US2786534A - Well tool - Google Patents

Description

March 26, 1957 J. s. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 14, 1953 IVJ IA IN VEN TOR PAGE, cl2.

ATTORNEY.

March 26, 1957 J. s. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fied llay 14, 1953 IN VEN TOR.

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IJF M e United States Patent O WELL TOUL John S. Page, Jr., Long Beach, Calif.

Application May 14, 1953, Serial No. 355,065

8 Claims. (Cl. 166-129) This invention relates in general to well tools and more particularly to a novel packer unit adapted for etlicient use in connection with pump anchors, cementing tools, production packers and other well tools wherein a controlled by-pass is desired.

It is an object of this invention to provide a well packer such as described, which includes a novel valved by-pass means operable to permit the desired unrestricted bypassing of iluid when positioning and repositioning the tool in the well.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a packer such as described, which affords full circulation through the lower end of the tool.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide a combined cup packer and valved by-pass of simple and efficient form, making it unnecessary to provide a sepanate by-pass tube or other passage means within the tool body and a separate valve as heretofore required for controlling the ilow of fluid through such tube or passage.

Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a tool such as described, wherein a cup packer, a sleeve operatively related thereto, and a means for mounting the packer on a tubular body of the tool, cooperate to form between the tool body and the packer a by-pass passage opening exteriorly of the body above and below the packer and controlled by said sleeve responsive to relative movement between the tool body and the sleeve.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved pump anchor embodying a valved by-pass packer such as described, whereby the pump and anchor may be repositioned while by-passing iluid without removing the tool from the well. i

This invention possesses many other advantages, and

has other objects which may he made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose, there are shown a number of forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specicaton. These forms which illustrate the general principles of the invention, will now be described in detail; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section, partly in elevation, of a well tool embodying the present invention as it would appear when being positioned in or removed from a well with the by-pass open;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the tool anchored in the well with the bypass closed;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view, taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

`Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view,

taken on the line 3-3 taken on the line 4-4 partly 2,786,534 Patented Mar. 26, 1957 ICC in elevation, of a modified form of this invention as it would appear while being positioned in or removed from a well with the by-pass open;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section, partly in clevation, of the tool shown in Fig. 6. as it would appear when ready for operation in the well with the by-pass closed; and

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

As shown in Figs. l-S, one form of the present invention is embodied in a pump anchor which includes a tubular body member 1 adapted to be connected with a well pump 2 for positioning in well tubing A by means of a sucker rod string not shown.

In accordance with this invention, a valved by-pass is provided by means of the body member 1, a packer 3 and a sleeve member 4 operatively related to the packer. The packer 3 is constructed and so mounted on the body member 1 in relation to the sleeve 4 as to seal against the tubing A as well as dene a passage 5 between the packer and the body member. The ends of the passage S terminate above and below the packer 3, whereby tiuid will by-pass the packer upon movement of the tool in the well.

The sleeve member 4 and body member 1 are relatively movable and constructed so that upon such relative movement they will cooperatively provide a valve action for opening and closing the by-pass passage 5.

Mounted on the body member 1 is anchoring means B which includes the sleeve member 4. This anchoring means is operable responsive to relative movement between the sleeve member 4 and the body member 1 for releasably anchoring the tool to the well tubing A.

Relative axial movement between the body member 1 and sleeve member 4 in one direction will set the anchoring means B and at the same time cause the sleeve member 4 and body member l to cooperate as a valve means -for closing the by-pass passage 5. Relative axial movement between the members l and 4 in the opposite direction releases the anchoring means and causes the members 1 and 4 to open the by-pass passage 5.

Locking means C, including a slidable locking sleeve 6 on the body member 1, is operatively connected through the anchoring means B with the sleeve member 4 for releasably holding the sleeve member 4 and body member 1 against relative movement out of the position in which the by-pass passage 5 is maintained open. This will permit well iluid to by-pass the packer 3 when positioning and repositioning the tool in the well. Release of the locking means C is effected by rotative movement of the body member 1 relative to the locking sleeve 6 and sleeve member 4.

