US2136674A - Well packer - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 15, 1938.. c. s. cRlcKMl-:R

WELL PACKER Filed July 7, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l /6 ,Z5-lr@ Z0 ZO ze G Z 7 Juve/who@ Cr/ckmer C har/es .5.

Nov; 15, 1938.

c. s. cRlcKMx-:R l 2,136,674

WELL PACKER Filed July 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 PATENT OFFICE WELL PACKER.

' Charles S. Crlckmer, Dallas, Tex., assignor Vto Merla Tool Company, Dallas, Tex., a firm Application July '1,- isss, serial No. 211,960

10 Claims.

l This invention relates to new and useful improvements in' well packers.

One objectroff the invention is to provide an improved packer for vsealing 0E the annular space between a well tubing and a well casing and which is constructed so that it may be rapidly lowered through the liquid in the well casing, whereby it may be moved into position and set in a minimum length of time. l Another object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer wherein are amplified passages for tay-passing' uid as the.V packer is loweredjtherethrough, the. passages being arranged to be automatically closed when the packer is set into sealing position, whereby the usual 4metallic seat`and valve for closing the by.

pass, together with the disadvantages of said v valve and seat are eliminated..

An important object -of the invention is to provide an improved well packer having a packingA element with' vertical channels orlpassages formed in its inner wall, through which the uid may by-pass when-theelement is in an undistorted or normal position; said passages being closed when the element isdistorted into sealing position, whereby closure of the vby-pass is accomplished at the sametime that the element is' moved into sealing position.

A further object of the invention is to proin an elongate packing sleeve is mounted on its support and has by-pass channels formedvin thewall of its bore, the sleeve having a plurality of reinforcing'members embeded therein in spaced relation, whereby when the sleeve is distorted, the reinforcing memberscause distortion in such manner as to give the sealing effect of a plurality of superposed packingv elements; the provision of the channels in the vwall of the bore of the sleeve permitting'distortion, in an -inward direction, whereby the inner wall of the sleeve is moved into sealing engagement with the'support and the channels are closed when the sleeve is movedinto sealing position.`

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with Vother features of the invention. 1

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specica- 50' 'tionand by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein: Y Figure 1 is a view, partly in section and partly l' in elevation of a well packer, constructed -in ac- 56 cox-dance with the invention and showing the vide a device of the character described, where-- same in an unset position as itis lowered through the well tubing,

Figure 2 is a similar View within the packer in its set position,

Figure 3 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, 5 sectional view of the packing element and its, associate parts,

Figure 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4'-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, 10 taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 1,

Figure '7 is a horizontal, cross-sectionalv view, taken on the line 'l-'l of Figure ,1, and 15 Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional View, taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 2.,- A L In the drawings, the numeralV I0 designates an elongate tubular mandrel which is provided with external screw threads at itsiupper and lower ends. The upper end of the mandrelis threaded into an elongate coupling collar il vwhich has the upper end of .its bore internally screw threaded at l2, whereby said collar may be connected to the well tubing A. 'I'he provision of the screw threads at the v`lower end of the mandrel permit said mandrel to be readily connected to the weiltubing A by the 'usual coupling collar i3. A

The coupling collar Il `at the upper end of 30 the mandrel is enlarged at its lowerend to form av depending annular skirt i4. The inner diV ameter or bore of the skirtfis greater than the outer diameter of the mandrel lil, whereby an annular space i5 is formed between the skirt 35 and the mandrel. 'I'heextremelower end of the skirtl I4 is reduced to forman annular lip` 1 6.

An elongate packing element or sleeve I1 surrounds the mandrel Illand has its upper, reduced end conned within the lip lH5101 the skirt 40 i4. The wallvof th'e bore of said sleeve is pro-v. vided with aplurality of vertical channels or grooves VI8 which extend throughout the en tire length of the packing element, and, as is clearly shown in Figure 1, the upper ends of the channelslll communicate with theannular spacel5 Vwhich is formed between the skirt I4 and the mandrel l0. The lower end of the packing element is reduced and conned within an upwardly extending annular lip I9 which is formed at the upper end of a supporting cone 20. The

cone surrounds the mandrel and is slidable vertically thereon, being supported on an external annular shoulder 2l which isformed .on said mandrel. The bore 20' on the cone 2D is enlarged at its upper portion, wherebyfan annular space 22 is formed between the bore of said cone and the outer surface of the mandrel Ill. 'I'his annular space communicates with thel lower end of the vvertical channels or passages I8 which are provided on the inner wall of the packing element I1. With the above arrangement, it

'will be manifest that a communication between the annular space 22 within the cone 20 and the annular space I5 within the skirt I4 is established through the vertical chanels I8.

The packing element is conllned between the skirt I4 and the cone 20 and said element has a plurality of rings'23, preferably of metal, embedded therein. The rings are spaced throughout the vertical length of the packing element or sleeve and serve not only to reinforce said element but also to cause the same to be distorted in such manner as to give the eifect of a plurality of packing elements, as will be explained. 'I'he packing element I1A may be constructed of rubber, rubber compound or other flexible packing material.

