US3054452A - Retrievable well apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept 18, 1952 E. H. CLARK, J'R., ET A1. 3,054,452

RETRIEVABLE WELL APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1958 A 4 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORS 22A/57 .Al C2 ,4e/a, Je.

Sept. 18, 1962 E. H. CLARK, JR., ETAL RETRIEVABLE WELL APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1958 INVENTORS C2 42%, Je, 4M/05544 Arraefvgys, Y

Sept' 18, 1962 E. H. CLARK, JR., ETAx. 3,054,452

RETRIEVABLE WELL APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mi M .4

l' INVENTORS EAeA/fsr M C14 Aeg, Je.

a/r/ G, CAM/055g.

Afro/@Marys Sept. 18, 1962 E. H. CLARK, JR., ET Ax. 3,054,452

RETRIEVABLE WELL APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Ewen/Es? fl, 2 ,4e/@d o/l/ 6., bfmvz Anna/16:

United States Patent O 3,054,452 RETREVABLE WELL APPARATUS Earnest H. Clark, lr., and Don G. Campbell, Downey, Calif., assignors to Baker Oil rlools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed `'luly 25, 1958, Ser. No. 751,606 21 Claims. (Cl. 166-134) The present invention relates to well bore equipment, and more particularly to apparatus to be lowered in and removed from a well bore on a tubular string, such as tubing or drill pipe extending to the top of the well bore.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved control apparatus for determining the operation of subsurface well bore equipment adapted to be lowered in a well bore on a tubular running-in string.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control or clutch device for controlling the operation of a subsurface well tool, such as a well packer or anchor, in a well casing disposed within a well bore, the well tool being run in the well bore on a tubular string, the control or clutch device being adapted to be placed in a condition permitting the tubular string to be rotated through a plurality of revolutions in the well bore without dragging portions of the well tool around the wall of the well casing.

A further object cf the invention is to provide a control or clutch device in a subsurface well tool which is releasable and re-engageable in response to manipulation of a tubular string to which the well tool is connected, the clutch being adapted to be placed in a clutching position permanently to prevent subsequent inadvertent operation of the well tool While it is in the well bore.

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 specication. 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:

FIGURES 1 and la together constitute a combined side elevational view and longitudinal section through a well packer disposed in a well casing with its parts in retracted position, FIG. la constituting a lower continuation of FIG. l;

FIGS. Z and 2a together constitute a longitudinal section through the well packer apparatus illustrated in FIGS. l and la, with certain of the parts expanded into engagement with the wall of the well casing, FIG. 2a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section of the control or clutch portion of the apparatus, with the clutch engaged;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FiG. 3 illustrating the clutch in disengaged position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 5--5 on FIG. 2a;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 2a;

FiG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 7 7 on FlG. 2a;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 8-8 on FIG. la.

The apparatus A disclosed in the drawings is adapted to be anchored in packed-off condition in a well casing B against movement in both an upward and a downward direction, to withstand pressure imposed on the tool from a position below its setting point in the well casing as well 3,54A52 Patented Sept. i8, 1962 ICC as from a position above its setting point in the well casing. The apparatus is lowered in the well casing on a tubular string C, such as a string of tubing or drill pipe extending to the top of the well bore. After having been set in the well bore and the desired operation or operations performed therein, the tool is readily released merely by taking an upward strain on the tubing string C, and can be Withdrawn from the well casing, or may be moved within the well casing to another location where it again can be anchored in packed-od condition.

As specifically shown, the well tool A includes a tubular mandrel or body 10, preferably having a straight through or uninterrupted passage 11, the inside diameter of which is preferably no smaller than the inside diameter through the tubular string C. The upper end of the mandrel or body may be constituted as a threaded pin 12 threadedly secured to an upper` body member 13, which may actually constitute a co-upling forming the lower end of the tubular string C.

The lower portion of the tool is adapted to be anchored in the packed-oit condition against downward movement in the well casing. Such lower portion is a set-down type of well packer. It includes a lower set of circumferentially spaced slips 14 having external wickers or teeth 15 facing in a downward direction to resist downward movement of the tool in the well casing when engaged therewith. The slips are received in longitudinal slots 16 in a lower expander 17, the slips having inner expander surfaces 13 tapering in a downward and inward direction and engaging companion tapered surfaces 19 in the lower expander that form the bottom portions of the slots 16. The slips 14 are slidably splined to the lower expander 17, as by having opposed tongues 20 extending outwardly from the sides of each slip which are received within co-mpanion grooves 21 in the expander in the sides of each slot, the tongues and grooves being inclined in a downward and inward direction. Downward movement of the lower expander 17 with respect to the lower slips 14 will expand the latter outwardly into engagement with the well casing B, whereas relative upward movement of the lower expander with respect to the slips will cause the side grooves 21 to engage the tongues Ztl` and pull the slips inwardly to their initial retracted position.

The lower slips 14,.- are movable jointly in longitudinal directions by slidably coupling them to a slip ring portion 22 of the drag body 23 of a drag device 24 which encircles the body 1t) of the tool. The lower portions of the slips are constituted as heads 25 slidable in radial slots 26 in the slip ring portion 22, the heads having outwardly directed tongues 27 slidably mounted in companion side grooves 2S in the slip ring portion. The lower slip tongues 27 and slip ring grooves 28 are preferably inclined slightly in a downward and outward direction to facilitate movement of the slips toward and from engagement with the wall of the well casing.

Movement of the slips 14 in the well casing B is resisted by the drag device 24, which includes the aforementioned body 23, which has circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots 3i) therein in which radially movable drag blocks 31 are slidably received, these drag blocks being urged outwardly into frictional engagement with the wall of the well casing by helical compression springs 32 disposed in sockets 33 in each drag block and engaging the base of the drag block body grooves 3l). Outward movement of the drag block under the influence of the springs 32, as when the tool is out of the well casing, is limited by engagement of the upper and lower terminal portions 34 of each drag block with an upper flange 35 depending from the slip ring portion 22, and by a stop ring 36 threadedly secured to the depending retracting sleeve portion 37 of the drag body 23, this retracting sleeve portion having the clutch housing 38 of a control unit 39 threadedly secured thereto, the clutch housing being provided with an inwardly directed lower terminal flange 40.

