The lower bearing race 109 is separated by 19 a spacer ring 134 from the upper extent of the coil spring 63.

22 figures pa and 6b show the device in the running-in 23 position. The torque fingers 53 are engaged within the 24 end notches of the setting sleeve enchain and shear pins 71 prevent sliding movement of the tubular mandrel.
26 Once the device has been run to the desired depth and the 27 liner hanger is set, weight can be applied through the 28 pipe string from the well surface, thereby shearing pins 29 71 and allowing the splints 73 to move from within the splinted ring 77. Right hand rotation of the pipe string 31 from the well surface now causes the threaded surface 118 32 to travel up the threaded region 122 until the shoulder 33 132 contacts shoulder 136 within collar 116. As this 34 action occurs, the setting nut 47 also travels up the threaded profile 43 and is disengaged from the ~23~766~

l surrounding setting sleeve extension. The setting tool 2 11 can now be lifted to test disengagemerlt of the threads The setting tool 11 can now again be lowered until 6 thought tool rests upon the upper circumferential edge 61 7 best shown in Fig. 3b) of the setting sleeve 13. At 8 this point, the spring loaded torque fingers 53 may not g be aligned with the end notches 51 of the setting sleeve extension. However, since the shoulder 132 of the 11 mandrel region 122 has now "bottomed out" on the shoulder I 136 of collar 116, further right hand rotation of the 13 pipe string causes torque to be applied from the tubular 14 mandrel through the guide pin 126 to the surrounding sleeve I By applying right hand torque to the sleeve 16 56, the torque fingers 53 can be rotated until they fall 17 into the end notches of the setting sleeve extension.
18 Further right hand rotation of the pipe string now serves 19 to rotate the setting sleeve extension 39 and, in turn, the depending liner. If the operator desires to again 21 pick up the setting tool, the tool can be again latched 22 to the liner setting sleeve by setting down weight and 23 rotating until the torque fingers I reengage their 24 respective end notches 51.
26 The device can be released from the running-in z7 position shown in Fig's. pa and 6b without setting down 28 weight upon the pipe string. Once the liner has been 29 hung in the jell bore, right hand torque applied through the pipe string from the well surface can be used to 31 shear pins 71 and 83. Continued rotation causes threads 32 118 to move over the threaded region 122 until shoulder 33 132 contacts shoulder 136. The application of 34 additional, predetermined torque will shear pin 126.
Since the splinted ring 77 is no longer connected to the ~237~

1 torque fingers 53, torque can be applied through the 2 splints 73 to unthread the setting nut 47 and the tool 3 can be retrieved to -the well surface.
An invention has been provided with several 6 advantages. Once the setting wool of the invention has 7 been run into the well bore, either left or right hand 8 torque can be applied from the surface to the setting g sleeve to perform well bore operations without releasing the setting tool from the setting sleeve. By setting 11 weight down on the setting tool, right hand torque can be 12 applied from the surface to disengage the setting tool 13 from the setting sleeve, allowing the setting tool to be 14 withdrawn from the setting sleeve and raised to the surface. The provision of right hand set and right hand 16 release removes the possibility of unthreading tool 17 joints in the pipe string during well bore manipulations.

19 The present setting tool design has a spring reload to bias the tool toward the extended running-in position 21 and is fixed by shear screws to prevent movement of the 22 mandrel until sufficient downward force is applied from 23 the surface. A torque override feature allows the Ed setting tool to be released from the setting sleeve by applying sufficient rotational force from the surface 26 without applying downward force.

28 Torque is transmitted between the setting tool and 29 setting sleeve by means of a plurality of spring loaded, retractable torque fingers. Since the torque fingers 31 slide axially in planes parallel to the longitudinal axis 32 of the tool, the problem of sand jamming radially biased 33 dogs is eliminated. The torque fingers move to a 34 retracted position if the setting tool is rested upon the setting sleeve after disengagement to prevent possible ~3'7666 1 damage to the torque fingers. After orienting the torque 2 fingers with the setting sleeve end notches, the spring 3 biased fingers snap back into torque transmlttin~
engagement with the setting sleeve. A special key arrangement facilitates reentry of the torque 6 transmitting spleens within the torque collar which are 7 used to disengage the setting nut as the setting tool is 8 moved between the extended running in and weight set-down g positions.
11 In one embodiment of the device, a surrounding 12 sleeve is provided with a slot for receiving a guide pin 13 which allows torque to be transmitted through the pipe 14 string to the torque fingers for reengaging the torque fingers within the setting sleeve extension end notches.
16 The torque fingers can be reengaged after the setting nut 17 has been released, allowing the liner to be rotated after 18 disengagement of the setting nut. This allows the tool 19 to be used to rotate a liner, as during cementing of the liner, while assuring that the setting tool is disengaged 21 and can be retrieved to the well surface without 22 difficulty.

