United States Patent [191
`Cockrell
`
`[111
`[45]
`
`4,437,516
`Mar. 20, 1984
`
`[54] COMBINATION RELEASE MECHANISMv
`FOR DOWNHOLE WELL APPARATUS
`[75] Inventor Darryl w Cockle“ Houston Tex
`[73] Assignee: Baker International Corporation,
`Orange’ Cahf-
`[21] App]. No,; 270,085
`.
`_
`Jun‘ 3’ 1981
`[22] F?ed‘
`[51] Int. Cl.3 ..................... .. E21B 33/12; E21B 23/00
`[52] U.S. Cl. .................................. .. 166/120; 166/182;
`166/124; 166/ 134
`
`Or Search ...................... ..
`165/237, 123, 124, 131, 182, 143; 277/34
`References Cited
`
`[56]
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,189,095 6/1965 De Rochemont ................ .. 166/ 120
`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
`4,216,827 8/1980 Crowe ............................... .. 166/120
`
`Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink
`Assistant Examiner-Hoang C. Dang
`Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Nowell & Associates
`[57]
`ABST?ACr
`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
`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,v 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 Drawing Figures
`
`"Kw/F722
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`70
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`(68/6?
`I/: 1
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`2G
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`28
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`26
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`MEGCO Ex. 1012
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`US. Patent Mar. 20, 1984
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`Sheet 1 0153
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`4,437,516
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`MEGCO Ex. 1012
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`US. Patent Mar. 20, 1984
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`Sheet 2 0f 3
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`4,437,516
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`IL
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`‘WW ‘II- "- 68
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`/00
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`it
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`Z98
`r13. 3
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`/% Fig, 1c
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`MEGCO Ex. 1012
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`U.S. Patent Mar. 20, 1984
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`4,437,516
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`434
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`MEGCO Ex. 1012
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`1
`COMBINATION RELEASE MECHANISM FOR
`DOWNHOLE WELL APPARATUS
`
`5
`
`4,437,516
`2
`ing radially movable anchoring. and sealing-members,
`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
`positionuThe 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 s'leeve'and the mandrel.
`'
`The present invention also provides a unique combi
`nation rotation or shear type releaseimechanism 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 the im
`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 ?eld 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‘ deployedin 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
`preciated upon reading the detailed description which
`follows in conjunction with the drawings.
`
`40
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIO
`1. Field of the Invention
`'
`1
`'
`The present invention ‘pertains to downhole tools
`typically used in 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 used in 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
`[20
`times referred to as the mandrel, on which are mounted
`sealing and anchoring mechanisms which are operated
`to be set in and'released from the workingyposition by
`effecting relative axial movement between the mandrel
`and the mechanism components disposed therearound.
`One speci?c 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 vusually 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 speci?c 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
`45
`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
`reliable in operation.v 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 the~present invention there is
`provided a well packer or the like having an elongated
`mandrel which is coupled to'an outer housing, includ
`
`25
`
`30
`
`55
`
`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;
`~
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`MEGCO Ex. 1012
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`disposed. ‘
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`10
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`4,437,516
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`FIG. 3 is a detail section view of the cooperating
`ing engagement with the inner wall of the well bore or
`conduit, not ‘shown, in' which they packer‘ 10 may be
`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.
`
`Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B the gauge ring 32 is
`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
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`generally radially movable slip members 40 having
`EMBODIMENTS
`transverse. gripping teeth 42 formed thereon. The slip
`In the drawings, the ?gures with combined number
`assembly 38 is of a type known in the art of 'downhole
`and letter designations are intended to be viewed to
`tools such as well packers and also forms no part of the
`gether arranged vertically end to end with the ?rst
`present invention. The slip members 40 are cooperable
`letter designation, in alphabetical order, arranged as the
`with the wedge member 36 by way of inter?tting tenon
`top section of the view and the last letter designation
`and groove portions 46 and 48 which may be of the so
`arranged as the bottom section. In the following de
`called T-slot or dovetail con?guration. The opposite
`ends of the slip members 40 are also provided with
`scription the terms upper and lower are used for conve
`nience in regards to the normal arrangement of the
`dovetail tenons 50 which are ?tted in cooperating slots
`apparatus when it is being inserted in a generally verti
`52 in a second 'wedge member 44 to provide for radial
`cally disposed well or the like. However, for some ap-‘<
`'.,outward movement of the members 40 in response to
`20
`plications the apparatus may be inverted, if desired, or
`.relative axial movement .between ‘the member 44'and
`the member 36. The member 36 is movable axially up
`used in a generally horizontal or angular direction. ‘
`Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1C of the drawings,
`ward relative to the sleeve 26, viewing FIG. 1B, fro
`an apparatus embodying the present invention is illus
`the limit position illustrated.