'Ihe slips 14 are expanded outwardly against the well casing whenever the body or mandrel of the tool is permitted to lower relative to the drag body 23, such lowering movement being transferred through parts to be described hereinbelow -to the lower expander 17. The lowering movement of the body 10 relative to the drag body 23 and slips 14 is prevented by the control or clutch mechanism 39, of which the clutch housing 38 forms a part.

Ihe clutch mechanism includes a plurality of clutch or ratchetteeth 41 formed on the periphery of the body or mandrel 10 of the tool, which face in a downward direc.- tion for coaction with companion upwardly facing clutch teeth 42 on a dog or clutch element 43 disposed in a radial slot 44 provided in a sleeve or ring 45 contained within the clutch housing 38. This sleeve or ring includes an upper friction brake drum portion 46, frictionally engageable by a split inherently contractile brake band -47 that is prevented from turning with respect to the housing by a coupling screw 48 threaded into the band and received within an opening 49 in the housing. The friction brake band l47 resists turning of the clutch sleeve or carrier 45 with respect to the housing 38. However, the extent of friction which the brake band oiers to such turning is substantially less than the frictional force of engagement of the drag blocks 31 with the wall of the well casing.

The clutch dog 43 is urged inwardly, so that its teeth 42 mesh with the body teeth 41, by a helical compression spring 50 bearing against the dog, with its outer end bearing against the iinger or spring seat 51 integral with the clutch sleeve 45. When the dog 43 is engaged with the body ratchet or clutch teeth 41, a space 52 exists between the outer end of the dog and the spring seat 51 to permit the dog to be shifted in a lateral outward direction to disengage the ratchet or clutch teeth 41, 42 from one another. Such disengagement occurs under the action of a cam member in the form of a key 53 disposed in a longitudinal keyway 54 in the body 10. This key has a lower cam portion 55 adapted to shift the clutch dog 43 laterally outwardly to disengage it from the ratchet teeth 41; `an intermediate stop or locating portion 56 that extends laterally outwardly to a greater extent than the camportion 55 and normally disposed within an arcuate cavity or recess 57 in the clutch sleeve; and an upper threaded head portion 58 which threadedly meshes with internal threads 59 in the retracting sleeve portion 37 of the drag body, the threaded connection being a left hand one.

Initially, the upper end of the key 53 is disposed a substantial distance from a downwardly facing shoulder 60 on the drag body 23 and is disposed within an arcuate space 61 between the retracting sleeve portion 37 and the mandrel 10 of the tool. The distance between the drag body shoulder 60 and the uppermost thread 62 on the retracted sleeve portion is substantially greater than the threaded length of the head portion 58 of the key to permit the key to thread upwardly within the retracting sleeve portion 37 and become completely unthreaded therefrom, which, as described hereinbelow, will shift the cam portion 55 of the key above the clutch dog 43 to prevent its subsequent engagement therewith.

The mandrel or body 10 is adapted to turn the -key 53 with itrelative to the clutch sleeve 45 and the retracting sleeve portion 37 between a position in which the intermediate key portion 56 engages one stop shoulder 63 at the end of the arcuate cavity 57, permitting the dog 43 to be shifted by the spring 50 into engagement with the ratchet teeth 41 and a second position in which the cam portion 55 of the key will engage the tapered end 64 of the dog and cam it outwardly to disengage its teeth 42 from the body teeth 41, the key coming to rest when its intermediate portion 56 engages another stop shoulder 65 in the clutch sleeve 45 at the end of the arcuate recess or cavity 57, in which the cam portion 55 of the -key is disposed fully -across the dog 43 to hold the latter out of clutching engagement with the body teeth 41.

As disclosed by way of example in the drawings, the body or mandrel 10 must rotate the key 53 about 270 degrees from its position of engagement against one stop 63 to itsV position of engagement against the other stop 65. Thus, if the key engages one ofthe stops 63, so that the clutch dog `43 can be coupled to the body 10 of the tool, -then rotationrof the mandrel 10 within the drag device 24 and clutch housing sleeve 45 of about 270 degrees is required for the key to` engage and cam the dog out of its clutching relation to the -body of the tool, and to hold the dog in such disengaged position. The body 10 of the tool is rotated in a right hand direction to shift the dog 43 out of clutching engagement with the body teeth 41, and in a left hand direction to enable the dog to reengage the body clutch teeth. Such relative movement can occur since the drag device 24 is resisting or preventing rotation of the clutch housing 38 and the brake band 47 is resisting or preventing rotation of the clutch sleeve 45 in which the clutch dog 43 is disposed. The rotation of the key 53 through the arcuate extent indicated above such as 270 degrees will result in longitudinal threading of the key along the retracting sleeve portion 37, but the extent of longitudinal movement of the key 53 when rotated less than a partial revolution is insuicient to remove its cam portion 55 from a position in which it can engage the clutch dog 43 to cam it from clutching engagement with the body 10 of the tool and be disposed fully across the clutch dog, to hold it from engagement with the body of the tool.

Despite the fact that the dog 43 must be cammed by the key 53 out of clutching engagement with the body 10 of the tool, for the purpose of lowering the body relative to theV clutch members surrounding it, the body can be shifted upwardly relative to the clutch members surrounding it merely by taking an upward pull thereon, in view of the one-way ratcheting action of the body teeth 41 upon the companion teeth 42 of the clutch dog 43.

