US2671510A - Well packer and testing tool combination - Google Patents

Description

March9, 1954 1 B SUCK ET AL 2,671,510

WELL PACKER AND TESTING TOOL COMBINATION Filed July 22. 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 9, 1954 T. B. sc lcK ET AL 2,671,510

WELL PACKER AND TESTING TOOL COMBINATION Filed July 22, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 P, v /Z 5/ 3 6 /4 2a 7 l l K l j 7 23 Q L f j;

45 4 4 d 49 i 47 L 35 f I; 74

1. i 4 /g g Thomas 5. J//c/f Hug/7 E. MeCo/f 36 Rob/nsw? VVB/"own 'f 32 INVENToRs 34- BY 2a l 37 r 7 4 ATTO/www Mareh 9, 1954 T. B. sLlcK ETAL WELL PACKER AND TESTING TOOL COMBINATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 22, 1950 Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UITED STATES PATNT @FICE WELL PACKER AND TESTING TOOL COMBINATION Application July 22, 1950, Serial No. 175,416

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates in general to a packer and testing tool for wells. Its general object is the provision of a packer Which is especially adapted for use as a part of a testing tool, and the provision of a testing tool combination including such packer.

A further object of this invention is to provide a packer which may be set at any depth above the bottom of the well without the necessity of the use of a tail pipe extending from the packer t the bottom of the well.

Another object is to provide a drill stem testing tool which will make it possible for the drill stem to be run into the well dry, which will make it unnecessary fcr liquid or gas to be caused to flow down through the drill stem to actuate or release the packer or open the valve to test the well and which will eliminate necessity for electrical connections to the surface of the earth.

Another object is to provide a packer arrangement in which any number of packers desired may be employed in tandem, to be set simultaneously.

Another object is to provide a, packer operable to set or release without causing any movement of the drill stem or ow of liquid, gas, or electricity from the surface of the ground.

Another object is to provide a drill stem tester in which all fluid passages are sealed positively until the operator is ready to open the same for the purpose of testing the well.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a view in longitudinal cross section through a drill stem testing tool constructed in accordance with this invention, the same being illustrated in a well but before the tool has been set or a test made.

Figure 2 is a View on an enlarged scale showing a fragmentary longitudinal cross section of the structure illustrated in Figure 1, but with the parts in positions which they occupy after the setting of the tool and the expansion of the packer.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, illustrating an extension thereof to show the lower and of the structure which does not appear in Figure 2, with the parts in the positions they Aoccupy during the making of a test of a well.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and illustrating 2 the expansible end plate structure employed at each end of the packing sleeve, the parts being shown in the positions which they occupy when the packing sleeve has been expanded.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, but taken at a position higher up on the tool and illustrating the parts in the positions which they occupy after a test has been made and the packing sleeve contracted.

Figure 6 is a View taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5, and showing the parts illustrated in Figure 4 but when the same are in the positions which they occupy with the packing sleeve contracted.

Figure 7 a horizontal cross section taken along the line l-l of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary View similar to the upper portion of Figure 5, but showing the action of the go-devil in setting off the explosive charge for causing the release of the packing sleeve, when such go-devil happens to drop in a position at right angles to that illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of the structure illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section showing the action of the go-devil illustrated in the upper portion of Figure 5 and in Figure 8 when the same is passing down through the drill stem past a tool joint.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, the numeral I indicates the lower end portion of a drill stem on which the tool constructed in accordance with this invention is adapted to be run into a well. On the lower end of the drill stem there is fixed a fitting which may be referred to as a substitute 2 having a bore therethrough the upper end portion of which is tapered downwardly as shown at 3, and the lower end portion of which is ared as illustrated at 4. To the lower end of the substitute 2 is threaded another substitute 5 likewise having a bore therethrough, the upper end of the bore terminating in an upwardly facing shoulder 6 on which is adapted to rest a ring l within the lower flared portion 4 of the substitute 2. This ring 1 constitutes an actuating part and is adapted to bear against the upper end of the ring pin 8 and actuate the same in the manner hereinafter to be described so as to initiate the explosion of a cap 9. which will in turn cause the ignition of the explosive charge l0. This explosive charge l0 is located in an explosive chamber which is actually a portion of a conduit in which is normally located a plug i I intended to plug the conduit against ow therethrough.

