US2627316A - Well tool swivel device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3, 1953 R. c. BAKER 2,627,316;

wELL TOOL SWIVEL DEVICE Filed July 1, 194e s sheets-sheet 1y 257g?. l, C 'E gg 2.

I N VEN TOR.

baur/@M Feb. 3, 1953 R. C. BAKER WELL TOOL SWIVEL DEVICE Filed July l, 1946 5 Sheetsheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 3, 1953 WELL TOOL SWIVEL DEVICE Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga, Calif., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Vernon, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 1, 1946, Serial No. 680,665

(Cl. 16B-12) 12 Claims. l

This invention relates to well tools especially useful in the performance of cementing, acidizing, washing, testing, anchoring and similar functions in oil and gas wells.

Certain well tools are operable by moving their parts with respect to one another through manipulation of an attached tubing string. The relative movement may result from holding one of the tool parts relatively stationary through casing or formation engaging instrumentalities, or by otherwise resisting its movement. Some such devices are in engagement with the wall of the casing or formation and tend to resist rotation of the well tool when rotation of the attached tubing string, with-out corresponding revolution of the devices, might be desirable. An example of the desirability of not rotating the casing or formation engaging instrumentalities is in removing the well tool from the Well bore by unscrewing the tubing or drill pipe joints very readily through rotation, by the rotary table at the top of the hole, of the entire tubular string remaining in the well bore. Where such rotation has been attempted in the past, the casing or formation wall engaging means has also been rotated, with potential damage to it and to other parts of the well tool.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present inventi-on to permit the tubing string to be rotated without corresponding rotation of the well tool elements engaging the casing or formation wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Well apparatus in which the tubing string to which the well apparatus is attached may be rotated without rotating the apparatus itself.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the rotation of the tubing string without corresponding rotation of a well tool attached to the tubing string, in which the to-ol and tubing string may be positively coupled together to allow at least part of the well tool to rotate in unison with the tubing string.

Still another object of the invention is to p-ro- Vid-e a well tool embodying a locking device controlled by movement of a tubing string, to which the well tool is attached, with respect to a casing engaging drag service constituting part of the well tool, the tubing string being movable to operate the locking device in its normal manner and yet rotatable through a large number of revolutions with-out corresponding rotation of the drag device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well tool for anchoring to a casing, which can be forcibly retracted from engagement with the casing through rotation of a tubular string to which the tool is attached, without rotating a casing engaging drag device forming part of the tool.

This invention has other objects which will become apparent from a consideration of the embodiments shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detailV to illustrate the general principles of the invention, but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limited sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal section, partly in elevation, of one form of the invention positioned with-in a well casing;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on anenlarged scale of the swivel device shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 3 3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-section taken along the line 4 4 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through still another form of the invention; and

Figure '7 is a View like Figure 6, with parts in another operative position,

The invention is illustrated in the drawings as tpplied to a well tool A movable through a Well casing B by virtue of its attachment to a tubular string C of tubing or drill pipe. The tool disclosed is a well pack-er `of the type described in my United States Patent 2,368,400, in which an upper body or mandrel IU is connectable to the lower end of the tubing string, and is attached to a lower body II by means of a suitable left hand threaded connection I2. A packing actuator I3 is secured to the lower end of the lower body II and engages a pack-ing sleeve I4 surrounding the body, whose upper end contacts a conical slip expander I5 having upwardly and inwardly taperingsurfaces I6 engageable with companion surfaces I'I on a plurality of spaced circularly disposed slips I8 supported by a sleeve I9 through the medium of pins 2li and links 2|.

