June 18, 1963
`
`Filed July 25, 1960
`
`I. J. MQCULLOUGH
`
`_ 3,094,166
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1016
`
`

`

`June 18, 1963
`
`1. J. MGCULLOUGH
`POWER TOOL
`
`3,094,166
`
`Filed July 25. 1960
`
`2 Sheets-Sheet 2
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1016
`
`

`

`United States Patent 0”
`lCe
`
`3,094,166
`7
`Patented June 18, 1963
`
`1
`3,094,166
`POWER TOOL
`Ira J. McCullough, Los Angeles, Calif. (% McCullough
`Tool Co., 5820 S. Alameda St., Vernon, Calif.)
`Filed July 25, 1960, Ser. No. 45,124
`4 Claims. (Cl. 166—63)
`
`This invention relates to well tools and is particularly
`directed to improvements in a power device for setting
`a well tool such as a packer or a bridge plug.
`It is an object of this invention to provide an improved
`form of power device which may be triggered to develop
`internal pressure and cause relative movement between
`a piston and a cylinder in order to perform useful work
`on an adjacent well tool. Another object is to provide
`such a device in which the gas generating charge is con
`?ned within the inner of two concentric parts having
`relative longitudinal movement. Another object is to
`provide a power tool that pulls or contracts into‘itself as
`opposed to pushing the parts away from each other.
`Another object is to provide a power tool that incorpo
`rates a piston which has a power charge arranged within
`itself whereby upon release of the gas pressure out of
`the piston, a piston rod is drawn into the cylinder which
`contains the piston. Another object is to provide a
`power actuating device for a well tool in which the inner
`part moves upward with respect to the outer part, there
`by eliminating the conventional cross-over apparatus
`which is necessary for operating a packer or a bridge
`plug from a setting tool in which the inner part moves
`downward relative to the outer part. Another object is
`.to provide such a device in which the gas pressure is
`generated within the piston and released into its surround~
`ing cylinder to move the piston relative to the cylinder.
`Another object is to provide such a device in which the
`gas pressure generated within the piston, upon release
`into the cylinder moves the piston and pulls the piston
`rod into the cylinder. Other and more detailed objects
`and advantages will appear hereinafter.
`In the drawings:
`FIGURE 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, show
`ing a preferred embodiment of this invention.
`FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the
`apparatus shown on a larger scale.
`FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation constituting a con
`tinuation of the lower end of FIGURE 2, shown on a
`smaller scale.
`FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the
`apparatus shown in FIGURE 2.
`FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken sub
`stantially on the lines 5-5 as shown on FIGURE 4.
`Referring to the drawings, the power device generally
`designated 10 is shown attached through a lower cylinder
`sub 12 and adapter 53 to a packer assembly 13. At the
`upper end of the power device 10, there is provided a
`rope socket 14 which is suspended from a wire line 15,
`or from a string of pipe, not shown. The wire line 15,
`or the string of pipe, is used to lower the power device
`10 into the well, carrying a tool to ‘be set in a well, such
`as packer device 13. In the general plan of operation
`the power device, or power tool, is used to lower a tool
`such as a packer device 13, to the desired position within
`the well and then the power tool is operated to set the
`packer 13 within a well casing 16.
`The power device 10 includes a cylinder member 20
`having an axially extending bore 21. A piston 22 is
`positioned within the cylinder 20 and is provided with
`an enlarged portion near the lower end thereof which
`comprises a piston head 23 slidably mounted within the
`bore 21. 0 rings 24 and 25 are mounted on the piston
`head 23 and have sealing engagement within the bore
