US2906344A - Retrievable well apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 29, 1959 E. H. CLARK, JR

RETRIEVABLE WELL APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Sept. 29, 1959 E. H. CLARK, JR 2,905,344

RETRIEVABLE WELL APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I? .3. Z ZZ a. 4.

INVENTOR. lam/5:71. Czae/c, Jfe.

Sept. 29, 1959 E. H. CLARK, JR

RETRIEVABLE WELL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1246.3.

Filed April 20, 1956 INVENTOR.

BY v M 7W United States Patent RETRIEVABLE WELL APPARATUS Earnest H. Clark, Jr., Downey, Califi, assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application April 20, 1956, Serial No. 579,619

20 Claims. (Cl. 166- 140) The present invention relates to subsurface well apparatus, and more. particularly to apparatus capable of being anchored in a well bore and of being released therefrom for withdrawal to the top of the well bore.

An object of .the present invention is to provide an improved retrievable subsurface well apparatus capable of being anchored in a well bore against longitudinal movement and of being locked in a position permitting the apparatus to be withdrawn from the well bore, without danger of inadvertently anchoring it in the well bore during its longitudinal movement therewithin.

Another object of the invention is to provide a retrievable well tool adapted to be anchored in a well bore by means of slips, in which the slips are capable of being irreleasably locked in a retracted position to preclude their inadvertent expansion during elevation of the tool in the well bore.

A further object of the invention is to provide a retrievable well tool capable of being anchored in a well bore by means of an expander movable within slips whose longitudinal movement is resisted by a drag device, in which the tubular string connected to the tool, as well as certain portions of the tool itself, are rotatable without rotating the drag device and other parts around the well bore, which action might damage them.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of 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 invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, with portions shown in side elevation, of an apparatus disposed in a well casing, with the parts in retracted position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the apparatus anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing against upward movement therewithin;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the apparatus with the slips permanently locked in a neutral or retracted position within the well casing;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken along the line 44 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5-5 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken along the line 66 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section, partly in side elevation, of the lower portion of the tool disclosed in Fig. 1, with the parts occupying another relative position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 8--8 on Fig. 1;

Patented Sept. 29, 1959 Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 99 on Fig. 3.

In the specific form of apparatus illustrated in the drawings, a well packer A can be anchored in packed-01f condition in a well casing B against substantial longitudinal movement in both directions. The well packer is lowered through the Well casing to the desired setting point by means of a tubular string C, such as drill pipe or tubing extending to the top of the hole, and through which fluent material under pressure can be pumped for movement through the well packer and for discharge into the well bore below the well packer. The well packer is capable of being anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing against upward movement therein. It is also capable of being anchored in packed-01f condition in the well casing against downward movement therewithin, the

packer unit being capable of withstanding extremely high pressure diiierentials imposed upon it both from below its packed-off location in the well casing, as well as from a region above its packed-01f location in the well casing.

The well tool A can be positively locked, to hold its various elements in their retracted positions to permit its upward and downward movement in the well casing, and can be easily released to secure its anchoring in packed-off condition whenever desired. Following the performance of the desired operation or operations in the well bore, the well packer can be shifted, to place its several parts in their retracted position once again to enable the apparatus to be elevated in the well casing to a new setting location, to be entirely removed from the well casing, or to be lowered in the well casing to a new setting location. When the well packer is to be removed from the well casing, its anchoring devices can be locked in a retracted position to preclude their inadvertent expansion against the well casing. In addition, the parts can be placed in a condition permitting the tubular string C to be rotated in expediting threaded disconnection of the tubing joints at the top of the hole, without dragging any packer parts around the wall of the well casing. If difficulty is encountered in retrieving the tool, the major portions of the apparatus can still be removed from the well casing.

As specifically disclosed in the drawings, the well tool A includes an elongate body 10 of tubular form Whose upper end is threadedly secured to an upper expander 11, which is, in turn, threadedly secured onto the lower portion of the tubular string C that extends to the top of the well bore. The upper expander could be secured to structural members thatintervene between it and the tubular string, if desired. The lower end of the body 10 is provided with an external left-hand thread 12 threadedly secured within a companion internal left-hand thread 13 in a guide member 14 which may be considered as actually constituting part of the tubular body itself. The lower portion of the guide member may have a threaded box 15 to permit tubing D to be attached thereto, if desired, for extension to a lower portion in the well casing B.

The inside diameter of the passage 16 through the body 10 of the tool, as well as through the upper expander 11 and lower guide 14, is comparatively large, being at least equal to the inside diameter of the tubing string C extending to the top of the well bore, to facilitate the pumping of fluent materials, such as cement slurry, and oil mixtures used in fracturing operations, and the like, therethrough. The full bore 16 through the tool also enables other equipment, suchas pressure and temperature recording instruments, and jet perforators, capable of being moved down through the tubular string C, to pass therethrough for disposition at any desired location below the well packer A. Such instruments and perforating tools can be removed through the well tool, when desired.

The upper expander 11 coacts with an upper set of circumferentially spaced slip members 17 to anchor the well tool to the well casing against downward movement therein. Slidably mounted on the body or mandrel of the tool is a lower expander 18 that coacts with a lower set of circumferentially spaced slip members 19 to anchor the well packer to the well casing against upward movement therein. Disposed below the lower expander is a packing structure capable of effecting a fluid tight seal against the wall of the well casing B, to prevent passage of fluids under high pressure in both directions between the body 10 of the tool and the casing. The upper expander 11 and upper set of slips 17 operate jointly with the packing structure 20 to anchor the well tool in packed-off condition in the well casing against downward movement, or the lower expander 18 and lower set of slips 19 act jointly with the packing structure 20 to anchor the well tool in packed-off condition within the well casing against upward movement therein. The slips 17, 19 and packing structure 20 can be prevented from being expanded outwardly into engagement with the well casing by means of a clutch or latch device 21, which is operable from the top of the well bore. As specifically disclosed in the drawings, this clutch or latch device is located between the upper and lower sets of slips 17, 19.

