US3356142A - Mechanical holddown for well packer - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5, 1967 M. cRow ETAL 3,356,142

MECHANICAL HOLDDOWN FOR WELL PACKER Filed Feb. 17, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet l M Mw Mm INVENTORS Morgan L. @row Mar/'0n D. K//gore ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1967 M. cRow ETAL 3,355,142

MECHANICAL HOLDDOWN FOR WELL PACKER Filed Feb. 17, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 [En 1- B INVENToRs Morgan L. Crow Mar/0n D. Kilgore ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1967 M. L CROW ETAL 3,356,142

MECHANICAL HOLDDOWN FOR WELL PACKER Filed Feb. 17, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 S au p mw w Q n? f Wr@ f, [om La my mm z rl m. 0 0 MM v.. B d. b. a. a. 7 c. n.0. d 3 Jdqv 3 w M .f? .1%57, ,JA ik` U. J S S G @wir/V B ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1967 M. L. cRow ETAL 3,356,142

MECHANICAL HOLDDOWN FOR WELLl PACKER 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 17, 1966 INVENTORS e w w m70. CM .0. 0 a m wm i MM W Y* B M ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1967 M. cRow ETAL 3,356,142

MECHANICAL HOLDDOWN FOR WELL PACKER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 17, 1966 INVENTORS ou f W0 m@ .K L D n am wm MM w ATTORNEY J4 5 mw d MWI m NW# f 1%) L f DeC- 5 1967 M. L. CROW ETAL 3,356,142

MECHANICAL HOLDDOWN FOR WELL PACKER Filed Feb. 17, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 /25' fig-'01X' INVENTORS Morgan L. Crow t Mar/'0 n D. Kilgore ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,356,142 MECHANICAL HULDDOWN FOR WELL PACKER Morgan L. Crow and Marion D. Kilgore, Dallas, Tex., assignors to Dresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 538,514 17 Claims. (Cl. 166-134) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A mechanically-set, retrievable well packer arranged to be run into a well bore on a tubing string and having a tubular mandrel extending through the packer and releasably connected thereto. The packer includes a packing member slideably encircling the mandrel; seal means slidingly and sealingly engaging the mandrel; upper and lower slips located above and below the packing member; a sleeve slidingly disposed on the mandrel and movable into engagement with a segmented expander to move and lock the expander radially outwardly, whereby the upper slips are locked in the set position; the lower slips being movable along a tapered expander surface into set position upon downward movement of the expander relative to the lower slips; and means disengageably connecting the mandrel to the packer whereby the mandrel can be released therefrom for movement relative to the packer after the slips have been set.

This application is a continuation-impart of patent application Ser. No. 429,455, filed Feb. l, 1965, by Morgan L. Crow and Marion D. Kilgore, entitled Mechanical Holddown for Well Packer, now abandoned.

This invention is concerned with a well packer, and is particularly concerned with improvements in mechanically actuated holddown means for a well packer which permits the mandrel therethrough to be disengaged from the packer and allowed to move longitudinally a pre-determined length With respect thereto to allow for thermal elongation and contraction of the tubing, to actuate tools in the well below the packer, which is easily retrievable, and which permits the tubing to be set in tension or compression.

In well completion and workover procedures it is often necessary to move the tubing up and down through a packer while a seal is maintained between the tubing and the body of the packer, and between the tubing and the well bore, in order to actuate tools such as chokes, sleeve valves, packers, etc. .below the packer or to set the tubing in tension or compression to allow for thermal expansion or contraction of the tubing.

This packer is particularly applicable to the thermal recovery process wherein hot water, gas, steam or in situ combustionis employed to reduce the viscosity of fluid in the formation to permit production by normal production methods. In such practice thermal elongation and contraction of the tubing occurs and it is desirable that this be compensated for by movement of the tubing after the packer is set.l v

` In the construction hereinafter described the mandrel on which the packer is run is strictly independent of the packer regardless of the relative position therebetween and regardless of the weight or tension originally applied, thereby permitting compensation for tubing length as a result of temperature changes either up or down. Thus, this invention solves a major problem arising from the advent of the thermal recovery process.

Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a retrievable packer wherein the mandrel therethrough may be disconnected therefrom for moving the tubing longitudinally a pre-determined length with 3,356,142 Patented Dec. 5, 1967 reference to the packer while the packer is maintained in sealing relationship with the casing, and while a seal is maintained between the mandrel and the packer body.

A further object of the invention is to provide in such packer, means for stretching and setting the tubing in tension or compression, after the packer is set, while the seal is maintained between the packer and the casting and between the mandrel and the Ibody of the packer, and in such a manner as to allow for thermal elongation or contraction of the tubing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a holddown mechanism for such a packer which is actuated by the setting force exerted in Setting the packer, which positively latches the packer in place in the casing until it is disengaged by upward movement of the setting sleeve with reference to the packer body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packer of improved retrievability for thermal recovery procedures.

The need for improvement in the retrievability function of a thermal packer follows from the peculiar conditions present when such packer is run. The usual procedure is to run the thermal packer in a well filled with a fluid of some sort. This may vary from field fresh water with rather high mineral content to salt water with extremely high mineral content, and usually includes a portion of crude and other contaminates either from direct admixture or from the usual coating which adheres to the casing lof the well. Solid matter, such as scale, rust and sand, are nearly always present in the fluid.

Sometimes this liquid is displaced from the casing annulus by nitrogen, carbon dioxide or compressed air through special valves immediately above the packer or around the packer in the unset condition prior to setting. More usually, however, the packer is set and the steam or thermal injection cycle begun so that the liquid present in the casing annulus is boiled away by the injected heat carrying uid.

When the above solids are present in the annulus, they tend to accumulate immediately above the packer and settle in more or less compact condition, and their presence is aggravated by the flaking off of scale, normally closely adhered to the `casing but which breaks, flakes and settles due to the temperature n'se and expansion of the casing.

When crude oil is present in the annulus, a substantial portion thereof accumulates in the final boil-olf and results in a residue of and coke mixed with the solids which may be present in the iiuid.

Furthermore, the thermal process of boiling-od the anthe casing in a relapacker have had a marked effect in increasing the assur-'- ance of the retrievability .function in such wells.

` packer body and the Another important object of the invention is to provide a retrievable packer which is relatively simple and positive in its operation, yet provides an effective seal both between the casing and the packer body and between the mandrel extending therethrough, and which is securely anchored in the casing against vertical movement, yet permits the tubing to be moved longitudinally with reference thereto.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed specification hereina mixture of the petroleum residue' its length.i

after following and by referring to the drawings annexed hereto.

Suitable embodiments of the attached drawings wherein,

FIGURES I, I-A, I-B and I-C is a quarter sectional elevational view of one form of packer construction incorporating the invention disclosed herein;

FIGURE II is an elevational View of the lower J-slot construction;

FIGURE II-A is an elevational view of the upper J-slot construction;

FIGURES III, III-A, III-B and III-C is a quarter sectional elevational view of a modified form of the invention disclosed herein;

FIGURE III-D is a quarter sectional elevational view showing the upper gudgeon pin engaged with the upper J -slot in the modified form;

FIGURE IV is an elevational view of the upper J -slot connection in the modified form;

FIGURES V, V-A and V-B is a quarter sectional and elevational view of a further modified form of the packer;

FIGURE VI is an interior elevational view of the upper I -slot connection;

FIGURE VII is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIGURE V-A, showing the slips and upper head segments in un-set or running/ retrieving position;

FIGURE VIII is an external elevational View of the lower I-slot; and

FIGURE IX is a quarter sectional elevational view showing the collapsible head and slips in set position.

