United States Patent
`Cockrell
`
`[191
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`4,437,516
`
`Mar. 20, 1984
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
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`[73]
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`[21]
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`[22]
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`[51]
`[52]
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`[58]
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`[56]
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`COMBINATION RELEASE MECHANISM'
`FOR DOWNHOLE WELL APPARATUS
`Inventor:
`
`Darryl W. Cockrell, Houston, Tex.
`
`Assignee:
`
`Baker International Corporation,
`Orange, Calif.
`
`App]. No.: 270,085
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 3, 1981
`
`Int. Cl.3 ....................... E21B 33/12; E21B 23/00
`US. Cl. .................................... 166/120; 166/ 182;
`166/124; 166/134
`Field of Search ........................ 166/120, 138-140,
`166/237, 123, 124, 181, 182, 143; 277/34
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1965 De Rochemont .................. 166/120
`3,189,095
`3,288,219 10/1966 Young et a1.
`....................... 166/120
`3,659,647
`5/1972 Brown ................................. 166/ 120
`3,976,133
`8/1976 Allen ................................... 166/ 182
`8/1980 Crowe ................................. 166/120
`4,216,827
`
`Primary Examiner—James A. Leppink
`Assistant Examiner—Hoang C. Dang
`Attorney. Agent, or Firm—Nowell & Associates
`
`[57]
`
`AnsriiAcr
`
`A well packer or other downhole tool is provided with
`a combination shear and rotational release mechanism
`
`comprising a release member having a set of internal
`threads selectively engageable with a predetermined
`number of external threads formed on an elongated
`tubular mandrel. The release member is keyed to the
`packer outer housing which in turn is cooperable with
`the slip and packing element assemblies. The mandrel
`may be selectively subjected to a predetermined up-
`ward pulling force to shear the threads on the release
`member or, alternatively, the hiandrel may be rotated a
`predetermined number of turns to disengage the coop-
`erating threads on the release member to effect release
`of the packer from its set position.
`
`18 Claims, 7 Draiving Figures
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`US. Patent Mar. 20, 1984
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`4,437,516
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`MEGCO EX. 1005
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`MEGCO Ex. 1005
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`

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`US. Patent Mar. 20, 1984
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent Mar. 20, 1984
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`MEGCO Ex. 1005
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`

`

`COMBINATION RELEASE MECHANISM FOR
`DOWNHOLE WELL APPARATUS
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field Of the Invention
`The present invention pertains to downhOle tools
`typically used1n the development of oil and gas wells
`for providing an annular seal and/or anchoring means
`between one conduit disposed in another and, in partic-
`ular, the present invention pertains to a combination
`shear type and rotational type release mechanism for,
`such tools.
`2. Background Art
`In the art of downhole tools used1n the well drilling
`industry Of the type which provide for a seal to be
`established in the annulus between one conduit and
`another in the well bore it is preferred to design such
`tools to have an inner elongated tubular member, some-
`times referred to as the mandrel, on which are mounted 20
`sealing and anchoring mechanisms which are operated
`to be set in andreleased from the werkingrposition by
`effecting relative axial movement between the mandrel
`and the mechanism components disposed therearound.
`One specific type Of tool Of the general type discussed
`herein is known as a packer. Many applications of well
`packers require that the packer be'retrieved from the
`well after serving its purpose or for performing certain
`operations on the well. In this regard it is "usually neces-
`sary to effect relative axial movement between the man-
`drel and the associated components in a direction Oppo-
`site tO that which resulted in setting of the packer. To
`this end a number of differentrelease mechanisms have
`been developed which require Specific mechanical op-
`erations to be performed from the surface or by mecha-
`nisms disposed in the tubing string to which the packer
`is connected. For example,,packer release mechanisms
`are known whichrequire the exertion of an axial force
`on the tubing string, or rotation Of the tubing string to
`effect operation of the release mechanism.