The upper set of slip members 17 is mounted in circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots 22 in an upper slip ring 23 slidable on the body 10 of the tool. Each upper slip member 17 includes an upper gripping portion 24 having external wickers or teeth 25 facing in a downward direction to anchor the tool against downward movement in the well casing, the inner surfaces 26 of such gripping portions being inclined in a downward and inward direction for cooperation with a companion externally tapered surface 27 on the upper expander 11, in order that downward movement of the upper expander within the slips can expand the gripping portions 24 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well casing B and hold such gripping portions in such anchoring engagement. Each slip member 17 also includes an intermediate drag block portion 28 adapted to frictionally engage the wall of the well casing. The drag block portions are normally urged into full lengthwise engagement with the wall of the well casing by laterally disposed, helical compression springs 29, there being one spring disposed in each groove 22, with its inner portion bearing against the base of the latter and its outer portion bearing against the base of a socket 30 formed within the drag block portion of each slip member. The axis of the spring 29 is below the upper end 31 of the drag block portion, and when forcing the drag block into lengthwise frictional engagement with the well casing B, the upper gripping portion 24 is disposed inwardly substantially out of contact with the wall of the well casing. When the upper expander 11 is moved downwardly within the slips 17, they will shift the gripping portions 24 outwardly, pivoting the drag block portions 28 about the point or line of engagement of their upper ends 31 with the casing as a fulcrum and away from the well casing. In effect, each slip member 17 is a lever of the first class, in which the upper end 31 of the drag block portion acts as a fulcrum upon the casing, the spring 29 constantly tending to swing the lower portion of the slip member outwardly to engage the drag block portion 28 fully with the well casing and the gripping portion 24 inwardly out of engagement with the well casing. When the upper expander 11 is moved downwardly within the gripping portion 24, it rocks the slip member 17 about its fulcrum. point of engagement 31 with the casing, to shift the upper gripping portion 24 into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing and to tilt the lower portion of the slip member in a direction inwardly of the wall of the well casing.

When the expander 11 is out of engagement with the 4 gripping portions 24, the inner surfaces 26 of the gripping portions are inclined with respect to the expander surface 11. However, when the expander 11 moves into engagement with such inner surfaces 26, to tilt the gripping portions 24 outwardly against the well casing, then a full surface contact is made between the expander and the gripping portions.

To insure joint longitudinal movement of the upper slip members 17 within the well casing, and to hold them in transverse alignment with respect to each other, a retaining-ring 32 circumscribes the slip members immediately above their drag block portions 28. This ring is located in external grooves 33 in the slip members, being adapted to engage the upper and lower sides of the slip grooves. The ring 32 also serves to limit outward expansion of the slip members 17 under the influence of the springs 29 prior to insertion of the tool in the well casing, by virtue of the engagement of the base of the slip grooves 33 with the retainer ring. This retainer ring 32 bears against an outwardly directed interrupted flange 34 at the upper end of the upper slip ring 23, in order that downward movement of the slip ring will cause the flange 34 to engage the retainer ring 32, which, in turn, engages the bottom of the slip grooves 33 to cause the slips 17 to move jointly with the retainer ring.

Below the drag block portions 28, the upper slip members 17 incline in a downward and inward direction, terminating in lower foot portions 35 that are adapted to engage an upwardly projecting flange 36 of a stop ring 37 suitably secured to the upper slip ring 23, as through use of longitudinally extending cap screws 38. The flange also limits the extent of outward expansion of the slip members 17 under the influence of the springs 29 while the well tool A is out of the well casing B.

The lower set of slips 19 is the same as the upper set of slips, being reversely arranged. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to an understanding of the invention for a complete description of the lower set of slips and its holding arrangement to be given. It is sufficient to state that the lower set of slips 19 has a lower gripping portion 39 with teeth or wickers 40 facing in an upward direction to anchor the tool against upward movement in the well casing. It also has inner surfaces 41 inclined in an upward and inward direction for coaction with a companion tapered surface 42 on the lower expander. It has the drag portion 43 and the springs 44 for urging the drag portion into engagement with the wall of the well casing, the slips being held in appropriate position in circumferentially spaced, longitudinal slots 45 in a lower slip ring 46 by means of a retaining ring 47 disposed in the slip grooves 48 that are engageable with the lower slip ring flange 49. The upper ends 50 of the lower slips are formed as stop portions engageable with a downwardly extending flange 51 of a lower stop ring 52, to limit outward expansion of the lower slip members 19 under the influence of the springs 44. This lower stop ring 52 is suitably secured to the lower slip ring 46, as by longitudinally extending cap screws 53.

The clutch device 21 is interposed between the upper and lower sets of slips 17, 19. More particularly, it is located between the upper and lower stop rings 37, 52. The lower end of the upper stop ring 37 bears upon a limit ring 54, which has a space or guide groove 55 therein containing a laterally movable lock segment or clutch element 56. This lock segment is of arcuate form and is urged inwardly into engagement with the mandrel 10 of the tool. It can be received within an arcuate groove 57 extending a substantial distance around the body or mandrel of the tool. Disposed between the ends of the body lock groove 57 is an arcuate bridge segment 58 which can cam or shift the lock segment 56 radially outward when the tubular string C and the body 10 are rotated, as hereinafter described.

Thelock segment 56 is urged inwardly against the'body and into the arcuate groove 57 by a helical compression spring 59 received within and bearing against the base of a socket 60 formed in the outer portion of the segment, with the outer portion of the spring bearing against a seat 61 integral with the limit ring 54 and extending downwardly across the limit ring space 55. The lower surface of the limit ring 54 bears against a spacer ring 62, which is secured to the lower stop ring 52 by the same screws 53 that attach the lower stop ring to the lower slip sleeve 46. The limit ring 54 is prevented from rotating relative to the upper stop ring 37 and the upper slip structure by virtue of the reception of the heads 63 of the upper cap screws 38 within companion sockets 64 in the upper portion of the limit ring.