With the clutch dog 43 engaged, downward movement of the body 10 of the tool will carry the drag device Z4 and the lower slips 14 downwardly with it. Such down- Ward movement is also transferred to the lower expander 17 through a split or segmented retaining or pulling sleeve 68 disposed within the slips. The upper end of the sleeve 68 is movable within an annular space 69 between the body or mandrel 10 and the expander 17, the upper part of the sleeve having an outwardly directed ange 7i) adapted to engage an upwardly -facing shoulder 71 on the expander. The lower portion of the retaining sleeve 68 is disposed within the slip ring portion 22 of the apparatus, having an outwardly directed flange 72 disposed within an internal groove 73 in such slip ring portion. It is evident that downward movement of the drag body 23 will exert a pull through the retaining sleeve 68 on the lower expander 17, pulling the latter downwardly with it. However, relative downward movement of the expander 17 Within the slips 14 is permitted without moving the retaining sleeve 68 downwardly, in view of the annular space 69 between the expander and body existing yabove the retaining sleeve.

In the absence of the retaining sleeve 68, the slips 14, when disposed in their innermost position would also exert ya downward pull on the'lower expander 17 through the inclined tongue and groove interconnection 2G, 21.

The upper portion of the lower expander 17 is threadedly secured to a lower abutment ring 75, these two parts together constituting a lower abutment adapted to eiect expansion of a packing structure 76into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B. This packing structure includes an inner compression or thrust sleeve 77 threadedly secured to the lower expander 17 and slidable along the body of the tool, the upper portion of this sleeve being adapted to shift ywithin an annular space 78 between the body of the tool and a connector sleeve 79, the lower end of which is threadedly secured to an upper abutment 80. The upper portion of the thrust Sleeve 77 is constituted as an outwardly directed flange 81 adapted to engage an upwardly facing surface 82 of the upper abutment, such that downward movement of the thrust sleeve 77 will cause the flange 81 to engage the upper abutment 80 and move the upper abutment and the connector sleeve 79 downwardly with it. When the connector sleeve 79 and upper abutment y80 are moved downwardly toward the lower abutment 75 and `along the thrust sleeve 77, the packing structure between the upper and lower abutments 80, 75 and surrounding the thrust sleeve 77 is foreshortened and compressed outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B, as well as with the thrust -sleeve 77 itself. As specifically disclosed, this packing structure includes a plurality of vannular packing elements 83 slidable with respect to the thrust sleeve and separated by spacer rings 84 that are also slidable on the thrust sleeve, the upper end of the upper packing element 83 engages the upper abutment 80, the lower end of -the lower packing element 83 being engageable with the lower abutment 75. Shifting of the upper abutment 30 toward the lower abutment 75 will decrease the distance therebetween, foreshortening the packing elements S3 and electing their expansion outwardly into engagement with the well casing B. Upward movement of the upper abutment 80 relative to the lower abutment 75 will enable the packing elements 83 to return inherently to their initial retracted positions.

As assurance that uid will not leak around the packing portions of the apparatus, the upper abutment 80 has a seal ring 85 contained therein adapted `to slidably seal against the periphery of the thrust sleeve 77. Similarly, the thrust sleeve 77 has a seal ring S6 contained therein adapted to slidably seal along the periphery of the body or mandrel 10 of the tool. Accordingly, fluid cannot leak between the thrust sleeve 77 and body 10 and between the packing structure 7 6 and the thrust sleeve.

To effect expansion of the slips 14 and the packing structure 76 into engagement with the well casing, the downward movement of the body 10 is transmitted to the connector sleeve 79 through a lost motion connection. The ybody has an elongate circular groove 87 in which a two-piece ring 8S is contained, this ring being clamped between a ange 39 at the upper end of the connector sleeve and the lower portion 90 of a retainer sleeve 91 threaded into the connector sleeve 79. The retainer sleeve 91 extends upwardly into an annular space 92 between a coupling skirt portion 93 of a hydraulic cylinder 94 forming part of the upper anchoring mechanism of the well tool, the retainer sleeve terminating in an outwardly directed flange 95 adapted to engage the ange 96 of an annular stop member 97 threadedly secured to the lower end of the coupling skirt 93 such that downward movement of the retainer sleeve 91 will cause the ange 95 to engage the stop flange 96 and pull the coupling skirt 93 and cylinder 94 downwardly with it.

When the lower control mechanism or clutch 39 is engaged, relative downward movement between the body 10, the packing structure 76, lower expander 17 and lower slips 14 cannot occur, so that all of the parts are movable through the well casing as a unit. However, when the clutch 39 is released, as by turning the tubular string C and the body 10 connected thereto to the right, the cam portion 55 of the key is rotated into engagement with the dog 43, camming the latter radially outward from engagement with the clutch teeth 41 and holding it in such position. The body 10 of the tool can now be lowered. In view of the release of the dog element therefrom, such lowering action will not carry the clutch members surrounding it, the drag device 24, slips 14, pulling sleeve 66, lower expander 17 and thrust sleeve 77 downwardly with it, as well as the packing structure 76 surrounding the thrust sleeve. The drag device 24 resists downward movement of such parts. Accordingly, the body 10 move-s downwardly until the downwardly facing body shoulder 99 defining the upper end of the elongate circular groove 87 engages the split ring y88. Following such engagement, the connector sleeve 79 and upper abutment S0 are shifted downwardly with the body 10, this downward movement being transferred through the packing structure 76 to the lower abutment 75 and the lower expander 17, the thrust sleeve 77 moving downwardly with the lower expander. Since the drag device 24- is resisting downward movement of the lower slips 14, the downward shifting of the 4lower expander 17 within the lower slips will urge the latter radially outward into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

Following engagement of the slips 14 with the wall of the well casing, the lower expander 17, lower abutment 75 and thrust sleeve 77 cannot move downwardly to any further extent. Accordingly, a continuation of the downward movement of the packer body 10 will shift the upper abutment 80 toward the lower abutment 75, foreshortening the packing elements 83 and expanding them outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B, as well as with the periphery of the thrust sleeve 77.

The apparatus is now anchored in packed-Cif condition against downward movement in the well casing, its upper portion will anchor the apparatus against upward movement in the well casing, such upward movement occurring hydraulically and without the necessity for longitudinally moving the body 10 of the tool, as in an upward direction.