`21. The upper end of the piston 22 projects beyond the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`70
`
`2
`guide nut 26. This guide nut is attached to the upper
`end of the cylinder 20 by means of threads 27. The
`upper end of the piston 22 is connected by threads 28 to
`a conventional electric rope socket 14. The bottom end
`of rope socket 14 carries an igniter assembly 29 which
`may be of conventional form. It is electrically operated
`from the cable 15 for igniting a gas generating charge
`30 mounted within the central cavity 31 within the top
`end of piston 22. A spacer tube 32 also within the
`cavity 31 serves to support the gas ‘generating charge
`30 in the upper end of the cavity 31, adjacent to igniter
`assembly 29. The spacer tube 32 has a plurality of
`apertures 33 in the wall thereof to allow force distribu
`tion of generated gas pressure.
`An internal chamber enlargement 34 is provided at
`the lower end of the cavity 31 in the piston 22 and a
`threaded socket 35 is provided in the piston 22 below this
`internal enlargement 34. The piston rod 36 having ex
`ternal threads 37 is threaded into the socket 35 and a seal
`ring 38 is provided adjacent the upper end of the piston
`rod 36 to prevent leakage along the threads 37. A plu
`rality of longitudinal ports 39 extend from the enlarge
`ment 34 to the lower end of the piston 22. When the
`power tool is assembled ready for operation the bottom
`end of piston 22 rests on the top end of upper cylinder
`sub 11, as shown at 40. When the gas generating charge
`30 is ignited in piston 22 the gas pressure will pass into
`chamber 34, through ports 39 and out the bottom end of
`piston 22, causing the piston to lift off the seat 40. The
`pressure in the expansion chamber 87 moves the piston
`upwardly in relation to cylinder 20, thereby pulling pis
`ton rod 36 into cylinder 20.
`The upper cylinder sub 11 is attached to the lower
`end of the cylinder 20. Threads 41 connect the parts
`20 and 11. The cylinder sub 11 has a central opening
`42 which slidably receives the piston rod 36. Seal rings
`43 and 44 on the part 11 engage the piston rod 36 and
`a seal ring 45 on the part 11 engages the bore 21 in the
`lower end of the cylinder 20 to prevent leakage along
`the threads 41.
`A bottom cylinder sub 12 is attached to the lower end
`of the upper cylinder sub 11 by means of the threads 51.
`Threads 52 at the lower end of the cylinder sub 12 form
`a connection with an adapter 53. A wiper ring 54 formed
`of resilient material is clamped between the cylinder
`sub 11 and the sub 12 and engages the outer surface of
`the piston rod 36 in wiping contact.
`A tension part of piston rod connector 55 is attached
`to the lower end of the piston rod 36 ‘by means of the
`threads ‘56. A release ring 57 is secured by threads 58
`to the lower end of the connector part 55. An axial
`opening 59 and lateral ports 60 in the part 55 provide
`a ?uid bypass from the space below the part 55 into the
`annular space 61 in adapter 53. Fluid outlets 62 in the
`wall of the adapter 53 near the upper end thereof lead
`from the annular space 61 into the annular space 63 be
`tween the power tool 10 and the interior of the casing
`16.
`A conventional packer device 13 may be provided with
`a tubular body or mandrel 70, and a rubber packing sleeve
`71 is mounted on the outer surface of ‘this mandrel 70.
`Shear threads 72 connect the upper end of the mandrel
`70 to the release ring 57 on the lower end of the con
`nector part 55. Metal sleeves 73 and 74 are slidably
`mounted on the outer surface of the mandrel 70 and each
`is provided with a tapered conical portion 76. An upper
`set of slips 75 is mounted on the mandrel for cooperation
`with the sleeve 73 in contact with the tapered surface 76.
`An abutment 77 on the lower end of the adapter 53 en
`gages the upper set of slips 75. A series of shear screws
`78 connect the slips 75 to the sleeve 73 on the mandrel 70.
`Each of these slips 75 is provided with wickers 79 for
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1016
`
`