The entire slip and clutch structure externally of the body of the tool is held together against relative longitudinal movement by a swivel or coupling sleeve 65 threadedly secured to the upper stop ring 37, and which extends downwardly along the limit ring 54 and the spacer ring 62, there being a lower inwardly directed flange 66 on the swivel sleeve engaging within an external groove 67 defined between the spacer ring 62 and the lower stop ring 52.

By virtue of the fact that the sleeve 65 is connected to the upper stop ring, and because of the fact that relative rotation between the upper stop ring 37 and the limit ring 54 is prevented by the heads 63 of the upper cap screws 38, the sleeve 65, limit ring 54 and upper stop ring 37, as well as the upper slip ring 23 and upper slip structure, can rotate or turn relative to the spacer 62, lower stop ring 52, lower slip ring 46 and the lower slip structure. Such turning movement is only necessary under certain conditions that will be described hereinbelow. When it does. occur, it is evident that the limit ring 54 is slidable "arcuately upon the spacer ring 62. During such sliding movement, the lower side of the lock segment 56 can also rslide along the upper surface of the spacer ring 62. In this connection, it is to be noted that actually the space or groove 55 in which the lock segment or clutch element 56 is laterally slidable is defined by the upper surface 68 of the spacer ring 62 and by the opposed wall 69 of the limit ring, the upper and lower sides of the lock segment 56 sliding along the upper side 68 and downwardly directed wall 69 of the spacer ring and limit ring, respectively.

The spring 59 urges the lock segment 56 inwardly. When the arcuate body groove 57 is in alignment therewith, the lock segment 56 can move into the groove 57 for the purpose of coupling the entire upper and lower slip structures to the body 10 in a particular position with respect to the upper and lower expanders 11, 18. Such position is a neutral one, in which neither the upper nor lower slips 17 or 19 can be anchored against the Well casing. To insure the appropriate coupling action between the body 10 of the tool and the lock segment 56, the groove 57 is only slightly wider than the longitudinal extent of the segment, and the upper and lower sides 70 of the groove are inclined toward each other in an outward direction for coaction with companion inclined sides 71 on the portion of the lock segment 56 that enters the groove, in order that longitudinal movement in both directions of the body or mandrel 10 of the tool will tend to retain the lock segment 56 in the groove, and thereby insure the coupling of the body of the tool to the clutch structure surrounding it. When the body 10 of the tool is rotated to the proper extent, the arcuate bridge segment 58 on the body will engage the lock segment 56 and shift it outwardly from the groove 57, whereupon the body 10 of the tool can move longitudinally in both directions with respect to the lock segment, and with respect to the entire slip structure surrounding the body. During its movement into and out of the groove 57, the lock segment 56 is guided by pins 72 secured in parallel relation to the limit ring 54 and extending into the groove 55 containing the lock segment.

The relative location of the body 10 of the tool with respect to the lock segment 56, so as to permit the lock segment to move into the groove 57, or to be shifted and held out of the groove, is positively determined. Thus, the locating or limit sleeve 54 has an upwardly extending arcuate stop segment 73 therein that projects upwardly within a counterbore or space 74 in the upper stop ring 37. The space 74 is of a length corresponding to the length of a key 75 partially positioned therein and slidable within a longitudinally extending keyway or groove 76 in the body or mandrel it of the tool. The key 75 is movable arcuately with the body 10 of the tool to the extent limited by its engagement with the opposite ends 77, 78 of the stop segment 73. When the body 10 of the tool is turned in one direction, as in a counter-clockwise direction, or to the left, to place the key 75 in engagement with one end 77 of the stop segment, then the arcuate body groove 57 will have been moved into longitudinal alignment with the body lock segment 56, whereupon the spring 59 can shift the lock segment 56 into the groove 57, to clutch the body 10 to the clutch members surrounding it when the groove 57 is transversely aligned with the segment. On the other and, rotation of the tubular string C and the body 10 connected thereto in a clockwise direction, or to the right, will shift the body 10 with respect to the lock segment 56, the lock segment, if in the groove 57, not interfering with such relative rotation of the body because of the arcuate extent of the groove, until the body bridge segment 58 engages the lock segment 56 and shifts it laterally completely out of the groove 57. When the key 75 engages the opposite end 78 of the arcuate stop segment 73, the bridge or cam 58 will have shifted or cammed the lock segment completely out of the arcuate groove 57 and will be in alignment therewith to hold it laterally outward within the ring space 55 to prevent it from moving back into the groove. When in this position, the body 10 of the tool can be shifted longitudinally in both directions with respectto the slip structure, the clutch segment 56 merely sliding along the periphery of the body 10. e

As described above, the lower expander 18 is slidably mounted on the tool body 10, its upward movement therealong being limited by engagement of an internal shoulder 80 of the expander with an external body flange 81. The packing structure 20 is also operatively connected to the lower expander. This structure includes a booster sleeve 82 threadedly secured to the lower portion of the expander 18 for slidable movement therewith with respect to the body. Surrounding the booster sleeve is an upper packing ring 83, an intermediate packing ring 83a, and a lower packing ring 84, made of rubber or rubberlike material, the upper packing sleeve or ring 83 engaging the lower end of the expander 18, which functions as an abutment, as well as an upper gauge ring 184 threaded on the lower expander to reduce the clearance space with the well casing B through which the rubber packing material may extrude when the packing ring 83 is expanded outwardly. The rings 83, 83a, 84 are separated by spacer rings 85, the lower packing ring or sleeve 84 engaging a lower gauge ring 86 which is relatively slidable along the exterior of the booster sleeve 82. Downward movement of the lower gauge ring 86 along the booster sleeve 82 is limited by engagement of the gauge, ring 86 within a lower shoulder 87 on the sleeve.