The upper or anchoring portion of the apparatus includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slips disposed around the body 10 of the tool, these slips being shiftable between retracted and expanded po-sitions and of partaking of joint longitudinal movement. The upper portion 101 of each slip is slidable in a slot 102 extending through the lower portion of a slip retainer ring 103 slidable on the body or mandrel 10 and keyed thereto by virtue of a key 104 threaded in the slip ring and received within a longitudinal keyway 105 of the body. 'I'he slips each have oppositely directed tongues 106 adapted to be received within `companion grooves 107 in the sides of the slots 102, the tongues and grooves preferably being inclined to a small extent in an upward and outward direction to facilitate anchoring of the slips 100 against the well casing B and also their retraction therefrom. The lower portions of the slips have external wickers or teeth 10S facing in an upward direction to engage and embed themselves in the wall of the well casing.

The inner surfaces 109 of the slips are tapered in an upward and inward direction, coacting with companion tapered surfaces 110 on an upper expander 111 slidably mounted on the body or mandrel 10 of the tool. The slips 100 and expander 111 are slidably splined to one another, such that relative upward movement of the expander 111 within the slips will effect expansion of the latter into anchoring engagement with the well casing, whereas relative downward movement of 4the expander with respect to the slips will elect positive retraction of the slips 100 from the well casing. Such connection is afforded by means of oppositely directed tongues 112 on the inner portion of each slip slidable in companion grooves 113 in the upper expander 111. It is evident -that the tongues and grooves 112, 113 are inclined in an upward and inward direction to the same extent as the coengaging expander and slip surfaces 109, 110.

The slip ring 103 is movable upwardly on the body 10 of the tool to the extent limited by its engagement with the lower end 115 of the body coupling 13. Its downward movement relative to the body is determined by its engagement with an upwardly facing -body shoulder 116. When the slip ring 103 engages the body coupling 13 it is spaced above the body shoulder 116 so that the body or mandrel of the tool can partake of some longitudinal movement in an upward direction relative to the slip ring 103 and the upper slips 100 themselves.

The slip ring 103 and the slips 100, on the one hand, and the expander 111, on the other hand, are normally urged and directed away from each other, so as to tend to place and retain the slips 100 in a retracted position, by longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced helical compression springs 118 located circumferentially between the slips 100. The upper ends of the springs 118 bear against the slip ring 103 and their lower ends against the upper end of the expander 111, the springs being disposed over longitudinal centering pins 119 secured to the expander. The springs 118 tend to shift ythe upper slip retainer ring 103 and the upper slips 1007in an upward direction relative to the expander 111, such that the inclined tongue and groove connection 112, 113 between the slips and expander tend to return the slips to and hold them in a retracted position. However, when the expander 111 is shifted upwardly relative to the slips 100, the latter are urged in a radial outward direction to place their wickers 10S in anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing.

Depending from and integral with the upper expander 111 is a cylinder sleeve portion 121 ofthe hydraulic cylinder 94 which is spaced from the mandrel 10 ofthe tool to provide an annular cylinder space 122 therebetween in which a hydraulically actuatable latch or coupling sleeve 123 is disposed. The expander 111 may be considered as constituting an annular cylinder head. The latch or coupling sleeve 123 includes an annular piston portion 124 slidable along the periphery of the body 10, and also along the lower inner wall 125 of the cylinder sleeve 121. The piston portion is always disposed below a plurality of fluid inlet ports 126 establishing communication between the central passage 11 through the body of the tool and the annular cylinder space 122 between the body 10 and the cylinder above the piston 124. Leakage of iluid in an upward direction from the cylinder space 122 is prevented by a suitable side seal 127 carried by the cylinder head 111 and slidably sealing against .the periphery of the body 10. Leakage of uid in a downward direction from the annular cylinder space is prevented by an inner side seal ring 12S disposed in the piston 124 and slidably sealing against the periphery of the body 10 below its port 126. Leakage of uid between the periphery of the rpiston and the adjacent cylinder wall 125 is prevented by a suitable side seal arrangement 129 disposed in the piston and slidably sealing against the cylinder wall.

When iluid under pressure diierential enters the cylinder space 122 from the interior of the body through the ports 126, such pressure tends to shift the cylinder 94 and expander 111 in an upward direction, at iirstV shifting the slip retainer ring 103 into engagement with the lower end 115` ofthe tubing string coupling 13, which functions as a stop, the expander then moving upwardly along and behind the slips 100 to expand and urge the latter into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. It is, however, desired to prevent such upward movement of the expander and its outward expansion of the slips until the lower slips 14 have been anchored against the well casing and .the packing structure 76 sealed oC against the wall of the ,well casing. Upward movement of the upper expander 111 is prevented initially by theretainer sleeve 91, the flange 95 of which engages the inwardly directed flange 96 of the stop ring 97 that is threaded to the lower end of the coupling skirt =portion 93 of the hydraulic cylinder 121. It is also desired -for the body or mandrel 10 to be directly coupled to the upper. expander 111 after the slips- 100 have been expanded into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing, in order that hydraulic forces acting'on the body 10 from below the apparatus willbe transmitted directly from the body to the expander 111 and through the Yupper slips 100 to the wall of the well casing B The direct transmission of upward thrustris accomplished in the present instance by forming the upper portion of the latch or coupling sleeve 123 as arms 135 extending upwardly from the piston 124 and terminating in inwardly directed thrust heads 136 having inner lower cam surfaces 137 ,tapering in an upward and inward direction and coacting with a companion tapered surface 138 on an expander and lock portion 139 integral with the body 10. After the cylinder 94 and upper expander 111 have been shifted upwardly hydraulically for the purpose of expanding the slips into anchoring engagement with the well casing, the pressure in the vcylinder is acting on the piston 124 to urge the coupling sleeve 123 downwardly, the coengaging thrust heads 136 and expander portion 139 overcoming the elasticity and resiliency of the spring arms to shift them laterally outward to the extent determined by engagement of longitudinally extending teeth 140 on the arms with companion teeth 141 formed in the inner wall of the upper portion of the cylinder sleeve 121. When such teeth 140, 141 coengage, as a result of outward expansion of the springlike arms 135 and thrust head -136, the expander surfaces 137, 138 are still engaged, and the body 10 land cylinder sleeve l121, as well as the upper expander 111 integral with the latter, are directly coupled to one another. Upwardly -directed forces on the body 10' are transmitted through the body, expander -139 and thrust heads 136' to the cylinder sleeve 121 and upper expander 111, the latter being wedged behind the slips 100 to transmit such force through the latter to the well casing B, or corresponding well conduit.