The sleeve I9 is connected by a suitable swivel 22 to a collar or sleeve 23 forming part of a lock device, and embodying a slot 24, 25 of J `or L shape in which a lock pin 26 secured to the 'mandrel I may move. The sleeve has a drag service attached to it, which, as shown in the drawings, includes a plurality of circularly spaced outwardly bowed leaf springs 21, whose lower ends are table at the top of the well bore.

suitably secured to the sleeve 23, as by an encircling ring 28 and screws 29, and whose upper ends are also suitably secured to an upper collar 30 slidable on the mandrel I0, as by an encircling ring 3| and screws 32. y

As explained in the above patent, the packer A is movable through the well casing B with its parts locked in retracted position, as governed by the location of the lock pin 26 in the horizontal portion 24 of the lock slot. When in such position, the slips I8 and expander I5 cannot move longitudinally with respect to one another to anchor the former to the wall of the well casing. But when anchoring is desired, the tubing string C is rotated to the left or counterclockwise (looking down) to position the lock pin 2t at the lower end of the longitudinal slot portion 25.

Relative rotation between the mandrel I0 (and its v'lock pin) and the lock sleeve 23 takes place, fsince the frictional force of the drag springs 2l against the wall of the casing resists or prevents corresponding rotary movement of the sleeve 23.

The moving of the tubing string C and attached mandrel Il) and lower body II in an upward direction then moves the packing sleeve I 4 and conical expander l5 upwardly with respect to the slips I8, which are held stationary 'by virtue of their coupling to the friction drag device 21, the expander l5 shifting the slips I3 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the casing wall, which prevents further upward movement of the expander, after which a continuation of the upward movement of the tubing string', mandrel and body foreshortens the packing sleeve I4 between the expander I5 and pack- 1 ing'actuator I3 and expands it radially outward 'f into leakproof sealing engagement with the wall of the casing.

The desired operation in the well bore may now take place, and when completed, the tool may be retrieved from the well casing by lowering the tubing string C and connected mandrel It and lower body I I, which shifts the lock pin 25 downwardly of the sleeve 23 (held stationary by the drag springs), and then turning the tubing string to the right to relocate the' lock pin in the horizontal slot portion 2li of the locking device, in

which position the packing Ill and slips I 8 are again held in retracted position. The tool may now be elevated in the well casing to the top of the well bore.

In elevating the tool, rotation of the tubing string in the well casing may be desirable to unscrew rapidly and easily the sections or stands of tubing or drill pipe positioned above the rotary Such rotation ordinarily produces revolution of the friction drag device 2l, since the rotary motion of the l tubing is transmitted to the drag device through the mandrel pin 26 and lock slot sleeve 23. If such rotation of the entire tubing string to produce rapid unthreading of the pipe sections removed from the well bore is attempted, the fricj tion drag device 2l and other parts of the well tool might be damaged in being dragged around driven rotary table.

The present invention provides a device which permits the tubular string in the well casing to be rotated without rotating the drag device, and without rotating the well packer itself, unless such rotation is purposely desired. The invention also includes the ability to unscrew the left hand threaded connection l2 whenever' the slips I3 and packing I are to be forcibly retracted.

Speciiically, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, a swivel 33 is incorporated be tween the tubular string C and the mandrel It, which is capable of transmitting suiicient rotary force between the tubing string and mandrel to operate the lock device 23, 2t, but which is incapable of transmitting sufficient rotary force to produce rotation of the drag device 2l around the casing wall.

The friction swivel, which may be considered as' part of the tubing string or of the well tool, includes a collar 3G threaded to an upper tubing section 35 and to a lower inner tubular coupling member 35 received within an outer coupling member 3l threaded on a sub 38, which, in turn, is threaded on the tool mandrel I9. The inner tubular coupling member 35 has a lower enlarged head 39 carrying side seals lil engaging the wall of the outer coupling member or cylinder 31 to prevent leakage of fluid therebetween. Upward pulls or strains between the inner and outer coupling members are transmitted from the head 39 through a suitable thrust bearing washer 4I onto a shoulder QZ in the outer coupling member 3l'.

The outer coupling member or cylinder is provided with an inner, upwardly diverging, tapered surface 43, in which is received a plurality of wedge-shaped friction segments il having external tapered surfaces engageable with the outer member tapered surfaces 43, and with the Y inner cylindrical surfaces 4e engageable with the wardly between adjacent coupling segments.