`

`3,094,166
`
`engaging the inner surface of the casing 16. Shear screws
`83 resist movement of the sleeve 73 on the mandrel 70.’
`The lower end of the mandrel 70 is provided with a
`shoulder 80 which supports the slips 81. Wickers 82 on
`the slips 81 are adapted to engage the inner surface of
`the casing 16. Shear screws 84 resist movement of the
`sleeve 74 on the mandrel 70, as well as resisting move
`ment of the slips 81.
`The packer device 13 is operated by applying a force
`moving the mandrel 70 upward relative to the slips 75.
`The relative strength of the shear screws 78, 83 and 84 is
`such that the following events occur: (a) the shear screws
`83 fail, allowing the mandrel 70 to move upward rela
`tive to sleeve 73; (b) the shear screws 78 fail causing
`the cone surface 76 to move the upper slip 75 into engage
`ment with the inner surface of the casing 16, and causing
`the sleeve 76 to apply an axial force to the rubber packing
`sleeve 71; (c) the shear screws 84 fail causing the lower
`slips 81 to move outward into engagement with the inner
`surface of the casing 16, further compressing the rubber
`packing sleeve 71, and (d) the shear threads 72 fail,
`thereby separating the power tool device 10 from the
`packer device 13.
`Shearing of the screws 78, 83 and 84 and failure of the
`shear threads 72 occur in very rapid sequence, as the gas
`pressure developed by the charge 30 passes into the ex
`pansion chamber 87 between the lower end of the piston
`22 and the upper end of the element 11. As the piston
`completes its upward stroke relative to the cylinder 20, the
`0 rings 24 and 25 on the piston 22 pass the enlarged bore
`88 of the cylinder 20. Gas pressure in the cavity 31 and
`expansion chamber 87 is then vented through the clear
`ance 89 out into the interior of the well casing 16. The
`sealing ring 92 on the upper end of piston 22 forms a tem
`porary seal on the inside of guide nut 26. It thus keeps
`mud and debris out of the tool while being lowered into
`the well. The seal is removed as soon as the piston moves
`a short distance which permits the gases to be vented at
`the end of the power stroke as stated above.
`Means are provided for arresting upward motion of
`the piston 22 and piston rod 36 with respect to the cylinder
`20, after the packer device 13 has been set and released.
`As shown in the drawings, this means includes a bore 93
`in the bottom cylinder sub 12 which is adapted to receive
`the tension part or connector rod 55 in close ?tting rela
`tionship. The bore 93 may initially contain heavy grease
`or other sealing plastic non-metallic material to cushion
`deceleration of the parts 22 and 36 with respect to the
`cylinder member 20. The wiper ring 54 serves to prevent
`this grease or other material from being drawn into the
`expansion chamber 87 through the bore 42.
`In operation, the power device or power tool 10 is low
`ered into a well casing 16 on the end of a pipe string (not
`shown) or on a wire line 15. The igniter assembly 29
`forms the upper end of the tool 10 and on the lower end
`thereof may be attached a tool or other device which
`needs power to actuate same, such as is shown by the
`packer device 13. As the setting tool 10 and packer de
`vice 13 pass downward through the interior of the casing
`16 any liquid in the casing passes upward through the
`interior of the hollow mandrel 70 and through the ?uid
`passage 59, 60 into the annular space 61 and then out
`through fluid outlet 62 into the interior of the ‘casing 16.
`This provides a ?uid bypass to facilitate lowering the
`setting tool 10 and the packer device 13 to the desired
`position in the well.
`When the setting tool 10 and packer device 13.have
`reached the desired position in the well, the igniter as—
`sembly ‘29 is energized by means of an electrical c0n~
`ductor (not shown) within the wire line 15. The igniter
`assembly 29 is conventional and serves to pass hot gases
`downward through the opening '90 in the check valve 91
`at the upper end of the ‘cavity 31 in the tubular member
`22. A jet of hot gas is impinged directly on the upper
`end of the gas ‘generating charge 30 causing it to ignite.
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`50
`
`65
`
`75
`
`4
`As the charge burns, pressure within the ‘cavity 31 in
`creases very rapidly and the check valve 91 closes to
`prevent damage to the rope socket assembly. This pres
`sure passes through the internal enlargement 34 and
`through the longitudinal ports 39 into the expansion cham
`ber 87. The pressure in the chamber 87 causes rapid up
`ward movement of the piston 22 relative to the cylinder
`20. As set ‘forth in detail above this relative motion serves
`to set the packer device 13 and to disconnect the setting
`tool 10 therefrom. The setting tool may then be with
`drawn from the well by means of the wire line 15, leav
`ing the packer device 13 remaining in the well.