This conduit has a branch IIa above the plug II, and below the plug is connected to a downwardly extending tubular member which in this instance is located on the exterior of the tool assembly as shown at I2. Tube I2 provides a conduit for the release of the inflating fluid of the packing sleeve as hereinafter set forth.

Threaded into the lower end portion of the substitute is still another fitting I3 having an enlarged bore I 4 therethrough. Threadedly engaging the lower end of this fitting I3 is a fitting which may be termed a packing mandrel I5 having a tubular extension of reduced external diameter I6 extending upwardly therefrom entirely through the enlarged bore I4 of the fitting I3 but of smaller diameter than the bore so as to provide a pressure chamber, illustrated as an annular chamber between the tubular extension I6 and the inner wall of bore I4.

Extending from the pressure chamber just referred to, downwardly through the fitting I5 is a conduit I1 which opens on the exterior of the tting or packer mandrel I5 at a point intermediate its ends, which point is adapted to be within the packer sleeve of the packer portion of this tool. A lateral branch I8 leading from the conduit I1 connects with the tubing I2 so as to complete the inflation release conduit for releasing the inflating fluid of the packer.

The mandrel I 5 is provided with a lower cylindrical external surface I9 for the purpose of receiving the packer sleeve formed of a suitable flexible material such as rubber or the like.

Located in the upper end of the annular chamber formed between the fitting I 3 and th'e tubular extension I6, is a back-up ring 2I and an annular chamber 22 therebelow which may be termed an explosive chamber as itis adapted to receive a slow burning explosive charge. Below this explosive chamber and separating it from the lower 2 part of the annular space is an annular piston 23 which is slidable downwardly through the annular space. Thus, there is provided a pressure chamber adapted to receive an explosive charge therein and having conduit I1 connected thereto.

The explosive charge in the explosive chamber 22 is adapted to be fired by means of a n ring pin 24, including an actuating part illustrated as an enlarged head, which in turn causes the detonai tion of a detonating cap 25. Below the piston 23 is a chamber 26 adapted to contain a fluid for the purpose of inflating the packer sleeve 20, and it will be understood that when the firing pin 24 is forced downwardly to cause the explosion of the explosive in the chamber 22, this slow burning explosive will force the annular piston 23 downwardly and will force the inflating fluid from the annular chamber 26 below the piston, downwardly through the check valves 21 and the conduit I1 into the space outside of the mandrel I5 and within the packer sleeve 20. Thus, the piston 23 provides a means whereby when the explosive in the chamber 22 is set olf, the explosive chamber is enlarged and the fluid for inflating the sleeve 20 is forced in behind such sleeve by virtue of the contraction or reduction in size of the chamber holding such inflation fluid. Back flow of this inilating fluid from behind the sleeve 20 is prevented by means of the check valves 21, of which a number are shown for purposes of safety so that if one fails the others will take the load.

The lower end of the mandrel for the packer sleeve 20 is provided by a fitting or substitute 28 4 which is threaded into the lower end of the fitting I5, and is provided with a bore forming a continuation of the bore through the fitting I5.

The ends of the packer sleeve 20 may be held in sealed engagement with the exterior of the mandrel on which this sleeve is mounted, at axially spaced positions and along circumferential lines, by any suitable means. One such means comprises the split rings 29 and 30 which are adapted to be held in clamping engagement against the end portions 3I and 32 of the packer sleeve 20 by means such as the threaded holding nuts 33 and 34 respectively. Interposed between the ends of the nuts 33 and 34, respectively, and the adjacent portions of the packer sleeve 20, are expansible rings or dams 35 and 36, which are shown more hin detail in Figures 4 and 6. As illustrated in those figures, these expansible rings are intended to expand when the sleeve 20 expands and provide supports for the end portions of the sleeve 20 so as to prevent the extrusion of this sleeve in a longitudinal direction. This ring 35 is made up of intertting segments as clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, and ring 36 is of the same construction.