The segments are urged downwardly into frictional engagement with the inner coupling member 35 by a helical spring 9, whose lower end bears against a thrust bearing washer 5l) resting v on the upper ends of the segments, and whose upper end engages an adjusting nut 5I threaded on the inner coupling member, which can be rotated to provide the required compressive force in the spring urging the segments 44 down along the cylinder tapered surface 43 and into frictional engagement with the exterior l of the inner coupling member 35. A suitable lock nut 52 may be threaded on the inner coupling member against the adjusting nut 5I to hold the latter in the position to which is has been moved in compressing the spring.

Rotation of the tubular string C correspondingly rotates the inner coupling member 36, and,

through the frictional engagement between the latter and the friction segments lle, rotates the outer coupling member 3l and the mandrel Il) secured to it. The spring i9 is adjusted to provide sunicient frictional drive between the inner and outer coupling members 36, 3l as to permitI rotary movement of the lock pin 26 in and out of the horizontal locking portion 2li of the J slot, but such friction force is less than the frictio of the drag springs 2l against the casing wa With the friction swivel device 33 included between the tool mandrel I0 and tubing section 35,

thawell fpacker is operated in 5the `:same manner as if :the Lfriction` swive1 .device were not lpres ont; that is, `:the itu'bingsstring C-lis ro'tatedlto `the 'left to iposition `the `flock pinf26in the llongitudin nal portion `25 lof the sleeve slot fand theutubing `.string elevated .to anchor the slips LIB Vand veX- pand lthepaclring `I-l against `the casing B. vThe required'.rotarymovement is transmitted through the friction clutch .35,-44,.31,1and the necessary upward movement is transmitted through the lhead .39 on the inner coupling member .to the "shoulder '42 on the `outer Acoupling member 3.1. Conversely, the lowering movement-of the tubing `string YC will be transmitted to the. mandrel Il), to realign thelock .pinr26 andthe. horizontal ,portion 24 of the slot, throu'ghlthe .adjustablefspring .'49 andgfriction segments 4t, or through fabutting .of the inner .coupling member :head L39 withthe upper .end of the sub1-3:3. Thereafter, Vrotation `of thextubing string C to the right effects a 4fric- .tion drive of `the tubular mandrel l] to` the right to position the lockipin inthe horizontal lock portion 24 of the slot and locks the .slips VI8 and packing |14 `in retractedposition free from engagement with theicasingB.

With the parts in this locked position, the tool may be rapidly removed from the well casing. After the tubing string is elevated in the well bore to place the permissible length of tubing above the .rotary table, the tubing `may be coupled to the rotary table and the tubing stand thereabove held stationary. The rotary table may now be rotated by the prime mover to unscrew thecoupling or threaded joint immediately above the table, all of the tubing in the casing being correspondingly rotated t-o the right without rotating the well tool A, the lattei being held stationary by the casing engaging friction drag `springs 21 andthe slipping of the inner coupling member 36 with respect to the friction clutch segments M. As aforementioned, the friction between the inner coupling member 35 and friction segments 44 is less than the frictional force between the drag springs 21 vand casing wall, which allows the inner couplingmember to slip with respect to the `coupling segments `and outer coupling member 51, and the tool parts connected to the latter. As more and `more stands of pipe are raised above the rotary table of the well bore in elevating the well tool from the casing, they may be disconnected inthe same manner through rotation of the .rotary table, which will not rotate the well tool, and consequently, cannot damage the tool or disrupt or twist `the drag springs 21.

Inthe tool shown in the drawings, andas speciflcal'ly described in the patent above referred to, it may 4sometimes be necessary to unscrew the mandrel It from the lower body II 4in order to forcibly retract the `slips I8 from anchoring engagement in the casing B. Unscrewing of the left hand threads I2 on the mandrel from the lower body elevates a flange 53 on the mandrel I0 into engagement withthe slip ring I9 and produces forcible retraction of the slips I8 from the casing B.