Numeral references are employed to indicate the various parts shown in the drawings and like numerals indicate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.

Referring first to the form shown in FIGURES I-II-A, the numeral 1 indicates a tubular mandrel which extends through the packer assembly and provides the main support therefor while it is being lowered into the well casing and set.

The mandrel 1 is threadedly engaged at 3 to the gudgeon pin mandrel 2, and the gudgeon pin mandrel 2 is connected to an upper section of well tubing S by the threaded coupling 4.

A gudgeon pin 7 is initially latched into the I-slot 9, formed in the liner 6, secured in the I -slot housing 8.

The J-slot housing 8 provides an outer, downwardly facing shoulder 8a for the purpose hereinafter mentioned.

A spring 10 is disposed between the shoulder provided at the upper end lof the setting sleeve 11 and the lower end of the gudgeon pin mandrel 2. The spring 10 normally urges the gudgeon pin mandrel 2 upwardly in the J -slot 9.

The setting sleeve 11 is slidably disposed on the mandrel 1, and has a surface 11a of reduced diameter on the lower end thereof. The setting sleeve 11 also has a cylindrical surface 11b on the medial portion thereof, as clearly shown in FIG. I, for purposes which will become more apparent hereinafter. The setting sleeve 11 is threadedly engaged at 12 to the J-slot liner 6.

The holddown anchor cage 13 has a plurality of windows 13a in the wall thereof in each of which windows is mounted a slip 14 which are suspended to shoulders 14a, and are arranged t move outwardly thereof to engage the wall of the casing (not shown).

Pins 15 are suspended in bores 17 above each slip 14, said pins being urged downwardly by springs 16, which are retained in the bores 17 by threaded plugs 1S.

The lower end of each pin 15 bears against the upper end of one of the slips 14 to hold it downward while the slip is being set.

A plurality of upper setting heads 19 are slidably attached to the slips 14 by dovetail connections 20. The contacting surfaces of the heads 19 and slips 14 are coinciding tapered surfaces so that slidable co-action therebetween will cause the slips 14 to move outwardly or ininvention are shown in the I wardly depending upon the direction of relative movement therebetween.

A recess or relieved area 19a is provided on the inner side of each expander head 19 which are arranged to receive the reduced diametrical end surface 11a of the setting sleeve 11 when the setting sleeve is moved downwardly in the manner hereinafter described.

An expander head retainer member 21 is threadedly engaged to the spacer collar 26 by companion threads 27 and is connected by a slidable dovetail connection 22 to the lower ends of the expander heads 19.

Spring connection surfaces 23 are provided on anchor cage 13 and anchor cage 13 is slidably disposed about the head retainer 21. Spring-like latch fingers 24 are secured to surfaces 23 and extend upwardly thereof, there being one such latch finger disposed under each slip 14.

An external slot 1912 is provided on the lower end of each expander head 19 which is arranged to receive the inturned ends of the latch fingers 24 upon downward movement thereof in the manner hereinafter described.

A shoulder 25 is provided in anchor cage 13 on which the expander heads 19 are normally suspended while the packer assembly is being lowered into the well, as will be hereinafter described.

The spacer collar 26 is threadedly engaged at 27 to the lower end of the head retainer member 21, and a spring 28 is disposed between the upper end of the spacer collar 26 and the lower edge of the anchor cage 13 for the purpose hereinafter mentioned.

The upper packer thimble or end support 29 is threadedly engaged at 3f) to the lower end of the spacer collar 26.

The tubular shell or support 31 for the packing material 33 is slidably spaced on the mandrel 1 by the spacer lugs 31a and 31h, secured to the inner surface thereof, and is suspended from the upper end of the thimble 29 by an exterior ring 32 which is secured to the outer surface of the shell 31.

The packing material 33 may be of any known type such as resilient rubber or synthetic rubber composition. However, as shown, it is of the thermal, heat-resistant type which is lasbestos braid impregnated with heat resistant plastic or other material.

A tubular stuffing box 34 has a recess 34a formed on the inner side thereof in which is disposed rings of packing material 36.

The stuffing box 34 is threadedly and sealingly connected at 35 to the lower end of the shell 31 and threadedly connected at 35a to a spring housing 37 at the lower end thereof.

A plurality of peripherally spaced bores 38 are formed in the spring housing 37 in which are disposed springs 39 which bear against the pressure ring packing material 36 through a scraper housing ring 36a to urge it upwardly within the recess 34a.

A lower expander head 40 is secured to the spring housing 37 by welding or otherwise, and is. slidably disposed about the mandrel 1 and is seated on an an nular shoulder 45, formed by a ring welded about the mandrel.

A plurality of lower slips 41 are slidably disposed on the outer surface of the expander head 40 by means of a dovetail connection 42, and are suspended thereto on the inter-engaging shoulders 43.

The contacting surfaces of the expander head 40 and the slips 41 are tapered outwardly so that relative slidable movement therebetween will cause the slips to move outwardly or inwardly, depending upon the direction 0f such relative movement.

The slips 41 are hingedly attached to the mounting lugs 47 by means of links 44.

The tubular anchor cage 46 is threadedly engaged at 46c to spring sleeve 46b, which has a contacting shoulder 46a thereabout which is suspended on ring 47a. Ring 47a is slidably disposed about the spring sleeve 46b. The

mounting lugs 47 are secured to ring 47a. The lower end of the anchor cage 46 is secured to the upper end of the I -slot housing 53 as by welding.

Drag spring mounting lugs 49 are spacedly secured about the anchor cage 46 by suitable welding, and have attached thereto a plurality of drag springs 48 by means of appropriate screws 50.

The lower ends of the drag springs 43 are attached t0 spring mounting lugs 51 which are welded to the outer surface of the anchor cage 46.

A spring 52 is disposed between the ring 47a and the upper spring mounting lugs 49. The lower J-slot housing 53 has a liner 54 therein in which the I -slot 55 is formed.

The I-slot 55 has entry-guide surfaces 55e (see FIG. II) for guiding the gudgeon pin 58 thereinto.

The I-slot 55 is formed to provide downwardly facing shoulder 55a therein and a downwardly facing shoulder 55h, which is spaced below the upper shoulder 55a, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The lower gudgeon mandrel 56 is threadedly engaged to the lower end of the mandrel 1, as indicated at 57. The gudgeon pin 58 is provided on the upper end of the gudgeon mandrel 56, and guide lugs 59 are provided on the lower end of the mandrel 56.

The mandrel 56 may be secured to a section of well tubing (not shown) extending therebelow by means of an appropriate coupling 6).

The operation and function of the form of the device hereinbefore described is as follows:

The mandrel 1 is the main support element for the packer assembly, and the packer assembly is connected thereto while being lowered into the well by the gudgeon pin 58 engagement with the shoulder 55a in the I-slot S5.

The I-slot housing S3 is secured to the lower end of the anchor cage 46, and the anchor cage 46 is in turn suspended to the slip support ring 47a by the shoulder 46a, which pulls the slips 41 therewith as it is lowered. The slips 41 are suspended on the shoulders 43 to the expander head `4110 which in turn is seated on the shoulder 45 secured about'the mandrel 1. Thus, the slips 41 pull the expander head 40 into the hole therewith.

