US2703623A - Well packer apparatus - Google Patents

Description

6 y 3 @f ki Z3 3% w 2, 7K/ 7 v /7 d 7% /d a G \1 A; q] H March 8, 1955 R. c. BAKER 2,703,623

WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 26, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l D W, D0 5 L M R? M W w 55 eff?" March 8, 1955 R. c. BAKER WELL PACKER APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 26, 1950 33mg s 5 v NK m MA r MB M% C a w .EYW BB WELL PACKER APPARATUS Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga,

Oil Tools, Inc., California Calif., assignor to Baker The present invention relates to Well apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus embodying devices for setting subsurface tools in well bores.

In the hydraulic setting of certain subsurface well tools, the imposition of excessive fluid pressures on the tools has occasionally been necessary. The necessity for such inordinately high pressures is believed to be due to the partial or complete plugging of ports, or other fluid passages, in the equipment by drilling mud in the well bore that is in poor condition.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to avoid the necessity for imposing inordinately high pressures on the well equipment in etfecting its setting in the well bore.

Another object of the invention is to provide well tool apparatus that employs relatively clean fluid in setting the apparatus in the well bore, regardless of the condition of the drilling mud or other fluid in the well bore.

A further object of the invention is to provide well tool apparatus in which clean fluid or liquid is disposed in the ports and other passages of the apparatus, such fluid or liquid being subjected to pressure for the purpose of efliecting setting of the apparatus in the well bore.

Yet another object of the invention is to impose pressure upon the well fluid and transfer such pressure to a trapped body of a clean fluid in a well tool for the purpose of setting the latter in a well bore, with assurance that its ports and other fluid passages are not partially or fully plugged. Because of this arrangement, the tool will be set at substantially the predetermined pressure and not at an excessively high pressure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tool for setting well apparatus in the well bore,- the tool embodying a hydraulic booster arrangement which converts the pressure imposed upon the well fluid to a higher fluid pressure imposed on the apparatus. In this way, the necessity for imparting high pressures on the well fluid is avoided or minimized.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic booster in a well bore, for the purpose of setting subsurface apparatus therein, which allows the tubular string to which the booster is secured to drain automatically while the tubular string is being removed from the well bore after setting of the apparatus.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the in vention is best defined by the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through one form of apparatus disposed in a well casing, with the. parts arranged in position for lowering the equipment through the casing;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, slips tripped and expanded against the casing;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, disclosing the packer fully set against the well casing and the setting tool in condition for withdrawal from the well bore;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of another form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a view of the apparatus shown, in Fig. 4, with illustrating the upper Los Angeles, Caliti, a corporation of United States, Patent the inner wall of the cylinder skirt g 7 act downwardly on the cylinder head 1 taching them to the ter member is initially secured to the packer body 10' 2,703,623 Patented Mar. 8, 1955 tool parts having been moved from their initial position.

As disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a well tool in the form of a well packer A is secured to a setting tool B attached to the lower end of a tubular string of tubing or drill pipe C, by means of which the apparatus is lowered through a well casing D to a point where the packer is to be anchored in packed-01f condition against the Well casing by hydraulic means. Following such anchoring, the setting tool B may be detached from the packer and removed with the tubing string to the top of the well ore.

The well packer includes a tubular body 10 having a lower guide 11 secured to it, to which is attached a slotted junk and debris pusher 12, for the purpose of insuring the downward movement of the equipment through the well casing D. A back pressure valve may be provided to prevent return flow of fluids in an upward direction through the packer passage 13. As illustrated, this valve may include a head 14 suitably pivoted on the guide 11 and urged upwardly to closed position against a valve seat 15 in the guide by a spring 16.

