US2547387A - Well packer - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1951 G. GREEN WELL PACKER Filed Oct. 6, 1945 24 2 ii I? 22 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. George Green Y T TORNE YS Patented Apr. 3, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL PACKER George Green, Houston, Tex.

Application October 6, 1945, Serial No. 620,710

11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in well packers.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer which may be readily lowered into a well and secured in position without orienting, unlatching or screwing or unscrewing parts thereof. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved packer having slips for setting it in position and means for actuating said slips; together with means which may be used to 'jar the slip actuating means to release the slips.

Another object of the invention is to provide animproved packer including a separable housing and a two-part mandrel arranged so that one mandrel part may be utilized to actuate the slips and the other mandrel part used to jar the slip actuating mandrel to release the slips or to separate the housing and remove the upper portion in case the slips cannot be released.

. A still further object of the invention is to v provide a packer with an upper and a lower mandrel wherein the upper mandrel forms part of a by-pass valve, a jar for releasing the slips and means for orienting the housing to separate it. 1

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention. The invention will be more readily understood from'a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,- wherein-an example of the inventionis shown; and wherein:

. Fig. I is a half section and elevation of the upper portion of a packer constructed in accordance with the invention,

.Fig. 2 is a similar view of the lower portion of said packer,-

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are horizontal cross-sectional views of thepacker, taken on their respective lines, and V Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of one of the bow springs.

In the drawings, the numeral I 0 designates generally a cylindrical housing of substantially 'uniform external diameter and including an and a tubular slip mandrel, indicated generally by the numeral 16, is slidable therein and ex-- ternally screw-threaded at its lower end so as to be screwed into a perforated bull plug strainer l8.

At its medial portion, which is within the section l2, the mandrel is formed on its outer surface with upwardly and inwardly inclined annular expansion rings I9 which are integral therewith and are disposed vertically in stepped order. These rings constitute slip; displacing elements. The lower end of the lowermost ring is surrounded by an annular stop shoulder 20. The section 12 is formed with vertical windows 2| spaced equi-distant in the circumference of said section, three of such windows being shown, but the number being optional. Vertical slips 22 are disposed in these windows and each slip has upon its rear face inclined surfaces 23 complementary to the rings and engaging the sameso that upon vertical movement of the mandrel the slips may be expanded and retracted. The inclined faces 23 are of such lengths as to permit vertical movement of the rings with respect to such surfaces. The slips are provided with vertical rows of teeth 24 for engaging the inner upper or head section II and a lower or slip section l2. At its lower end, the section H is provided with an internally screw-threaded tapered socket l3 into which is screwed a taperedscrew-threaded pin I 4, which latter is provided with an annular shoulder 15 at its base engaging' the lower edge of the member ll so as to provide a tight joint. The housing is tubular surface of a well pipe. When the mandrel is in its lowermost position, the teeth of the slips will be retracted within the external diameter of the section [2 and when the mandrel is moved upwardly, the rings 23 will cause the slips to be radilly expanded out through the windows 2f; whereby the teeth 24 will bite into the inner surface of a well pipe and fasten the packer in position. For limiting the outward or radial movement of the slips, each one is provided at its upper end with an inwardly directed recess 25 for receiving the lower end of a keeper 26 countersunk in the surface of the section l2 at the upper end of its respective window and secured by a machine screw 21. Each slip has a depending lug 28 at its lower end co-acting with the keeper to limit the outward movement of the slip. The slips 22, the rings 23 and the mandrel it, constitute anchoring means for anchoring the packer in a well casing.v

Below the rings 19, the mandrel I6 is formed with an annular enlargement 29, the base of which is surrounded by an undercut annular and may be made of synthetic rubber, rubber or any other material suitable for the purpose. Each cup has its upper annular end beveled as is indicated at 33. The bevel 33 of the upper cup engages the undercut surface of the collar 30 and the external diameter of said cup is substantially the same as the diameter of said collar. An annular thimble 34 is mounted on the shank 3| and is provided with an undercut surface 35 which is en aged by the bevel 33 of the lower cup. The upper edge portion of the thimble is beveled and the thimble supports a relatively thin sleeve 36, which has a snug sliding fit on the shank 3| and telescopes the upper cup, as is shown in Fig. 2.

The lower end of each cup is formed with an outwardly offset annular lip 31, which has an external diameter greater than the diameter of the body of the cup so as to engage the inner wall of a well pipe. The lip of each cup is spaced outwardly so that pressure fluid may enter the. lower end of the cup and expand it. The lower cup is supported by a sleeve 38, similar to the sleeve 36, resting upon the bull plug i8. It is obvious that when the bull plug is screwed up against the lower sleeve 38, the packer assembly is' adequately secured on the shank 3| and may be removed therefrom when desired.