24 While the invention has been shown in only two of its forms, it will be appreciated that it is not thus 26 limited but is susceptible to various changes and 27 modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

. -18-

Claims (9)

We claim:

1. A setting tool of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore, comprising:

a mandrel having an upper end adapted to be connected in the pipe string and having a lower end;

a setting nut carried on said mandrel having external connecting threads for engaging mating connecting threads located on the interior of a setting sleeve disposed about said mandrel;

said mandrel being slidably disposed within said setting nut when said setting nut is engaging said setting sleeve, said mandrel being slidable between an extended, running-in position and a weight set-down position;

a torque collar carried on said mandrel exterior for transmitting torque from said mandrel to said setting sleeve, said torque collar having at least one torque finger mounted thereon which is axially slidable within a slot provided in said torque collar in a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool, said setting sleeve having at least one end notch adapted to receive said axially slidable torque finger; and latch means within said torque collar for preventing relative rotational movement between said connecting threads of said setting nut and said setting sleeve when said mandrel is in said extended, running-in position and allowing relative movement between said connecting threads when said mandrel is in said weight set down position to release said connecting threads.

2. The setting tool of claim 1 wherein said torque collar is a generally cylindrical member having a lower circumferential edge and wherein said torque finger is spring biased toward a torque transmitting position in which at least a portion of said torque finger extends past said lower circumferential edge and is received within said setting sleeve end notch.

3. The setting tool of claim 2, wherein said torque collar lower circumferential edge rests upon an upper circumferential edge of said setting sleeve when said setting nut is engaging said setting sleeve and wherein said torque finger is engage able with said setting sleeve end notch when said torque finger is axially aligned with said end notch, said torque finger being slidable to a retracted position in which said torque finger is completely received within said slot in said torque collar and in which said torque finger does not extend past said lower circumferential edge when said torque finger is out of axial alignment with said end notch.

4. The setting tool of claim 3, wherein said torque finger is forced to said retracted position by contacting said setting sleeve upper circumferential edge when said torque finger is moved out of axial alignment with said end notch.

5. The setting tool of claim 4, wherein a plurality of axially slid able torque fingers are mounted equidistantly about the exterior of said mandrel for alignment with ma-tiny end notches provided in said setting sleeve.

6. A setting tool of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore comprising:

a mandrel having an upper end adapted to be connected in the pipe string and having a lower end;

a setting nut carried on said mandrel having external connecting threads for engaging mating connecting threads located on the interior of a setting sleeve disposed about said mandrel, said setting nut having at least one axial groove in the interior thereof;

said mandrel being slidably disposed within said setting nut when said setting nut is engaging said setting sleeve, said mandrel being slidable between an extended running-in position and a weight set-down position;

a torque collar carried on said mandrel exterior for transmitting torque from said mandrel to said setting sleeve having at least one torque finger mounted thereon which is axially slidable on an external surface of said torque collar in a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool said setting sleeve having at least one end notch adapted to receive said torque finger;

latch means within said torque collar for preventing relative rotational movement between said connecting threads of said setting nut and said setting sleeve when the mandrel is in said extended running-in position and allowing relative movement between said connecting threads when said mandrel is in said weight set-down position to release said connecting threads;

at least one torque transmitting spline on said mandrel exterior, a portion of said spline being received within said setting nut axial groove to allow torque transmitted to said mandrel to be transmitted to said setting nut when said mandrel is in said weight set-down position, another portion of said spline being received within a mating interior surface of said torque collar when said mandrel is in said extended, running-in position to thereby prevent the transmission of torque to said setting nut; and key means on said mating interior surface of said torque collar for orienting said torque transmitting spline during receipt of said spline within said torque collar.

7. The setting tool of claim 6, wherein said mandrel exterior is provided with a plurality of torque transmitting splines spaced equidistantly about said mandrel exterior, said splines having pointed upper ends for contacting said mating interior surface of said torque collar for orienting said torque transmitting splines during receipt of said splines within said torque collar.

8. A method of setting a liner in a well bore using a setting tool of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore, comprising the steps of:

connecting a mandrel in the pipe string which has a setting nut with external connecting threads for engaging mating connecting threads located on the interior of a setting sleeve disposed about said mandrel, the mandrel being slidably disposed within said setting nut when said setting nut is engaging said setting sleeve, said mandrel being slidable between an extended, running-in position and a weight set-down position;

mounting a torque collar on said mandrel exterior, said torque collar having at least one torque finger mounted thereon which is axially slidable on an external surface of said torque collar in a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool, said setting sleeve having at least one end notch adapted to receive said axially slidable torque finger;

initially latching the mandrel to the setting sleeve with each torque finger received within its respective end notch;

setting weight down on the pipe string from the well surface to release the latch and allow relative movement between the connecting threads of the setting nut and setting sleeve;

applying right hand torque to the pipe string to release the connecting threads of the setting nut from the setting sleeve;

temporarily lifting the pipe string and setting tool to test the disengagement of the setting nut;

again resting the setting tool on the setting sleeve;

rotating said pipe string to realign said torque finger and said setting sleeve end notch and reengage said torque finger with said end notch; and continuing to rotate to the right to rotate the setting sleeve during subsequent well bore operations.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the torque fingers are rotated into position by transmitting torque from the mandrel through a guide pin retained in a guide slot of the torque collar.