The lower end portion of the bore through the tting 28 is provided with longitudinal slots 31 in its sides, any desired number of such slots being provided. These slots are preferably in communication with the main bore throughout their entire length.

Threaded into the lower end of the fitting 28 is a shoe 38 having a bore along its axis part way therethrough which bore forms a continuation of the bore through the fittings I5 and 28. At its upper end this shoe 38 is provided with a tapered counterbore 39 adapted to receive a short tapered bushing 40, the taper between these parts being such that they will not stick together. The bushing 4'0 provides an explosive chamber adapted to receive an explosive charge 4I, the lower end of the explosive chamber being closed by means of a plug or plate 42. Just above the explosive chamber just mentioned, the bore in the fitting 28 is provided with a bridge 43, in which is formed a bearing for a firing pin 44. Depression of this firing pin 44 will initiate the explosion of the explosive 4I.

Adjacent its lower end, the shoe 38 is provided with a lateral bore 45, the outer end of which is closed by a plug 4B. Connecting the bottom end of the shoe 38 with the lateral bore 45 inwardly of the plug 46 is an eccentric longitudinal bore 41 having a valve seat fitting 48 inserted into its lower end and welded or otherwise secured therein. A check valve 49 is adapted to be disposed within the conduit 41 above the seat tting 48 and to seat against the valve seat provided on the upper end of this fitting so as to prevent iiow from the interior of the shoe 38 outwardly through the passageways and 41, but so as to permit flow freely from below the shoe in through said passageways and into the tool proper.

It is to be ynoted that the firing pin 44 is disposed on the axial center of the tool, whereas the firing pin 24 is disposed in a position more remote from the axial center of the tool and the firing pin 8 lis disposed still further from the axial center of the tool.

For the purpose of actuating .the firing pin 24, there is provided ,a gti-devil in the form of a tapered bushing 50 which has an opening completely therethrough, the opening in this instance being illustrated as tapered from the upper en d of this go-devil downwardly, and the lower end of the opening through this bushing being of substantially the same size as the central passageway through the ttings l5 and 28.

For the purpose of actuating the ring pin #le there is provided a go-devil in the form of a slender rod 5I adapted to pass downwardly through the central passageway in the nttings l5 and 28, as well as through the tapered hollow go-devil 50, to engage the firing pin 4A. It is to be noted that with this go-devil in place within the tool as shown in ligure 3, it is flanked on opposite sides by the slots 3'! so that flow through the tool past this go-devil is unobstructed.

For the purpose of actuating the firing pin il, there is provided a go-devil having a body 52 which may if desired have a tapered lower end as illustrated, and. which at an appropriate position is provided with a slot therethrough in which are disposed a pair of Alingers 53 pivoted on a pivot 5d carried by the go-devil 52. These dogs 53 are urged toward expanded position at all times by means of a spring 55, but are permitted to retract so that the go-devil may be passed downwardly through the drill stem. These dogs are rounded on their outer surfaces so that they will readily pass through tool joints forming part of the drill stern, in the manner illustrated in Figure 10, but when the go-devil 52 reaches the position illustrated in Figure 5 or Figure 8, these dogs 53 will expand into the daring lower portion 4 of the substitute 2, and their lower ends will engage the ring 'l and force it downwardly. it will be appreciated if the ring l will be forced downwardly regardless of the rotary position of the go-devil 52, two such positions being illustrated in Figures 5 and S respectively, the downward motion of the ring i will cause the depression of the firing pin 8 which will in turn detonate the cap 9 and cause the firing of the explosive charge Il).

