US2084611A

US2084611A - Packer

Info

Publication number: US2084611A
Application number: US92233A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles S Crickmer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-07-23
Filing date: 1936-07-23
Publication date: 1937-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 1954-06-22

Description

June 22, 1937.

C. S. CRICKM ER PACKER Filed July 23, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l C. S. CRICKM ER PACKER June 22, 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1936 Patented June j 22, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'Packen Charles S. Crickmer, Dallas. Tex.

Application July z3, 193s, serial No. 9,2,233 11 claims. (ol. iss-12) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in packers. e

.One object of the invention is to provide an improved packer which is particularly adapted for use in supporting an insert pump within the well casing, although it may be used as an ordinary well packer.

An important object of the invention is to provide `an improved well packer which is arranged to be set within a well casing and which is provided withv means for locking the packer in its Aset position, whereby the maintenance of the packing seal is assured.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved packer including a resilient packer element which is supported by a slip cone, and a member slidable through the cone for expanding the element, with means for locking said member and cone to each other after the element has been gosetwhich prevents the packer from being jarred or otherwise accidentally loosened from its set position.

' A further object of the invention is to provide an improved packer including gripping slips slidable on a slip cone, the slips and cone being so constructed that there is a co-,action therebetween which securelylocks the cone to the mandrel of the packer when said packer is in a set position.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- 30 vide an improved packer having improved means for drainingl the fluid from above the packer when it is desired to remove said packer from the well casing.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

'I'he invention will be more readily understood from a reading of 'the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, inv

40 which an example of the invention is shown, and

wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the upper portion of a packer, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a continuation of Figure 1, and

lshowing the lower end of the device,

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the parts shown in Figure 1,y

Figure 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the parts shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the upper end of the'packer and showing the mandrel in a raised position,

Figure 6 is a.- horizontal, cross-sectional view,

takenonthelineB-iofFigureL y Figure 7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 'I-1 of Figure 1, and

Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8,-8 of Figure 2.

In the drawings, the numeral I0 designates a 5 tubular mandrel which has its upper end threaded at I I to receive the lower end of a coupling collar I2. The upper end of the collar I2 is internally threaded as shown at I3, whereby the lower end of a pump barrel A, may be secured thereto. The 10 lower end of the mandrel Illis threaded at I4, whereby said mandrel may be connected to the well tubing (not shown). A recovery ring I5 (Figure 3) is formed'on the mandrel I0 and is located nearer the lower end thereof. 15

A slip cone or head I6 surrounds the mandrel III and has its lower end supported on `:he recovery ring I5. The cone is provided with an annular taperedrecess II in its upper portion, and this recess receives the lower end of an elongate elastic packing member or element I8. The elastic packing element surrounds the mandrel and is slidable thereon, the upper end of said element being tapered to lit within an annular thimble or retaining cap I9 which is also slidably 25 'mounted on the mandrel. The thimble or cap I9 is provided with an annular upset ange 20 which normally engages an annular recess 2l formed in the underside of the collar I 2 (Figure3) With the above arrangement, it will be seen ,o that the cone i6, packing element I8 and thimble I5 are supported on the mandrel by the recovery ring I5. These parts are all slidable with relation to the mandrel and it will be seen that when the cone I6 is held stationary or locked within the well casing B, a continued downward movement of the mandrel I0 would cause the collar I2 which is in engagement with the thimble I9, to force said thimble downwardly with relation to the cone. Thiswould cause the packing element I 8 to be moved to its expanded position into engagement with the well casing B as is clearly shown in Figure 3. For reinforcing the packing element I8 and also for causing an equal packing seal throughout the length of the packing element a plurality of reinforcing rings I 8' are molded within the packing element. The provision of these rings will cause the packing element to beexpanded as shown in Figure 3 whereby the eifect of a plurality of packing elements, instead of a 1 single packing element, is obtained.