`It has been determined that it is highly desirable in the
`application of well packers and the like that the Option
`be available to the equipment operator to effect release
`of the packer from the set, position by more than one
`type of releasing action. In this regard the present in-
`vention has been developed to meet a long felt need for
`a combination, releasing mechanism for well packers
`and the like which is economical to manufacture and is
`
`25
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`30
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`'35
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`40
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`45
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`reliable in operation. Moreover, the combination re-
`lease mechanism Of the present invention provides for
`releasing a well packer or the like from a set position by
`one of two relatively simple mechanical operations
`which can be effected by- basically fundamental and
`easily accomplished movements of the packer mandrel.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION"
`The present invention provides an improved combi-
`nation releasing mechanism for a downhole retrievable
`tool such as a well packer or the like wherein the packer
`may be selectively released from the set or working
`condition by effecting axial movement of the mandrel to
`cause the failure of a frangible member interconnecting
`the mandrel and the anchoring, sealing and setting as-
`semblies, or by effecting rotation of the mandrel with
`respect to these mechanisms. -
`In accordance with theapresent invention there is
`provided a well packer or the like having an elongated
`mandrel which is coupled to‘an outer housing, includ-
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`50
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`55
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`65
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`1
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`4,437,516
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`ing radially movable anchoring. and sealingimembers,
`by mechanism which provides for release of the anchor-
`ing and sealing members by either effecting relative
`rotation between the mandrel and-the outer housing
`components or by axially pulling the mandrel to effect
`failure of a frangible shear sleeve interconnecting the
`mandrel and the outer housing.
`In one preferred embodiment of the present invention
`an externally threaded portion is provided on the man-
`drel adjacent
`the lower end thereof and which is
`adapted to be theadedly engaged with a sleevelike
`member having cooperating internal threads as well as
`external threads which are engageable with a nut. The
`nut may be nonrotatably secured to the packer outer
`housing after being selectively positioned with the
`sleeve member on the mandrel. In the setting operation
`of the packer the sleeve member prevents relative axial
`movement between the mandrel and one member of the
`housing but, upon exertion of a predetermined axial
`force in excess of:the forces experienced during the
`setting operation, the internal threads on the sleeve
`member are sheared to permit axial movement of the
`mandrel to effect release of the packer from its working
`position.‘The aforementioned abutment or nut member
`is also nonrotatably secured to the outer housing ’in-a
`mannerr‘whereby the'packer maybe released from the
`set position by merely rotating the mandrel to disengage
`the cooperating internal and external threads between
`the shear sleeve and the mandrel.
`The present invention also provides a unique combi-
`nation rotation or shear type releasemechanism for a
`well packer wherein the shear sleeve and a cooperating
`nut or abutment member adapted to interconnect the
`shear sleeveand the outer housing are provided as sepa-
`rate elements thereby simplifying the manufacture and
`selective testing of the shear sleeve material to deter-
`mine the ultimate shear strength thereof. Alternatively,
`the shear- member and the nut may be formed as a single
`part.
`Those skilled in the art will appreciate that theim-
`proved release mechanism for a downhole tool such as
`a well packer or the like in accordance with the present
`invention adds a degree of operating flexibility for such
`tools which has heretofore not been enjoyed. Those
`skilled in the art of well packers and the like will also
`appreciate that the present invention provides a me-
`chanically simple yet reliable release mechanism whiCh
`may be easily adjusted in the field prior to deployment
`of the packer into the well. Moreover, the'combination
`release mechanism of the present invention provides for
`selecting one Of two optional modes for effecting re-
`lease Of the packer after it has been deployed‘in its
`working position. Other advantages and superior fea-
`tures Of the mechanically simple and reliable release
`mechanism of the present invention will be further ap-
`predated upon readingthe detailed description which
`followsin conjunction with the drawings.