When `the pressure differential within the cylinder 94 is relieved, the hydraulic force acting downwardlyl on the annularV piston 124 is also relieved, which per-mits the arms 135 and their thrust heads 136 to return inherently to their retracted positions.

The specific construction of the coupling sleeve 123 and the coaction of its thrust heads 136 with the expander and lock portion v139, and with the hydraulic cylinder 94, yform no part of the present invention. Such details of construction and the mode of assembling the apparatus may be found in the application of Martin B. Conrad for Retrievable Double Grip Well Packer, Serial No. 729,- 971, led April 2l, 1958. Itis sufficient to sta-te herein that once the coupling sleeve 123 is in proper assembled position, it is prevented from turning relative to the body of the tool, to become inadvertently disassembled, by an orienting screw 145 threaded into the body 10 and disposed between a pair of heads 136 of the coupling sleeve.

It is to be noted that upward movement of the latch or coupling sleeve 123 along the body 10 is limited by engagement of its heads 136 with an external Harige 146 on the body disposed immediately above the heads. Downward movement of the upper expander 111 along the body 10 and the latch or coupling sleeve 123 is limited by engagement of its downwardly facing shoulder 147 with the upper end of the annular piston 124. The full retraction of the upper slips 100 against the body 10 of the tool will also limit downward movement of the upper expander 111 and cylinder 94 along the body, by virtue of the inclined tongue and groove interconnection 112, 113 between the slips 100 and the expander 111.

In the use of the apparatus illustrated in the drawings, the parts are disposed initially in the condition shown in FIGS. l and la, in which the lower' clutch device 39 is engaged, the cam or key 53 being disposed against the stop 63 at the end of the arcuate cavity 57 in the clutch sleeve 45, with the upper and lower slips 100, 14 and the packing structure 76 in their retracted positions. The apparatus is lowered in the well casing by the means of a tubular string C toward the desired setting point within the casing. During such lowering of the tubular string, the drag device 24 is coupled by the clutch 39 to the body 10 of the tool, these parts moving downwardly together. Such downward movement is transferred directly to the lower expander 17 through the segmental pulling sleeve 68 and directly from the lower expander through the thrust sleeve 77 to the upper abutment Sti, the pulling action being transmitted from the upper abutment through the connector sleeve 79 to the retainer sleeve 91, the tlange g of which is then disposed immediately above the stop sleeve flange 96. This pulling action is transmitted between these anges to the hydraulic cylinder 94, pulling the latter and the expander 111 integral therewith in a downward direction, holding it in such position with the upper slips 16B* in their fully retracted condition.

Since the body 16 is pulling directly on the upper expander 111 through the parts just described, any hydraulic pressure that might be developed within the body of the tool and the annular cylinder space 122 is prevented from shifting the cylinder 94 and upper expander 111 in an upward direction to expand the slips 10i) outwardly since the upper expander is then, in effect, tied directly to the body of the tool. Accordingly, assurance is had that the upper slips 101i will be retained in their fully retracted position, preventing their wickers or teeth 198 from engaging or sliding upon the casing wall during the loweringr of the tool therein, which could dull them and possibly prevent their becoming anchored to the casing wall when desired.

When the location within the well casing is reached in which the tool is to be anchored in packed-oil? condition, the tubing string C is turned to the right, which will rotate the body of the tool to the right about 270 degrees, causing the key 53 to be rotated until its lower cam portion 55 moves against the dog 43, shifting it out of clutching engagement with the body teeth 41 and holding it in such outwardly engaged position, as determined by engagement of the intermediate portion 56 of the key with the other stop shoulder 65 deiining the other end of the clutch sleeve cavity 57. Such relative rotation between the body 11i and the key 53, on the one hand, and the clutch dog 43, on the other hand, can occur since the drag device 24 is preventing rotation of the clutch housing 38 and the brake device 47 is preventing rotation of the clutch sleeve 45 containing the dog.

The apparatus can now be anchored in packed-off condition against downward movement in the well casing by lowering the tubing string C and mandrel 10 secured thereto. Such lowering action is permitted by virtue of the longitudinal keyway S4 which allows the body 10 to slide downwardly along the key 53. During this down- Ward movement, the upper anchoring portion of the tool will shift downwardly with the body; the upper coupling 13 engaging the slip ring 163 and shifting it and the upper slips 100 downwardly, the downward force being transmitted through the springs 118 to the upper expander 111 and moving the latter and the cylinder 94 in a downward direction with respect to the retainer sleeve 91 until the body shoulder 99 defining the upper end of the circular groove 87 engages the split ring 88 which is secured between the retainer sleeve 91 and connector sleeve 79. At this time, it is to be noted that the inwardly directed flange 96 secured to the cylinder 94 will have been spaced substantially below the flange 9S of the retainer sleeve 91. The body 1t? of the tool and the whole upper anchoring portion is then lowered, the drag device 24 preventing downward movement of the slips 14. Such lowering movement is transferred through the split ring 8S and connector sleeve 79 to the upper abutment 8i), and through the packing structure 76 to the lower abutment 75 and lower expander 17, the latter being shifted downwardly within the lower slips 14 and expanding them radially outward until their wickers 15 become embedded in the well casing B, which precludes further downward movement of the lower expander and the lower abutment. A continuation ofthe downward movement o' the body 1t) will move the upper abutment 80 toward the lower abutment 75, expanding the packing structure 76 into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing. The apparatus is now anchored in packedot condition in the well casing against downward movement therewithin, the parts occupying the relative positions illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2a.