The upper end of the body 10 is formed as a head 17 along which an outer cylinder 18 may slide. This cylinder includes a skirt 19, initially secured in an upward position to the body head by one or more shear screws 20, and a head 21 integral with the lower end of the skirt. This cylinder head 21 is slidable on the body below the body head 17 and a plurality of body side ports 22 extending between the inner longitudinal body passage 13 and a cylinder space 23 formed between the body 10 and its head 17, on the one hand, and the cylinder skirt 19 and cylinder head 21, on the other hand. Leakage in an upward direction from the cylinder space 23 is prevented by one or more side seals 24, which may consist of rubber or rubber-like 0 rings disposed in one or more grooves 25 in the head 17 and slidably sealing against 19. Leakage in a downward'direction between the body 10 and cylinder head 21 is prevented by a similar side seal 26 disposed in a groove 27 in the head 21 and slidably sealing with the periphery of the body 10.

The cylinder head 21 engages the upper ends of a set of segmental slips 28 having downwardly and outwardly inclined inner surfaces 29 engageable with a companion surface 30 on an upper expander 31. The slips 28 are held initially in retracted position by shear screws 32 upper expander 31; whereas, the latby one or more shear screws 33.

A normally retracted packing sleeve 34 encompasses the body 10 between the upper expander 31 and a lower expander 35 originally secured to the body by one or more shear screws 36. This lower expander has a downward and inwardly tapered outer surface 37 engageable with a companion inner surface 38 in a plurality of lower segmental slips 39 disposed adjacent the body guide 11 and originally held in retracted position by one or more shear screws 40 attaching them to the lower expander.

Theupper slips 28 and expander 31 are arranged to secure the Well packer A to the casing D against upward movement therein; the lower expander 35 and lower slips 39 being designed to anchor the packer to the casing against downward movement therein.

The screws 32 securing the upper slips 28 to the upper expander 31 have a lesser combined shear value than the I screws 33 attaching the upper expander 31 to the body panded outwardly against the casing in a predetermined sequence.

The well packer can be set in the well casing by forcing fluid under pressure through the body ports 22 into the cylinder space 23. This fluid under pressure will 21, urging the upper slips 28 downwardly. When the fluid pressure is sufficient, it shears the screws 20, 32 holding the cylinder 18 to the body and the upper slips 28 to the upper expander 31, moving the upper slips downwardly along the upper expander and radially outward into engagement with the well casing (Fig. 2).

Thereafter, an upward strain or pull can be taken upon the packer body 10, which will shear the screws 33 holding the upper expander 31 to the body, allowing the body to move upwardly, foreshortening the packing sleeve 34 and expanding it outwardly against the casing wall. A continuation and increase in the force of this upward strain will then shear the screws 36, 40 holding the lower expander 35 to the body and the lower slips 39 to the lower expander, the guide 11 shifting the lower slips 39 upwardly along the lower expander 35 and radially outward into anchoring engagement with the well casing D (Fig. 3).

In the manner just described, the slips and packing are expanded outwardly into firm engagement with the well casing. The upper slips 28 prevent upward movement of the well tool in the well casing; whereas, any tendency for the packer body 10 to move downwardly is prevented by a tapered lock ring 41 that bears against the body 10 and is disposed in a groove 42 in the lower expander 35. Downward forces imposed on the body 10 are transmitted through the lock ring 41 to the lower expander 35, and from the lower expander, through the slips 39, to the well casing D.

The well fluid in the tubing string C has heretofore been the medium to which pressure was applied for setting the top slips 28. This fluid, which is usually drilling mud, sometimes tended to plug the body ports 22; so that a suflicient fluid force could not be imposed upon the cylinder 18, to shear the screws 20, 22 and slide the cylinder 18 and upper slips 28 downwardly along the body 10 and upper expander 31. In accordance with the present invention, the well fluid is not required to pass through the body ports 22. Instead, the pressure of the well fluid is transferred to a clean mass of fluid 43 that is trapped within the packer apparatus.