`
`I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIGS. 1A through 1C together comprise a vertical
`elevation view,
`in central longitudinal section, of a
`downhole well apparatus including the combination
`release mechanism of the present invention;
`_
`FIG. 2., is a transverse section view taken along the
`line 2—2 of FIG. 1C;
`
`MEGCO EX. 1005
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`MEGCO Ex. 1005
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`4,437,516
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`3
`FIG. 3 is a detail section view of the cooperating
`wicker threads between the inner member or mandrel
`and a lock ring member;
`FIG. 4 is a detailed longitudinal section view of an
`alternate embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 5 is a view taken substantially from the line 5—5
`of FIG. 1C.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
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`In the drawings, the figures with combined number
`and letter designations are intended to be viewed to-
`gether arranged vertically end to end with the first
`letter designation, in alphabetical order, arranged as the
`top section of the view and the last letter designation
`arranged as the bottom section. In the following de-
`scription the terms upper and lower are used for conve-
`nience in regards to the normal arrangement of the
`apparatus when it is being inserted in a generally verti-
`cally disposed well or the like. However, for some ap-‘<
`plications the apparatus may be inverted, if desired, or
`used1n a generally horizontal or angular direction
`Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1C of the drawings,
`an apparatus embodying the present invention is illus-
`trated and generally designated by the numeral 10. The
`apparatus 10 comprises a downhole tool of a type
`known in the art of well'development as a packer and is
`basically adapted to provide an annular seal between
`concentric conduits in a well, which seal may be pro-
`vided for various purposes in developing the Well. Al-
`though the combination release meChanism’ of the pres-
`ent invention is advantageously used with the packer 10
`it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
`inventive combination may also be used with Other
`packers as well as similar types of downholeequipment
`which would benefit from suchan improvement.
`Referring particularly to FIG. 1A,'the packer 10 is
`characterized by an elongated inner tubular member or
`mandrel 12 which is threadedly coupled at its upper end
`to a coupling member 14. The coupling member 14 may
`be suitably connected to an inner conduit such as a
`tubing string or the like, not shown, fOr inserting and
`retrieving the packer 10 with respect to an outer con-
`duit such as a well bore or casing, also not shown. Adja-
`cent the upper end of the mandrel 12 is a hydraulically
`actuatable anchoring mechanism or holddown assembly
`generally designated by the numeral 16. The holddown
`assembly 16 is of a type known in the art of well packers
`and forms no part of the present invention. Accord-
`ingly, a detailed description of the component parts of 50
`the holddown assembly 16 is not believed to be neces-
`sary to gain a complete understanding of the best mode
`of practicing the present invention. The holddown as-
`sembly 16 includes an annular member 18 having a
`depending threaded portion 20 on which is disposed a
`gauge ring 22 having an annular downWardly facing
`seal urging shoulder 24. The member 18 is also thread-
`edly connected to an elongated cylindrical sleeve 26
`around which are disposed in vertically stacked rela-
`tionship a plurality of resilient annular collars 28 and
`back up rings 29.
`Referring also to FIG. 1B, the collars 28 are disposed
`between the downwardly facing shoulder 24’and an
`upwardly facing seal urging shoulder 30 formed on a
`second gauge ring -32. The collars 28 comprise resilient
`sealing elements which are responsive‘to relative axial
`movement between the members forming the shoulders
`24 and 30 to be radially outwardly deformed into seal-
`
`3O
`
`4
`ing engagement with theInner wall of the well bore or
`conduit, not shown, in which the packer 10 may be
`disposed.
`Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B the gauge ring 32IS
`threadedly coupled to an annular wedge member 36,
`referred to in the art as a slip cone, and comprising part
`of a slip assembly, generally designated by the numeral
`38. The slip assembly 38 also. includes a plurality of
`generally radially movable slip members 40 having
`transverse. gripping teeth 42 formed thereon. The slip
`assembly 38 is of a type known in the art of downhole
`tools such as well packers and also forms no part of the
`present invention. The slip members 40 are cooperable
`with the wedge member 36 by way of interfitting tenon
`and groove portions 46 and 48 which may be of the so
`called T-slot or dovetail configuration. The opposite
`ends of the slip members 40 are also provided with
`dovetail tenons 50 which are fitted in cooperating slots
`52 in a second 'wedge member 44 to provide for radial
`20 Loutward movement of the members 40 in response to
`.relative axial movement between ‘the member 44 and
`the member 36. The member 36 is movable axially up-
`ward relative to the sleeve 26, viewing FIG. 1B, from
`the limit pOSition illustrated.
`25.