The lower gauge ring 86 is,in effect, a lower abutment which is movable toward the upper abutment or expander 18 for the purpose of foreshortening the packing sleeves 83, 83a, 84 effecting their outward expansion into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B. The lower ring 86 is movable toward the lower expander 18 as a result of upward movement of the packer body 10. Thus, as described above, the packer body is threaded into the guide 14, the upper end of the guide being threaded onto the lower end of a skeletonized thrust tube 88 which is threadedly secured to the lowergauge ring 86. Assuming that the lower expander 18 is prevented from moving upwardly, upward movement of the body 10 will cause the lower gauge ring 86 to move along the booster sleeve 82 toward the lower expander 18 to foreshorten the packing elements 83, 83a, 84 and expand them outwardly into engagement with the well casing. Relative rotation between the booster sleeve 82 and the thrust tube 88 is prevented by securing a key 90 to the lower portion of the booster sleeve below the lower gauge ring 86, which is slidable in a longitudinal keyway 91 in the thrust tube. Although the key and keyway connection 90, 91 prevents relative rotation between the booster sleeve 82 and the thrust tube 88, it permits relative longitudinal movement between these parts to take place.

In the operation of the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, and so far described, the body 10 of the tool is turned until the key 75 engages the end 77 of the stop segment 73, which will place the body in the position to permit the lock segment 56 to enter the clutch groove 57 in the body. The body 10 is then moved longitudinally within the slip and packing stmcture in the proper direction until the lock segment snaps into the groove. When this occurs, the slips 17, 19 are locked in a neutral position between the upper and lower expanders 11, 18, which will preclude relative longitudinal movement between the expanders and the slips, and thereby prevent expansion of the upper and lower slips into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. In addition, the retention of the packing structure 20 in its retracted position, such as disclosed in Fig. l, is assured. The lower expander 18 is prevented from moving upwardly along the body 10 to expand the lower slips 19 into engagement with the casing by engagement of the expander shoulder 80 with the body flange 81. The left-hand body threads 12 are threaded completely into the guide 14 until the lower end of the body engages a shoulder 14a in the guide, which will couple the guide 14, thrust tube 88 and lower gauge ring 86 for movement with the body. Since the lower gauge ring 86 engages the shoulder 87 on the booster sleeve 82, and since the latter is threadedly connected to the lower expander 18, the lower expander will move downwardly with the body.

The apparatus A is attached to the tubular string C and is inserted in the well casing B. The drag block portions 28, 43 of the upper and lower sets of slips 17, 19 ofier resistance to downward movement of the slip structures in the well casing. However, in view of the fact that the slip structures are coupled to the body 10 of the tool, by virtue of the lock segment 56 being disposed in the body groove 57, downward movement of the tubular string and body through the well casing forces the slip structures downwardly in the well casing, the drag block portions 28, 43 frictionally sliding along the wall of the well casing. However, during such downward movement, the clutch 21 prevents the upper expander 11 from moving downwardly within the upper set of slips 17 to expand the latter outwardly.

When the location in the well bore is reached at which it is desired to anchor the tool in packed-01f condition against upward movement in the well casing, it is only necessary to rotate the tubing string C and the body It? to the right. Since the friction drag block portions 28, 43 are resisting turning of the slip structures, the body 10 and the key 75 are turned, to rotate the bridge segment 58 with the body in a clockwise direction and place it behind the lock segment 56, urging the latter out of the groove 57. The fact that the lock segment is completely out of the groove is positively determined by engagement of the key 75 with the other end 78 of the arcuate stop segment 73. The tubing string C and body 10 are now elevated, which will permit the body to move upwardly through the slip structures, in view of the unclutching of the latter with respect to the body. The

periphery of the body 10 merely slides along the lock segment 56. As upward movement of the body takes place, the guide 14, thrust tube 88, packing structure 20 and lower expander 18 are moved upwardly with it, until the lower expander moves into the lower slips 19, shifting their gripping portions 39 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. Upon the occurrence of such anchoring engagement, the lower expander 18 is prevented from moving upwardly to any further extent. Accordingly, a continuation of the upward movement of the tubing string C and the body 10 of the tool will then move the lower gauge ring 86 toward the upper gauge ring 184 and expander 18, foreshortening the rubber packing rings or sleeves 83, 84 and expanding them outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing.

The well packer A is now anchored in packed-off condition within the well casing against upward movement therewithin. The packing rings 83, 84 firmly seal against the wall of the well casing, as well as against the periphery of the booster sleeve 82, whereas leakage of fluid between the booster sleeve 82 and expander 18, on the one hand, and the body 10, on the other hand, may be precluded by the provision of a rubber-like seal ring 96 in the lower expander 18, slidably and sealingly engaging the periphery of the body.

Cement slurry, acid, formation fracturing material, or the like, may now be pumped down through the tubular string C and through the bore 16 in the body 10, which is of a large internal diameter, for discharge into the formation at some point below the set position of the well tool A. The fluid under pressure is prevented from forcing the tool up the hole because of the anchoring of the lower slips 19 against the well casing B. It is also prevented from leaking by the tool, by virtue of the expanded packing structure 20.

When it is desired to release the tool A, it is merely necessary to move the tubular string C and body 10 in a downward direction, which will remove the compressive force on the packing structure 20, allowing it to retract, and which will also effect a movement of the lower expander 18 downwardly out of wedging engagement with the lower set of slips 19. The relative downward movement of the body 10 through the slip structure is assured because of the frictional resistance to longitudinal movement oflered by the drag block portions 28, 43 of the slips 17, 19. If it is desired to place the slips 17, 19 in a neutral position, in order to move the tool longitudinally to anew location in the well casing, or to remove the tool from the well casing, the tubing string C is merely turned to the left until the keyway again engages the end 77 of the arcuate stop segment 73, which will insure the movement of the lock segment 56 into the groove 57 when the body is moved downwardly to align the groove with the lock segment. When the lock or clutch segment 56 is moved into the groove 57, assurance is had that the slips 17, 19 are locked against being expanded outwardly upon movement of the tool A in both longitudinal directions in the well casing B.