Since the expander head 40 is secured to spring housing 37 which in turn is threadedly engaged to the stuffing box 34, and the shell 31 is threadedly engaged to the upper end of the stuffing box 34, the stuthng box and shell 31 are pulled into the hole with the mandrel 1.

The shell 31 is suspended to the upper end of the thimble 29 so that the shoulder provided by the ring 32 will pull the thimble 29 into the hole with the assembly. The spacer collar 26 is threadedly engaged to the thimble 29 at the lower end thereof and is threadedly engaged to the head retainer 21 at the upper end thereof, so that the spacer collar 26 and head retainer 21 .are pulled into the hole with the assembly. The expander heads 19 are attached to the head retainer 21 by a slidable dovetail connection 22, and the slips 14 are held in engagement therewith by the spring urged pins 15 so that the expander heads 19 and slips 14 are pulled into the hole with the assembly above described.

It will thus be seen that the entire assembly is connected to the mandrel 1 by the gudgeon pin 58.

After setting depth has been reaehedthe mandrel 1 is rotated in a direction to release the gudgeon pin 58 from the J-slot 55, which permits the mandrel 1 to be lowered through the packer assembly.

As the mandrel 1 moves downward, the setting sleeve 11 is moved downwardly by virtue of the fact that it is operably connected to the upper I-slot housing 8 by the gudgeon pin 7, which is disposed in the I-slot 9 of the housing 8.

The surface 11a on the lower end of the setting sleeve 11 enters the corresponding recesses 19a on the inner sides of the upper expander heads 19. Continued downward movement of the setting sleeve 11 moves the surface 11a to a position engaging the surfaces 19C on th heads 19. In this position of the setting sleeve 11, th surface 11b on setting sleeve 11 moves between the sur faces 19C on the inner sides of heads 19 and the outel surface of the mandrel 1 to move the heads 19 outwardly to setting position. Thus, the cylindrical exterior surfaces 11a and 11b on the setting sleeve 11 engage the respective surfaces 19e and 19a on the heads 19 to lock the heads 19 in their radially expanded positions prevents ing movement of the heads 19 radially inwardly until the setting sleeve 11 is moved upwardly out of engagement with the heads 19.

After the heads 19 have thus been moved outwardly the shoulder 8a engages the upper end of the holddown anchor cage 13 and the weight of the tubing is lowered thereagainst, which is transmitted through the holddown anchor cage 13, the head retainer 21, the spacer collar 26, upper thimble 29, packing element 33, stuing box 34, expander head 40 and lower slips 41 into the casing. A shoulder 25]) is provided inside holddown anchor cage 13 which engages the lupper end 25a of the head retainer 21 to transmit force thereto. The shoulder 25b is initially spaced above the shoulder 25a on head retainer to allow limited vertical movement therebetween to allow compression of spring 28.

As the expander head 40 moves springs 48 maintain the slips 41 in a fixed location with relation to the well casing, and the wedging action of the expander head 4t) causes the teeth on the slips 41 to bite into the casing and form a support 'for the lower end of the packing element 33.

As additional setting weight is applied through the tubing to the packer, the holddown anchor cage 13 moves downwardly causing the spring loaded plungers 15 above the holddown slips 14 to urge the slips 14 downwardly into engagement with the casing.

As the packing element 33 is compressed and expanded laterally as the lower expander head 4i) and slips 41 co-act to set against the casing, the upper slips 14 and upper expander heads 19 go down the wall of the casing in ratchet-like movement to maintain the upper thimble 29 in downward position to hold the packing element 33 in compression.

After being set the upthrust from pressure below the packer against the area of the packing element 33 is carried -directly through the packing element, the upper thimble 29, spacer collar 26, head retainer 21, upper heads 19 and upper slips 14 into the casing to positively anchor the packer in set position against upward thrust.

After thus setting the packer with weight imposed downwardly on the tubing string the tubing may be set in tension, that is, stretched. This is accomplished by pulling upwardly on the tubing to cause the mandrel shoulder 45 to engage the lower end of the expander head 40 so that tensile strain on the tubing as it is held in anchored position will stretch the tubing and at the same time exert an additional compressive force on the packing element 33.

In such upward movement of the mandrel 1 the gudgeon pin 58, as shown in broken lines in FIGURE II, engages the shoulder SSb before the mandrel shoulder 45 engages the Ilower end of the expander head 40.

Thus, as the mandrel shoulder 45 moves up to engage the head 4t), the anchor cage 46 and attached J-slot housing 53 are moved up by virtue of the fact that the mandrel 1 is operably connected to the J-slot housing 53 by the gudgeon pin 58 in engagement with the shoulder 5511. This moves the drag springs 48 upwardly as the anchor cage moves upward with reference to ring 47a, which compresses the spring 52.. Thus when the packing element 33 moves upwardly together with the head 40, the spring 52 expands to cause the lower slips 41 to ratchet up the casing and compensate for any movement of the packing element and head 40 caused by the upward pull on the tubing string.

downward, the drag Pressure from below the packer on the annular metal area between the outside diameter of mandrel 1 and the interior diameter of the packing element 33 produces a force which moves the stuffing box 34 upwardly. Thus, with the upper thimble 29 in fixed position, the pressure against such annular area causes additional compression on the packing element 33.

After setting the packer by tensile pull on the tubing, compression of the packing element 33 caused by pressure as above described, is locked into the packing element by the expansion force of spring 52 which causes the lower slips 41 to ratchet up the casing.

During the setting procedure described above, and after the upper expander heads 19 are moved outwardly into set position, and the shoulder 8a provided by the lower end of the I-slot housing 8 engages the upper end of the holddown anchor cage 13 to move the holddown anchor cage down, carrying with it the spring holder 23, the inturned ends of the springs 24 engage the shoulders 19h on the upper expander heads 19 to maintain the anchor cage 13 in downward position, thereby maintaining the spring load on the plungers 15 above the upper slips 14 to hold the slips in outward position and the expander heads 19 in outward position.

During the setting procedure, above described, the upper gudgeon pin 7 automatically rotates out of the upper J-slot 9 due to the angle in the I-slot, thereby releasing the mandrel 1 from the I-slot housing 8. Thus, when the mandrel 1 is raised the setting sleeve 11 is left within the expander heads 19, thereby maintaining the holddown lock assembly in locked position while the mandrel is moved upwardly through the packer.

After the packer has been set by compressive tubing force either with or without setting the tubing in tension it is maintained in set position by mechanical slips above and below the packing element and the mandrel is free to stroke up and down through the packer, and as it is stroked up and down it is sealed between the packer body and the mandrel by the compressed packing in the stuffing box.

To retrieve the packer the mandrel 1 is lowered and rotated in a right-hand direction to cause the upper gudgeon pin 7 to engage in the upper J-slot 9. Then by upward pull on the tubing, the setting sleeve 11 is moved upwardly from under the upper heads 19, which allows the upper heads 19 to collapse inwardly, permitting the upper slips 14 to retract out of engagement with the casing. The mandrel 1 is then moved upwardly to cause the mandrel shoulder 45 to engage the lower head 40 to pick up all of the parts which are connected and suspended thereto, which includes the stuffing box 34, the shell 31, the upper thimble 29, the spacer collar 26, the head retainer 21, the upper heads 29 and the slips 14. This per-mits the lower slips 41 to retract out of engagement with the casing, and the packing element 33 to relax to permit retrieval of the packer.