The present invention provides means for effecting unscrewing of the mandrel I0 in an upward direction from the body II. Specifically, a clutch is provided at the lower end of the inner coupling member 3B adapted for downward movement into positive driving engagement with the sub 38 attached to the mandrel l0. Such positive driving engagement is accomplished by the mating of teeth or dogs `514' on the sub 1n companion `recesses 55 in the end of the mner .cou-

casing.

pling `:member .head 3 6. lFollowing l.such fdo'wn- "-wardpmovement, rotation ofthe tubing string -C .ettects positive rotation of the .mandrel I0, to screw the latter upwardly of .the body AII and Aefrect `forcible retraction of .the slips I8 .from the Such rotation occurs without correspending rotation `of the slips I8 :by virtue rof the :swivel Iconnection 22 between the locksleeve 23 .member .31, s111033, mandrel I5, .friction .drag device 21 and other parts of the well tool.

.In the form `of .invention illustrated in Figure A5, the well tool may be rotated without `rotating `thefrictiondrag device, and relativerotation .be-

tween the mandrel Ill `andlower body I I Vmay be effected without the necessity of employing fa releafsable coupling, such as the positive dog clutch 54, ,'55 .in the above described form of the invention. The tubing string C is connected directly to the mandrel Iii, and a friction swivel connection is provided between the lock sleeve 23 and the friction drag device 21..

As shown in the drawings, the swivel connection includes a clutch collar or ring 55, to which the drag springs 21 are attached, rotatable on the .loclr vsleeve 23, but having a rotatable friction drive therewith by virtue of the engagement of a clutch ldisc 51 with the lower end ofthe collai' 56 and a sleeve shoulder 58, and engagement of a second clutch disc 59 with .the upper surface of the collar 56 and a ring having a slidable spline connection with the sleeve through one or more pins 5I secured to the sleeve and loosely iitting in one or more holes 62 in the ring. The clutch discs 51, 59 are engaged frictionally with the clutch collar 55, sleeve shoulder 5B and ring VIii! by a helical spring 53 encircling the sleeve 23 with its lower end engaging the ring 50 and its upper end an adjusting nut (i4 threaded on the upper end of the sleeve to determine the comperssive force of the spring.

The force exerted by this spring 63 is so chosen that the friction clutch prevents rotary movement between the sleeve 23 and friction drag device 21 in .allowing rotation of the lock pin 26 into and from the horizontal locking portion 24 of the J slot. However, the friction clutch will slip and allow the lock sleeve 23 to rotate with respect to the drag device 21 before the drag device can be rotated Varound the wall of the casing B.

Thus, in the Figure 5 embodiment, the tool may be operated in moving the slips I8 and packing Il! into and from engagement with the casing, with their relative movement determined by the frictional engagement of the drag device 21 against the casing and the position of the lock pin 26 in the lock slot 24, 25. Moreover, upward movement of the mandrel Il! with respect to the body II through. rotation of the former to eect unthreading of the mandrel at the left hand threads I2 can take place in the usual manner. Such rotary movement of the mandrel IIJ, however, will not be transmitted to the friction drag device 21, for the reason that the friction clutch at the lower end of the drag device will slip and the upper drag collar 30 is always free Von the mandrel :10.

' faczzsie Similarly, after the parts of the tool have been `.retracted and the lock pin 26 positioned in the .ures 1 to 5, but may be used in other well tool devices.

For example, the tool illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 employs a drag device 65 connected to an operating rod 66 extending into a valve housing 61 for controlling the ability of a ball valve member 68 to move downwardly into engagement with its seat 69. The valve housing 51 is connected to a string of tubing C running to the top of the well bore.