For by-passing the fluid through the channels or grooves I8 of the packing element, the cone 20 is formed with a plurality of radial openings 24 which extend inwardly through the wall of the cone and which communicate with the annular space -22 at the upper portion of the bore of said cone. The annular skirt I4 at the upper end of the packing element is also formed with a plurality of radial openings which extend through the skirt and which communicate with the annular space I5 within said skirt. It is preferable that the openings 25 be inclined so l that the flow therethrough is directed upwardly. With this arrangement, when the device is lowered into a well casing B and through the well fluid standing therein, said well fluid may flow through the ports or openings 24and into the annular space 22, from where it may flow upwardly through the channels or grooves I8 provided o`n the inner wall of the packing element I1. From the channels I8, the fluid enters the annular space I5 and then escapes through the inclined opening 25 in the skirt. In this manner, it is manifest that the well fluid may readily by-pass the packing element when the same is in a normal, or undistorted position.

Any suitable means may be employed for setting the device within the well casing B, but for purposes of illustration, a plurality of gripping slips 26 are shown. The slips are slidable on the outer surface of the cone 20 and any desired number may be employed. Each slip ls can'ied by a flexible member 21 which has its upper end engaged in a recess 26' provided in the rear face of the slip. This upper end of the supporting member 21A is pivotally secured to the slip by a pin 28. The supporting member extends downwardly from theslip and is pivoted on a pin 29 which is located within a slot 30 formed in the upper end of an elongate sleeve 3l, which sleeve is separate from the cone 20 and is slidable on the mandrel I0. 'I'he lower end of the supporting member 21 engages the curved lower end 30' of its respective' slot 3l). A plurality of hat friction springs 32 are mounted on the elongate sleeve 3| and have their outer surfaces curved so as to engage the wall of the well casing B.

For connecting the sleeve 3l to the mandrel III so that said mandrel and sleeve will move simultaneously and also for holding the slips 26 at the lower end of the cone 20 in a retracted position, said sleeve is formed with an inverted J-slot 33.

A radial pin 34 extends outwardly from the mandrei and is arranged to engage within the slot 33. When the pin is engaged in the horizontal leg 33 of the J-slot, the sleeve is in such position with relation to the cone 20, that the slips 26 are held in their lowermost position on said cone (Figure 1), wherebysaid slips are retracted from the wall of the well casing.

In the operation of the device, the mandrel I0 is connected in the well tubing A and is lowered therewith through the Well casing B. The cone 20 is supported on the external shoulder 2l and the packing element is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 3, which is its normal undistorted position. 'I'he slips 26 are in their retracted position being held so by the engagement of the radial pin 34 in the J-slot 33 of the sleeve 3|. As explained, the slips are connected to the sleeve 3| by the supporting member 21. As the device is lowered through the well casing B, the parts maintain their same relative position and the well fluid which may be present in the casing may readily by-pass the packing element I1. This by-passing occurs not only around the exterior of the packing element but also through the openings 24 of the cone and through the vertical channels I8 formed on the inner surface of the packing element. From the channels I8 the well uid passes upwardly through the inclined ports 25 in the skirt I4 and then upwardly in the casing above the packing element. By providing the by-pass channels I8, there is practically no resistance oifered by the well fluid as the device is lowered into the well casing B.

When the point that it is desired to set the packer is reached, it is only necessary to rotate the mandrel I0 in a counterclockwise direction so that the pin 34 on the mandrel I0 will ride out of the horizontal leg 33' of the J-slot 33 and into alinement with the vertical leg thereof. When 'this occurs, a continued lowering of the mandrel will cause the pin to ride downwardly through the vertical leg of the J-slot. At this time the sleeve 3|, as well as, the slips 26 which are fastened thereto by means of the members 21 lare held stationary by the friction springs 32. Therefore, as the mandrel and cone 20 carried thereby, packing element I1 and the collar II, move downwardly with relation to the sleeve 3I and slips 26, it will be obvious that the slips will be moved upwardly with relation to the cone 26. Continued downward movement of the cone through the slips causes a radial expansion of said slips, whereby the same are moved into engagement with the inner wall of the well casing B.