Assuming that the tool has been anchored in packedoff condition against upward movement in the well casing, as disclosed in Fig. 2, and a pressure differential is then imposed on fluid in the annulus E above the tool between the tubular string C and the well casing B, as, for example,

- by swabbing the tubing string, the tool will resist downward movement within the well casing. As the pressure is built up on the fluid in the annulus, such pressure will act in a downward direction over the entire annular crosssectional area R of the packing structure 20 extending from the periphery of the body 10 to the wall of the well casing B, to urge the packing structure 20, thrust tube 82, guide 14 and body It in a downward direction, the body 10 and tubing string C being placed in tension and actually being stretched in a downward direction. Such downward movement will carry the lower expander 18 9. downwardly with it out of engagement with and away from the lower slips 19, permittin'gthe springs 44 to again rock the slips 19 and place their drag portions 43 in full frictional engagement with the wall of the well casing, tilting the gripping portions 39 inwardly out of engagement with the wall of the well casing. Downward stretching of the tubular string C and of the body of the tool can occur until the upper expander 11 enters the upper set of slips-17, rocking their gripping portions 24 outwardly to engage and wedge their wickers 25 into anchoring engagement with the Wall of the well casing. Further downward movement of the body 10 of the tool cannot occur. The tool is now anchored against downward movement in the well casing and its packing structure 20 is also packed-01f against the well casing B, to prevent fluid pressure above the tool from being imposed on the fluid in the well casing below the packing structure 20.

The imposition of the fluid pressure differential in the tubing-casing annulus E above the packing structure 20 cannot effect release of the packing structure. The lower gauge ring-86 is resisting downward movement of the packing structure by virtue of the fact that the tubular string C and the body 10 are connected thereto through the guide 14 and thrust tube 88. This lower gauge ring 86 is exerting an upward force on the packing structure 20 over the annular cross-sectional area S of the latter extending between the periphery'of the booster sleeve 82 and the wall of the well casing B. On the other hand, the pressure differential above the packing structure 20 is tending to move it downwardly and is acting over the entire annular area R of the packing structure, running from the periphery of the body 10 of the tool to the wall of the well casing. This annular area R is substantially greater than the area S over which the gauge ring is acting on the packing structure, by an amount at least equal to the cross-sectional area W of the booster sleeve 82 itself. Accordingly, there is a predominating force tending to shift the upper expander 18 and its gauge ring 84 toward the lower gauge ring 86, to maintain the packing structure 20 compressed against the casing, which will hold the packing structure sealed off against the well casing during the downward stretching of the tubular string C, the packing sleeves 83, 84 sliding, while in such packed-01f condition, along the wall of the casing to the extent permitted by engagement of the upper expander 11 with the upper slips 17 and the anchoring of the latter against the wall of the well casing. The area W of the booster sleeve 82 insures that the packing structure 20 will not retract during the transferring movement of the body 10 of the tool to engage the upper expander 11 with the upper set of slips 17, which would permit the fluid pressure to by-pass the packing structure and equalize around the tool. During the downward transferring of the tool to engage the upper expander with the upper slips, the lock segment 56 is ineffective to move into the circumferential body groove 17, since the arcuate bridge segment 58 of the body is then in alignment with the lock segment and will prevent such entry into the groove. Accordingly, the body.10 can slide through the clutch structure 21 in effecting the necessary transfer of the holding force.

As the pressure in the tubing-casing annulus E above the tool A is relieved, the tensile force on the tubular string C is also relieved, allowing the tubular string to contract towards its original position, the upper expander 11 moving out of the upper slips 17 and the lower expander 18 moving back into the lower slips 19. During all this time, the packing structure 20 remains in packedoif condition, merely sliding along the wall of the well casing, while remaining in firm sealing engagement therewith. When the parts have returned to the position disclosed in Fig. 2, pressure can again be applied, if desired, down through the tubing string C and the body 10 of the tool, and on the hole formation below the tool, the lower set of slips 19 preventing upward movement of the tool within the casing B under the action of such pressure.

10 When it is desired to retrieve the tool A from the well bore, its body 10 is rotated to the left to place the key 75 against the end 78 of the arcuate stop seg ment 73, which will then disalign the bridge segment 58 with respect to the lock segment 56. The tubular string C and body 10 can now be moved longitudinally in the proper direction until the lock groove 57 is in alignment with the clutch segment 56, permitting the spring 59 to move the latter inwardly into the groove 57 and clutch the segment to the body 10 of the tool. During such downward movement, the packing structure 20 is shifted to its retracted position, the engagement of the lock segment 56 in the groove 57 insuring the retention of the packing structure 20 in its retracted position and the sets of slips -17, 19 in their retracted or neutral positions relative to the expanders 11, 18. When the expander moves out of engagement with the slips,

.the springs 29, 44 are effective to rock the drag portions 28, 43 into full engagement with the Wall of the well casing B, and the gripping portions 24, 39 inwardly away from the wall of the well casing, such gripping portionsthen being in retracted position.

The tool may now be elevated in the well casing and removed from the well bore. if desired. 7

While the apparatus is in the well bore, the full bore 16 through it permits testing equipment, such as pressure recorders, to be lowered completely through the tool, as well as other equipment, such as jet perforators, that are capable of being passed down through the tubing string C. The full bore 16 through the tool also insures the absence of any restriction to flow of fluent materials through the tool that are to be pumped into the formation, such as sand suspended in a liquid medium, cement slurry, and the like.

The apparatus can be operated in the manner described above, to be anchored in packed-off condition against longitudinal movement in either a downward or an upward direction. The slips 17, 19 and packing 20 can be returned to their initial retracted positions and locked in such position by causing the lock segment 56 to enter the lock groove 57 in the mandrel or body 10 of the tool. However, there is the possibility of the tubular string C and the body 10 of the tool being inadvertently rotated during longitudinal movement of the tool in the well casing, as movement in an upward direction, which might cause the bridge portion or cam 58 to shift the lock segment 56 out of the groove 57, which would then permit one of the expanders, such as the lower expander'18, to move upwardly within the lowerslips 19 and'anchor them against the well casing. If this action were to occur while the tubular string C was moving at a rather rapid rate upwardly in the well casing, damage to the tool or to the tubular string itself might occur.