`Referring further to FIG. 1B and also FIG. 1C, the
`slip cone or wedge member 4415 threadedly connected
`to an elongated cylindrical sleeve or outer housing
`member 54 which extends downwardly and is thread-
`edly connected to an annular head member 56 having a
`bore 58 disposed in close fitting but slidable relationship
`to the cylindrical outer walls 60 of the mandrel 12. The
`housing member 54 is disposed in spaced relationship
`around the mandrel 12 and forms an annular chamber
`62, as shown‘in FIG. 1C, which chamber is sealed at its
`opposite ends by a stationary head member 64 and a
`piSton 66. Thevpiston 66 is formed as an integral part of
`an elongated sleeve 68 which is threadedly connected at
`its upper end to the sleeve 26 as shown in FIG. 1B.
`Referring still further to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the packer
`10 is also provided with a pressure fluid chamber 70
`formed between the outer housing 54, the pistOn 66 and
`a second piston 72 disposed in surrounding relationship
`to the sleeve member 68 and releasably secured in the
`position shown in FIG. 13 by one or more shear screws
`74. The .screws 74 are threadedly engaged with the
`outer housing 54 and project radially inwardly into
`cooperating groove formed in the periphery of the
`piston 72, as shown.
`Referring also to FIG. 2, the piston 72is adapted, in
`the position shown1n FIGS. 1B and 1C, to overlie a
`plurality of annular segments 78 which are disposed in
`circular sector shaped openings 80 formed in the sleeve
`68. The segments 78 also extend radially inwardly into
`an annular groove 82 formed in the mandrel 12. Ac-
`cordingly, in the position shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 2,
`the sleeve members 68 and 26 are prevented from rela-
`tive axial movement with respect to the mandrel 12 by
`the locking segments 78. Passages 88, formed in the wall
`of the mandrel 12, communicate the groove 82 with the
`interior bore 13 of the mandrel. The segments 78 are
`also provided with groove portions 90 which are opera-
`ble- to conduct pressure fluid from the mandrel bore 13
`by way of the passages 88 and the groove 82 into the
`chamber 70.
`Referring now to FIG. 1B and FIG. 3 the packer 10
`is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the
`mandrel 12 with respect to the sleeve members 26 and
`68 in a set position of the packer. Thelocking mecha-
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`4,437,516
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`nism for the packer 10 is characterized by an annular
`wedge shaped body lock ring 94 disposed around the
`mandrel 12 and engaged therewith by means of respec-
`tive interfitting wickers or threadsv96 and 98. The lock
`ring 94 is of a known type which is axially split to pro-
`vide for radial expansion of the ring so that it may
`ratchet over the wickers 98 when moved in a down-
`ward direction relative to the mandrel 12, viewinngIG,
`lB. However, the configuration of- the wickers 96 and
`98 are such that when the ring 94 is engaged bythe
`sleeve 68 along the cooperating surfaces 100 and 102,
`respectively, the lock ring is forced radially inwardly
`into engagement with the mandrel 12 to prevent up-
`ward movement of the sleeve 68 with respect to the
`mandrel, viewing FIG. 1B.
`'
`Referring to FIG. 1C and FIG. 5, the head member
`56 includes a counterbored portion 106 which is en-
`gageable with an axialy split lock ring 108 disposed in a
`cooperating groove 110. formed in the mandrel 12. The
`head 56 also includes an opposed counterbore 114 hav-
`ing a resilient cushioning member 116 disposed therein;
`The head 56 is further provided with an axially depend-
`ing annular skirt portion 118 which is provided With a
`plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially extend-
`ing tapped holes 120. The holes 120 are provided for
`receiving removable key members or pins 122 which
`are basically characterized as socket head type screws
`having an elongated head portion 123. The head por-
`tions 123 of the key membes extend intorcooperating
`openings or receivingbores 124 formed in a radially
`extending flange 125 formed on a-cylindrical nut mem-
`ber 126. The member 126 includes an integral upwardly
`extending collar portion 130 which normally extends at
`least partially into the counter bore 114. The cushioning
`member 116 is operable to beengaged‘by the collar
`portion 130 to absorb the impact loading on=the member
`126 when the piston 66 is actuated to set the packer‘10.
`The member 126 also includes internal threads 128
`which extend axially to an annular shoulder 132.
`.