.A tubular operating mandrel or movable member 39 is disposed to slide vertically in the head section II. This mandrel may be referred to as a head mandrel because it is in the head section. The head section is formed with coun terbores 40, 4| and 42, each of reduced diameter, upwardly of said section. The upper end of the section is formed with a short bore 43 in which the mandrel 39 is slidable. Elongate vertical splines 44 are provided on the mandrel and engage in vertical guideways 45 in the bore 43, whereby the mandrel 39 is free to slide vertically. The splines are long enough to remain in the guideways at all vertical adjustments of theoperating mandrel, so that rotation may be contributed to the housing section II upon rotation of said mandrel. The upper end of the mandrel extends above the provided with a screw-threaded pin' 49 for attachment to an operating pipe;

The lower end of the mandrel 39 is formed with an annular externally screw-threaded head 41 having an overhanging annular flange 43. at its upper end. A fluid-pressure sealing ring 49 isfitted around. thehead and engages under the flange. An internally screw-threaded collar 59 screwed onto the head ports. 5| which register with radial ducts 5 2 ex.-v tending transversely through the head from the bore of the mandrel 39,. It will be notedthat the upper end of the packer mandrel l6 has an annular neck 53 which has a sliding fit in an axial bore 54, formed in the upper end of the section l2. Within the pin M, an annular recess 55 is provided for receiving a fluid-pressure packing ring 56 which snugly engages the neck 53 to form a fluid-tight joint.

The head 41 including the elements carried thereby, is of such external diameter as to have a sliding fit when moved upwardly into the counterbore 4|. With the parts in the position shown inFig. 1, it will be observed that fluid flowing in the bore of the mandrels l6 and 39 is free to escape through the ducts 52 and ports 5| into the counterbore- 40 and thence upwardly through the counterbores 4| and 42, from which latter it may escape through radial ducts 51 into'the pipe or housing l5 and is below the ring and has s,

Hi, whereby the rings 19 will radially displace the-l tubing surrounding the packer. These elements form a by-pass and a by-pass valve, whereby the packer may be lowered or vertically adjusted in fluid in a well pipe. When the mandrel 39 is moved upwardly, the ring 49 will seal against the annular wall of the bore 4| and thereby shut off the by-pass. It will also be observed that the head 41 of the mandrel may be engaged with the neck 53 of the mandrel IE to force the same downwardly and thereby permit the slips 22 to retract.

In lowering the packer into a well, upward fluid-pressure may be exerted within the lips 31 of the cups 32, which will tend to move the mandrel l6 upwardly and expand the slips; however, if" the weight of the mandrel 39 and the tubing attached thereto is imposed upon the mandrel l6, said slips will not be expanded into gripping engagement with the well pipe, but if the mandrel 39 is lifted and the by-pass closed, then the fluid-pressure acting upon the cups 32' will move the mandrel l3 upwardly and expand the slipsj 22 into gripping position. Once the slips are set,

the mandrel 39 may be freelymoved vertically;

If the section l2 should become locked in the:

well, the mandrel 39 may be rotatedand this will contribute rotation to the splines 44, whereby the head section Il may be rotated and unscrewed from the pin M. This will permit the uppersection H to be withdrawn from the well and the lower section l2 fished out in accordance with the usual practice.

In order to prevent the housing In from moving downwardly independently of the mandrel 39, I 6 would be separated whereby the mandrel therefrom and the slips 22' inadvertently set, I-

provide a plurality of retarding elements in the form of elongate fiat springs 58 disposed in complementary recesses 59 in the surface of the sec,- tion l2 between the windows 2 The upper ends of these springs are fastenedby screws 69. These springs are bowed so that their medial portions; will project outwardly from the outer surface of the housing n ride. inner a nu ar. sur ace. of the well casing, while their lower ends are free so that, said springs may be depressed into said' recesses and yield to irregularities in the casing surface.

It is pointed out, that when, it dQSired to retrieve the packer after it is .set. in a well, it is, only necessary to liftv the, mandrel 39 and then. use it as a jar to hammerdown on the, mandrel. l6 which will drive the mandrel l6 downwardly, whereby the rings l9 will be 1owered, thus rea n he s-1 I he. lips annq be'r eesedin this manner the mandre1 39 isoriented where: by the splines 44 will unscrew; theupper housing section l, as hereinbefore described,

When the packer islowered in a well the springs 58 will ride the inner annular surface of thewell casing (not shown), whereby the housing l9 will be sufficiently, retarded to keep the mandrelslli and 39 in contact and prevent the slips 22 from setting; also the head 4]. will be held down so as to keep open the by-pass formed by the ele- L ments 52, 5|, 4|], 4|, 42. and 51. When theproper location is reached, the mandrel 39 islifted, while the housing is held substantially. stationary by thesprings 58. When the mandrel 39 is-lifted, the head 41 willbe raised into the counterbore 4 whereby the pressure seal packing ring 49' wilt be shut off the by-pass. The fluid pressure will act upon the cups 32 and thus lift the mandrel aria-see 5. slips 22 and causing their teeth 24 to bite into the casing wall. The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof andvarious changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope .of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

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

l. A removable well packer including, an elon gate outer tubular housing having slip openings therein, a tubular slip mandrel free to slide longitudinally in said housing and having slip displacing elements thereon, Slips in the housing displaceable through the housing openings engaged by the displacing elements of the slip mandrel, whereby said slips are displaced radially outwardly by the displacing elements upon upward longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to the housing and slips, an external packer member carried by the slip mandrel below the housing, fluid by-pass means in the housing above the slip mandrel for by-passing fluid from the tubular mandrel through the housing to the exterior thereof above the slips and the packer member, and a member movable longitudinally in the housing above the slip mandrel and having a well tool connection at its upper end and adapted to engage and move said mandrel downwardly relative to said slips. 1

2. A removable well packer as set forth in claim 1, and means carried by the movable member and engaging the housing for rotating the housing when said movable member is rotated.