Drag springs 7 connected with the sleeve 6 of the locking means C and operatively connected with the sleeve member 4, are positioned to frictionally engage the tubing A to restrain movement of the locking sleeve 6 and sleeve member 4, whereby the body member 1 may be moved relative to the sleeve member 4 and sleeve 6 for releasing or relooking the locking means, setting or releasing the anchoring means B and opening and closing the by-pass passage 5.

As here shown, the packer 3 is of the cup type mounted to face upwardly on the body member 1 by means of a thimble 8, spacer sleeve 9 and collar 10. The thimble 8 has a tubular extension 11, the lower end of which abuts an annular shoulder 12 on the body member 1 to prevent downward movement of the thimble and packer on the body member. The spacer sleeve 9 prevents upward movement of the packer and thimble, being confined between the collar 10 and a shoulder 13 internally of the packer.

The spacer sleeve 9 is provided above the inner or secured end of the packer with a series of ports l which register with the upper ends of a series of longitudinally extending grooves 16 in the exterior of the body member. The lower ends 16 of these grooves are disposed below the lower end of the thimble extension 11. Thus, the grooves 16 and the ports 15 together with the portions of the spacer sleeve 9, packer 3, thimble 8 and extension 11 opposed to the grooves, define the by-pass passage 5 between the packer 3 and the tool body member l. In this manner the packer 3 and its mounting means malto possible with a simple construction and without extraneous parts, an effective by-pass passage subject to control by a simple valve means formed by cooperative portions of the packer mounting means and the related sleeve member 4 respectively.

As shown in Fig. 2, the sleeve member 4 is mounted on the body member 1 so that it will telescope the extension 11 of the thimble 8 and close the by-pass passage 5 when the body member is moved downwardly relative to the sleeve member 4. in this connection it will be noted that a sealing ring 18 is mounted in an internal groove 19 in a counterbore 4 of the sleeve member 4. This sealing ring is adapted to form a fluid tight seal against the exterior of the extension ll for closing the passage 5. Another sealing ring 18 in a groove 19' in the lower end of the sleeve 4 seals against the body l. Downward movement of the body member l relative to the sleeve member 4 is limited by mutually engagez- iblc shoulders 20 and 21 on the members l and 4 respectively.

When the by-pass passage 5 is open as shown in Fig. 1, the upper end of the sleeve member 4 is disposed below the lower end of the by-pass passage. In this position of the members 1 and 4, the shoulders 20 and 2l are spaced one from the other and the lower end ofthe sleeve member 4 is stopped against a snap ring 23 mounted in a groove 24 in the body member l. This is the locked" position for running the tool into and out of the well and for repositioning the tool, inasmuch as the by-pass 5 is fully open and so maintained until the locking means C is released and relative movement is effected between the members 1 and 4 for setting an anchoring moans and closing the passage 5 as shown in Fig. 2.

It will now be seen that the sleeve member 4 serves as a down drive expander or spear for setting slips 25 of the anchoring means B. Accordingly, the sleeve member 4 is provided with downwardly converging surfaces 26 on which the slips 25 are slidable in the conventional manner toward and from anchoring engagement with the well tubing.

Resilient bars 27 are secured as links by means of suitable fastenings 27. to the slips 25 and locking sleeve 6 to support the slips on the surfaces 26 of the sleeve member 4. The drag springs 7 on the locking sleeve 6 are here shown as outwardly bowed continnations of the bars 27, but obviously may be separate springs mounted in the i conventional manner on the locking sleeve.

The locking means C, here shown, comprises a J- lock arrangement wherein an inverted J-slot Sti on the locking sleeve 6 slidably receives a pin-like projection 3l on the body member. The lock is actuated to lock and release the body member l relative to the sleeves 4 and 6 responsive to the usual relative rotative movement between these members. The longitudinal portion of the slot 30 permits of the necessary limited axial movement of the body member 1 for operation of the tool.

As shown in Fig. l, the tool is locked for being positioned, repositioned or removed from the well. In this condition of the tool, the locking means prevents relative axial movement between the body member and the sleeves 4 and 5 as well as accidental rotative movement of the body member l relative to these sleeves. With this arrangement prernature setting of the slips is prevented and the by-pass passage 5 is maintained open to provide for easy movement of the tool through the well uid or for such other by-passing of fluid as may bc desired iu the use ofthe tool.