`The mandrel 12 is'also provided with threads 134
`extending over a portion of the outer cylindrical surface
`of the mandrel in the vicinity of the nut member 126 and
`are adapted to be engaged by a frangible release mem-
`ber 136 comprising a cylindrical sleeve which includes
`respective external and'intemal threads 138 and 140
`adapted to cooperate, respectively, with the threads128
`and 134. The threads 128—138 as well as the threads
`134—140are preferably of the square or Stub Acme
`type. The release member 136 is also provided with
`opposed spanner wrench slots 142 formed in the distal
`end 144 of the sleeve.
`The release member 136 is fabricated from a suitable
`frangible material such as mild steel 'havinga known
`shear strength. Accordingly, depending on the number
`of cooperating threads 134—140 in engagement,
`it 'is
`possible to determine the axial force necessary to effect
`shearing of the threads 140 to permit relative upward
`axial movement of the mandrel 12' with respect to the
`member 126 when the latter is engaged with the head 56
`through the resilient collar 116.
`In order to determine with some precision the shear
`strength of the release member 136, in use in a packer
`such as the packer 10, each member 136 is cut from a
`selected piece of material stock which has been pre-
`tested to determine with precision the ultimate shear
`strength of the material. Accordingly, since the axial
`cross-sectional area of the threads 140' may‘ber‘predeter-
`mined,
`the force necessary to effect releasen'of the
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`packer may be predetermined based on the shear
`strength of the material and the number of threads 140
`engaged with cooperating threads 134. The material for
`the mandrel 12 as Well as the member 126 is predeter-
`mined to have a shear strength greater than that of the
`sleeve member 136 so that the threads sheared upon
`axial pulling of the mandrel 12 will be those on the
`sleeve member itself. The number of threads 128—138 in
`engagement is predetermined to be in all cases more
`than the number of threads 134 engaged with cooperat-
`ing threads 140. In any event the engagement of the
`member 136 with the antiular‘ shoulder 132 prevents
`shearing of the threads 138 With respect to the member
`126 in the usual direction of loading of the member 126
`with respect to the mandrel 12. Although the member
`136 is made as a separate piece for economy of manufac-
`ture of the parts 126 and 136 it may also be preferred to
`form the member 136 as an integral part of the nut
`member 126.
`By providing the nut member 126 having the internal
`threads 138 engageable with the release member 136 the
`packer 10rs also adapted to be released from the set
`pOSition by rotation of the mandrel 12 with respect to
`the, nut member 126 whereby the threads 1334—14!) will
`become disengaged upon sufficient rotation to release
`the mandrel for axial movement with respect to the
`housing member 54. The “hand” of the threads 134—140
`should be opposite to the hand of the threads on the
`cooperating members of the tubing string including the
`coupling member 14 and the threads on the upper end
`of the mandrel 12. Similarly, the threads 152 on the
`lower end of the mandrel 12 should be of the same hand
`as the threads on the upper end thereof
`When a packer 10rs prepared forinsertion into a well
`bore or the like the axial force required to release the
`packer as well as the number of turns of rotation re-
`quired to release may be predetermined by preselection
`of the number of threads 134—140which are to be en-
`gaged between the release sleeve member 136:and the
`mandrel 12. Suitableindicia 154 may be provided on the
`mandrel 12 as indicated in FIG. 1C so that the distal end
`of the sleeve member 136 may be. aligned with a prede-
`termined indicia mark on the mandrel indicating the
`number of threads engaged and/or, the axial pulling
`force required if, in the latter instance, the sleeve mem-
`ber 13615 provided of a material of predetermined and
`consistent shear strength.
`When the sleeve member 136 has been adjusted to
`substantially engage the desired number of threads
`134—140. the nut member 126 is then rotated together
`with the member 136 to align the openings 124 with
`corresponding spaced apart tapped holes 120 whereby
`the key members 122 are then inserted through the
`openings 124 and tightened in their respective tapped
`holes. A sufficient number of holes 124 maybe pro-
`vided, to minimize the turning of the nut member 126 so
`that the desired setting is substantially maintained. Typ-
`ically, four holes 124 are provided so that the sleeve
`member 136 is only required to be moved a quarter turn
`from the precise desired setting. Accordingly,
`the
`packer may be optionally released by either an upward
`axial pulling force of predetermined magnitude on the
`mandrel 12 or by rotating the mandrel 12 a predeter-
`mined number of turns. Both of these operations may, of
`course, be relatively easy to accomplish by suitable
`equipment connected to the tubing string to which the
`packer 10' is connected, for example.