As shown in Figs. 1. 2 and 3, the setting tool B includes a tubular body 44 threaded into the upper end of the packer body 10, preferably by means of a left-hand threaded connection 45, to facilitate disconnection of the setting tool B from the body 10, after the packer A has been anchored in packed-off condition within the well casing D. The tool body 44 extends downwardly to a substantial extent in the packer body passage 13, and has a lower head 46 carrying a plurality of side seals 47 in grooves 43, for sealingly engaging the inner wall of the body 10. Between this head 46 and the point of threaded connection 45 with the packer body 10, the setting tool body is provided with a plurality of elongate side ports 49, which establish communication between the interior of the setting tool body 44 and the packer body ports 22, as well as with the annular cylinder 18 around the packer body.

Depending from the setting tool head 46 is a tubular extension 50 having a lower tubular nose 51 engageable with the back pressure valve 14, to hold it in open position, for the purpose of allowing well fluid to enter the tubing string C during lowering of the apparatus in the well casing.

The setting tool B and well packer A can contain a trapped body 43 of a relatively clean fluid or liquid, such as light oil, to which the pressure of the fluid in the tubing string C is to be transmitted, without commingling the well fluid and the entrapped fluid. Thus, the setting tool includes a piston 52 having suitable seal rings 53 slidably engaging the inner wall of the setting tool body 44. Secured to the piston is a tubular piston rod 54 which extends downwardly through the setting tool body 44 and through its lower head 46 to a point therebelow. The upper end of the tubular rod 54 is attached to the piston 52 in leakproof relation by welding material 55, or the like. Leakage of the clean liquid 43 in the setting tool in a downward direction along the piston rod is prevented by suitable rod packing 56, which may be in the form so of a rubber, or rubber-like, 0 ring contained within a groove 57 in the setting tool head 46 and sealingly engaging the periphery of the piston rod.

It is to be noted that an annular space 58 exists between the piston rod 54 and the inner wall of the "setting tool body 44, and that an annular space 59 is also present between the setting tool body 44 and the packer body 10. These spaces can be filled with the clean liquid 43. The liquid may be introduced in the equipment in the following manner. The setting tool body 44 is threaded into the packer body 10 to its full extent. Thereafter, the tubular piston rod 54, with the piston 52 attached to its upper end, is inserted in the setting tool body 44, until the lower end of the piston rod extends through the head 46 in sealing engagement with the head packing 56. At this time, the piston 52 is disposed above the upper end of the setting tool body 44. The clean liquid or oil 43 can then be poured into the upper end of the setting tool body, the oil flowing downwardly and filling the cylinder space 23, body ports 22, annulus 59 between the bodies 10, 44, and the annulus 58 between the piston rod 54 and setting tool body 44. When the oil level has reached a sufficient height, such as the level indicated in Fig. 1, the piston 52 and rod 54 can be moved completely within the setting tool body 44, with the piston rings 53 sealingly engaging the inner wall of the setting tool body 44. Upward movement of the piston from this position is prevented by a suitable annular retainer 60 disposed in the body 44 of the setting tool immediately below its box threads 61, which retainer is prevented from moving upwardly by the joint of tubing C threaded into the setting tool.

The apparatus, with the parts arranged as disclosed in Fig. l, is then lowered through the fluid in the well casing D to the desired setting point. During such lowering, the extensions 59, 51 of the setting tool body hold the back pressure valve 14 in open position, and allow the well fluid to flow upwardly through the extensions and through the tubular piston rod 54 into the tubular string C, the latter being automatically filled with the well fiuid in this manner.

When the desired point in the well casing has been reached at which the packer is to be set, a tripping element 65, in the form of a ball, may be dropped into the tubing string C, and is then pumped or allowed to gravitate into engagement with a valve seat 66 in the upper end of the piston. Such engagement closes the piston and piston rod passage 67 against downward flow of fluid therethrough. Pressure can now be imparted to the well fluid in the tubing string C, such pressure exerting a downward force on the piston 52 and the trip ball 65, urging the piston in a downward direction. The piston engages the upper end of the entrapped oil 43 in the apparatus, and transfers the pressure of the well fluid to such entrapped cil. When the pressure imparted to the oil 43 is suflicient, it will shear the screws 20, 32 and expand the upper slips 28 against the well casing, in the manner described above (Fig. 2). Thereafter, an upward strain can be taken on the tubing string C, setting tool B and body 10, for the purpose of expanding the packing sleeve 34' against the casing D, and also moving the lower slips 39 upwardly along the lower expander 35 and radially outward into engagement with the casing. During such upward movement of the packer body it the effective volume of the cylinder space 23 is being increased. Ordinarily, however, the piston 52 will merely move downwardly within the setting tool body 44, but to an extent insufficient to dispose the piston 52 below the upper end of the slotted ports 49 through the setting tool body.