As the packer is withdrawn from the well, the upper slips 14 are suspended on the shoulders 14a and are held in retracted position regardless of whether or not the upper holddown anchor spring 28 is compressed or retracted.

In the alternate form shown in FIGURES III- III-D a modified coupling 61 is attached to the upper section of tubing string by means `of a threaded connection 62, and is threadedly connected at 63 to the upper end of the mandrel 1.

The modified J-slot housing 64 is secured to the lower end of the coupling 61 by appropriate welding 61a, and has a liner 64a therein in which the I-slot 65 is formed.

Guide entry surfaces 66 are formed in the -liner 64a to guide the gudgeon pins 68a upwardly into the I-slot housing.

A shoulder 67 is formed at the upper end of the J -slot liner 64a for the purpose hereinafter described.

The modified gudgeon pin mandrel 68 is threadedly connected at 69 to the setting sleeve 11.

A ring 70 is provided about the upper end of the anchor cage 13.

The drag pad housing 71 extends about the mandrel 1 and is spaced from the wall thereof by a spacer member 71a. The drag pad housing 71 is threadedly engaged to the lower end of the spring sleeve 46h by threads 46c, and is threadedly engaged at the lower end thereof to the lower I-slot liner 76 by companion threads 74a.

A plurality of peripherally spaced drag pads 72 are disposed within a housing 72a and are urged outwardly by springs 73 disposed therebehind. The drag pads 72 have fianges 72b on the upper and lower ends thereof which engage the outer edges of the housing 72a to limit outward movement thereof. The housing 72a is disposed 4within a recess 72e provided on the outer side of the drag pad housing mounting 71.

The lower J-slot housing 75 has a liner 76 therein in which the lower J-slot 77 is formed. The lower J-slot 77 is of the same shape and configuration as the lower J -slot 55, shown in FIGURE II.

The lower gudgeon mandrel 78 is threadedly engaged at 79 to the lower end of the mandrel 1 and has the gudgeon pin 80 on the upper end thereof which is arranged to enter the J-slot 77, as was described in connection with the form of FIGURES I-I-C and II.

Guide lugs 81 are provided on the lower end of the gudgeon mandrel 78, and the lower end of the gudgeon mandrel 78 may be threadedly engaged to a coupling 82 which connects same to a lower tubing section (not disclosed).

The packing material 33 in the modified form is enclosed in a confining boot 33a and is supported at the ends by resilient cup-like rings 33h which have deformable metallic reinforcement plates therein.

The modified form just described differs yfrom the first form described in that the upper I -slot 65 is not engaged to the setting sleeve 68 in the running in position, as shown in FIGURES III and III-A.

As shown, the lower end of the setting sleeve 11 is 'behind the upper heads 19, and the heads 19 are pushed outwardly in position to allow the slips 14 to be expanded thereon when downward pressure is exerted against the setting sleeve 11. This is done by un-jaying the gudgeon piu 80 from the .T-slot 77 by rotation of the tubing and pushing downwardly upon the mandrel 1. This moves the upper J-slot housing 64 over the upper end of the gudgeon pin mandrel 68 until the gudgeon pin 68a comes into contact ywith the shoulder 67 provided at the upper end of the I-slot housing 64, thereby transferring pressure by downward movement of the tubing 5 to the slips 14 to move them outwardly on expander heads 19 into engagementwith` the casing, compress the packer, and move the slips 41 outwardly into latching engagement with the casing. As previously mentioned in connection With the first form of the packer, the expander heads 19 are moved radially outwardly toward the casing as the enlarged cylindrical surfaces on the setting sleeve 11 move into a position adjacent the inner surfaces on the expander heads 19. Thus, the expander heads 19 are locked in the radially extended position until the setting sleeve 11 is pulled upwardly relative thereto.

The tubing -may be set in tension in the same manner as was described with reference to the first form of the packer construction hereinbe'fore described.

The packer shown in the above described modified form may be relaxed for retrieval by rotating the J-slot 65 into engagement with the gudgeon pin 68a (see FIG- URE IV) so that lthe setting sleeve 11 can be moved upwardly from under the upper heads 19, allowing them to collapse radially toward the center of the packer to disengag'e the upper slips 14. This permits the shoulder 11a` to engage shoulder 70C, which is threadedly connected to anchor cage 13, to pull up on shoulder 24a against expander head 19 which through dovetail connections 22 lifts head retainer 21, to thereby pull upwardly on spacer collar 26, thimble 29, ring 32, shell 31, stung box 34, spring housing 37 and expander head 40, through shoulder 43, on slips 41, links 44, ring 47a, spring sleeve 46h, drag pad housing 71, J-slot '77, and .-slot housing 75 to relax the packer and pick up all of the parts which are connected thereto.

In the modied form shown in FIGURES V-IX there is an upper J -slot body `101 adapted for connection to an upper tubular production string at the threads 102 and having a downwardly depending skirt 103 connected by threads 103:1` to body 101, `and having a J-slot profile 104 milled or cast on the interior surface thereof. FIGURE VI shows an interior elevation of the J-slot 104. The mating threads 105 rigidly attach `a tubular mandrel 106 which extends downwardly through the packer and terminates at mating threads 107 (see FIG. V-B), by which a lower I -slot body S is rigidly attached thereto. The lower J-slot body 108 has an exteriorly milled or cast profile or slot 109, as shown in FIGURE VIII, and terminates in an external thread 110 for attachment to a lower production string 60.

The upper gudgeon nipple 111, has one or more outwardly extending gudgeon pins 112 thereon, which are adapted for cooperative action with the profile slot 104 in the J-slot body 101.

A setting sleeve `113 is attached to the gudgeon nipple 111 by mating threads 114 and depends downwardly therefrom. Both the gudgeon nipple 111 and the setting sleeve 113 are slidably arranged around the tubular mandrel 106. There is an annular groove 115 cut about the setting sleeve 113 which is adapted to receive a split expansible retaining ring 116 therein. Ring 116 has annular tapers 116a and 116b on the inner side thereof. An annular shoulder 117 extends outwardly of the setting sleeve 113 `and an external tapered surface 118 is provided on the lower end of the setting sleeve 113.

The upper slip housing 119 has a spring retainer ring 120 threadedly engaged thereto by the mating threads 121. The spring retainer ring 120 has an inwardly extending shoulder 122 thereon arranged to be carried solidly between the annular shoulder 117 and the adjacent retainer ring 116.

It will be noted that downward motion of the upper slip housing 119 with -respect to the setting sleeve 113 is prohibited by the fixed shoulder 117 but that relative upward motion is permitted upon expansion of the retainer ring 116.

A lock ring 123 is positioned just `above the expansible ring 116 and is retained in the spring retainer ring 120 by means of a snap ring 124 or the like. A multiplicity of peripherally spaced T-shaped windows 125 are cut through the wall of the upper slip housing 119 (FIGURE VII). There are also a multiplicity of laterally extending slots 126 (see FIG. V-A) provided through the wall of housing 119 in axial 'alignment with the T-shaped windows 125, said slots 126 and windows 125 being arranged to receive the upper expander head segments 127 and allow radial movement thereof but prohibiting axial movement thereof. 'Ihe windows 125 further prohibit relative rotational movement between the segments 127 and the slip housing 119.