Preferably the explosive charges E5 and 4| are of the type known as shaped charges, or charges so shaped as to provide a force directed principally in one direction, this phenomenon being ordinarily referred to as the Monroe effect. It will readily be seen that the ring of the explosive charge lil will result in the destruction of the plug li, which will permit the fluid with which the packer sleeve 2li is iniiated to flow upwardly through the lower portion of the conduit l1, outwardly through the branch IS, upwardly through the tubing l2, then upwardly past the location of the plug l l and outwardly through the branch conduit lla. This will, of course, permit the packer sleeve 2li to retract.

Likewise, the firing of the explosive charge 4l will cause the perforation of the disc or plate 4Z and thereby open the passageway upwardly through the shoe 38, permitting 'fluid to flow from the formation upwardly past the check valve i9 and up through the passageway in the fittings I5 and 23 into the drill stem.

In the course of running a drill stem test, it is sometimes necessary to stop any upward flow through the drill pipe as well as around the outside of the pipe to prevent a blowout of the well. The outside flow around the device just described is stopped by the inflated packer, but after discharge of the explosive charge 4l the tool will be open for upward flow through its interior. For the purpose of enabling an operator to shut off this inside iiow when desired, the following described structure is provided:

The threaded joint between the substitute 2 and the substitute 5 is in the form of a straight thread as distinguished from a tapered thread, this threaded joint being indicated at 54a. The pin portion of this threaded joint is on the substtute 2 and the lower end of this pin portion is provided with an unthreaded cylindrical section 55 which is adapted to fit within a similarly shaped portion in the substitute 5 and be sealed therein by means of suitable seal rings 56. Adjacent its shank end, the pin of the substitute 2 is provided with a circumferential groove 5l, the upper extremity of this groove 51 being adapted to register with an opening in the box portion of the joint when the joint is in full threaded engagement so that a pin 58 inserted through such opening may enter within the upper portion of the groove 5l. It will be seen that by this arrangement there is provided a joint which may be partly unscrewed but the extent of the unthreading of the joint will be limited by the pin '58 in its engagement with the groove 5l. Furthermore, it will be seen that the partial unthreading of this joint will not serve to break the seal between the two parts joined together, because the seal rings 56 will continue to engage the cylindrical portion 55 and provide a seal between the parts.

In the substitute 5 there is provided a short distance below the shoulder 5 an annular enlargement oi the bore as indicated at 59, this enlargement being sufficient to house the i'lapper valve member' 5t in a vertical position outside of the regular path of iiow through the bore of this fitting. rThis dapper valve member 50 is hinged at its upper end tl and it is adapted when swung about this hinged connection to a horizontal position to seat against the shoulder 52 at the upper extremity of the enlarged portion 59.

Normally this apper valve will be held in its lowerniost position by means of a latch or hook t3 which is pivotally mounted on the substitute at 64 and which has its opposite end 55 held down by a push rod 5S so as to hold the latch 63 in engagement with the lower edge of the flapper valve 55 and retain the liapper valve in vertical position as illustrated. The upper end of the push rod 55 is held down normally by a plunger El which is engaged by the lower extremity of the pin on the substitute 2 when that substitute is in full threaded engagement with the threaded joint 5. A spring 5B in the space below the plunger 6'1 constantly urges the plunger and the push rod 66 upwardly.

It will be seen that when the joint between the substitutes 2 and is in full threaded engagement the plunger Si and push rod 66 will be held down thereby holding the latch 53 in engagement with the flapper valve BB and preventing this flapper valve from closing. On the other hand, if it be desired at any time to stop upward flow throughthe tool, it is only necessary to back off the threaded connection 56a to the extent permitted by the pin '53, whereupon the plunger 61 and push rod Sli will be allowed to move upwardly permitting the latch 63 to disengage from the napper valve 55 so that this flapper valve can close against the seat S2 and stop upward iow through the tool.