`
`MEGCO EX. 1005
`
`.
`
`
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1005
`
`

`

`4,437,516
`
`5
`
`10
`
`.15
`
`£20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`7
`In operation to set the‘packer 10, the same is run to
`the working position in .a well bore or the likevona
`tubing string, not shown. When-the packer 10 'haslbeen
`run to the set position asuitableplug, not shown, is
`provided to close off the bore -13 below the passages. 88
`whereupon pressure fluid may be .introducedginto the
`chamber 70 until a sufficient pressure force is exerted on
`the piston 72 to shear the screws 74. The chamber. 62 is
`sealed before insertion of the packer into the well bore
`and, acccordingly, the fluid pressure in the chamber 62
`is essentially that ot‘ the atmospheric pressure at the
`surface. Accordingly, upon movement of the piston 72
`sufficiently upwardly to clear the edge of the segments
`78 a considerable axial force15 already being exerted on
`the piston 66 to drive it downwardly toward the abut-
`ment 64. This axial force15 sufficient to force the seg-
`ments 78 radially outwardly due to the cooperating
`sloped annular surfaces on the segments and the side-
`wall of the groove 82. When the segments 78 are
`ejected from the groove 82 the substantial pressure
`differentialacross the piston 661s sufficient to drive the
`piSton rapidly towards the abutment 64 to fOrce the slip
`members 40 radially outwardly into gripping engage-
`ment with the well Conduit followed by continued
`movement of the sleeve members 68 and 26 to urge the
`resilient collars 28 radially outWard intosealing engage-
`ment with the well conduit As the member 68IS moved
`downward with respect to the mandrel 12 the annular
`shoulder 69, FIG. 1B and FIG. 3, engages the lock ring
`94 and forces it to move downward with the members
`26-68 ratcheting over the wickers 98_ on the mandrel 12
`When the piston 66 has reached the maximum set cendi-
`tion whereby a force balance18 achieved between the
`pressure differential across the piston 66 and the deflec-
`tion of the collars 28 the packer Will remain in the set
`position due to the lock ring 94 regardless of any change
`in pressure across the piston.
`When it is desired to release the packer from the'se't
`position described above by releasing the bridging
`members, the slip members 40 and the sealing collars 28,
`the operator has'the optiOn of exerting a predetermined
`upward axial force On the mandrel-71216 shear the
`threads 140 or rotating-the mandrel '12 a predetermined
`number of turns ' to disengage the threads 134-140.
`Those skilled in the artvwill appreciate that even if the
`rotation mode is selected the release'fOrces exerted by
`the collars 28 may effectshearing‘of some of the threads
`140 as the mandrel is threaded out" of the 'm’ember‘l36.
`
`8
`FIG. 1B, eventually engagesthe lock ring 94 where-
`uponthe relative movement between the mandrel 12
`and the members 26—68 will cease. At this point the slip
`members 40 have retracted away from the well conduit
`and the packer may be retrieved from the well in a
`known way.
`‘
`An alternate embodiment of the present invention is
`illustrated in the detail section view of FIG. 4. Al-
`though the manufacturing cost of some materials may
`make it desirable to provide the nut member 126 and the
`release sleeve 136 as separate members it is‘ also pre-
`ferred, in some instances to manufacture the members as
`a single part, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In the embodiment
`illustrated in FIG. 4, a single unitary nut member 160 is
`provided having radially projecting flange portion 162
`and an axially extending collar portion 165. The combi-
`nation shear and rotate release member 160 includes
`internal threads 166 which are adapted to be engaged
`with the threadsz134 on the'mandrel 12. The release
`member 160 is also provided with a short axially extend-
`ing rim portion 168 extending in the direction opposite
`to the collar portion 165. The distal end of the axial rim
`portion. 168 is useful for aiding in accurate reading of
`the indicia 154 onrthe mandrel 12 to indicate the number
`of threads engaged, the axial pulling force required to
`releasethe mandrel 12 or, alternatively, the number of
`turns required to release the mandrel from the nut mem-
`ber 160. The nut member 160 is also provided with four
`circumferentially' spaced and axially extending holes
`170, two shown in FIG. 4, for receiving the key mem-
`bers 122. AccOrdingly, the combination release member
`'16070perates in the same manner as the arrangement
`illustrated in FIG. 1C and FIG. 5 but is made as a single
`:piece as may be preferred for some packer designs.