In the unset position, the upper expander head segments 127 are carried in spaced relationship about the mandrel 106 and are held in this arrangement by the windows 125 and the slots 126. Each of the segments 127 has an outwardly extending portion 128 which tits into the corresponding window 126, and an outwardly extending portion 129 extending into the windows 125. Formed on each head segment 127 is an upwardly and inwardly extending tapered surface 130 and an inwardly and downwardly tapered surface 130:1. The inwardly and downwardly tapered surface 130a engages the tapered surface -118 on the setting sleeve 113 when the setting 10 sleeve is moved downwardly relative to the segments 127 and causes the segments y1-27 to expand, and the setting sleeve 113 to be moved behind the segments 'and between the segments 127 and the tubular mandrel 106.

There are la multiplicity of upper slip segments 131 carried in the windows each having toothed serrations 132 on the outer sides thereof. The slip segments 131 have laterally extending elements 133 arranged in the wide portion of the T-shaped windows 125 which restrict the vertical motion of the slip segments 131 to a relatively short axial movement in respect to the slip housing 119. The inner tapered surfaces 131a on the slip segments 131 co-act with the outer tapered surfaces 130 on the upper expander head segments 127 so that when the upper expander head segments are expanded and relative downward motion of the slip segment 131 occurs, the slips are in position to disengageably anchor the packer to the casing wall.

The upper slip springs 134 are engaged with and arranged to urge the slip segments 131 inwardly and out of engagement with the casing until the packer is set.

The take up spring 135 is arranged between the inner end of the retainer 120 and a slip ring 136 which rests against the upper ends of the slips 131. The spring 135 tends to urge the upper slip segments 131 downwardly in the wide portions 125a of the T-shaped windows 125 to the extent allowed by the outwardly extending portions I133 on the slips.

A spacer collar 13551 is attached to the lower end of the upper slip housing 119 by mating threads 11%. The spacer collar 1`35a is rigidly attached .at the lower end to an upper thimble 137 by the mating threads 138. The lower end 139 of upper thimble 137 is adapted to exert a compressive force on the packing element, hereinafter described, and has an upwardly extending shoulder 140 thereon to limit the downward motion of a packing shell 141, which has a mating annular shoulder 142 secured thereto. The packing shell 141, the tubular mandrel 106, and collar 135a dene an annular void 143 into which the packing shell 141 extends when the packing element 144 is compressed.

The packing element, indicated generally at v144, preferably consists of `an enclosing boot 145, a multiplicity of heat resistant braided elements 146, and retainer rings 147 at each end thereof. The packing shell 141 is rigidly attached to a seal housing 143 by the mating threads 149 and has an upwardly facing surface thereon which cooperates with the face 139 of the upper thimble 137 and the packing shell 141 to contain the packing element 144 in relaxed position and to exert a compressive force thereon when said faces move toward each other.

The seal housing 148 has an inwardly extending shoulder 1151 therein and is connected to the lower expander head 152 by the mating threads 153.

The lower expander head 152 has an upwardly extending portion 154. The inwardly extending shoulder 151 of the seal housing 140 and the upwardly extending portion 154 of the lower head 152 dene an annular space in which there is positioned a seal assembly 155 which consists of a plurality of rings of suitable sealing material 156 and upper and lower wiper rings 157. Slight pressure is maintained on the seal assembly 155 by means of a multiplicity of springs 15S and plungers 159 which are contained in bores in upwardly extending portion 154 of the lower expander head 152.

As shown in FIG. V-B, the lower expander head 152 has an outwardly and downwardly facing tapered surface 160 thereon and is rigidly attached to a recovery sleeve 161 by the mating threads 162. The recovery sleeve 161 has an outwardly extending annular shoulder 163 thereon. There are a multiplicity of lower slip segments 164 having toothed outer surfaces 165, an inwardly facing tapered surface 166, and radially extending portions 167 thereon. The lower slip segments 164 are peripherally spaced around the recovery sleeve 161 in a like number of open- 11 ended T-shaped slots 168, formed in the upper end of the vlower slip housing 169. The slip housing 169 has an internal annular shoulder 170 arranged to carry on its upper side the lower slip spring 171 and to abut on its downward side the lower take-up spring 172. The slip housing 169 further contains one or more slots 173 through the wall thereof into which key screws 174 slidably extend. Screws 174 are attached to anchor cage 175 and slidably extend through slots 173. The slots 173 and the interacting key screws 174 prohibit relative rotative motion between the slip housing 169 and the anchor cage 175, but allow a restricted and limited longitudinal reciproeal motion therebetween.

The key screws 174 are rigidly fixed in the anchor cage 175 by the mating threads 176 and the inner ends thereof extend through said anchor cage to engage a hole 177 in the drag spring sleeve 178.

A multiplicity of drag pads 179 are carried in a like number of windows 180 provided through the 1wall of the anchor cage 175. The drag pads 179 have side flanges 181 thereon which limit the radial motion of said drag pads in respect to the anchor cage, and are urged to outward position by springs 182 resting between the spring sleeve 178 and the drag pads.

The anchor cage 175 has a downwardly facing shoulder 183 thereon arranged for co-action with the outwardly extended shoulder 163 on the recovery sleeve 161.

The lower gudgeon sleeve 184 is attached to the anchor cage 175 by the mating threads 185. In the lower portion of the gudgeon sleeve 184, there are one or more gudgeon pins 186 secured thereto that extend inwardly to co-act with the profile slot 109 formed in the lower gudgeon body 108 attached to the mandrel 106.

Referring to FIGURE VIII, during the running-in cycle, the gudgeon pins 186 will assume the position in prole slot 109 in the lower gudgeon body 108 as indicated at 186a. When setting depth has been reached, rotation of the lower gudgeon body 108 will release the gudgeon pins 186 for disengagement from the lower gudgeon body 108. After disengagement of the lower gudgeon pins 186, the mandrel 106 and connected assemblies are lowered through the packer and the setting cycle carried out by compression upon the packer represented by the position 112a of the upper gudgeon pins 112 in the I-slot profile 104.

In deep wells or under certain other conditions hereinafter described, the setting cycle can be efficiently cornpleted by pulling the mandrel and its associated parts upwardly through the packer with the lower 4gudgeon pin 186 assuming the position 186b as shown in FIGURE VIII.

When the lower gudgeon pins 186 have been disengaged from the lower gudgeon body 108 and the packer assembly as a whole has been forced downwardly by the upper gudgeon pins 112 in position 112a in J-slot 104 as shown in FIGURE VI, such downward movement, opposed by the drag pads 179 in frictional engagement with the casing, causes the lower slips 164 to move outwardly by co-action with expander head 152 to set the slips against the casing. The packing element 144 is compressed into sealing engagement with the casing. The setting sleeve 113 is moved downwardly to expand the upper expander head segments 127, and the upper slips 131 are moved downwardly and outwardly to engage the casing.

When recovery is desired, the mandrel 106 and associated parts are moved downwardly with respect to the packer until the upper gudgeon pins 112 enter the profile slot 104 and engage the I-slot body 101. Rotation of the mandrel 106 places the upper gudgeon pins in the position 112b as shown in FIGURE VI. Recovery is carried out as hereinafter described.