Preferably the threaded joint :la will be formed with a left-hand thread, or, more properly stated, with a thread of the opposite pitch from the threads of the other joints of the string of pipe. This will make possible the breaking of the threaded connection 54a if it should be tight, without danger of unthreading the pipe at some other point.

Normally, it will not be found necessary to provide a spring. for cl'osing the flapper valve 6D because the turbulence due to flow upwardly through the tooll will serve to swing the dapper valve out` of its recess and move it to its seat. If, however, it be desired to provide for the closing of theA flapper valve even when no flow exists through' the tool or when the flow is only very slight, a suitable spring may be provided for moving the Iiapper valve from its vertical to its seated position.

Inf operation, it will be understood that the tool may be loweredl into the well in the condition illustrated in Figure l' until it reaches a location where itis desiredy to set the tool and make a test of the formation. Whensuch location has been reached, the tapered, hollow go-devil 50 will be dropped in= through the drill stem, which meanwhile is free of liquid, and in which, for that reason, the pressure existing is little different from that of the atmosphere at the surface of the groundi When the go-devil 56' reaches the tool it will land on the firing pin 24 inthe manner illustrated inthe upper portion of Figure 2 and in` the mid-portion of Figure 5, and will cause the yfiring ofthe explosive charge in the annular explosive chamber 22A. This charge being a slow burning charge, will` force the piston 23 downwardlyy and will force the inflating uid in the chamber' 2-6 through the check valves 2 and the passagewayI i1 into the space behind the packer sleeve 2U, thereby expanding this packer sleeve into sealing engagement with the walls of the Well'.

I-t willb'e assumed that the expansion of the packer sleeve- 2D, inv the manner just described, serves to seal off the formation to be tested from the remainder of the well, and it will oe noted that the expansion of this packer sleeve will have beenaccomplished without the necessity for any electrical connections downl through the drill stem, and without the necessity for forcing any gas` or liquid down through the drill stem. The drill stem willI remain' substantially empty and at a low pressure so that formation pressure, whenadmitted, can readily force a sample of the production of theV formation into the drill stem. The next step is to drop into the well the godevil 5| which, when landed in the position illustra-ted in'ligurel 3, causes the firing of the eXplosive cha-rge 4|, which in turn destroys the eiectiveness of the plug 42. When this occurs, the tool will be open to' receive into the drill stem thev production of the formation to be tested.

y When` the formationv has been allowed to produce through the tool for such period of time as may be desired; flow may be shut off by appropriate controls at the surface and the packer sleeve contracted by dropping into the well the go-devil 52 which, as above described, causes theactuation of the ring pin 8 and the ring of the explosive charge lil. The firing of this charge l0 destroys the effectiveness fo the plug oi" closure l l' which theretofore prevented release of the` inilating fluid from behind the packer sleeve 20 through the fluid release conduit which is provided principally by the tubing I2 as supplemented by the lower portion of the conduit I'lgthebranch conduit I8, and the conduit l la.

Withthe packer sleeve 2U thus contracted, the tool is.` free to be withdrawn from the well, and this may readily be accomplishedY in the usual fashion.

It will be -appreciated that by the device disclosed there has been provided a. structureL capable of carrying out and accomplishing all of the objects and advantages sought by this invention. It will further be seen that the packer,y while epsecially adaptedv to and forming an integral part of the testing tool, may be used without the testing tool feature for those uses in whichk a packer may be needed but no testing is required. Itis further apparent that two or more packing sleeves such as disclosed may be used in tandem and inflated and released simultaneously if desired' for safety or for the purpose of sealing oi above and below an intermediate formation, and that the intake opening into the testing tool may be located at any desired point along the composite body of the tool. It is to be understood that Vthe device illustrated and described is by way of example only and is not to be taken as a limitation upon the scope of this invention, because it will be appreciated that variationsy in arrangement, size and conguration of parts and substitution of equivalents may be had all within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