In the tool disclosed in the drawings, the slips 17, 19v can be locked in their retracted position and prevented from being inadvertently released from such position, to prevent one of the expanders, such as the lower expander 18, from shifting a set of slips into anchoring engagement with the well casing. To accomplish this purpose, a lower circumferentially continuous groove is provided in the body 10 of the tool at a particular distance below the groove 57. This lower groove 110 does not have any bridge piece or cam portion, but extends the full 360 degrees around the body of the tool; Dimensionally, it is substantially the same width as the upper groove 57 and is provided with opposed sides 111 which converge toward each other in a direction laterally outwardly of the body of the tool, in order to conform with the companion tapered sides 71 of the inner portion of the lock segment 56.

Whenthe left-hand threaded connection 12, 13 between the lower end of the body 10 and the guide 14 is fully engaged, as disclosed in Fig. 1, the lower circumferential groove 110 cannot be moved upwardly sufiiciently to receive the lock segment 56. In'the event it is desired to lock both sets of slips in a position that will positively preclude their subsequent outward expansion into engagement with the well casing B, the well tool A is anchored in packed-E condition against upward movement in the manner disclosed in Fig. 2. Such setting action will cause the lower slips 19 and expander 18, as well as the packing structure 20 therebelow, to resist rotation of the sleeve 88 and the guide 14. This will permit the tubular string C to be turned to the right, the turning effort being transmitted through the upper expander 11 to the body 10. By virtue of the left-hand threaded connection 12, 13 with the guide 14, the body will unscrew in an upward direction with respect to the guide 14. The lower portion of the body is unscrewed completely from the guide 14, which will then permit the body to be shifted upwardly sufficiently to place the lower circumferentially continuous groove 110 opposite the lock segment 56, whereupon the latter can be shifted by its spring 59 into this groove, which will lock the entire slip structure to the body and prevent subsequent relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

During the right-hand rotation of the body 10, the guide 14 may, in fact, be threaded downwardly relative to it, carrying the packing structure parts downwardly with it to a retracted position, so that the lower expander 18 is substantially removed from behind the lower slips 19 when the lower circumferential groove 110 receives the lock segment 56. Once the lock segment enters the lower circumferential groove, it cannot be removed therefrom, the upper and lower slips 17, 19 being then movable with the tubular string C and the body 10. The upper expander 11 can no longer be shifted downwardly with respect to the upper slips 17, while the lower expander 18 cannot be shifted upwardly within the lower slips 19 since the flange 81 on the body will engage a shear ring and expander support 113 releasably Secured within the lower expander by one or more shear pins 114. The apparatus can now be withdrawn from the well bore, with the anchoring portions 24, 39 of both the upper and lower sets of slips occupying their retracted positions, such as disclosed in Fig. 3.

In addition to the circumferentially continuous groove 110 irreleasably locking the sets of slips 17, 19 to the body 10 of the tool, it also permits the sections of tubing C to be unscrewed at the top of the well bore, by rotating the tubular string located within the well bore. Such rotation of the tubular string can take place without rotating the slips around the wall of the well casing, and particularly the drag block portions 28, 43 thereof.

In accomplishing the purpose just mentioned, the locating key 75, which determines the position of the lock segment 56 in alignment with the lock groove 57 or'the bridge and cam piece 58, is shifted out of the longitudinal keyway 76 in the body. Actually, the inner portion of the key 75 has opposed flanges or dovetailed portions 120' sliding within companion grooves 121 in the side of the keyway 76, which will rotationally connect the key 75 to the body 10 of the tool while permitting relative longitudinal movement between these parts to occur.w However, it is to be noted that the lower inner end 122 of the key is tapered, being inclined in an outward and downward direction for engagement by a companion tapered surface 123 on the body at the lower portion of the keyway. This lower portion of the keyway does not have the dovetailed side grooves 121 therein, but, instead, is made of an arcuate width slightly greater than the width of the key 75 itself. Accordingly, when the body 10 of the tool has been unscrewed from the guide 14, and the body has been elevated with respect to the lock segment 56, the key 75 is cammed by the inclined surfaces 122, 123 laterally out of the keyway 76 and into the arcuate space 74 in the stop ring 37. Actually,.the body. 10 of, the tool willflmove upwardly along the-inner surface of the key 75 when the lock segment 56 shifts into the circumferentially continuous lower groove 110, which'will remove all connection between the body 10 of the tool and the key. Thus, the lock segment 56 will be located in the circumferentially continuous lock groove 110, and the key 75 will be held out of the keyway 76, being capable of sliding freely on the periphery of the body 10, the parts then occupying the positions disclosed in Fig. 3.

The tubular string C and the body 10 of the tool can now rotate freely within the slip structure, the lower expander 18, and the packing structure 20 therearound, as well as relative to the lock segment 56, there being no tendency for the body to turn the parts externally thereof with it. Accordingly, more rapid disconnection of the threaded joints of the tubular string C at the top of the hole can be made, to expedite the elevation of the apparatus A in the well casing and its complete removal therefrom at the top of the hole.

Under some conditions encountered in the well bore, the body 10 may be elevated within the slip structure sufficiently to permit the lock segment 56 to enter the circumferentially continuous groove 110, but the lower slips 19 might not be freed from the well casing B. Should this occur, the body of the tool is permitted to move upwardly to a greater extent relative to the lower expander 18. Thus, the body flange 81 will engage the ring 113 secured to the expander 18. An adequate pull is taken on the body 10 to shear the screws 114 holding the shear ring 113 to the expander, which will then permit the slips 17, 19 to move upwardly relative to the lower expander 18 to a sufiicient extent as to come free from their anchoring condition against the well casing. This position of parts is disclosed in Fig. 7, which might result in freeing of the tool and allow it to be removed from the well casing.