The operation and function of the modified packer construction above described is as follows:

While being run, the packer, mandrel, and holddown assembly are made up on the production string in the relative position shown in FIGURES V to V-B and are suspended thereto by means of the threads 102 vformed in the upper J-slot body 101. Other tools, valves, etc., may be attached in depending relationship from the packer assembly by the threads on the lower J-slot body 108 when installation requirements demand same.

The packer assembly is then lowered into the well on the tubing string. It will be noted that while being lowered the gudgeon pins 186 are in the position in the profile slot 109 of the lower J-slot body 108 as indicated at 186a. The gudgeon sleeve 184 thus pulls the anchor cage 175, carrying the friction pads 179, into the hole by means of the mating threads 185. The friction pads 179 are in intimate and frictional contact with the wall of the casing while the packer is being lowered and are capable of holding the entire weight of the packer sub-assembly in a stationary position. However the engagement of gudgeon pins 186 with the J-slot body 108 in tlie position 186:1, as shown in FIGURE VIII, permits the tubing weight to be applied to the packer subassembly. The lower slip housing 169 is likewise pulled into the hole by the co-acting key screw 174 engaged in the slot 173 in the lower slip housing 169. The laterally extending portions 167 of lower slip segments 164 are located in the open T-slots 168 of the slip housing 169. The slip segments 164 are pulled into the hole by the engagement of the laterally extending portions 167 with the slip housing 169.

When the lower gudgeon pins 186 are locked into the prole 109 of the lower I-slot body 108, as at position 186:1, the outwardly extending annular shoulder 163 on the recovery sleeve 161 is led into the hole by the downwardly facing shoulder 183 in the anchor cage 175. The recovery sleeve 161 is further held in position, with relatively limited axial movement permitted, by engagement with the upper end of the J-slot body 108. The recovery sleeve 161 leads the lower head 152 and its rigidly attached seal housing 148 into the hole by reason of the connection of mating threads 162 and 153, respectively.

Mating threads 149 cause the seal housing 148 to lead the packing sleeve 141 into the hole. All of the above named elements are rigidly attached and locked into a position of non-relative motion therebetween, with a positive gap or space existing between the tapered surface 160 of the lower expander head 152 and tapered surfaces 166 on the lower slips 164. Such pre-determined space positively prevents premature setting of the lower anchor assembly, comprising the lower head 152 and the lower slips 164, and thereby prevents the premature compression of the packing element 144.

The annular shoulder 142 on the packing sleeve 141 engages the upwardly extending shoulder 140 of the upper thimble 137, which through the mating threads 138, the spacer collar 135:1, mating threads 119a, upper slip housing 119, mating threads 121, and the spring retainer effectively prohibits relative axial motion between any of the above named parts. Furthermore, the lock ring 123, positioned in the spring retainer 120 pulls against the expansible retainer ring 116 and through the slot 115 of lthe setting sleeve 113 pulls the remainder of the assembly into the well, including the upper gudgeon nipple 111 by means of mating threads 114-.

Since the function and objective of this packer assembly is to provide a mandrel which can stroke upwardly or downwardly through the packer assembly, when the packer assembly is in the set position, the free stroke of the packer is represented substantially by the gap or space between the upper gudgeon pins 112 and the upper end of prole slot 104 of the J -slot body 101, as shown in FIGURE V.

The upper head expander segments 127, with their outwardly extending portions 128 extending into the lateral slots 126 of the upper slip housing 119 lead said upper head expander segments 127 into the hole with the rest of the assembly. Likewise, the upper `slip segments 131 with their outwardly extending flanges 133, disposed in the laterally extending T-shaped windows of the upper slip housing 119 cause said slip segments to be pulled into the hole with the assembly.

It will be noted that the shoulder 117 on the setting sleeve 113 in this modified embodiment, and the fixed position of the expansible retainer ring 116 in the groove 115 locks the setting sleeve 113 to spring retainer ring 120, with no reciprocal longitudinal relative movement therebetween while running and until the ring 116 is expanded. This allows a means of selecting a pre-determined force necessary'to cause the setting sleeve 113 to be inserted underneath the collapsible head segments 127. This effectively eliminates the danger of premature setting and also eliminates small voids which can be contaminated by collections of sand, scale and other foreign material.

When the pre-determined depth location for the packer in the casing has been reached, proper rotation of the tubing string, with its rigidly connected mandrel 106 and lower J-slot body 108 (slight pick-up and left hand rotation approximately one-quarter turn) will place the lower gudgeon pins 186 in position for disengagement from the profile slot 109 of the lower I-slot body 10S so that the mandrel can be lowered with relation to packer assembly.

The drag pads 179, being in frictional engagement with the casing wall, will hold the packer assembly stationary with respect to the mandrel 106 and upon lowering of the tubing string will result in the J-slot body 101 approaching the upper gudgeon nipple 111 and engagement of the upper gudgeon pins 112 with the body 101 in the profile slot 104, in the position indicated at 112e. However, -contact between the upper gudgeon pins 112 and any surface of the J-slot body 101 will result in a compressive force being applied to the upper gudgeon nipple 111 and the packer assembly. Contact between the surfaces 160 of the lower expander head 152 and surfaces 166 of the lower slips 164 may occur during the approach of the J-slot body 101 to theupper gudgeon nipple 111.1-Iowever, regardless of when said contact is made, the lower slips 164 and lower head 152 will positively anchor the packer asesmbly to the wall of the casmg.

Application o f further downward force upon the upper gudg'eon sleeve 111 and setting sleeve 113 in excess of the pre-determined capacity of the expansible ring 116 will expand the ring outwardly out of engagement with slot 115 to cause the setting sleeve 113 to contact the lower expander head segments 127 through the co-acting tapered surfaces 118 and 130g, respectively. The tapered surfaces 118 and 130er will guide the setting sleeve 113 underneath the collapsible expander head segments 127 and cause them to expand outwardly toward the casing wall. Inasmuch as this occurs while the entire assembly is in downward motion relative to the casing wall, the teeth 132 on upper slip segments 131 will be placed in locking engagement with the casing wall against upward motion therein, with a compression induced in the take'- up spring 135 so that immediately upon termination of downward motion or force, said upper slips 131 and upper expander head segments 127 will effectively anchor the packer assembly to the casing wall.

In deep Wells and in wells where heavy and large size tubing is used, the modiled packer may be eiiiciently set and the sealing element 144 completely expanded into sealing engagement with the casing solely by the applica- `tion of the weight of the tubing. However, in shallow wells or in wells equipped with small tubing, where there is not sucient weight for total compression of the packing element, further compression can be achieved by lifting the tubing string to again position the lower gudgeon pins 186 in the lower profile slot 109 in engagement with the lower I-slot body 108. -In such event the point of contact between the gudgeon pins 186 with theprole slot 109 is shown in the position indicated at 186b. Further Vupward application of tension by means of the tubing string through this contact will cause the drag springs 179, the associated anchor cages 175, lower slip housing 169, lower head 152, and seal housing 148 and associated parts, to transmit further compressive force on the packing element 144 through the upwardly facing surface 150 of the seal housing 143.

Upon relaxation of the upward tension force applied as above, the packing element 144 will be completely compressed into sealing engagement with the casing and positively anchored in such condition by the upper slips 131 against upward relaxation and the lower slip and head assembly locks same against downward relaxation. Until rotation of the tubing string and proper movement occurs to lock the lower gudgeon pins 186 into the profile slot 109 at position 186a, the mandrel is free to move downwardly upon thermal expansion of the packer parts or for manipulation of miscellaneous tools suspended therebelow.