l. A drill stern tester comprising a hollow body adapted to be connected to a drill stem or the like and having an interior portion for receiving a fluid sample, innatable packing surrounding said body intermediate itsI ends and adapted when inflated to seal off a formation to be tested, said body having a passageway connecting the sample receiving portionI of its interior with its exterior at a position exposed to the formation to be tested, an imperforate plug in said passageway preventing uid iiow into said interior portion of said body, an inwardly opening check valve in said passageway, a packing inflator for said packing carried by said body and connected to said packer,l a plug destroyer in` said body arranged to destroy said plug when actuated to permit a huid sample to ow into said body, an iniiation release carried by said' body and connected to said packing, and mechanical means adapted to be lowered into said body through a drill stem attached thereto to selectively actuate saidY inflator, plug destroyer, and ination release. A

2. A drill stem tester comprising a hollow body for receiving a uid sample and adapted to be connected to a drill stem or the like, iniiatable packing surrounding said body intermediateits ends and adapted when inated to seal off a formation to be tested, said body having a passageway connecting its interior wherein the sample is to be received with its exterior ata position exposed to the formation to be tested, a plug sealing said passageway from iluidV flow therethrough, an inwardly opening check valve in said passageway, a packing inlator including an explosive charge for infiating said packing, said' inilator being carried by said body and connected to said packing, a plug destroyer in said body arranged to destroy said plug when actuated, an inilation release carried by said body and connected to said packing, and mechanical means adapted to be lowered into said body through a drill stem attached thereto to selectively actuate said nfiator, plug destroyer, and iniiation release.

3. A drill stem tester comprising a hollow body adapted to be connected to a drill stem or the like, inflatable packing surrounding said body intermediate its ends and'` adapted when innated to seal oi a formation to: be tested', said: body having a passageway connecting its interior with its exterior at a position exposed to the formation to be tested, a plug and an inwardly opening check valve in said passageway, a packing inflator for said packing carried by said body and connected to said packing, a plug destroyer in said body arranged to destroy said plug when actuated, an inflation release carried by said body and connected to said packing and including an explosive charge, and mechanical means adapted to be lowered into said body through a drill stem attached thereto to selectively actuate said inflator, plug destroyer, and inflation release.

V4. A drill stem tester comprising a hollow body adapted to be connected to a drill stem or the like, innatable packing surrounding said body intermediate its ends and adapted when inflated to seal ofi" a formation to be tested, said body having a passageway connecting its interior with its exterior at a position exposed to the foi-mae tion to be tested, a plug and an inwardly opening check valve in said passageway, a packing inator for said packing carried by said body and connected to said packing, a plug destroyer in said body arranged to destroy said plug when actuated, and including an explosive charge, an inflation release carried by said body and conn nected to said packing, and mechanical means adapted to be lowered into said body through a drill stem attached thereto to selectively actuate said inliator, plug destroyer, and innation release.

5. A drill stem tester comprising a hollow body adapted to be connected to a drill stem or the like, inflatable packing surrounding said body intermediate its ends and adapted when inflated to seal olf a formation to be tested, said body having a passageway connecting its interior with its exterior at a position exposed to the formation to be tested, a plug and an inwardly opening check valve in said passageway, a packing iniiator for said packing carried by said body and connected to said packing, a plug destroyerv in said body arranged to destroy said plug when actuated, an inilation release carried by said body and connected to chanical means adapted to be lowered into said body through a drill stem attached thereto to selectively actuate said inflator, plug destroyer, and inflation release, said packing inflatcr and innation release each including an explosive charge.

6. A drill stem tester comprising a hollow body adapted to be connected to adrill stem or the like, inflatable packing surrounding said body intermediate its ends and adapted when inflatedr to seal off a formation to be tested, said bodyy having a passageway connecting its interior with its exterior at a position exposed to the formation to be tested, a plug and an inwardly opening check valve in said passageway, a packing inflator for said packing carried by said body and connected to said packing, a plug destroyer in said body arranged to destroy said plug when actuated, an inflation release carried by said body and connected to said packing, and mechanical means adapted to be lowered into said bod;7 through a drill stem attached thereto to selectively actuate said inator, plug destruyen, and innation release, said packing inilator, innation release, and plug destroyer, each including an explosive charge.