`>
`‘
`trated and generally designated by the numeral 10. The
`Referring further to FIG. 1B and also FIG. 1C, the
`25.
`apparatus 10 comprises a downhole' toolv of a type
`slip cone or wedge member 44 is threadedly connected
`known in the art of well'development as a packer and is
`to an elongated cylindrical sleeve or outer housing
`basically adapted to provide an annular seal between
`member 54 which extends downwardly and is thread
`concentric conduits in a well, which seal may be pro
`edly connected to an annular head member 56 having a
`vided for various purposes in developing the well. Al
`bore 58 disposed in close ?tting but slidable relationship
`though the combination release mechanism’ of the pres
`to the cylindrical outer walls 60 of the mandrel 12. The
`housing member 54 is disposed in spaced relationship
`ent invention is advantageously used with the packer 10
`it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
`around the mandrel 12 and forms an annular chamber
`inventive combination may also be used with other
`62, as shown'in FIG. 1C, which chamber is sealed at its
`packers as well as similar types of downhole’e'quipment
`opposite ends by a stationary head member 64 and‘ a
`which would bene?t from such an improvement.
`piston 66. The'piston 66 is formed as an integral part of
`Referring particularly to FIG. 1A,'the packer 10 is
`an elongated sleeve 68 which is threadedly connected at
`characterized by an elongated inner tubular member or
`its upper end to the sleeve 26 as shown in FIG. 1B.
`mandrel 12 which is threadedly coupled at its upper end
`Referring still further to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the packer
`to a coupling member 14. The coupling member 14 may
`10 is also provided with a pressure ?uid chamber 70
`40
`formed between the outer housing 54, the piston 66 and
`be suitably connected to an inner conduit such as a
`a second piston 72 disposed in surrounding relationship
`tubing string or the like, not shown, for inserting and
`to the sleeve member 68 and releasably secured in the
`retrieving the packer 10 with respect to an outer con
`duit such as a well bore or casing, also not shown. Adja
`position shown in FIG. 1B by one or more shear screws
`cent the upper end of the mandrel 12 is a hydraulically
`74. The .screws 74 ‘are threadedly engaged with the
`outer housing 54 and project radially inwardly into
`actuatable anchoring mechanism or holddown assembly
`generally designated by the numeral 16. The holddown
`cooperating groove formed in the periphery of the
`assembly 16 is of a type known in the art of well packers
`piston 72, as shown.
`>
`Referring ‘also to FIG. 2, the piston 72‘is adapted, in
`and forms no part of the present invention. Accord
`ingly, a detailed description of the component parts of 50
`the position shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, to overlie a
`plurality of annular segments 78 which are disposed in
`the holddown assembly 16 is not believed to be neces
`sary to gain a complete understanding of the best mode
`circular sector shaped openings 80 formed in the sleeve
`68. The segments 78 also extend radially inwardly into
`of practicing the present invention. The holddown as
`sembly 16 includes an annular member 18 having a
`an annular groove 82 formed in the mandrel 12. Ac
`cordingly, in the position shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 2,
`depending threaded portion 20 on which is disposed a
`gauge ring 22 having an annular downwardly facing
`the sleeve members 68 and 26 are prevented from rela
`seal urging shoulder 24. The member 18 is also thread
`tive axial movement with respect to the mandrel 12 by
`the locking segments 78. Passages 88, formed in the wall
`edly connected to an elongated cylindrical sleeve 26
`around which are disposed in vertically stacked rela
`of the mandrel 12, communicate the groove 82 with the
`tionship a plurality of resilient annular collars 28 and
`interior bore 13 of the mandrel. The segments 78 are
`back up rings 29.