When the tool cornes to rest in the desired position in the well, the drug springs 7 in frictionally contacting the tubing and restraining rotative and axial movement of the sleeves 4 and 6, permit the body member 1 to be rotated relative to these sleeves for releasing the locking means C, whereupon the body member may be moved downward relative to the sleeves. This downward movement of the body member 1 causes the shoulders 20 and 2l to engage whereby the sleeve member 4 will be moved downwardly to set the slips 25 and anchor the tool to the tubing. On this downward movement of the body mcmber the lower end of the by-pass passage 5 is closed as the extension 11 of the thimble 8 is lowered into the counterbore 4 of the sleeve member 4 and the sealing ring 18 seals against the exterior of the extension 1l.. This closing of the by-pass passage takes place during the slip setting operation, in fact somewhat before the nai downward movement of the body member l is effected for anchoring the tool.

Should it be desired to reposition the tool or remove if vfrom the well, the body member 1 is lifted and then turned by means of the sucker rod string (not shown), but a small lifting and turning movement being required to aetuate the locking means C, release the slips, and open the by-pass passage 5 as necessary to effect move-- ment of the tool in the well.

A modified form of this invention, as shown in Figs. 6-8, comprises a by-pass packer unit subject to use as a cementing tool or for any other packer purpose wherein a valved by-pass is desirable. This tool includes a tubular body member 33 adapted to be coupled for example, to a tubing string 34 for positioning in a well casing 35.

A downwardly facing cup packer 36 surrounds the body member 33, being Secured to a mounting sleeve 37 through which the body member is slidable. The secured end of the packer is seated in a thimble 38 and confined between a shoulder 39 on the sleeve 37 and shoulder 40 formed by the lower end of a valve sleeve 4l. This valve sleeve is threadedly coupled to the upper end of the mounting sleeve 37 so as to surround the body member 33 and in effect become a part of the mounting sleeve whereby these sleeves as a unit and the body member 33 are relatively movable axially, as well as angularly about the axis of the body member.

A by-pass passage 42 provided between the packer 36, sleeves 37 and 41 and the body member 1, is subject to being opened and closed by the valve action afforded by cooperating portions of the body member and the valve sleeve 41. Accordingly, the body member is provided exteriorly thereof with longitudinal grooves 43 corresponding to the grooves 16 shown in Figs. l and 2 and terminating above and below the secured or inner end of the packer 36 for forming the lower portion 42' of the by-pass passage 42. The mounting sleeve 37 is provided with a circular series of ports 44 at all times in registry with the lower portions 42 of the grooves 43. The upper ends of the portions 42' of the grooves 43 are disposed to be moved into and out of communication with the upper portion 42" of the by-pass passage formed by the annular space between the body member 33 and the valve sleeve 41. The upper end of the portion 42" of the passage 42 is open at all times as is the portion 41' of the passage which communicates with the ports 44. The valve action for opening and closing the passage is eiected by an annular enlarged portion or flange 45 internally of the lower end of the valve sleeve 40, together with a sealing ring 46 mounted in a groove 47 in the ange 45. VThis sealing ring will seal against the body member 33 to shut off communication between the portions 42' and 42 of the lay-pass passage 42 and thereby close the passage 42 when the body member 33 is moved downwardly relative to the sleeves 37 and 41 43 out of comof the by-pass to move the upper ends of the grooves munication with the upper portion 42 passage as shown in Fig. 7.

Normall, that is, when the tool is conditioned for positioning in or removal from the well, the sleeves 37 and 41 are locked to the body member 33 by a conventional J-lock including a J-slot 49 in the sleeve 37 and a pin 50 on the body member. When the body member 33 is locked against movement relative to the sleeves 37 and 41 the upper ends of the grooves 43 extend above the sealing ring 46 as shown in Fig. l, thereby opening the full by-pass passage 42 for free circulation of fluid between the exterior of the body member and the packer 36.