7. A packer comprising a body having a pres sure chamber formed therein adapted to receive said packing, and mean explosive charge, and a conduit connecting said pressure chamber to the exterior surface of said body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a zone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, and means carried by said body for initiating the explosion o an ex plosive charge in said pressure chamber.

8. A packer comprising a body having an annular chamber formed therein, and a conduit connecting said annular chamber to the exterior surface of said body intermediate its ends, an'A expansible sleeve of packing material surround-- ing a zone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, means carried by said body for initiating the explosion of an explosive charge in said annular chamber, and a check valve means in said conduit pre-- venting flow towards said annular chamber.

9. A packer comprising a body having a pressure chamber formed therein adapted to receive an explosive charge and a conduit connecting said pressure chamber to the exterior surface of said body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a rone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, means carried by said body for initiating the explosion of an explosive charge in said pressure chamber, and means in said conduit for preventing back flow of fluid therethrough.

l0. A packer comprising a body having an eX- plcsive chamber formed therein, a chamber for packer inflating fluid communicating with said explosive chamber, and a conduit connecting said chamber for packing inflating fluid with the exterior surface of said body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a zone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, a piston in said chamber for packer inflating nuid dividing the explosive chamber from said chamber for packer inflating nuid and slidable in said chamber for packer inflating lluid to enlarge the explosive chamber and contract the chamber for packer inflating fluid, means carried by said body for initiating the explosion or" an explosive charge in said explosive chamber, and means in said conduit for preventing back flow of fluid from within said packing sleeve.

ll. A packer comprising a body having a pressure chamber formed therein adapted to receive an explosiveV charge and a conduit connecting said pressure chamber to the exterior surface of said body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a zone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, means carried by said body for initiating the explosion of an explosive charge in said pressure chamber, means providing a conduit for the escape of fluid from the space within said packing sleeve between said seal lines,'a closure in said last mentioned conduit, explosive means carried by the body for destroying the effectiveness of said closure, and means carried by said body for initiating the explosion of said last mentioned explosive means.

l2. A packer comprising a body, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a Zone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines, an inflatorcarried by said body and inr communication with the space between said body and sleeve intermediate said seal lines. for inflating and expanding said packer sleeve, means providing a conduit for the escape of fluid from the space within said packing sleeve between said seal lines, a closure in said conduit, and explosive means carried by said body for destroying the eiectiveness of said closure, and means carried by said body forA initiating the explosion of said explosive means.

13. A packer adapted to be disposed in a well comprising a body having a pressure chamber formed therein adapted to receive an explosive charge and a conduit connecting said pressure chamber to the exterior surface of said body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a zone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, means carried by said body for initiatingA the explosion of an explosive charge in said pressure chamber, said initiating means having a part exposed to communication from a point above the packer when the packer is disposed in a well, and a go-devil adapted to be dropped from above said packer and shaped to act upon said exposed part and actuate the explosive initiating means when so dropped.

14. A packer comprising a body having a pressure chamber formed therein adapted to receive an explosive charge and a conduit connecting said pressure chamber to the exterior surface of said body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a zone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, means carried by said body for initiating the explosion of an explosive charge in said pressure chamber, means providing a conduit for the escape of fluid from the space within said packing sleeve between said seal lines, a closure in said conduit, explosive means carried by the body for destroying the eiectiveness of said closure, means carried by said body forinitiating the explosion of each of said explosive means, said initiating means having parts exposed to communication with the space above the packer when the packer is disposed in a well, and two differently shaped go-devils adapted to be dropped from above said packer, one of' said go-devils being shaped to act upon the exposed part of one of said initiating means andV the other of said go-devils being shaped to act uoon the exposed part of the other of said initiating means.