For locking the cone I6 in a stationary position inthe well casing, a plurality of slips 22 are provided, and each slip includes gripping teeth 22' on. its outer surface. 'I'he slips are slidable vertically on the cone I6, and due to the inclination of said cone are expanded outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the well casing B as they move upwardly on said cone. For supporting each slip 22 in position on the cone a flat spring member 23 is provided. The member 23 has its upper end extending into a v recess 24 formed in the rear face of the slip 22,

being pivoted on a pin 25 which extends through said slip. The member 23 is also pivoted on a pin 26 which extends across a slot 21 formed in a sleeve 28, which sleeve surrounds the lower end of the mandrel. I'I'he member 23 extends downwardly within the slot 21 in close proximity to the mandrel I0 and the extreme lower end of the member 23 is bent upon itself so that said member then extends upwardly in engagement with the wall of' the well casing B. The curve 23' which is formed at the lower end of the member 23 rests against the inclined bottom 21 of the slot 21 (Figure 4). The extreme upper end 23a of the member 23 is then bent inwardly to engage the member 23 at a point between the

pins

25 and 26 asis clearly shown in Figure 3. With this arrangement, it will be seen that the single member 23 not only forms the link by which the slips 22 are attached to the sleeve 28, but also provides friction springs C which at all times, contact the inner wall of the well casing.

For holding the slips 22 in their retracted position while the device is being lowered into the well casing, the sleeve 28 is provided with a pair of J -slots 30 which are located diametrically opposite each other at the lower end of said sleeve (Figure 2). Radial pins 3| which are secured to the tubular mandrel I0 extend outwardly into the slots' 30. It will be seen that when the pins 3| are located in the horizontal leg 30' of each J-slot, that the sleeve 28 is locked to the mandrel I0 and will move therewith. When said pins are in such position, the slips 22 are at the extreme lower end of the cone I1' and are thus, retracted from the wall of the well casing.

When the device has been lowered to its proper position within the well casing, it is only necessary to rotate the mandrel I8 in a clockwise direction (Figure 8), so that the pins 3| are moved into alignment with the vertical legs of the J-slots. When this is done downward movement of the mandrel I8 is continued, and said mandrel moves downwardly through the sleeve 28, because said sleeve is being held stationary by the friction springs C secured thereto. Since the slips 22 are directly connected to the sleeve 28 by the members 23, it will be obvious that as the sleeve is held stationary, the slips 22 will also be stationary. Therefore, continued downward movement of the mandrel I0 will cause the cone I6 to ride downwardly within the slips l22, thereby expanding said slips into engagement with the wall of the Well casing B.

After the cone has been locked in position as I `above explained, the weight of the mandrel and the parts thereabove will move said mandrel downwardly through the cone so that the thimble I9 at the upper end of the packing element I8, will expand said packing element into engagement with the well casing, as is clearly shown in Figure 3. After the packing has moved into its sealing position, it will be obvious that the entire weight of the device is carried by the slips 22 and there is altendency for the cone to be moved downwardly within the slips which are, of course,

in engagement with the well casing B.

The cone I6 is provided with aplurality of the packing has moved into its' engagement with l, the well casing B, any further downward movement of the cone within the slips 22 will cause the cone to be reduced in diameter. 'I'his reduction of diameter of the cone I6 will cause :the inner periphery of-{said cone to frictionally engage the outer-surface of the mandrel I8. Wheri this occurs, itl will'fbe obvious that' the coneJr will be rigidly andA securely clamped to the mani" drel and thus th cone and mandrel are locked to each other.

the packing element I8 due to the vibration or jarring action of the pump, will` be obviated. In other words,l by clamping the cone around the mandrel, it is. impossible for the packing element to be disengaged from the casing wall unless a.v comparatively strong upward pull on the mandrel is had. This is advantageous because the. vib'ration incidental to the pumping action is sumcient to break the seal of the packing element and therefore, with the arrangement above described, the packing is more or less locked in its set position.