3. A removable well packer as set forth in claim 1-, in which the housing is made up of separate interconnected sections, one of which sections carries the slip mandrel and slips and the other section carries the by-pass means and the movable member. J

4. A removable well packer including, a tubular housing having slip windows, slips movable radially through the housing windows, a tubular slip mandrel movable longitudinally in the housing and extending therebelow, said slip mandrel having means thereon for radially moving the slips outwardly into engagement with the. inner surface of surrounding well pipe as the slip mandrel moves upwardly relative to the slips, an external packer member on the slip mandrel below the housing frictionally engageable with a surrounding well pipe, a head mandrel extending into and longitudinally slidable in the housing above the slip mandrel and adapted to engage and move said slip mandrel downwardly relative to the housing to release the slips from engagement with the surrounding well pipe, the housing and the head mandrel having means for establishing a fluid by-pass therethrough, and valve means carried by the head mandrel engageable with a valve seat on the tubular housing for closing off the by-pass means.

5. A removable well packer as set forth in claim 4, wherein the housing is made up of upper and lower interconnected separable sections, and connection means carried by the mandrel and engaging the upper section for transmitting rotation from the mandrel to said section when the mandrel is rotated and the lower section is held against rotation.

6. A removable packer including, a lower housing section having a screw-threaded member at its upper end, an upper housing section having screw-threads at its lower end engaging said 6 1 member, anchoring means carriedbythe. lower housing member, an external packer member supported from and below the lower housing section below the anchoring means, theupper housing section having a bore and a counter bore, and a tubular mandrel movable vertically in the bore and counterbore of the upper housing for engaging and releasing the anchoring means and also having means for engaging and rotating the upper housing section to unscrew it"from the lower section.

7. A removable packer as set forth in claim 6, and shut-off means on the mandrel for engaging in the counterbore of the upper section and closing off the bore thereof when the mandrel is moved vertically.

8. A removable well packer including, a tubular housing made up of an upper section and a lower section having screw connection with and separable from the upper section, anchoring means carried by the lower section having slips for anchoring the latter in a well, exterior packing means carried by the anchoring means below the slips, a head mandrel in the upper housing section and movable longitudinally therein for engaging and releasing the anchoring means, said head mandrel having sliolable engagement with the upper section for rotating and unscrewing said upper section to separate it from the lower section when said lower section is held against rotation.

9. A removable packer as set forth in claim 8 with means in the housing and head mandrel for by-passing fluid through the housing, and means on the mandrel for closing off the by-pass means.

10. A removable packer including, a tubular housing made up of an upper section and a lower section having screw-threaded connection with and separable from the upper section, anchoring means carried by the lower section having slips for anchoring the latter in a well, exterior packing means carried by the anchoring means below the slips, a head mandrel in the upper housing section and movable longitudinally therein for engaging and for releasing the anchoring means, inter-engaging means on the mandrel and in the upper section for rotating the upper section when the lower section is held against rotation for unscrewing the sections, the head mandrel being tubular and having a lateral passage therethrough, the upper section having a lateral passage and a counterbore between its passage and the lateral passage of the mandrel, and shut-off means on the mandrel adapted to close the counterbore of the upper section to shut off communication between the passages when the mandrel is moved longitudinally.

11. A removable well packer including, a tubular housing, slips carried by the housing and held against longitudinal movement with respect to the housing, said slips being radially movable, a tubular slip mandrel movable longitudinally in the housing and extending therebelow, said slip mandrel having means thereon for radially moving the slips outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of surrounding well pipe as the slip mandrel moves upwardly relative to the slips, an external packer member on the slip mandrel below the housing frictionally engageable with the surrounding well pipe, a head mandrel extending into and longitudinally slidable in the housing above the slip mandrel and adapted to engage and 'move the slip mandrel downwardly relative to the housing to release the .slips from enga ement with 39 3.9 :S1L 9L I QiQ l pip ihhe housin e sl he new .1 ml

having means for establishin a ;fi..f i l y-Dat therethnough, and valve mean ma i by he head mandrel en a eable with a valve seat on the tubular housing 101' elosme 9 the h pass means.

GE RGE Q EEN- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record :in the file Qf this patent:

Number Name Date Baker .et .a'1 Mar. .5, 1935 :Straub May '28., 1939 Green Jan. ,4, 1951A Wilson Jan. 4, .1914 Justice et a1 Nov. 27, 1345

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