US2998072A - Well packer apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 29, 1961 T. L. CROWE WELL PACKER APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1958 INVENTOR. JZ MMMKL $0.1M

Aug. 29, 1961 T. L. CROWE 2,998,072

WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed July 11, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 29, 1961 T. CROWE 2,998,072

WELL PACKER APPARATUS I Filed July 11, 1958 5 SheetsSheet 3 .Iif fi0.7a.

ATTOPA/EV/SZ "nited States ate 2,998,072 WELL PACKER APPARATUS Talmadge L. Crowe, Houston, Tex.', assignor 130 Baker Oil Tools,'I1ic., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California FiledJuly 11, 1958,Se'r. No. 747,899 12 Claims.- (Cl.'166123) The present invention relates to subsurface welldevices,

and more particularly to well packers adapted to .be an-.

chored in packed-cit condition in well casings,-or similarconduits, disposed in well bores.

Certain types of well packers are lowered in a well cas-. ing, and also elevated in the well casing,'with their casing engaging slips in retracted position. Under some con-= from setting the packer while it is being lowered in the well bore or elevated therein.

Anothre object of the invention-is to provide a well packer having slips for anchoringthe packer in a well casing disposed in a well bore, in which the packer parts are placed in a condition in which fluid pressure in the well bore is incapable of anchoring the slips against the well casing.

A further object of theinventio'n is to provide a well packer and a ruhning-in-and retrievingtool used in conjunction therewith in which the tool'can be-manipulated to preclude inadvertent setting of the well packer during lowering of the packer in a well'bore or during its elevation therewithin.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which maybe made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form'in which it may be embodied. This-form is shown'in the drawings accomto be understood that such: detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: FIGURES 1 and 1a together constitute a longitudinalsection through a well'packer and running-in and retriev-' ing tool combination, with-the packer parts disclosed in a running-in condition, FIG.'1a constituting'a lower continuation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the slip and expander portion of the well packer disclosed in FIG. la;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and 1a, with the well packer placed in condition to prevent inadvertent setting of its slips against the well casing;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 44 on FIG. la;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken alongsthe line 5-5 on FIG. 101;

FIG. 6 is an enlargedcrosssection taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 3;

FIGS. 7 and 7a are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 1a, illustrating the apparatus in condition for being elevated in the well casing; FIG. 7d constituting a lower continuation of FIG; 7

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sec tion of a slip supporting structure.

111. Well ,$l .r Adisclosed in the'drawm-gs lS'SPeCUf assure ically illustrated and described in the patent to R. C. Baker et al., Patent No. 2,751,012, patented June 19, 1956.

However, certain changes have been made to such well topof the well bore, which may be constituted as a string of drill pipe or tubing.

The well packer A includes a tubular body 10 consisting of an upper section 1 1 threadedly secured to a lower section 12. A set of circumferentiallyspaced upper casing gripping slip members 13 extends around the tubular:

body 10, being cooperable with an-upper expander 14 to be urged outwardly-against the well casing B and to hold (the well packer in the casing against downward movement the-rein. Similarly, a set of circumferentially spaced lower slip members 15 is disposed around the' tubular body 10,=beingcooperable with a lower expander 116 which is capable of moving and holding the lower slips outwardly against the well casing to anchor the "well tool against upward movement therein.

The upper expander-14, which may be of generally irusto-conical form, surrounds the upper body section 11, with-its smaller end bearing against a shoulder or flange 17 formed on the body. The upper end of the upper expander bears against a thimble 18, in which thebase p0rtion'19 of a rubber or rubber-like upwardly facing packing cup 20-is received, the upper end or lip portion 21 of this packing cup being 'slidably engageable with the wall of the well casing B. Leakage between the packingcup 20 and the tubular body 10 may be prevented by a suitable side seal 22 on the body engaging the inner surface of a metallic sleeve-23 disposed within the base 19 of the packing cup and resting upon'the thimble '18.

The packing cup-20 is clamped against the thirnble '18;

which, in turn, urges the upper expander 14 firmly against the body shoulder 17 by an upper valve cage and'clamp 24 threaded on the upper end of the body .10 and bearing against a clamp sleeve 25 disposed within'the'packing cup 20, urging the base 19 of the latter within and againstthe thimble 18, which, in turn, forces the upper expander [14 against the bodyflange'17.