When it is desired to remove the packer from the well casing B, it is only necessary to exert an upward pull on the coupling collar I2 at the upper end of the mandrel. This immediately causes the mandrel to move upwardly through the cone, packing element I8 and thimble I9. It is well known that after an elastic packing element has been set within a well for some time, the outer periphery or packing surface of said element will adhere or stick to the wall of the well casing. Therefore, as the mandrel moves upwardly the thimble I9 and packing element I8 will retain their packed position as shown in Figure 3. This causes the upstanding annular flange 20 at the upper end of the thimble I9 to be disengaged from within the recess 2| in the lower end of the collar I2. Continued upward movement of the mandrel permits uncovering of a port 33 which is provided in the mandrel I0 below the screw threads II. When this port is uncovered, it will be obvious that the fluid above the packing element I8 may pass between the collar I2 and thimble I9 and escape through the port 33, and then downwardly through the tubular mandrel I0. This relieves the load or weight of the iluid above the packing element I8 and a continued upward pull on the mandrel will permit easy removal of the entire device from the well casing B.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A well packer including, a mandrel, a packing element surrounding the mandrel', a cone slidable on the mandrel 4for supporting the packing element, means for distorting the element into packing position, and means for frictionally clamping the cone to the mandrel after the packing element has been set, whereby said element is retained in its set'position.

2. A well packer including, a mandrel, a packing element surrounding the mandrel, means for supporting the packing element in position on said mandrel, means for distorting the packing element into packing position, means for frictionally clamping the mandrel to the element supporting means after said element has been distorted, whereby said element is retained inA its set position, and means for draining the fluid from above the packing element when the device is being raised.

3. A well packer including, a mandrel, a packing element surrounding the mandrel, a cone slidable on the mandrel for supporting the packing element, means for distorting the element into packing position, means for frictionally clamping the cone to the mandrelafter the packing element has been set, whereby said element is retained in its set position; and means for draining the fluid from above the packing element when the device i's being raised.

4. A well packer adapted to be lowered into a well casing including, a mandrel, a slip cone slidable on said mandrel, an annular packing element having its lower end supported in the cone, means on the upper end of the mandrel engaging the upper end of the element, whereby the weight of the mandrel maybe placed on said element, means for locking the cone within the well casing to preventl further downward movement thereof, whereby the mandrel slides through said cone and the weight of said man- .drel distorts the element into packing position,

and means for frictionally clamping the cone to the mandrel after the element is set.

5. A well packer adapted tobe lowered into4 a well casing including, a mandrel, a slip cone slidable on said mandrel, an annular packing element having its lower end supported in the cone, means on the upper end of the mandrel engaging the upper end of the element, whereby the weight of the .mandrel may be placed on sai-d element, means for locking the cone within the well casing to prevent further downward movement thereof, whereby the mandrel slides through said cone and the weight of said mandrel distorts the element into packing position, means for frictionally clamping the cone to the mandrel after the element is set, and means on the mandrel for engaging beneath the cone so that an upward pull on said mandrel will raise' the cone and packing element to permit removal of the device from the casing.

6. A well packer adapted to be lowered into a well casing including, a mandrel, a slip cone slidable on said mandrel, an annular lpacking element having its lower end supported in the cone, means on the upper end of the mandrel engaging the upper end of the element, whereby the weight of the mandrel may be placed on said element, means for locking the cone within the well casing to prevent furtherk downward movement thereof, whereby the mandrel slides through said cone and the weight of said mandrel distorts the element into packing position, means for frictionally clamping the cone to the mandrel after the element is set, means on the mandrel for engaging beneath the cone So that an upward pull on said mandrel will raise the cone and packing element to permit removal of the y device from the casing, and means above the packing element for draining fluid from abovev said element as the same is lifted in the casing.