`also provided with groove portions 90 which are opera
`Referring also to FIG. 1B, the collars 28 are disposed
`ble-to conduct pressure ?uid from the mandrel bore 13
`between the downwardly facing shoulder 24’and an
`by way of the passages 88 and the groove 82 into the
`upwardly facing seal urging shoulder 30 formed on a
`chamber 70.
`1
`second gauge ring 32. The collars 28 comprise resilient
`Referring now to FIG. 1B and FIG. 3 the packer 10
`is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the
`sealing elements which are responsive‘to relative axial
`movement between the members forming the shoulders
`mandrel 12 with respect to the sleeve members 26 and
`68 in a set position of the packer. Thelocking mecha
`24 and 30 to be radially outwardly deformed into seal
`
`30
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`45
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`55
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`MEGCO Ex. 1012
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`member 126. V
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`V
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`..
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`p‘
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`g
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`Y
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`15
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`25
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`30
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`4,437,516
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`5
`nism for the packer 10 is characterized by an annular
`packer may be predetermined based on the shear
`wedge shaped body lock ring 94 disposed around the
`strength of the material‘ and the number of threads 140
`engaged with cooperating threads 134. The material for
`mandrel 12 and engaged therewith by means of respec
`tive inter?tting wickers or threads'96 and 98. The lock
`the mandrel 12 as well as the’ member 126 is predeter
`ring 94 is of a known type which is axially split to pro
`mined to have a shear strength greater than that of the
`vide for radial expansion of the ring so that it may
`sleeve member 136 so that the threads sheared upon
`ratchet over the wickers 98 when moved in a down
`axial pulling of the mandrel 12 will be those on the
`ward direction relative to the mandrel 12, viewingFIQ.
`sleeve member itself. The number of threads 128-138 in
`1B. However, the con?guration of- the wickers 96 and
`engagement is predetermined to be in all cases more
`98 are such that when the ring 94 is engaged bythe
`than the number of threads 134 engaged with cooperat
`sleeve 68 along the cooperating surfaces 100 and 102,
`ing threads 140. In any‘ event the engagement of the
`respectively, the lock ring is forced radially inwardly
`member 136 with the annular‘ shoulder 132 prevents
`into engagement with the mandrel 12 to prevent up
`shearing of the threads 138 with respect to the member
`ward movement of the sleeve 68 with respect to the
`126 in the usual direction of loading of the member 126
`mandrel, viewing FIG. 1B.
`'
`with respect to the mandrel 12. Although the member
`Referring to FIG. 1C and FIG. 5, the head member
`136 is made as a separate piece for economy of manufac
`56 includes a counterbored portion 106 which is en
`ture' of the parts 126 and 136 it may also be preferred to
`gageable with an axialy split lock ring 108 disposed in a
`form‘ the ‘(member 136 as an integral part of the nut
`cooperating groove 110. formed in the mandrel 12. The
`head 56 also includes an opposed counterbore 114 hav
`20
`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 intocooperating
`openings or receivingbores 124 formed in a radially
`extending ?ange 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 be.engaged'by the collar
`35
`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'internal threads 138 and 140
`adapted to cooperate, respectively, with the threads'128
`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,v 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'be'predeter
`mined, the force necessary to effect release~"of the
`
`:By‘providing the nutv member 126 having the internal
`threads 138 engageable withthe release member 136 the
`packer 10 is 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 134-140 will
`become disengaged upon su?icient rotation to release
`the mandrel for axial movement- with respect to the
`housing member 54. The “hand” of the threads134-l40
`should. be opposite to the handrof 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 10. is 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 136 is provided of a material of predetermined and
`
`45
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`50
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`55
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`65
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`consistent shear strength.
`
`,
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`-
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`" .
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`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 10v is connected, for example.
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1012
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`25
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`7
`In operation to set thepacker 10, the same is run to
`the working position in .a well bore or the likevon-a
`tubing string, not shown. When-the packer 10 has-been
`run to the set position asuitablevplug, not shown, is
`provided to close off the bore 13 below the passages. 88
`whereupon pressure ?uid may be introduced-‘into the
`chamber 70 until a suf?cient 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 of the atmospheric pressure at the
`surface. Accordingly, upon movement of the piston 72
`suf?ciently upwardly to clear the edge of the segments
`78 a considerable axial force is already being exerted on
`the piston 66 to drive it downwardly ‘toward the abut- .