`35»
`As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the combi-
`nation shear and rotational release mechanism of the
`present invention provides for the optional operations
`of either rotating the mandrel or exerting an axially
`upward: pulling force thereon to effect release of the
`packer from its set position in the well. Either of these
`actions is conveniently accomplished in most well oper-
`ations. Moreover, in the event the equipment for per-
`forming one type of release operation is not available or
`is inoperable for one reason or another the other proce-
`dure may. be performed to effect release of the packer.
`' Although the present invention has been described
`herein in terms of one embodiment of a well packer it
`will be understood that this is by illustration and that the
`two embodiments of the combination release mecha-
`Furthermore, rotation of the mandrel'may be accompa-
`nied by an externally applied axial force on the mandrel
`nism of the present invention are not necessarily limited
`to effect release through a combined rotation and shear
`to the specific packer shown or in the specific configu-
`release action. When the packer is'released by shearing
`ration disclosed as will be apparent to those skilled in
`the threads 140 Or by :rotation of the threads 134 out of
`the art. Accordingly, modifications to the present in-
`the threads 140 the mandrel will‘ move a short distance
`vention may be made without departing from the scope
`until the ring 108 engages a conical surface 164 on the
`and spirit of the appended claims.
`abutment 64 whereupon the ring will be ejected from
`What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters
`Patent15:
`.
`the, groove 110 since it has already cleared the upper
`end of the head 56. As the mandrel 12 commences mov-
`1. Apparatus for insertion in a well conduit to form a
`ing upwardly the lock ring 94 is carried the short dis-
`seal between said conduit and a member disposedin said
`tance between the surface 102 and the shoulder 69, 60 conduit, said apparatus comprising:
`which distance is sufficient to permit radial expansion of
`an elongated tubular mandrel, and first and second
`the ring to ratchet over the teeth 98 as the. mandrel
`» spaced apart seal urging means disposed there-
`. around;
`continues to move upward with~respect to the member
`68. As the mandrel 12 is moved upwardly the resilient
`resilient seal means disposed around said mandrel
`biasing force exerted by the collars 28 urges the mem-
`between said seal urging means,
`bers 26 and 68 also upwardly so that the collars. relax
`, at least one of said seal urging means being axially
`their sealing engagement with the well conduitAs the
`movable with respect to said mandrel and said
`mandrel 12 is pulled upwardly an annular shouldervls,
`" other seal uring means to force said seal means
`
`4s
`
`50
`
`55
`
`-
`65,
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`MEGCO EX. 1005
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1005
`
`

`

`4,437,516
`
`' 9
`radially outwardly into forcible engagement with
`said conduit; and
`,
`.
`means interconnecting said mandrel with said seal
`urging means, said interconnecting means includ-
`ing release means responsive to selective applica-
`tion of an axial. force on said mandrel or rotation of
`said mandrel to effect relative movement of said
`mandrel to release said seal means from forcible
`
`engagement with said conduit, said release means
`, being movable relative to said mandrel and said
`seal urging means to adjust the amount of axial
`force or rotation for effecting release of said seal
`means.
`
`'10
`
`5 .
`
`-
`
`10
`means disposed arOund said sleeve and forming a
`second upwardly facing annular shoulder, resilient
`seal means disposed between said shoulders and
`,. responsive to relatiVe movement between said
`sleeve and said means forming said'second annular
`shoulder for urging. said seal means into engage-
`ment with a well’ conduit;
`lock means operable to lock said sleeve to prevent
`relative movement between said sleeve and said
`mandrel in a first direction;
`a release mechanism movable relative to said mandrel
`and said housing to adjust the amount of axial force
`or rotation for effecting release of said seal means
`interconnecting said mandrel and said housing and
`operable to release said mandrel for movement
`with respect to said sleeve in a second direction
`opposite to said first direction; and
`said release mecha