If, however, the shearing of the ring 113 from the lower expander still does not result in complete freeing of the tool within the well casing, then the body 10 of the tool and the slip structure therearound may be freed from the packing structure 20 and removed from the well casing B, leaving the packing structure behind.

It is to be noted that the body 10 of the tool immediately above its left-hand thread 12 is provided with a T shaped ring 140, the leg portion 141 of which is received within a companion groove 142 in the body and the head portion 143 of which extends outwardly of the body periphery. Upon the shearing of the ring 113 from the expander 18, the T shaped ring will fit within a recess 144 in the booster sleeve 82 and engage the lower portion of the latter. A sufficient upward strain can now be taken on the body 10 of the tool, which will either free the packing structure 20 from the well casing, or will shear the leg portion 141 of the ring from the head portion 143, completely freeing the body of the tool from the packing structure. The body 10 of the tool and the slip structure surrounding it can now be elevated in the well casing, leaving the lower expander 14, packing structure 20, thrust sleeve 88, guide 14, and depending tubing D behind.

The shear ring 113 not only provides a positive connection between the body 10 of the tool and the lower expander 18, to assist in elevating the latter in the well casing, but it also supports the expander against inwardly directed forces imposed when the expander is wedged upwardly within the lower slips 19. The shear ring 113 engages the periphery of the body, and provides a backing to the upper portion of the expander, resisting its inward deformation.

It is, accordingly, apparent that a retrievable well apparatus has been provided in which the slips can be irreleasably locked in a retracted position when the tool is to be withdrawn from the hole. In addition, the relationship between the parts allows the tubular string C to be rotated, to effect. a speedy disconnection of its joints at the top of the well bore without dragging anyof the apparatus parts around the wall of the well casing. The body of the tool will positively move the lower expander 18 in an upward direction when coming out of the hole, or the positive connection between these-parts can be disrupted if it is necessary to do so in connection with the freeing of the slips from the well casing. Finally,.the body of the tool and the slip structure can be removed from the well bore completely, leaving the packing structure Z therebehind in the event the latter cannot be moved within the well casing.

The inventor claims:

1. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: a body member connectible to a tubular running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch member slidable on said body member and rotatable relative thereto; one of said members having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on the other of said members into said first grove to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said one member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said members from each other; said one of said members having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said members for longitudinal movement together and to permit said members to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other. 7

2. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: a body member connectible to a tubular running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch member slidable on said body member and rotatable relative thereto; said body member having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said clutch member into said first groove to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch ele merit laterally from said first groove to uncouple said members from each other; said body member having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said members for longitudinal movement together and to permit said members to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other.

3. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: a body member connectible to a running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch member slidable on said body member and rotatable relative thereto; said body member having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said clutch member into said first groove to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body member between the ends of said first groove, said cam means being operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said members from each other; said body member having a second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said members for longitudinal movement together.

4. In a well tool adapted foroperation in a well bore: a body member connectible to a tubular running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch member slidable on said body member and rotatable relative thereto; one of said members having afirst couple said members from each other; said one of said members having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said members for longitudinal movement together and to permit said members to rotate more than one revolutionwith respect to each other; and coengageable means on said members for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam means or in position for movement into said first groove.

5. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: a body member connectible to a tubular running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutchmember slidable on said body member and rotatable relative thereto; said body member having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said clutch member into said first groove to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said members from each other; said body member having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said members for longitudinal movement together and to permit said members to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; and coengageable means on said members for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam means or in position for movement into said first groove.

6. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: a body member connectible to a running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch member slidable on said body member and rotatable relative thereto; said body member having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said clutch member into said first groove to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body member between the ends of said first groove, said cam means being operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said members from each other; said body member having a second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; and coengageable means on said members for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam means or in position for movement into said first groove.

7. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore:

a body member connectible to a running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch member slidable on said body member and rotatable relative thereto; one of said members having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on the other of said members into said first groove to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said one member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said members from each other; said one of said members having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said members for longitudinal movement together and to permit said members to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; said one of said members having a keyway; a key slidable longitudinally in said keyway, said key being engageablewith the other of said members for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam means or in position for movement into said first groove; and means on said one of said members for shifting said key from said keyway when said members have been moved longitudinally to a position permitting said clutch element to enter said second groove.

8. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: a body member connectible to a running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch member slidable on said body member and rotatable relative thereto; said body member having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said clutch member into said first groove to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said members from each other; said body member having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said members for longitudinal movement together and to permit said members to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; said body member having a keyway; a key slidable longitudinally in said keyway, said key being engageable with said clutch element for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam means or in position for movement into said first groove; and means on said body member for shifting said key from said keyway when said members have been moved longitudinally to a position permitting said clutch element to enter said second groove.

9. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; normally retracted means on said body rotatable relative thereto and expandible outwardly into engagement with the well conduit in response to longitudinal movement of said body; said body having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said normally retracted means into said first groove to couple said body and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body operable in response to relative rotation between said body and normally retracted means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said body and normally retracted means from each other; said body having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body and normally retracted means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other.

10. In a well tool: body means adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; normally retracted means on said body rotatable relative thereto and expandible outwardly into engagement with the well conduit in response to longitudinal movement of said body means; one of said means having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on the other of said means into said first groove to couple said body means and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together; a cam on said one of said means operable in response to relative rotation between said body means and normally retracted means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said body means and normally retracted means from each other; said one of said means having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body means and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body means and normally retracted means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other.