The valve operating rod 66 carries a pin 'lil movable in an inverted J or L slot 1l, 12. When the tubing string C has been lowered with respect to the operating rod 6B, which tends to remain stationary because of the engagement of its drag springs 65 with the casing wall, the upper end of the rod 66 engages the ball valve S3 to elevate it from its seat 69. The turning of the tubular string C to the right then positions the lock pin in the horizontal portion 1| of the slot and maintains the rod upwardly, holding the ball valve from the seat and permitting fluid to be pumped downwardly through the tubing string C, around the elevated ball valve member 58, through the seat 69, and out of the valve housing ports 13 below the seat to the exterior of the tubing string. With the pin 1i! in the horizontal slot portion 1|, or in ball elevating position, the tubing string C may be lowered or elevated in the casing without engagement of the ball t8 with its seat 69, which would close the tubing string to downward ow of fluid therethrough and out through the ports 13.

Conversely, rotation of the tubing string to the left shifts the pin 10 into the upper end of the longitudinal slot portion 12 and permits elevation of the tubing string to remove the operating rod 56 from engagement with the valve ball member 68, allowing the latter to reengage its seat 52.

In the event it is desired to effect disconnection of the tubing sections elevated above the rotary table from the tubing remaining in the well casing by the rotary table, without rotating the drag springs 65 around and along the wall of the casing B, a frictional swivel device such as disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 may be incorporated in the tubing string C above the valve housing 61; or a friction swivel device may be included between a lower drag spring collar 14 and the operating rod 66.

The arrangement in Figures 6 and '7 includes the outer drag collar 14 mounted around an inner drag sleeve 15 threaded on the valve operating rod 65, and locked thereon by a suitable nut l. A friction clutch disc 11 is located between the drag collar 14 and a lower sleeve shoulder 1B, with a helical spring 19 surrounding the sleeve and compressed between the collar or ring 1d and a thrust bearing washer 80 abutting an adjusting nut 8| threaded on the upper end of the sleeve 15. The spring 19 urges the collar 14, friction disc 11 and sleeve shoulder 18 into' frictional clutch driving relation with respect to one another.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 6 and 7 is substantially the same as in the slip well packer shown in Figure 5. The frictional force exerted between the clutch disc 11 and its engaging members 14, 18 is less than the frictional force of the drag springs 65 against the Wall of the well casing B. This frictional clutch force, however, is sufficient to hold the valve operating rod 66 relatively stationary to permit movement of the lock pin 10 within the lock slot 1l, 12 in controlling operation of the ball valve 68 with respect to its seat 69. If the tubing string C is rotated, the entire apparatus, with the exception of the drag springs 65, its connected upper and lower collars 14, 14a and coil spring 19, is rotated, preventing the need for forcible sliding of the drag springs 65 around the casing wall. In this manner, the well tool may be quickly removed from the well casing through rotation of the tubing string by the rotary table at the top of the hole.

While I have described several embodiments of my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well conduit or the like on a tubular string, including normally retracted slips, expander means for moving said slips into engagement with said well conduit, releasable lock means for preventing substantial relative longitudinal movement between said slips and expander means, tubular means operatively connected to said expander means and connectable to said tubular string, a drag device frictionally engageable with said well conduit and rotatably connected to said slips, and friction clutch means for coupling said drag device to said lock means, said friction clutch means having a load transmitting capacity suiicient to eifect operation of said lock means, but insufcient to overcome the normal resistance to movement offered by said drag device when engaging said well conduit.

2. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well conduit or the like on a tubular string, including a rst part, a second part cooperable with said rst part, a releasable lock for locking said parts together to prevent substantial relative movement between said parts, tubular means operatively connected to said first part and connectible to said tubular string, drag means operatively connected to said second part and frictionally engageable with said well conduit to resist movement of said second part therewithin, friction clutch means for coupling said lock to one of said means, said friction clutch means having a load transmitting capacity sufficient to effect operation of said lock, but insuiiicient to overcome the normal frictional resistance to movement offered by said drag means when engaging said well conduit, and means for adjusting said friction clutch means to predetermine the maximum torque transmittable therethrough without slippage.

3. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well conduit or the like on a tubular string, including a first part, a second part cooperable with said rst part, a releasable lock for locking said parts together to prevent substantial relative movement between said parts, tubular means operatively connected to said rst part and connectible to said tubular string, drag means operatively connected to said second part and frictionally engageable with said well conduit to resist movement of said second part therewithin,l and. friction` clutch means for coupling said lockto one of said means, said frictionV clutch` means having a load transmitting capacity suicient to effecty operation of said lock, but insuicient to overcome the', normal frictional resistance to movement offered by said drag` meanswhen: engaging; said well conduit.

4.\Well, apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well conduit or the like` on av tubular string, including a first part, a` second part` cooperable with said firstipart, releasable lock means for licking'said parts together to prevent substan tial relative movementl between said parts; tubular means rotatably connected to said nrstipart and connectibleto said tubular string.` a device operatively connected to said second part and frictionally engagea-ble with said well conduit to resist movement of-saidisecond part therewithin, friction clutch means connecting saidtubular means to said iirst part for transmitting the torque of said tubular means to said first part, said frictionclutch means having alload transmitting capacity sufcient to effect operation of said lock means, but insufcient to overcome the normalfrictionalresistance to movement offered by said device when engaging said well conduit.

5. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well conduit or the like on a tubular string, including a first part, a secondpart cooperable with said first part, releasable lock means for locking saidlparts togetherto `prevent substantial relative movement between said parts, tubular means rotatably. connected to said firstipart and connectible to said tubular: string, a device frictionally engageable with. said well conduit and rotatably connected to` said second partkto resist movement ofsaid second part therewithin, friction clutch means between said device and second, partl for transmitting the torque imposed on said second part to said device, said friction clutch means having a load transmitting capacity suflicient to cause said device to resist rotation of said lock means in order to effect operation of said lock means, but insuicient to overcome the normal frictional resistance to movement offered by said device when engaging said well conduit.

6. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a Well conduit or the like on a tubular string, including a first part, a second part cooperable with said first part, releasable lock means for locking said parts together to prevent substantial relative movement between said parts, tubular means rotatably connected to said first part and connectible to said tubular string, a device operably connected to said second part and frictionally engageable with said well conduit to resist movement of said second part therewithin, friction clutch means connecting said tubular means to said rst part for transmitting the torque of said tubular means to said rst part, said friction clutch means having a load transmitting capacity suiicient to effect operation of said lock means, but insuflicient to overcome the normal frictional resistance to movement offered by said device when frictionally engaging said well conduit, a positive drive clutch element on said tubular means, and a positive drive clutch element on said first part engaged by said clutch element on said tubular means upon downward movement of said tubular means relative to said first part.

7. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a wellv conduit or the like onl atubular string, inl--` cluding aifirst part, a `second par-t cooperable with said first part, releasablef lock means for locking said parts together toprevent substantial relative movement between said` parts tubular means rotatably connected to` said first part and connectible` tosaidtubular` string, a device operably connected toA said-second part and frictionally engageablewithsaidwell conduit'to resist rnovementof'-` said second `part therewithin, friction clutchV meansI connectingY said tubular means to said first part for transmitting the torque oi' said tubular means to said rst part, said friction clutch means-hav'- ing a loadvtransmitting capacity suflicient to effect operation ofy said lockmeans,- but insuincient to` overcome the normal frictional i resistance to movement offered by said.A device when engaging said well conduit,- a` positive drive clutch element cn saidl tubular meansfa positive drive ciutchteiement onsaidfirst-` part engaged by said clutch element onsaiditubuiar means upon downward movement of `said tubular means relative to saidr first part, andspring means bearing upon said friction clutchimeans and tubular means and tending to elevate said tubular meanswithrespect `to said nrstfpart' to disengage said clutch eiement on said` tubular means fromfisaid clutch eiement-= on said first part.