After the packer A has been anchored in packed-oil condition, the tubing string C can be rotated to the right to disconnect the setting tool B from the packer body 10 at the left-hand threads 45. After the setting tool is removed from the body 10, the piston 52 can move downwardly to a further extent, to a position limited by engagernent of the piston with a stop shoulder 68 formed in the body 44 at a substantial distance below the upper ends of the elongate port 49. When in this position, the upper end of the piston 52 is below the upper ends of the ports 49, and will then allow any fluid in the tubing string C to drain out of the tubing string during its elevation with setting tool B to the top of the well bore. In this manner, the lower end of the tubing string is opened, to preclude the pullingof a wet job.

The form of apparatus disclosed in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is essentially the same as the other embodiment of the invention. The setting tool B is connected to the packer body 10 by means of the left-hand threaded connection 45, and includes an upper piston 52a secured to a piston mos es tube or rod 541: that extends downwardly through the setting tool head 46a, in the same manner as the tubular rod 54 of the other device. The piston 52a, however, is not welded or permanently secured to the piston rod 54a. Instead, it surrounds the upper end of the tubular rod, being secured thereto by one or more shear screws 70. Leakage between the piston 52a and rod 54a is prevented by a suitable side seal 71 in a piston groove 72 engaging the rod. Leakage between the piston 52a and the wall of the setting tool body 44a is prevented by a suitable piston rbincg 53a slidably engaging the wall of the setting tool The apparatus is lowered in the well bore with the parts occupying the position disclosed in Fig. 4, the clean liquid or oil 43 having been disposed in the setting tool B and packer A, in the same manner as in the other form of the invention. When the point has been reached at which the tool is to be set in the well casing, the trip ball 65 is lowered through the tubing string C and engages a seat 66a in the upper end of the tubular piston rod 54a, the ball itself having a lesser diameter than the inside diameter of the piston 52a. The pressure of the liquid in the tubing string can then be increased, forcing the piston 52a and rod 54a downwardly and applying pressure to the entrapped liquid 43 in the setting tool B and packer body 10, for the purpose of expanding the upper slips 28 against the casing D, which then allows the upward strain to be taken on the tubing string C, to expand the packing 34 and lower slips 39 against the casing. During such expanding movement, the piston 52a and its rod 54a can move downwardly in the setting tool body 44a to a further extent. Normally, complete setting of the packer is achieved before the piston 52a comes to rest upon a shoulder 75 in the setting tool body disposed above the elongate body ports 49a. The setting tool B may then be unscrewed from the packer body 10 and elevated thereabove, downward movement of the piston 52a being limited by its engagement with the setting tool body shoulder 75. When this occurs, fluids are prevented from flowing downwardly out of the tubing string C. Accordingly, pressure is imparted to the liquid in the tubing string, this pressure being imposed upon the trip ball 65 and the tubular piston rod 54a, shearing the screws 70 and forcing the tube 54a downwardly out of the piston 52a, which is provented from moving downwardly bythe shoulder The piston rod 54a can move downwardly to the extent limited by engagement of its shoulder 76 with the setting tool body head 46a. When in this position, the fluid can drain out of the tubing string C, flowing through the tubular piston 52a and out through the elongate setting tool body ports 49a, which precludes the pulling of a wet job during elevation of the tubing string C in the well casing.