In deep wells, or in wells subject to an anticipated high degree of thermal change, it is advantageous and possible to leave the tubing in a state of tension in which the stretch in thetubing resulting from the tension applied will represent a substantial portion of the stroke necessary for the operation of the thermal installation. To accomplish this, the lower gudgeon pins 186 are left in position 186b in the profile slot 109 and a precalculated amount of tension applied to the tubing subsequent to its landing at the surface. This results in a pre-determined amount of stretch in the tubing string which, upon the heating of the tubing string, will represent a substantial portion of the free stroke necessary for the complete thermal expansion range. In other words, as the tubing heats up from thermal injection, the tension strain left therein will gradually disappear as it expands, and at some intermediate temperature, the profile slot 109 of the lower .T -slot will expand downwardly and away from the gudgeon pins 186 and under accurately calculated conditions, the upper .T-slot body 101 will against approach the upper gudgeon sleeve 111 and the upper gudgeon pins 112. However, calculations should be such in thermal installations that actual contact between the upper J -slot body 101 and the upper gudgeon sleeve 111 does not actually occur upon such expansion. It should be obvious that if a decreasing temperature is anticipated after setting the packer, as Vmight be present in waterflood or injection wells, the relative positions of the upper J-slot body and lower J-slot body in respect to the packer assembly could be reversed and the same results obtained upon contraction of the parts.

.When the packer is to 'be retrieved, the tubing string with the J-slot body 101, with lower J-slot housing 108 and mandrel 106 attached thereto is lowered into engagement with the upper gudgeon sleeve 111 and by proper rotation (right hand one-quarter turn), the upper gud-geon pins 112 are placed in the position 112b in the upper prole slots 104, as shown in FIGURE VI.

The tubing string is then lifted upwardly and through the engagement of the gudgeon pin 112 with the J-slot body 101, the upper gudgeon sleeve 111 and setting sleeve 113 are pulled upwardly. The upper slip housing 119 resumes the position shown in FIGURES V through V-B with the inwardly extending portion 122 of the retainer ring positioned between the expansible ring 116 and the outwardly extending shoulder 117 of the setting sleeve 113. Ring 116 re-enters the groove 115 on the setting sleeve 113, locking the upper slip housing to the sleeve 113. In this position, the setting sleeve 113 has been withdrawn from underneathv the expander head segments 127 and the upper slips 131 are collapsed into non-engaging position with relation to the casing, the upper slips 131 being aided in retraction by springs 134. The tension force for retrieving is transferred to the spacer collar 135a,the upper thimble 137, and through its upwardly extending portion into the outwardly extending shoulder 142 on the packing shell 141. Since the upper face of the seal housing 143 is fixed relative to the packing shell 141, the packing element 144 is free to relax and return to its original position as the upper thimble moves upwardly until the upper end of upper thimble 137 engages shoulder 142.

The packing shell 141, through the mating threads 149 transfers the retrieving force to the seal housing 148 and by means of mating threads 153 to the lower head 152 and throu-gh the recovery sleeve 161 and its outwardly extended shoulder 163 to the anchor cage 175 with the drag pads carried thereby. The lower gudgeon sleeve 184 depends from anchor cage 175 and is withdrawn therewith. At this stage the gudgeon pins 186 are not located in the profile slot 109 of the lower J-slot body 108.

It will be noted that the upper slips 131 have been retracted to a non-engaging position relative to the casing.

It is further noted that the positive gap between the surface 160 of the lower expander head 152 and surfaces 166 of the lower slips 164 has reappeared. Therefore, no engagement with the casing by the lower slips 164 can occur.

The only element of the entire assembly which is not lifted out of the hole by tension is the lower slip cage 169. As illustrated in FIG. V-B, the spring 172 forces the slip cage 169 upwardly as the packer assembly is retrieved. Although the key screw 174 in the anchor cage 175 may be positioned relatively upwardly in the slot 173 in the slip cage 169, due to downward movement of the cage 169 if the slips 164 or cage 169 should encounter an obstacle, such downward movement of the slip cage 169 would tend to increase the gap between the lower head 152 and lower slip surfaces 166 and further prohibit contact of the slips with the casing.

After the lower slips 164 are set, the downward force utilized to deform the packing element 144 into sealing engagement with the casing is transmitted through the upper I-slot .body 101, the upper gudgeon nipple 111, the spring retainer ring 120, the upper slip housing 119, the spacer collar 13511, and the upper thimble 137 directly into the packing element 144. Simultaneously with this action, the upper slips 131 and the upper expander head segments 127 are biased -downwardly by the spring 135 into a position wherein the slips 131 will holdingly engage the casing when the downward force is relaxed or reversed. There is no wedging or holding action `generated by the downward movement of segments 127 and slips 1.31, said elements being supported in downward position by the resilient tloating action of spring 135. No portion of the downward force used to compress the packing element 144 is transferred into the wall of the c'asing through the slips 131 until said downward force is relaxed and/or the direction of the force is reversed.

T he modification just described provides an apparatus having all the advantages described herein, which results in a packer which is shorter and more compact, than the lother forms, is structurally stronger, is safer and more positive in performance in running, operating and in retrieving, and the possi-bility of premature setting or preventing retrieval is virtually eliminated.

. It will be understood that other and further forms of the invention may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described our invention we claim:

1. In a well packer, a tubular mandrel; packer support means surrounding the mandrel, said support means being releasably attached to the mandrel whereby the mandrel can be released from the packer and moved vertically with relationship thereto after the packer is set; slidably related seal means between the support means and the mandrel; a resilient packer body disposed about the support means arranged to be expanded into sealing engagement with a well casing; upper and lower expansible and retractable pipe wall gripper means carried by the support means, and being disposed above and below the packer body, respectively, arranged to be expanded into gripping engagement with a well casing; a plurality of expander segments encircling said mandrel and engageable with said upper gripper means; and, a setting sleeve on said mandrel having a cylindrical surface engageable with said segments to move and lock said segments radially outwardly, whereby said upper gripper means can be expanded into Vgripping engagement with the well casing.

2. In a well packer including, a packer assembly, a mandrel extending through the packer assembly; slideably related seal means between the mandrel and the packer assembly; upper and lower slip and slip expander members on the packer assembly, said upper expander members comprising a plurality of separate segments with the upper slips contacting the outer surfaces thereof; a tubular setting sleeve slideably disposed on the mandrel arranged to be moved downwardly with the mandrel to Contact the separate segments of the upper expander member to move said segments outwardly, whereby said upper slips can be moved outwardly into set position; releasable attachment means between the mandrel and the packer assembly above the upper slip and expander members; and, releasable attachment means between the mandrel and the packer assembly below the lower slip and expander members, whereby the mandrel can be disengaged from the packer assembly and moved vertically with relationship thereto after the packer is set.

3. The combination called for in claim 2 with the addition of spring means to resiliently urge the segments and slips downwardly.

4. The combination called for in claim 2 with the addition of means for disengageably holding the setting sleeve in upward position on the mandrel out of engagement with the expander segments until a pre-determined force is exerted downwardly thereagainst to disengage the setting sleeve for movement downwardly on the mandrel to expand said segments.