The desired operation can now be commenced in the well bore. If iluid under pressure is pumped through the apparatus it will be imposed through the ports 126 upon the liquid in the cylinder 94 urging the cylinder and upper expander 111 attached thereto upwardly in the tool, the upper slips 11%@ and upper slip ring 103 at irst being shifted upwardly until the slip ring engages the lower end 115 of the coupling 13, leaving a space between the upper body shoulder 116 and the lower shoulder of the upper slip ring. Continued upward movement of the xpander 111 under influence of the hydraulic pressure within the cylinder 94 will overcome the force of the springs 118, as the expander moves upwardly along the body 10 and the slips 10i?, to shift the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the Wall of the Well casing.

After the upper expander 111 has moved upwardly along the body 10 and slips 19d to the fullest extent, any increase in pressure within the mandrel or body 10 and cylinder 94 will urge the piston 124 and the latch or coupling sleeve 123 in its entirety in a downward direction, the thrust heads 136 moving down along the expander and lock portion 139, and being cammed outwardly to bring the teeth 149 on the arms 135 and heads 136 into full meshing engagement with the internal tapered teeth 141 in the cylinder sleeve 121, the parts then occupying the position illustrated in FIG. 2.

Any tendency for the body 10 to move upwardly will then be transferred directly through its expander and lock portion 139 to the thrust heads 136, and from the latter through the coengaging teeth 140, 141 to the expander 11, the expander being urged upwardly behind the slips 101i to wedge them more tirmly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. To enable the teeth 10S to penetrate to a greater extent into the wall of the well casing B, the body 10 and expander 111 will move upwardly slightly relative to the slips 100, and such slight upward movement is permitted by the space that existed between the upper body shoulder 116 and the lower portion of the upper slip ring 103.

In the event it is desired to release the apparatus in the well casing, the internal pressure therewithin, as well as the pressure therebelow is relieved. When the pressure diterential within the tool drops below a force equivalent to that exerted by the helical springs 118, the latter can shift the expander 111 and cylinder 94 downwardly relative to the slips 100 and the body 10 of the tool, the teeth 141 on the cylinder bearing against the teeth 140l on the arms and thrust heads 136, camming the latter inwardly so that the cylinder 94 can, in efect, ratchet downwardly along the coupling sleeve 123 until the expander 111 has returned to its initial position, pulling the upper slips 100 inwardly by virtue of the tongue and groove interconnections 112, 113.

An upward pull can now be taken on the tubular string C and the mandrel 10 of the tool, the mandrel moving upwardly and its shoulder 116 engaging the upper slip ring 103 to pu'll the latter upwardly, the flange 146 engaging the lower end of the expander 111 to move it and the cylinder upwardly, until the lower body shoulder 99a defining the lower end of the circular groove S7 engages the split ring 8S. Such upward movement can occur since the body ratchet teeth 41 merely ratchet freely through the clutch dog 43 in an upward direction, even if the cam or key 53 does not retain the clutch dog out of clutching engagement with the body teeth. The upward movement is transferred from the split ring 88 to the retaining sleeve 91 and connector sleeve 79, raising the upper abutment 80 rela- 1 tive to the lower abutment 75 to permit the packing structure 76 to. return to its retracted position. The upper abutment 80 then engages the flange 81 on the thrust sleeve 77 and pulls it and the lower expander 17 upwardly relative to the lower slips 14, the latter being shifted away from the well casing B and returned to their retracted position, because of the inclined tongue and groove interconnections 20, 21. Upward movement of the lower expander 17 relative to the drag device 24 can occur luntil the shoulder 71 on the expander 17 engages the ange 70 of the pulling sleeve `68, whereupon the latter is shifted upwardly to carry the drag device 24 and the entire clutch device or control unit 39 upwardly with it and with the body 10 of the tool. The entire apparatus can then be elevated in the well casing, and removed entirely therefrom, if desired.

In the event the apparatus is to be lowered in the well casing from its prior setting point, the tubing string C and body 10v of the tool are rotated to the left, to be assured that the cam key 53 has been removed from the clutch dog 43 and again placed in engagement with the stop 63 at the end of the cavity 57. Accordingly, the clutch 39 will be engaged and downward movement of the body of the tool can occur, to pull all of the mechanism surrounding it, and which is in a retracted position, down the casing without etecting setting of any of the parts, and also preventing inadvertent iluid or hydraulic expansion of the Iupper slips 100 against the well casing. If the tool is again to be anchored in the well casing, the body 10 of the tool is rotated to cause the key 53 to again cam the clutch dog 43 from engagement with the body ratchet teeth 41, allowing the body to lower relative to the drag device 24 and the clutch elements surrounding it, in order to again effect setting of the lower slips 14 and the packing structure 76 against the well casing.

In the event the apparatus has been released from the well casing and its withdrawal from the well casing is desired, assurance can be had that the clutch 39 cannot be released inadvertently, such that lowering of the tubing string C effects a re-setting of the apparatus against the well casing. The tubular string C and the body 10 of the tool are rotated to the right a plurality of revolutions. Since the drag device 24 is preventing rotation or the retracting sleeve portion 37, the key 53 will be turned by the body within the retracting sleeve portion. Upon its engagement with the stop 65 it will carry the clutch sleeve 45 around with it, this clutch sleeve slipping within the brake band 47 which is frictionally engaging the sleeve drum 46 with a force that is substantially less than the friction force of the drag blocks 31 against the wall of the well casing. Accordingly, the body 1G* of the tool, the key 53, sleeve 45 and clutch dog 43 are rotated relative to the housing 38 and the retracting sleeve portion 37. Since the threaded connection between the upper portion 58 of the key and the retracting sleeve portion 37 is a left hand one, right hand rotation of the parts will effect an upward feeding of the key 53 along the retracting sleeve portion 37 until the upper head portion 58 of the key is completely unthreaded from the retracting sleeve portion. When this occurs the lower cam portion 55 of the key will have been elevated above the clutch dog 43, all-owing the spring 50 to shift the clutch dog into clutching engagement with the teeth 41 of the body 10. The key cannot relower relative to the retracting sleeve portion 37, housing 38, clutch sleeve 45 and clutch dog 43, since the lowermost thread of the key head S will engage the uppermost thread of the retracting sleeve portion 37 to preclude such movement from occurring. Accordingly, the clutch 39 will remain engaged at all times and cannot be disengaged, preventing the body 1G from moving downwardly relative to the parts around it, so as to effect their re-setting against the well casing.