`Having fully described my invention, it is to be under
`stood that I do not wish to be limited to the details set
`forth herein, but my invention is of the full scope of the
`appended claims.
`I claim:
`1. In a power device for a well tool, the combination
`of: a cylinder member, a tubular member having a cen
`tral cavity and serving as a piston slidably mounted in
`sealing relation with said cylinder member, a gas generat
`ing charge in said cavity, an igniter assembly ?xed to
`said tubular member for igniting said charge, a piston
`rod connected to said tubular member, said cylinder mem
`ber having an element thereon provided with a central
`opening forming a sliding seal with said piston rod, said
`members cooperating to form an expansion chamber
`between said piston and said element, said tubular mem
`ber having an internal enlargement at the lower end of
`said cavity and having ports therein connecting said
`internal enlargement with said expansion chamber, where
`by gas generated by said charge in said cavity passes
`through said enlargement and said ports into said ex
`pansion chamber to cause relative movement of said pis
`ton rod into said cylinder member.
`2. In a power device for a well tool, the combination
`of: a cylinder member having a bore, a tubular member
`having a central cavity and provided with a piston slida
`bly mounted in sealing relation within said bore, the
`tubular member having a threaded socket at the lower
`end of the cavity, a gas generating charge in said cavity,
`an igniter assembly ?xed to the upper end of said tubular
`member for igniting said charge, suspension means for
`supporting the igniter assembly whereby the power actua
`tor device may be lowered into a well, a piston rod having
`an upper end threadedly received in said socket, said
`cylinder member having an element ?xed thereto provided
`with a central opening forming a sliding seal with said
`piston rod, means on said piston rod and on said cylinder
`member for establishing force-transmitting connections
`to a well t-ool, said tubular member having an internal
`enlargement at the lower end of said cavity and having
`ports therein connecting said internal enlargement with
`the interior of said bore below said piston, whereby gas
`generated by said charge in said cavity passes through
`said enlargement and said ports to cause relative upward
`movement of said piston rod into said cylinder member
`to actuate the well tool.
`3. In a power device for a well tool, the combination
`of: ‘a cylinder member having a bore, a tubular member
`having a central cavity and provided with a piston slidably
`mounted in sealing relation Within said bore, the tubular
`member having a threaded socket at the lower end of
`the cavity, a gas generating charge in said cavity, an ig
`niter assembly ?xed to the upper end of said tubular
`member for igniting said charge, a piston rod having
`an upper end threadedly received in said socket, said
`cylinder member having an element ?xed thereto provided
`with a central opening forming a sliding seal with said
`piston rod, said members cooperating to form an ex
`pansion chamber between said piston and said element,
`said tubular member having an internal enlargement at
`the lower end of said cavity and having ports connecting
`said internal enlargement with said expansion chamber,
`whereby gas generated by said charge in said cavity passes
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1016
`
`

`

`3,094,166
`
`5
`through said enlargement and said ports into said expan
`sion chamber to cause relative upward movement of said
`piston rod into said cylinder member.
`4. In a power device for well tools, the combination of:
`a cylinder member having a bore, a tubular member hav
`ing a central cavity and provided with ‘a piston slidably
`mounted within said bore, at least one sealing ring on
`the piston slidably engaging said bore to form a seal,
`a gas generating charge in said cavity, an igniter device
`for igniting said charge, a pston rod connected to said
`tubular member, said cylinder member having an ele
`ment thereon provided with a central opening forming
`a sliding seal with said piston rod, said members cooperat
`
`6
`ing to form an expansion chamber between said piston
`and said element, port means in said tubular member for
`connecting said cavity with said expansion chamber, and
`means within the bore of said cylinder member cooperat
`ing with said seal ring at a location near the end of the
`relative sliding movement of said piston rod and said
`cylinder member to destroy its sealing effect and to vent
`said expansion chamber.
`
`10
`
`References Cited in the ?le of this patent
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`Conrad ______________ __ Oct. 19, 1954
`Malone et a1 ___________ __ Sept. 6, 1960
`
`2,692,023
`2,951,539
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1016
`
`