5. In a well packer, a tubular mandrel; a packer assembly including, a tubular body surrounding the mandrel, upper anchoring means including, expansible slips above the tubular body; and lower anchoring means including expansible slips below the tubular body; releasable attachment means between the packer assembly and the mandrel; a setting sleeve releasably attached to the mandrel above the upper slips; a plurality of upper expander segments surrounding the mandrel behind the upper slips, the lower end of the setting sleeve being arranged to engage and move outwardly the upper expander segments co-acting tapered surfaces on the upper expander segments and the upper slips arranged to move the slips outwardly into anchoring engagement with a well casing; a lower expander head suspended to the tubular body arranged to be moved into engagement with the lower anchoring means to expand same outwardly; packing means slidably carried about the tubular body arranged to be expanded into sealing engagement with a surrounding member, means carried by the mandrel engageable with the setting sleeve to move same downwardly when the mandrel is disengaged from the packer assembly; and slidably related seal means between the mandrel and the bore of the packer assembly.

6. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the means carried by the mandrel to move the setting sleeve downwardly comprises a housing attached to the mandrel with a cooperating I-slot and gudgeon pin connection between the housing and setting sleeve.

7. The combination called for in claim 6 wherein the J-slot includes an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface whereby force can be exerted against the gudgeon pin in two directions.

8. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the means for releasably attaching the mandrel to the packing assembly comprises a cooperating J-slot and gudgeon pin connection located below the lower anchoring slips.

9. The combination called for in claim 8 wherein the I-slot includes an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface whereby force can be exerted against the gudgeQn pin in two directions.

10. The combination called for in claim wherein the upper anchoring means includes a hollow support having openings in the wall thereof; a separate expander segment movable outwardly of each said opening; slips slidably contacting the segments and positioned in said openings, there being co-acting tapered surfaces between the slips and the segments to cause the slips to move outwardly upon relative movement between the contacting surfaces; and the setting sleeve is releasably attached to the hollow support and is movable downwardly therein upon release to slidably contact the inner sides of the segments to move the segments and slips outwardly of the openings.

11. The combination called for in claim with the addition of spring means arranged between the hollow support and the segments and slips to resiliently urge them downwardly.

12. As a subcombination, a hollow support having openings through the wall thereof; a separate expander segment movable outwardly of each said opening, each segment having an untapered inner surface; a slip slidably contacting each segment and positioned in said openings, there being co-acting tapered surfaces between the slips and the segments to cause the slips to move outwardly upon relative longitudinal movement between the slips and the segments; a setting sleeve movable within the hollow support having an enlarged cylindrical exterior surface thereon arranged to slidably contact the untapered inner sides of the segments to move the segments and slips outwardly of the openings upon relative longitudinal movement between the setting sleeve and the segments, the segments being located in their outward positions by the engagement of said cylindrical and untapered surfaces until the setting sleeve is moved out of engagement therewith.

13. The subcombination called for in claim 12 with the addition of means to limit vertical movement between the segments and the hollow support.

14. In a well packer including, a packer assembly; upper and lower slip and slip expander members on the packer assembly; a mandrel extending through the packer assembly; slideably related seal means between the mandrel and the packer assembly; releasable attachment means between the mandrel and the packer assembly above the upper slip and expander members, said releasable attachment means including an upper gudgeon pin and an upper co-engaging J-slot, one of said mandrel and packer assembly carrying said upper gudgeon pin and the other having said upper co-engaging J-slot therein; and releasable attachment means between the mandrel and the packer assembly below the lower slip and expander members, said second mentioned releasable attachment means including a lower gudgeon pin and lower coengaging J-slot, said lower gudgeon pin being carried by one of said mandrel and packer assembly and said coengaging J-slot being formed in the other; whereby the mandrel can be disengaged from the packer assembly and moved vertically with relationship thereto after the packer is set; and, spring urged friction means carried by the packer assembly arranged for engagement with the well casing to permit rotation and vertical movement of the mandrel with relation to the packer assembly.

15. In a well packer including, a packer assembly upper and lower slip and slip expander members on tht packer assembly; means holding said lower slips out o: engagement with said lower expander members while the packer is being lowered into a well; a mandrel extending through the packer assembly; slideably related seal means between the mandrel and the packer assembly; releasable attachment means between the mandrel and the packer assembly above the upper slip and expander members; and, releasable attachment means between the mandrel and the packer assembly below the lower slip and expander members; whereby the mandrel can be disengaged from the packer assembly and moved vertically with relationship thereto after the packer is set.

16. As a subcombination, a hollow support having openings through the wall thereof; a separate expander segment movable outwardly of each said opening; a slip slideably contacting each segment and positioned in said opening, there being co-acting tapered surfaces between the slips and the segments that cause the slips to move outwardly upon relatively longitudinal movement between the slips and the segments; an expander member movable within the hollow support arranged to slideably Contact the inner sides of the segments to move the segments and slips outwardly of the openings upon relative longitudinal movement between the expander member and the segments; and, means to releasably attach the expander member to the hollow support until a pre-determined force is exerted thereagainst to release the expander member from the hollow support to move the expander member downwardly into engagement with the segments.

17. As a subcombination, a hollow support having openings through the wall thereof; a separate expander segment movable outwardly of each said opening; a slip slideably contacting each segment and positioned in said openings, there being co-acting tapered surfaces between the slip segments to cause the slips to move outwardly of the openings upon relative longitudinal movement between the slips and the segments; an expander member movable upon the hollow support arranged to slideably contact the inner sides of the segments to move the segments and slips outwardly of the openings upon relative longitudinal movement between the expander member and the segments; and, resilient means between the hollow support and the segments and slips to resiliently urge the slips downwardly in the hollow support.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,670,798 3/1954 Owen 166-128 2,929,453 3/1960 Conrad 166-217 X 2,970,649 2/1961 Brown 166--134 X 2,998,073 8/1961 Clark et al. 166-134 3,131,764 5/1964 Muse et Ial. 166-123 3,265,131 8/1966 Ehlert 166-120 3,283,821 11/1966 Brown 166-134 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner'. D. H. BROWN, Examiner.

Claims (1)

15. IN A WELL PACKER INCLUDING, A PACKER ASSEMBLY; UPPER AND LOWER SLIP AND SLIP EXPANDER MEMBERS ON THE PACKER ASSEMBLY; MEANS HOLDING SAID LOWER SLIPS OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID LOWER EXPANDER MEMBERS WHILE THE PACKER IS BEING LOWERED INTO A WELL; A MANDREL EXTENDING THROUGH THE PACKER ASSEMLBY; SLIDEABLY RELATED SEAL MEANS BETWEEN THE MANDREL AND THE PACKER ASSEMBLY; RELEASABLE ATTACHMENT MEANS BETWEEN THE MANDREL AND THE PACKER ASSEMBLY ABOVE THE UPPER SLIP AND EXPANDER MEMBERS; AND, RELEASABLY ATTACHMENT MEANS BETWEEN THE MANDREL AND THE PACKER ASSEMBLY BELOW THE LOWER SLIP AND EXPANDED MEMBERS; WHEREBY THE MANDREL CAN BE DISENGAGED FROM THE PACKER ASSEMBLY AND MOVED VERTICALLY WITH RELATIONSHIP THERETO AFTER THE PACKER IS SET.

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