When lthe slips move into their gripping position, as shown in Figure 2, it will be obvious that further downward movement of the packing element I1 which is supported in the cone is also prevented. Therefore, a continued downward movement of the mandrel I0 will cause the shoulder 2I to move away from the lower end of the cone 20 and at the same time the skirt I4 which is fastened to the upper end of the mandrel moves downwardly with said mandrel thereby exerting a pressure on the upper end of the packing element I1. 'I'he weight of the mandrel I0, as well as the weight of the tubing string A is transferred to the upper end of the packing element I1 through the skirt I4 and this weight is vsufficient to distort the packing element into the position shown in Figure 2. Upon distortion, the outer surface of the packing element I1 moves into engagement with the wall of the well casing B, while the inner surface of said packing element moves into engagement with the outer surface of the mandrel IIl. In other words, when a pressure is applied to the upper end ofthe element the same will be distorted in both directions radially and the channels I8 on the inner surface of the packing element will be attened out, as shown in Figure 8. 'I'his distortion of the packing element will cause the channels I8 to be closed. whereby fluid cannot pass upwardly through said. channels. With such arrangement when the packing element moves to its packing position all by-pass of fluid past said element is prevented. It is noted that the provision of the Vspaced metallic ring 23 causes the element to be distorted as shown in Figure 2, wherebythe ef- I pass channels I8 'are automatically closed when the packer is moved to a set position. The bypass channels are formed in the packing element itself thereby eliminating the necessity of forming an auxiliary by-pass for the fluid. The construction vof the device is Very` simple and includes a minimum numberof parts. It may be readily set at any desired point within the well casing and may be easily removed by merely lifting the mandrel and engaging the pin 34 in the horizontal leg 33 of the J-slot 33,. When this is done,

the slips 26 have been retracted from the wall of the casing and the entire device may be removed from said casing. One of the features of the invention is the provision of the by-pass,Y channels Which are formed within the packing element itself and whichl are arranged to be automatically closed when the packing element is distorted into a packing position.

The foregoing description oi the invention is explanatory thereof and-various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well asin the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A well packer including, a support, an annular packing element having vertical 'channels whereby the inner wall of the element moves into engagement with the support to close the by-pass channels.

3. A well packer including, a support, an annular flexible packing element mounted on the support and having a plurality of vertical channels in the wall of its bore for by-passing fluid through the element, means for applying a pressure to the support to distort the vsame radially in both an inward and outward direction, whereby the inner wall of the element moves into engagement with the support to close the by-pass channels, and a plurality of rings embedded within the element in spaced relation for reinforcing said element and also for causing the same to distort in such manner as to give the sealing effect of a plurality of superimposed rings.

4; A well packing including, a tubular mandrel, a cone slidable on the mandrel, an annular confining collar secured to the upper end of the mandrel, a flexible packing element surrounding the mandrel and confined between the cone and collar, said element having a vertical channel in the wall of its bore, the cone and collar having openings therein which establish communication bei tween the space. exteriorly of the packing element and the passage, whereby when the element is undistorted fluid may flow through the openingsvand channels to by-pass the element, and means for distorting the element radially whereby the inner, wall ofl said element contacts the mandrel to close the channel.

5.-- A well packing including, a tubular mandrel,

a cone slidable on the mandrel, an annular conning collar secured to the upper end of the mandrel, a flexible packing element surrounding the mandrel and confined between the c one and collar, said element having a vertical channel in the wall of its bore, the cone and collar havingopenings therein which establish communication be- `l tween the space exteriorly of the packing element and the passage, whereby when the element is undistorted fluid may flow through the openings' and channel to by-pass the element, andmeans for locking the cone against movement in a wellv casing whereby the weight of the mandrel may be placed on the packing element to distortthe same radially and engage the inner Wall of the element with the mandrel to close the passage. 6. A well packing including, 'a tubular mandrel, a cone slidablel on the mandrel, an annular con-` .finingcollar secured to the upper end of the mandrel, a flexible packing element. surrounding the mandrel and confined between the cone and collar, said element having' a Vertical channel in the wall of its bore, lthe cone and collar having openings therein which establish communication between the space exteriorly of the packing element and the passage, whereby when the element is undistorted fluid may flow through the openings and channel to by-pass the element, means for distorting the element radially whereby the inner wall of said element contacts the mandrel to close the channel, and reinforcing means embedded within the packing element for causing the element to be distorted unevenly throughout its vertical length whereby the element produces the sealing effect of a plurality of superimposed sealing rings.

7. A well packing including, a tubular mandrel, a cone slidable on the mandrel, an annular con- 'fining collar secured to the upper end of the mandrel, a iexible packing element surrounding the -mandrel and confined between the cone and co1- lar, said element having a vertical channel in the wall of its bore, the cone and collar having open-- ings therein which establish communication be- .tween the space exteriorly of the packing element and the passage, whereby whenv the element is undistorted uid may flow through the openings and channelto 'ny-pass the element, means for locking the cone against movement in a well casing whereby the weight of the mandrel may be placed on the packing element to distort the same of superimposed sealing rings.

k element produces the sealing effect o1' a plurality 8. As a sub-combination in a well packer, an elongate exible packing element having a bore and also having a plurality of vertical channels extending throughout its length and disposed in the wall of said bore. y

9. As a sub-combination in a Well packer, an elongate flexible packing element having a bore and also having a plurality of vertical channels extending throughout its length and disposed in io the wall of said bore, and a plurality of metallic

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