Drag springs 52, mounted on the valve sleeve 41, are adapted to frictionally engage the casing to restrain movement of the sleeves 37 and 41 whereby the body member may be rotated to release the J-lock and then moved downwardly to close the by-pass passage, as shown in Fig. 2, or lifted to communicate the lower portion 42 of the passage 42 with the upper portion 42 and thus open the full by-pass passage as shown in Fig. l.

Downward movement of the body member 33 rela tive to the sleeves 37 and 41 is limited by engagement of a ange 53 on the body member with a retainer ring 54 for the drag springs. This retainer ring is threadedly mounted on the upper end of the valve sleeve 41.

I claim:

l. A well tool including: a tubular body member adapted to be positioned in a well; a cup packer surrounding said body member for sealing against the wall of the well; means providing a passage between said packer and said body member for by-passing Huid past said packer; means within said packer providing a port located inwardly of the lips of the packer and opening into said passage a sleeve member surrounding said body member to permit relative axial and rotative movement between said members; a sealing ring on one of said members disposed between the ends of said sleeve member; said sleeve member being operable to open and close said passage responsive to relative movement between said members; means locking said members against relative axial movement from a position in which said sleeve member opens said passage; said last named means releasing said members responsive to relative rotative movement between said members; and means operatively connected with said sleeve for engaging said wall to restrain movement of said sleeve member whereby said relative movements may be etected between said members.

2. A well tool including: a tubular body member adapted to be positioned in a well; a cup packer surrounding said body member for sealing against the wall of the well; a sleeve member surrounding said body member to permit relative sliding movement and relative rotative movement between said members; said sleeve member and said body member having directly opposed surfaces deninig a by-pass passage for by-passing uid past said packer; a sealing ring carried by one of said members in sealing engagement with the other of said members; said sleeve member being operable for opening and closing said passage responsive to sliding movement of said body member relative to said sleeve member; means locking said members against relative sliding movement when said sleeve member is in position opening said passage; said locking means releasing said body member responsive to relative rotative movement between said members; and means operatively connected with said sleeve member for engaging said wall to restrain movement of said sleeve member whereby said body member may be moved relative to said sleeve member for releasing said locking means and actuating said sealing means to open and close said passage.

3. A well tool including: a tubular body member adapted to be positioned in a well; a cup packer surrounding said body member tor sealing against the wall of the well; means fixing said packer to said body member; means providing a passage between said body member and said packer opening above and below said packer for lay-passing tluid; a sleeve member slidably mounted on said body member below said packer; cooperable valve means mounted on said members for opening and closing the lower end of said passage responsive to movement of said body member relative to said sleeve member; said sleeve member having downwardly converging surfaces; slips slidable on said surfaces into anchoring engagement with said wall responsive to downward movement of said sleeve member relative to said slips; means slidable on said body member for supporting said slips in contact with said surfaces; means locking said body member against axial movement relative to said sleeve and said slip supporting means; said locking means releasing said body member responsive to relative rotative movement between said members; means connected with said slip supporting means for frictionally contacting said wall to restrain movement of said sleeve, slips and slip supporting means, whereby said body member may be released and moved axially of said sleeve and slip supporting means; and means on said body member for engaging and moving said sleeve member to set said slips responsive to said axial movement of said body member.

4. A well tool including: a tubular body member adapted to be positioned in a well; an upwardly facing cup packer surrounding said body member for sealing against the wall surrounding said body member in the well; a thimble xing said packer to said body member; said thimble and said packer cooperating with the exterior of said body member to form between the packer and said body member a passage for by-passing uid around said packer; a sleeve member through which said body member is slidable, said sleeve having a counterbore into which said thimble is movable; sealing means on said sleeve member for movement into and out of contact with said thimble to close and open said passage responsive to sliding movement of said body member relative to said sleeve member; means locking said body member against axial movement relative to said sleeve; said locking means releasing said body member responsive to relative rotative movement between said members; and means operatively connected with said sleeve for frictionally contacting said wall to restrain movement of said sleeve whereby said body member may be released and moved axially of said sleeve.