15.A packer comprising a body having a pressure chamber formed therein adapted to receive an explosive charge and a conduit connecting said pressure chamber to the exterior surface of said body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a zone of said body and sealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, means carried by said body for initiating the explosion of an explosive charge in said pressure chamber, means providing a conduit for the escape of fluid from the space within said packing sleeve between said seal lines, a closure in said conduit, explosive means carried by the body for destroying the effectiveness `of said closure, and means carried by said body for iniating the explosion of said last mentioned explosive means, and an explosive charge in said rst mentioned 12 pressure chamberl which is. of; slower burning characteristics than the; explosive means iorde stroying the.v effectiveness 0i said closure- 16. A packer comprising a body having a. boh low end, two explosive chambers formed therein adjacent said hollow end, an iniiating Quid reservoir connected in pressure receiving relationship with one of said chambers, and a con-V duit connecting said reservoirto the exteriory surface of the body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a zone of said bod-y and sealed to said` body alone spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outer end of said conduit, means; providing a conduit for the escape o f iiuid from the space within said packing sleeve between said seal` lines, said last mentioned conduit hav. ing a part thereof located adjacent the second oi' said chambers, a closure in said last men,-k tioned conduit adjacent said second chamber in position to be rendered ineffective by explosion of a charge in said second chamber, a ring pin for each of saidy chambers having actuating parts exposed within said hollow end of the body at different lateral distances from the longi-` tudinal axis of the hollow end of said body. a. go-devil adapted to be dropped into said hollow end and actuate the firing Din nearer the axis. and another go-devil having expanding parts adapted to be dropped into said hollow end and actuate the ring pin farther from the axis.

17. A packer comprising a body having a hol. low end, two explosive chambers formed therein adjacent said hollowv end', an iniiating uid reservoir connected in pressure receiving relationship with one of said chambers, and; a con, duit connecting said reservoir to the exterior surface of the body intermediate its ends, an expansible sleeve of packing material surrounding a zone of said body andsealed to said body along spaced circumferential lines on opposite sides of the outerA end of said conduit, means pro-A viding a conduit for the escape of fluid from the space within said packing sleeve between said seal lines, said last mentioned conduit passing adjacent the second of said chambers, a closure in said last mentioned conduit adjacent said second chamber in position to be rendered ineffective. by explosion of a charge in said secondV chamber, a firing pin for each of said chambers having actuating parts exposed within said hollow end of the body at diierent lateral distances from the longitudinal axis of the hollow end of said body, a go-.devil adapted to be dropped into said hollow end and actuate the firing pin nearerthe axis, and another go.-devil having expanding parts adapted to be dropped into said hollow end and actuate the ring pin farther from the axis, a. body of liquid in said iiuid reservoir, a relatively slow burning explosive in said rst chamber, and a relatively fast burning explosive in said second chamber.

18. A drill stem tester `comprising a hollow body adapted to be connected to a drill stem or the like, inatable packing surrounding said body intermediate its ends and adapted when inated to seal oil' a formation to be tested, said body having a passageway connecting its inf terior with its exterior at a position exposed to the formation to be tested, a plug and an inwardly opening check valve in Said passageway, a packing inflatovr for said packing carried by said body and connected to said packing, a, plug destroyer in said body arranged to destroy said plug when actuated, an ination release carried 13 by said body and connected to said packing and including an explosive charge, mechanical means adapted to be lowered into said body through a drill stem attached thereto to selectively actuate said inator, plug destroyer, and inflation D release, a valve adapted to close the interior of said body against upward iiow, a detent for holding said valve open, and mechanical means for releasing said detent.

THOMAS B. SLICK. ROBINSON W. BROWN. HUGH E. METCALF.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Durbrow July 3, 1888 Witt Mar. 4, 1941 Ricou Sept. 2, 1941 Hart Apr. 14, 1942 Williams Jan. 4, 1944 Brown July 30, 1946

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