'7'. A well packer adapted to be lowered into a well casing including, a mandrel, a slip cone slidthe weight of the mandrel may be-pIaced on said element, a plurality of slips slidable vertically on the surface of the cone, whereby when said cone moves downwardly with relation to the slips the latter are moved into engagement with the casing, means for moving the slips downwardly in theirretracted position with the mandrel and l cone, means for engaging the slips with` the casing to prevent further downward movement of said cone, whereby the weight of the mandrel is placed on the packing element to distort the same, and means for frictionally clamping the cone to the mandrel after said element has been set.

8. A well packer adapted to be lowered into a well casing including, a mandrel, a slip cone slidable on said mandrel, an annular packing element having its lower end supported in the cone, means on the upper end of the mandrel engaging the upper end of the element, whereby the weight of the mandrel may be placed' on said element, means for locking the cone within the well casing to prevent further downward movement thereof, whereby the mandrel slides through said cone and the weight of said mandrel distorts the element into packing position, and means for reducing the diameter of the cone whereby said cone frictionally clamps to the mandrel after the element has been set.

9. A well packer adapted to be lowered into a well casing includin'g, a mandrel, a slip cone slidable on said mandrel, an annular packing element having its lower end supported in the cone, means on the upper end of the mandrel engaging the upper end of the element, whereby the weight of the mandrel may be placed on said element, a plurality of slips slidable vertically on the surface of the cone, whereby when said cone moves downwardly with relation to the slips the latter are moved into engagament with the casing, means for moving the slipsdownwardly in their retracted position with the mandred and cone, and means for engaging the slips with the casing -to prevent further downward movement of said cone, whereby the weight of the mandrel is placed onthe packing element to distort the same, the cone having a plurality of vertical slots therein whereby after the packing elementl is set and the weight above the cone forces said cone further between the slips engaging the casing, said slips act to reduce the diameter of the cone to frictionally clamp the cone tothe mandrel.

10. A well packer adapted to be lowered into well casing including, a mandrel, a slip cone slidable on said mandrel, an annular packing element having its. lower end supported in the cone, means on the upper end of the mandrel engaging the upper end of the element, whereby the weight of the mandrel may be placed on said element, a

' plurality of slips slidable vertically on the surface of the cone, whereby when said cone moves downwardly with relation to the slips the latter are moved into engagement with the casing, means for moving the slips downwardly in their retracted position with the mandrel and cone, means for engaging the slips with the casing to prevent further downward movement of said cone, whereby the weight of the mandrel is placed on the packing element to distort the same, the cone having a plurality of vertical slots therein whereby after the packing element is set and the weight above the cone forces said cone further between the slips engaging the casing, said slips act to reduce the diameter of the cone to frictionally clamp the cone to the mandrel, and means on the mandrel for engaging beneath the cone so that an upward pull on said mandrel will raise the cone and packing element to permit removal of the device from 'the casing.

11. A Well packer adapted to be lowered into a well casing including, a. mandrel, a slip cone 5 slidablel on said mandrel, an annular packing element having 'its lower end supported in the cone, means on the upper end of the mandrel engaging the upper end 'of` 'the element, whereby ing to prevent further downward movement oi' said lcone, whereby the weight of the mandrel is placed on the packing element to distort the same,

the cone having a plurality of vertical slots therein whereby after the packing element is set and the weight above the cone forces said cone further between the slips engaging the casing-said slips act to reduce the diameter of the cone to frictionally clamp the cone to the mandrel, means on the mandrel for engaging beneath the cone so 10 that an upward pull on said mandrel will raise the cone and packing element to permit removal of the device from the casing, and means above the packing element for draining uid from above said element as the same is lifd inthe casing. 15

CHARLES S.y CRICKMER.

f i theweight of the mandrel may be placed on said ;'0 element, a plurality of slips slidable vertically on "f the surface of the cone, whereby when said cone moves downwardly with' relation to the slips the latter" are 'moved into engagement with the casing, means for moving the slips downwardly 15 in their retracted position with the mandrel andl cone, means for engaging the slips with the cas-