5. A well tool including: a tubular body member adapted to be positioned in a well; a cup packer surrounding said body member for sealing against the wall of the well; a thimble surrounding said body member and receiving the inner end of said cup packer; means cooperating with said thimble for securing said packer to said body member; means forming between the exterior of said body member and the interior of said packer and thimble a passage for by-passing fluid; the lower end of said passage opening below said thimble; a valve sleeve member through which said body member is slidable to position the lower end of said passage within the bore of said sleeve; cooperable valve means on said thimble and said sleeve respectively for opening and closing said passage upon axial movement of said body member relative to said sleeve; said sleeve member having downwardly converging surfaces; slips slidable on said surfaces into anchoring engagement with said wall responsive to downward movement of said sleeve mem ber relative to said slips; means slidable on said body member for supporting said slips in contact with said surfaces; means locking said body member against axial movement relative to said sleeve and said slip supporting means; said locking means releasing said body member responsive to relative rotative movement between said members; means connected with saidslip supporting means for frictionally contacting said wall to restrain movement of said sleeve, slips and slip supporting means. whereby said body member may be released and moved axially of said sleeve and slip supporting means; and means on said body member for engaging and moving said sleeve member to set said slips responsive to said axial movement of said body member.

6. A well tool including: a tubular body member adapted to be positioned in a well; an upwardly facing cup packer surrounding said body member for sealing against the wall of the well; means fixing said packer to said body member including a pair of tubular members between which the inner end of said packer is confined in xed sealing contact with said body member; said pair of members, said packer and said body member cooperating to form a passage through which Fluid may by-pass said packer; a sleeve member through which said body member is slidable; means on said sleeve for opening and closing the lower end of said passage responsive to sliding movement of said body member relative to said sleeve member; said sleeve member having downwardiy converging surfaces; slips slidable on said surfaces into anchoring engagement with said wall rew sponsive to downward movement of said sleeve member relative to said slips; means slidable on said body member for supporting said slips in contact with said surfaces; means locking said body member against axial movement relative to said sleeve and said slip supporting means; said locking means releasing said body member responsive to relative rotative movement bctween said members; means connected with said slip supporting means for frictionally contacting said wall to restrain movement of said sleeve, slips and slip supporting means, whereby said body member may be released and moved axially of said sleeve and slip supporting means; and means on said body member for engaging and moving said sleeve member to set said slips responsive to said axial movement of said body member.

7. A well tool including: a tubular body member adapted to be positioned in a well; a sleeve member slidable on said body member; a cup packer surroundim said body member for sealing against the wall of the well; means mounting said packer on said body mem ber including a tubular mounting member interposed with said body member; the remainder of said sleeve member having one end portion in sealed engagement with said body member, the remainder of said sleeve member being spaced from said body member; said body member having an external groove cooperable with said sleeve member to dene a passage opening above and below said packer in one position of said sleeve member; means joining said sleeve with said tubular mounting member; and means operatively connected with said sleeve member engageable with said wall lo restrain movement of said sleeve member whereby said body member may be moved relative to said sleeve member; and a sealing ring mounted interiorly of said sleeve member and engaging said body member; said one end portion of said sleeve member opening and closing said passage at one end of said groove responsive to movement of said body member relative to said sleeve member.

8. A well tool including: a tubular body adapted to be positioned in a well; sleeve means mounted on said body to permit relative axial movement and relative rotative movement therebetween; a cup packer supported by said sleeve means for sealing against the wall of the well; means including a groove in said body providing between. the interior of said sleeve means and the exterior of said body a passage terminating at the ends of said sleeve means for by-passing liuid past said packer; means for locking said sleeve means and body against relative axial movement; said locking means releasing said body member for axial movement relative to said sleeve means responsive to rotative movement of said body relative to said sleeve means; a drag spring connected with said sleeve means for engaging said wall to restrain movement of said sleeve means whereby said body may be moved relative to said sleeve means; and a sealing ring secured to the interior of said sleeve means and engaging said body; said sleeve means opening and closing said passage responsive to movement of said body relative to said sleeve means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,534,528 Page Dec. 19, 1950 2.585.706 Ware Feb. 12, 1952 2,675,880 Baker Apr. 2l, 1954

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