c. i Well apparatus Aadapted tot be i lowered in ai well conduit or the like on a tubular string,` including normally retractedslips, expander means for moving said slips into eng-agement with said weil conduit, `avreieasaiolelock for-,preventing substantial relative `longitudinal. movement betweensaid slips and expander means, tubular meansoperatively connected tofsaid-iexpander means i and` connectioie toA said,A tubular string, a drag means `frictionallyengageable -with said well; conduit and operatively connected-to said slips, and slippable friction clutch means for coupling said lock to one oi' said means, said friction clutch means having a load transmitting capacity suijicient to eli'ect operation of said lock, but insufficient to overcome the normal frictional resistance to movement offered by said drag means when engaging said Well conduit.

9. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well conduit or the like on a tubular string, including knormally retracted slips, expander means for moving said slips into engagement with said well conduit, tubular means connectible to said tubular string, a drag device frictionally engageable with said well conduit and operatively connected to said slips, releasable lock means for locking said expander means to said drag device to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement between said slips and expander means, and slippable friction clutch means connecting said tubular means to said expander means for transmitting the torque of said tubular means to said expander means, said friction clutch means having a load transmitting capacity sufficient to effect operation of said lock means, but insufficient to overcome the normal frictional resistance to movement offered by said drag device when frictionally engaging said well conduit.

10. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well -conduit or the like on a tubular string, including normally retracted slips, expander means for moving said slips into engagement with said well conduit, tubular means connectible to said tubular string and rotatably connected to said expander means, a drag device frictionally engageable with said well conduit and operatively connected to said slips, releasable lock means for locking said expander means to said drag device to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement between said slips and expander means, slippable friction clutch means connecting said tubular means to said expander means for transmitting the torque of said tubular means to said expander means, said friction clutch means having a load transmitting capacity suiicient to effect operation of said lock means, but insulicient to overcome the normal frictional resistance to movement offered by said drag device when frictionally engaging said well conduit, a positive drive clutch element on said tubular means, and a positive drive clutch element on said expander means engaged by said clutch element on said tubular means upon downward movement of said tubular means relative to said expander means.

11. Well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well conduit or the like on a tubular string, including a rst part, a second part cooperable with said first part, releasable lock means for locking said parts together to prevent substantial relative movement between said parts, tubular means rotatably connected to said first part and connectible to said tubular string, a device operably connected to said second vpart and frictionally engageable with said well conduit to resist movement of said second part therewithin, a positive drive clutch element on said tubular means, a positive drive clutchl elementv on-said rst part engaged by said clutch element on said tubular means upon downward movement of said tubular means relative to said first part, and coengaging means on said tubular means and rst part limiting upward movement of said tubular means with respect to said first part to a position in which said clutch elements are disengaged and said tubular means is free to rotate relative to said rst part. 12. Well apparatus adapted toV be lowered in a well conduit or the like on a tubular string, including normally retracted slips, expander means for moving said slips into engagement with said well conduit, tubular means connectible to said tubular string, and rotatably connected to said expander means, a drag device frictionally engageable with said Well conduit and operatively connected to said slips, releasable lock means for locking said expander means to said drag device to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement between said slips and expander means, a positive drive clutch element on said tubular means,` a positive drive clutch element on said expander means engaged by said clutch element on said tubular means upon downward movement of said tubular means relative to said expander means, and coengageable means on said tubular means and expander means limiting upward movement of said tubular means with respect to said expander means to a position in which said clutch elements are disengaged and said tubular means is free to rotate relative to said expander means.

REUBEN C. BAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,238,654 Ewarts Aug. 28, 1917 1,373,810 Hansen Apr. 5, 1921 1,759,337 Zublin May 20, 1930 1,794,196 Montgomery Feb. 24, 1931 2,329,939 Phipps Sept. 21, 1943 2,344,121 Bassinger Mar. 14, 1944 2,368,400 Baker Jan. 30, 1945

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