Depending upon the relative proportion of the parts and the inside diameter of the casing string in which the well tool is to be set, it is also possible to utilize both the entrapped clean liquid 43 and the liquid in the tubing string C for direct action within the cylinder space 23, for the purpose of setting the slips 28. As pressure is imposed on the liquid in the tubing string C, the piston 52 (Figs. 1 to 3) moves downwardly, forcing the entrapped liquid 43 into the cylinder 18 and tripping the upper slips 28. The pressure can be increased to a further extent, inasmuch as the liquid 43 is acting reactively in an upward direction on the packer body 10, such body being moved upwardly to expand the packing 34 and the lower slips 39. If insufiicient clean liquid 43 is present in the equipment, the piston 52 may eventually move below the upper end of the ports 49. Such location of the piston would then allow the fluid in the tubing string C to act directly upon the packer parts in effecting full setting of the latter. 7

Similarly, in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the piston 52a might engage theshoulder 75 before the packer has been fully-anchored in packed-01f condition against the well casing. Should this occur, fluid pressure in the tubing string C could be increased to shear the piston screws 70 downwardly, allowing the tubing fluid to act directly upon the packer parts.

It is, accordingly, apparent that well apparatus has been provided, in which the danger of the well tool parts becoming plugged by drilling mud or other substances in the well bore is eliminated. Only a clean liquid .is present for setting the tool, which insures that inordinately high pressures need not be imposed upon the fluid in the tubing 36 and shift the tubular rod 54a,

. 6 string. As a matter of fact, lesser tubing string pressures than heretofore required are necessary. It is to be noted that the fluid acting upon the upper sides of the pistons 52, 52a is efiective over the entire cross-sectional area R of each piston; whereas, the lower end of each piston operates upon a smaller or annular area S on the liquid, which area extends between the periphery of the tubular rod 54 or 54a and the inner wall of the setting tool body In view of this latter smaller area, the unit pressure imparted to the entrapped liquid 43 is greater than the unit pressure of the liquid in the tubing string C. If the shear screws 20, 32 are designed to be disrupted upon being subjected to a certain force, which is equivalent to a particular unit pressure in the liquid 43, then it is apparent that such unit pressure is obtained with a lesser unit pressure of the liquid in the tubing string C. Accordingly, in addition to serving as an instrumentality for transmitting the pressure of the liquid in the tubing string to the entrapped liquid 43 in the equipment, the piston arrangement functions as a booster which increases such unit pressure.

The inventor claims:

1. In well apparatus: a body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool having a chamber therein; means detachably securing said setting tool to said body to enable said setting tool to be dis connected from said body while the apparatus is disposed in a well bore; means providing communication between said chamber and said port; said setting tool having means for directly connecting said setting tool to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber, communication means and port for action upon said hydraulically operable means; 1a ndneans in said chamber for applying pressure to said iqui 2. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means on said body. for

. expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein as well as a side port communicating with said chamber and with said body side port; said setting tool body having means for securing said setting tool body to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber and ports; piston means in said chamber subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular string for applying pressure to said liquid, said piston means being disposed initially above said setting tool body port and being moved downwardly to a position at least partly below the upper end of said setting tool body port.

3. In apparatus for setting a well tool in a well bore; a body having means for securing said body to a tubular string with said body in communication with the interior of the tubular string, said body having a chamber therein and a side port communicating with said chamber; a rod in said body chamber in slidable leakproof relation to said body below said port; a piston on said rod in slidable leakproof relation to said body above said port, said piston being exposed to fluid in the tubular string thereabove; and means on said body engageable with said piston to limit downward movement of said piston within said body to a position in which said piston uncovers said port to open communication through said port between the exterior of said body and the interior of said body above said piston to enable fluid in the tubular string to drain through said port.

4. In apparatus for setting a well tool in a well bore; a body having means for securing said body to a tubular string with said body in communication with the interior of the tubular string, means on said body for connecting said body to the well tool, said body having a chamber therein and a side port communicating with said chamber; piston means in said body chamber in slidable leakproof relation to said body above and below said port, said piston being exposed to fluid in the tubular string thereabove; and means for shifting said piston means longitudinally within said body to a position establishing communication through said port between the exterior of said body and the interior of said body to one side of that portion of said body located between the points of leakproof relation of said piston means to said body.