The disengagement of the threaded head portion 58 of the key from the threads of the retracting sleeve portion V37 enables yet another purpose to be achieved. In withdrawing the apparatus from the well casing, sections-of tubing C are disconnected at the top of the well bore. Their disconnection can be expedited by holding a section above the rotary table at the top ofthe well bore stationary and rotating the table to the right which will elect rotation of all the apparatus in the Ywell bore in a righthand direction. Such turning in a right-hand direction will tend to drag the drag blocks 31 of the apparatus around the well casing B and might damage parts of the tool. As a result of unthreading the head portion 58 of the key from the retracting sleeve portion 37, the rotary eiort of the body 10 is not transmitted to the drag body 23 and the parts connected to it. Instead, the only parts that might lturn with the key 53 and the body 10 are the clutch dog 43 and the clutch sleeve 45. However, the clutch Sleeve slips within the friction brake band 47 without damage to any of the parts. Accordingly, rotation of the tubing string C and body 10 of the tool can occur without rotating the drag device 24 around the well casing, facilitating removal of the apparatus from the well casing.

The parts can be so proportioned that upward threading of the key 53 along the retracting sleeve portion 37 can occur to shift the locating portion 56 above the stop shoulders 63, 65, in addition to shifting the cam 55 above the dog 43. When this occurs, rotation of the body 10 and key 53 will not rotate the carrier sleeve 45, the body teeth 41 merely turning within the dog teeth 42 meshing therewith.

In the event that unthreading of the head portion 58 from the retracting sleeve portion 37 is not desired, such action can be prevented, even inadvertently, as by securing the clutch sleeve 45 to the clutch housing 38 by means of a screw threaded in the clu-tch sleeve and received within a bore 161 in the clutch housing. When the parts are assembled with the head portion 5S threaded downwardly lto the appropriate extent within the retracting sleeve portion 37, the body 10 and key 53 can only turn to the extent limited by engagement of the intermediate portion 56 of the key with the stop shoulders 63, 65 defining the ends of the arcuate recess 57.

T-he inventors claim:

1. 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 longitudinally on said body member; one of said members having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said one member; a carrier movable with the other of said members and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and said other of said members for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said other of said members; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said clutch teeth of said one member to couple said members Vfor longitudinal movement together; and cam means on said one member operable in response to relative movement between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said one member to uncouple said members from` eac-l1 other.

2. 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 longitudinally on said body member; one of said members having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said one member; a carrier movable with the other of said members and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and said other of said members for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said other of said members; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said clutch teeth of said one member to couple said members -for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said one member operable in response to relative movement between said members toengage and shift saidclutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said one member to uncouple said members from each other; and locating means for selectively positioning said cam means out of engagement with said clutch element or in engagement With said clutch element to hold said element from engagement with the teeth on said one member.

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 longitudinally on said body member; one of said members having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said one member; a carrier movable with the other of said members and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and said other of said members for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said other of said members; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said clutch teeth of said one member to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said One member operable in response to relative movement between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said one member to uncouple said members from each other; and stop means on said carrier engageable by means on said one member for selectively positioning said cam means out of engagement with said clutch element or in engagement with said clutch element to hold said element from engagement with the teeth on said one member.

4. 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 longitudinally on said body member; one of said members having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said one member; a carrier movable with the other of said members and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and said other of said members for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said other of said members; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said clutch teeth of said one member to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said one member operable in response to relative movement between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said one member to uncouple said members from each other; and stop means on said carrier engageable by said cam means for selectively positioning said cam means out of engagement with said clutch element or in engagement with said clutch element to hold said element from engagement with the teeth on said one member.

5. 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 longitudinally on said body member; a carrier movable With one of said members and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and said one of said members for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said one member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and adapted to engage the other of said members to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; and cam means on said other member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element from clutching engagement with said one member.

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 longitudinally on said body member; a carrier movable with said clutch member and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and clutch member for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and adapted to engage said body member to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; and cam means on said body member operable in response to rotation of said body member relative to said carrier to engage and shift said clutch element from clutching engagement with said body member.

7. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: a lbody member connectible to a running-in string for moving the tool within the Well bore; a clutch member slidable longitudinally on said body member; said body member having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said body member; a carrier movable with said clutch member and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and said clutch member for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said body member clutch teeth to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; and cam means on said body member operable in response to rotation of said body member relative to said carrier to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said body member to uncouple said members from each other.

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 longitudinally on said body member; said body member having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said body member; a carrier movable with said clutch member and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and said clutch member for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said body member clutch teeth to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body member operable in response to rotation of said body member relative to said carrier to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said body member to uncouple said members from each other; and stop means on said carrier engageable by means on Said body member for selectively positioning said cam means out of engagement with said clutch element or in engagement with said clutch element to hold said element from engagement with said body teeth.

9. 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 longitudinally on said body member; said body member having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said body member; a carrier movable with said clutch member and rotatable relative thereto; means engaging said carrier and said clutch member for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh wtih said body member clutch teeth to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body member operable in response to rotation of said body member relative to said carrier to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said body member to uncouple said members from each other; and stop means on said carrier engageable by said cam means for selectively positioning said cam means out of engagement with said clutch element or in engagement with said clutch element to hold said element from engagement with said body teeth.

10. 'In a well tool adapted fior 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 longitudinally on said body member; said body member having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said body member; a carrier movable with said clutch member; means engaging said carrier and said clutch member for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said body member clutch teeth to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; said body member having a longitudinal groove; and a key slidable relatively in said groove and responsive to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said body member to uncouple said members from each other.

l1. 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 longitudinally on said body member; said body member having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said body member; a carrier movable with said clutch member; means engaging said carrier and said clutch member for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said body member clutch teeth Ito couple said members for longitudinal movement together; said body member having a longitudinal groove; a key slidable relatively in said groove and responsive to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said body member to uncouple said members from each other; and stop means on said carrier engageable by said key for selectively positioning said key out of engagement with said clutch element or in engagement with said clutch element to hold said element from engagement with said body member teeth.