`ment 64. ‘This axial force is suf?cient {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
`‘differential across the‘piston 66 is' suf?cient'to drive the
`piston rapidly towards the abutment 64 to force thes'lip
`members 40 radially outwardly into gripping engage
`ment lwith the well conduit vfollowed by continued
`movement of the: sleeve members 68 and 26 to urge the
`resilient collars 28 radially outward into‘dsealing engage
`ment with the well conduit'As the member .68 is‘ moved
`downward with’ respect to the mandrel 12 ‘the annular
`shoulder 69, FIG. lB’and FIG.v 3, engages the lock vring
`94 and forces it to move downward with the members
`26-68 ratcheting over the wickers 98_yon the mandrel 12.
`When the piston 66 has reached the maximum set condi
`tion whereby a force balance is 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-r 12 "to shear the
`threads 140 or rotating-‘the mandrel '12 a predetermined
`number of turns ' to disengage the threads 134-140.
`Those skilled in the‘artwill-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‘136.
`Furthermore, rotation of the mandrel'may be accompa
`nied by an externally applied axial force on the mandrel
`to effect release through a combined rotation and shear
`release action. When the packer is'released by shearing
`the threads 140 or by :rotation of the threads 134 out of
`the threads 140 the mandrel will‘ move a short distance
`until the ring 108 engages a conical surface 164 on the
`abutment 64 whereupon the ring will be ejected from
`they groove 110 since it has already cleared the upper
`end of the head 56. As the mandrel 12 commences mov
`ing upwardly the lock ring 94 is carried the short dis
`tance between the surface 102 and the shoulder 69,
`60
`which distance is suf?cient to permit radial expansion of
`the ring to ratchet over the teeth 98 as the. mandrel
`continues to move upward Withrespect to the member
`68. As the mandrel 12 is moved upwardly the resilient -
`biasing force exerted by the collars 28 urges the mem
`65.
`bers 26 and 68 also upwardly so that the collars. relax
`their sealing engagement with the well conduiL'As the
`mandrel 12 is pulled upwardly an annular shoulder'15,
`
`55
`
`35
`
`40
`
`8
`FIG. 1B, eventually engages'the 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.
`‘I
`-
`'
`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 ?ange 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 threads1134 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 onthe 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
`bers122. Accordingly, the combination release member
`'160operates 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.
`- 'EAs 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
`nism of the present invention are not necessarily limited
`to the speci?c packer shown or in the speci?c con?gu
`ration disclosed as will be apparent to those skilled in
`the art. Accordingly, modi?cations to the present in
`vention may be made without departing from the scope
`and spirit of the appended claims.
`What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters
`Patent is:
`.1
`1. Apparatus for insertion in a well conduit to form a
`seal between said conduit and a member disposed in said
`conduit, said apparatus comprising:
`an elongated tubular mandrel, and ?rst and second
`> spaced apart seal urging means disposed there
`
`' around;
`
`.
`
`resilient seal means disposed around said mandrel
`" between said seal urging means;
`at; least one of said seal urging means being axially
`movable _. with respect to said mandrel and said
`" other. seal uring means to force said seal means
`
`'
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1012
`
`

`

`5 .
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4,437,516
`' 9
`~ 10
`radially outwardly into forcible engagement with
`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 ?rst 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 ?rst direction; and
`said release mechanism being operable in response to
`the selective application of an axial force on said
`mandrel or rotation of said mandrel to effect rela
`tive movement of said mandrel with respect to said
`housing to release said seal means suf?ciently
`whereby said packer may be retrieved from said
`conduit.
`I
`11. The invention set forth in claim 10 wherein said
`release mechanism comprises a member having internal
`threads formed thereon, a predetermined number of
`said internal threads being cooperable with mating ex
`ternal threads formed on said mandrel, said member
`being nonrotatably connected to said housing.
`12. The invention set forth in claim 11 wherein said
`internal threads are formed on a frangible sleeve portion
`‘of said member removably connectable to said member
`by cooperating threads formed on said sleeve portion of
`said member.
`13. The invention set forth in claim 11 wherein said
`membe