5. In apparatus for setting a well too] in a well bore; a body having means for securing said body to a tubular string with said body in communication with the interior of the tubular string, means on said body for connecting said body to the well tool, said body having a chamber therein and a side port communicating with said chamber; a rod in said body chamber in slidable leakproof relation to said body below said port; a piston on said rod in slidable leakproof relation to said body above said port, said piston being exposed to fluid in the tubular string thereabove; frangible means securing said piston to said rod; and stop means on said body above said port engageable with said piston to limit downward movement of said piston in said body to enable said frangible means to be disrupted and said rod shifted down below said piston.

6. In well apparatus: a body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool secured to said body and having a chamber therein; means providing communication between said chamber and. said port; said setting tool having means for directly connecting said setting tool to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber, communication means and port for action upon said hydraulically operable means; and hydraulically operable means in said chamber subject to the pressure of fluiddin the tubular string for applying pressure to said liqui 7. In well apparatus: a body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool secured to said body and having a chamber therein; means providing communication between said chamber and said port; said setting tool having means for connecting said setting tool to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber, communication means and port for action upon said hydraulically operable means; hydraulically operable means in said chamber subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular string for applying pressure to said liquid, said hydraulically operable means in said chamber having a central passage therethrough; and means adapted to move down through the tubular string for closing said central passage.

8. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein, means providing communication between said chamber and side port; said setting tool body having means for directly securing said setting tool body to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber, communication means and port; and piston means in said chamber subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular string for applying pressure to said liquid.

9. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally 011 said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein; means providing communication between said chamber and side port; said setting tool body having means for securing said setting tool body to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber, communication means and port; piston means in said chamber subject to the pressure of fiuid in the tubular string for applying pressure to said liquid, said piston means having a central passage therethrough; and means adapted to move down through the tubular string for closing said central passage.

10. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port;normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said-hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said Well tool body and having a chamber therein as well as a side port communicating with said chamber and with said body side port; said setting tool body having means for securing said setting tool body to a tubular string; a liquid in said. chamber and ports; and piston means in said chamber subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular string for applying pressure to said liquid, said piston means being disposed initially to one side of said setting tool body port to confine said liquid in said chamber and being movable in said setting tool body to a position uncovering said setting tool body port to allow drainage of fluid from said chamber and tubular string.

11. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein as well as a side port communicating with said chamber and with said body side port; said setting tool body having means for securing said setting tool body to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber and port; piston means in said chamber subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular string for applying pressure to said liquid; and stop means on said setting tool body engageable with said piston means for limiting movement or" said piston means in said setting tool body to a position uncovering said setting tool body port.

12. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein, said setting tool body having a side port communicating with said well tool body and chamber; tubular piston means in said setting tool body having a central passage therethrough; a liquid between said piston means and hydraulically operable means and disposed in said chamber and ports; and means for closing said central passage to enable said piston means to be hydraulically shifted to apply pressure to said liquid.

13. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein, said setting tool body having a side port communicating with said well tool body port and chamber; tubular piston means in said setting tool body having a central passage therethrough; a liquid between said piston means and hydraulically operable means and disposed in said chamber and ports; and means for closing said central passage to enable said piston means to be hydraulically shifted to apply pressure to said liquid and to then expose said setting tool body port.

14. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein; said setting tool body having means for directly securing said setting tool body to a runningin string; said setting tool body having a side port communicating with said well tool body port and chamber; a rod in said setting tool body chamber in slidable leakproof relation to said setting tool body below said setting tool body port; a fluid operated piston in said chamber on said rod and in slidable leakproof relation to said setting tool body above said setting tool body port; and a liquid in said port and in said setting tool body chamber around said rod to which pressure is applied by said piston when said piston is moved in said chamber.

15. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein, said setting tool body having a side port communicating with said well tool body port and chamber; a tubular rod in said setting tool body and in slidable leakproof relation to said setting tool body below said setting tool body port; a fluid operated tubular piston on said rod in slidable leakproof relation to said setting tool body above said setting tool body port; a liquid in said port and in said setting tool body chamber around said rod; and means adapted to close the passage through said rod and piston against downward flow of fluid therethrough to enable said piston to be shifted by hydraulic pressure to apply pressure to said liquid.

16. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein, said setting tool body having a side port communicating with said well tool body port and chamber; a rod in said setting tool body in slidable leakproof relation to said setting tool body below said setting tool body port; a fluid operated tubular piston on said rod in slidable leakproof relation to said setting tool body above said setting tool body port; a liquid in said port and said setting tool body chamber around said rod; and frangible means securing said piston to said rod and disruptable by fluid pressure acting on said rod to release said rod from said piston and open the passage through said piston.

17. In well apparatus: a well tool body having a side port; normally retracted expansible means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; means including hydraulically operable means on said body for expanding said normally retracted means laterally of said body, said hydraulically operable means communicating with said side port; a setting. tool body secured to said well tool body and having a chamber therein, said setting tool body having a side port communicating with said well tool body port and chamber; a rod in said setting tool body in slidable lcakproof relation to said setting tool body below said setting tool body port; a piston on said rod in slidable leakproof relation to said setting tool body above said setting tool body port; a liquid in said port and in said setting tool body chamber around said rod; frangible means securing said piston to said rod; and stop means on said setting tool body above said setting tool body port engageable with said piston to limit its downward movement within said setting tool body.

' 18. In apparatus for setting a well tool in a well bore: a body having a side port; means on said body for directly connecting said body to a tubular string; means on said body for connecting said body to the well tool; a piston rod' in said body slidably sealing with said body below said port; and a piston subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular string and secured to said rod and slidably sealing with said body above said port, said piston and rod containing a tubular passage adapted to be closed from above against downward flow of fluid.

19. In apparatus for setting a well tool in a well bore: a body having a side port; means on said body for directly connecting said body to a tubular string; means on said body for connecting said body to the well tool; a tubular piston rod in said body slidably sealing with said body below said port; a tubular piston subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular string and secured to said body and slidably sealing with said body above said port, said piston and rod containing a tubular passage adapted to be closed from above against downward flow of fluid; and means on said body engageable with said piston to limit longitudinal movement of said piston within said body.

20. In well apparatus: a body having a side port; bydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body and communicating with said side port and including normally retracted expansible instrumentalities adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; a setting tool secured to said body and having a chamber therein; means providing communication between said chamber and said port; said setting tool having means for directly connecting said setting tool to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber, communication means and port for acting upon said hydraulically operable means to expand said normally retracted instrumentalities laterally of said body; and fluid pressure operated means in said chamber subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular string for applying pressure to said liquid.

21. In well apparatus: a body having a side port; hydraulically operable means movable longitudinally on said body and communicating with said side port and including normally retracted expansible instrumentalities adapted to be expanded outwardly of said body; a setting tool having a chamber therein; means detachably securing said setting tool to said body to enable said setting tool to be disconnected from said body while the apparatus is disposed in a well bore; means providing communication between said chamber and said port; said setting tool having means for connecting said setting tool to a tubular string; a liquid in said chamber, communication means and port for acting upon said hydraulically operable means to expand said normally retracted instrumentalities laterally of said body; and means in said chamber for applying pressure to said liquid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,259,680 Theobald Mar. 19, 1918 1,850,218 Thomas Mar. 22, 1932 2,178,844 Baker Nov. 7, 1939 2,222,750 Litolfl Nov. 26, 1940 2,232,199 Bald Feb. 18, 1941 2,236,512 Boynton Apr. 1, 1941 2,404,825 Brown et al July 30, 1946 2,467,801 Baker Apr. 19, 1949

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