12. ln 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 longitudinally on said body member; a carrier movable with said clutch member; brake means secured to said clutch member and frictionally engaging said carrier to resist rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and adapted to engage said body member to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; and cam means on said body member operable in response to rotation of said body member relative to said carrier to engage and shift said clutch element from clutching engagement with said body member.

.113. In .a Well tool adapted for operation in a wellV bore: a body member connectible to a running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch lmember :slidable longitudinally on said body member; a carrier movable with one of said members; means engaging said carrier and said one of said members for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said one member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and adapted to engage the other of said members to couple `said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said other member operable in response to relative rotation lbetween'said members to engage and shift said clutch element from clutching engagement with said one member; and means for feeding said cam means longitudinally lof said clutch element to a position in which said cam means is prevented from engaging said clutch element. I

'14. 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 longitudinally on said body member; a carrier movable with one of said members; means engaging said carrier and said one of said members for fric-,tionally resisting rotation of said'carrier relative to said one 16 member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried `by said carrier and adapted to engage the other of said members to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said other member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element from clutching engagement with said one member; and a threaded connection between said cam means and said one member to feed said cam means longitudinally of said clutch element, in response -to relative rotation between said cam means and one member, to a position preventing engagement of said cam means with said clutch element.

y'15. 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 carrier member slidable longitudinally on said body member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by one of said members and adapted to engage the other of said members to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said other member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift said clutch element from clutching engagement with said one member; and means for feeding said cam means longitudinally of said clutch element to a position in which said cam means is prevented from engaging said clutch element.

16. In a Well tool adapted for operation in a Well Y bore: a body member connectible to a running-in string for moving the tool within the Well bore; a carrier member slidable longitudinally on said body member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by one of said members and adapted to engage the other-of said members to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; lcam means on said other member operable in response to relative rotation between said members to engage and shift `said clutch element from clutching engagement with `said one member; and a threaded connection between said cam means and said one member to feed said cam means longitudinally of'said clutch element, in response to relative rotation between said cam means and said one member, to a position preventing engagement of said cam means with said clutch element.

17. In a well tool adapted Ifor operation in a well bore: a body member connectible to a running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch memI ber yslidable longitudinally on said body member; said body member having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said body member; a carrier movable with said clutch member; means engaging said carrier and said clutch member for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said lbody member `clutch teeth to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; cam means on said body member operable in response to rotation of said body member relative to said carrier to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said body member to uncouple said members from each other; stop means onv said carrier engageable by said cam means for selectively positioning said cam means out of engagement withsaid clutch element or inengagement with said clutch element to hold said element from engagement with `said body teeth; and a threaded connection between said cam means and said clutch member to feed said cam means longitudinally of said clutch element, in response to relative rotation between said cam means and clutch member, to a position preventing engagement of said cam means with 4said clutch element.

18. 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 thewell bore; a clutch member slidable longitudinally on said body member; said body member having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said body member; a carrier mov- -able with said clutch member; means engaging said carrier land said clutch member for frictionally resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said clutch member; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said body member clutch teeth to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; said body member having a longitudinal groove; a key slidable relatively in said groove, said key having a cam portion adapted to engage 'and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the body member teeth to uncouple said members from each other in response to rotation of said body member and key relative to said clutch member; `stop means on said carrier; said key having a stop portion engageable with said stop means for selectively positioning Said key out of engagement with said clutch element or in engagement with said clutch element; and a threaded connection between said key and said clutch member to feed said key longitudinally of `said clutch element and said stop means, in response to relative rotation between said key and clutch member, to a position preventing engagement of said cam portion of said key with said clutch element and said stop portion of said key with said stop means on said carrier.

19. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: a body member connectible to la running-in string for moving the tool within the well bore; a clutch member slidable longitudinally on `said body member; one of said members having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said one member; a carrier movable with the other of said members and rotatable relative thereto; releasable means for resisting rotation of said carrier relative to said other of said members; a clutch element movable laterally on and carried by said carrier and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with said clutch teeth of said one member to couple said members for longitudinal movement together; and cam means on said one member operable in response to relative movement between said members to engage and shift said clutch element laterally from clutching engagement with the teeth on said one member to uncouple said members from each other.

20. 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; Ia clutch member slidable longitudinally on said body member; one of said members having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said one member; coupling means on the other of said members rotatable with respect to said other of said members and including a clutch element having clutch teeth and movable laterally of said other of said members to a position in which said clutch teeth of said element `are engaged with said clutch teeth of said one member to couple said members for longitudinal movement together, said teeth on said clutch element and one member being disengaged in response to relative movement between said members; means engaging said clutch element to move it laterally towards said one member to engage said clutch teeth of said element and one member with each other; and releasable means connecting said coupling means to said other of said members and releasable in response to relative movement between said members to enable said body member to rotate through a plurality of revolutions without rotating said clutch member.

21 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 longitudinally on said body member; said body member having a plurality of clutch teeth disposed along the length of said body member; coupling means on said clutch member rotatable with respect to said clutch member and including a clutch element having clutch teeth and movable laterally of said clutch member to a position in which said clutch teeth of said element are engaged with said body member teeth to couple said mem-bers for longitudinal movement together, said teeth on said clutch element and body member being disengaged in response to relative movement between said members; means engaging said clutch element to move it laterally towards said body member to engage lsaid clutch teeth of said body member and clutch ele-l ment with each other; and releasable means connecting said coupling means to said clutch member `and releasable in response to rotation between said members to enable ysaid body member to rotate through a plurality of revolutions without rotating said clutch member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,753,943 Morgan July 10, 1956 2,778,429 Masters Ian. 22, 1957 2,778,430 Baker Jan. 22, 1957 2,802,534 Conrad Aug. 13, 1957 2,871,949 Baker Feb. 3, 1959 2,988,149 Conrad .lune 13, 1961

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