11. In a well tool: body means adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; normally retracted means on said body rotatable relative thereto and eX- pandible outwardly into engagement with the well conduit inresponse to longitudinal movement of said body means; one of said means having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on the other of said means into said first groove to couple said body means and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together; a cam on said one of said means operable in response to relative rotation between said body means and normally retracted means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said body means and normally retracted means from each other; said one of said means having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body means and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body means and normally retracted means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; said one of said means having a keyway; a key slidable longitudinally in said keyway, said key being engageable with the other of said means for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam or in position for movement into said first groove; and means on said one of said means for shifting said key from said keyway when said body means nad normally retracted means have been moved longitudinally to a position permitting said clutch element to enter said second groove.

12. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; normally retracted means on said body rotatable relative thereto and expandible outwardly into engagement with the well conduit in response to longitudinal movement of said body; said body having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said normally retracted means into said first groove to couple said body and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body operable in response to relative rotation between said body and normally retracted means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said body and normally retracted means from each other; said body having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body and normally retracted means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; said body having a keyway; a key slidable longitudinally in said keyway, said key being engageable with said normally retracted means for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam means or in position for movement into said first groove; and means on said body for shifting said key from said keyway when said body and normally retracted means have been moved longitudinally to a position permitting said clutch element to enter said second groove.

13. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means on said body; slip means slidable longitudinally, and rotatable with respect to said body and coacting with said expander means to anchor said body to the conduit against substantial longitudinal movement; said body having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said slip means into said first groove to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body operable in response to relative rotation between said body and slip means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said body and slip means from each other; said body having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body and slip means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other.

14. In a well tool: body means adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; an expander on said body means; slip means slidable longitudinally and rotata, v 17 r able with respect to said body means and coacting with said expander to anchor said body means to the conduit against substantial longitudinal movement; one of said means having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on the other of said means into said first groove to couple said body means and slip means for longitudinal movement together; a cam on said one of said means operable in response to relative rotation between said body means and slip means to engage and shift said clutch eleinentlaterally from said first groove to uncouple said body means and slip means from each other; said one of said means having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body means and slip means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body means and slip means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other.

15. In a well tool: body means adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; an expander on said body means; slip means slidable longitudinally and rotatable with respect to said body means and coacting with said expander to anchor said body means to the conduit against substantial longitudinal movement; one of said means having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally, on the other of said means into said first groove to couple said body means and slip means for longitudinal movement together; a cam on said one of said means operable in response to relative rotation between said body means and slip means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said body means and slip means from each other; said one of said means having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body means and slip means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body means and slip means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; said one of said means having a keyway; a key slid-' able longitudinally in said keyway, said key being engageable with the other of said means for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam or in position for movement into said first groove; and means on said one of said means for shifting said key from said keyway when said body means and slip means have been moved longitudinally to a position permitting said clutch element to enter said second groove.

16. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means on said body; slip vmeans slidable longitudinally and rotatable with respect to said body and coacting with said expander means to anchor said body to the conduit against substantial longitudinal movement; said body having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said slip means into said first groove to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body operable in response to relative rotation between said body and slip means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said body and slip means from each other; said body having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body and slip means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; said body having a keyway; a key slidable in said keyway, said key being engageable with said slip means for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam means or in position for movement into said first groove; and means on said body for shifting said key from said keyway when said body and slip means 18 v have been moved longitudinally to a position permitting said clutch element to enter said second groove.

17. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means on said body; slip means slidable longitudinally and rotatable with respect to said body and coacting with said expander means to anchor said body to the conduit against substantial longitudinal movement; said body having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said slip means into said first groove to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body operable in response to relative rotation body having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body and slip means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; shearable stop means between said body and expander means to limit movement of said body within said expander means in one longitudinal direction, said stop means being disruptable to permit further movement of said body within said expander means in said one direction.

18. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; normally retracted means on said body rotatable relative thereto and expandible outwardly into engagement with the well conduit in response to longitudinal movement of said body; said body having a first groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said normally retracted means into said first groove to couple said body and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body operable in response to relative rotation between said body and normally retracted means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said first groove to uncouple said body and normally retracted means from each other; said body having a circumferentially continuous second groove longitudinally spaced from said first groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body and normally retracted means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body and normally retracted means to rotate more than one revolution with respect to each other; and a threaded connection between said body and normally retracted means enabling said body to be rotated with respect to said normally retracted means to feed said body longitudinally along said normally retracted means to a position permitting said second groove to be placed in lateral alignment with said clutch element.

19. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means on said body;

slip means slidable longitudinally and rotatable with re-.

spect to said body and coacting'with said expander means to anchor said body to the conduit against substantial longitudinal movement; said body having an upper groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said slip means into said upper groove to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body operable in response to relative rotation between said body and slip means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said upper groove to a position permitting said lower groove to be placed in transverse alignment with said clutch element.

20. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means on said body; slip means slidable longitudinally and rotatable with respect to said body and coacting with said expander means to anchor said body to the conduit against substantial longitudinal movement; said body having an upper groove; a clutch element movable laterally on said slip means into said upper groove to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body operable in response to relative rotation between said body and slip means to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from said upper groove to uncouple said body and slip means from each other; said body having a circumferentially continuous lower groove longitudinally spaced from said upper groove and adapted to receive said clutch element to couple said body and slip means for longitudinal movement together and to permit said body to rotate more than one revolution 20 with respect to said slip means; and means including a threaded connection between said body and slip means permitting said body to be rotated and moved longitudinally upwardly with respect to said slip means to a position permitting said lower groove to be placed in transverse alignment with said clutch element; said body having a keyway; a key slidable longitudinally in said keyway, said key being engageable with said slip means for selectively locating said clutch element in position for engagement by said cam means or in position for movement into said upper groove; and means on said body for shifting said key from said keyway when said body and slip means have been moved longitudinally to a position permitting said clutch element to enter said lower groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,530,552 Gilmore Mar. 24, 1925 2,221,204 Santiago Nov. 12, 1940 2,228,243 Baker Jan. 14, 1941 2,365,327 Barnes Dec. 19, 1944 2,368,401 Baker Ian. 30, 1945 2,802,534 Conrad Aug. 13, 1957 -k, WA

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