A downwardy facing lower rubber packing cup 26 'is also provide, to prevent upward leakage of fluid between the tubular body 10"and the'wall of the'well casing B.

The base portion 27 of this packing cup is received within a lower thimble 28 that'bears against the'lower end'of the lower expander 16, the upper or smaller end of which bears against a shoulder or flange 30 formed on the upper end of the lower body section 12. The lower packinglcup 26"has'a lower lipportion 31 slidably sealing against the Wall of the well casing. Leakage of'fiuid' between the packing cup 26 and the lower body'section 12'is prevented by :a suitable side seal 32 on the'lo'wersection'bearing against 'the inner surface of a metallic sleeve 33 disposedwithin the base 27 of the packing and' bearing against the thimble 28." The-packing cup 26 and lower expander 16 'are held on the body 10 in proper position'by a-lower'valvecage and clamp 34 threaded on the lower end of-thebody and bearing against a clamp sleeve 35 disposed in the packing cup 26;which will urge the base 27 of the packing and the metallic sleeve 32 against the thimble 28, causing the latter to urge the lower expander .16 snugly against the shoulder 30 The upper and lowersets-of slips'13, 15 are carried by a structure slidable longitudinally relative to the tubu- Patented Aug. 29, 1961 into the upper set of slips 13 to urge them outwardly into.

anchoring engagement with the well casing B. Such anchoring or wedging action of the expander 14 in the 'upper slips 13 occurs in view of the provision of a downwardly converging external surface 37 on the expander engaging companion inner surfaces 38 on the slip members 13. Conversely, upward movement of the tubular body '10 with respect to the slips 13, 15 will carry the lower expander 16 upwardly within'the lower slips 15, the lower expander having an upwardly converging tapered surface 39 engageable with companion tapered surfaces 40 on the lower slip members 15 to urge the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B, to prevent upward movement of the well packer therein.

The relative longitudinal movement between the tubular body and the expanders 14, 16 mounted thereon with respect to the slips 13, can occur as a result of resisting longitudinal movement of the slips in the well casing B. Such longitudinal movement is prevented by incorporating friction drag blocks in the slips themselves. Thus, the upper set of slips 13 is mounted within circumferentially spaced longitudinal grooves 41 provided in an upper slip carrying sleeve 42, the wickered head portions 43 of these slips extending above the upper end of the sleeve 42. Similarly, the lower set of slips 15 is disposed within circumferentially spaced longitudinal grooves 44 provided in a lower slip carrying sleeve 45, the wickered lower slip heads 46 extending below this sleeve to permit its cooperation with the lower expander 16. The upper and lower slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 are interconnected by being secured to an intermediate ring 47, the lower end of the upper sleeve 42 engaging the upper surface of this ring, whereas the upper end of the lower sleeve 45 engages the lower surface of this ring. The ring 47 has upper and lower rims 48, 49 extending around the adjacent peripheries of the upper and lower sleeves 42, 45, and its inner surface 50 is disposed radially outwardly with respect to the inner surfaces 51 of the upper and lower sleeves to provide a circumferential groove 52 therewith. The upper and lower sleeves 42, 45 are secured to the intermediate ring 47 by a plurality of upper and lower screws 53, 54 extending longitudinally through the sleeves and threaded into the ring 47 (see particularly FIG. 8). Thus, the screws 53, 54 secure the upper and lower slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and the intermediate ring 47 to one another so that they are movable as a unit and are slidable with respect to the tubular body 10.

As stated above, the longitudinal movement of the slips 13, 15 through the well casing is resisted by providing a friction drag block portion 56 on each slip. These drag block portions are formed on an intermediate part of each slip, being urged outwardly into frictional engagement with the wall of the well casing by helical compression springs 57 hearing against the base of each longitudinal groove 41, 44, and also against the base 58 of a socket 59 provided in each slip at its friction block portion 56. The springs 57 will force the external surface 60 on each drag block portion 56 of a slip against the wall of the well casing. When such contact occurs, the wickered heads 43, 46 of the slips 13, 15 are tilted inwardly out of contact from the Well casing B. When an expander 14 or 16 moves longitudinally within the slip heads 43 or 46, the end 61 of the drag block portion 56 of the slips 13 or 15 will rock upon the casing, to pivot the heads into engagement with the well casing.

As an example, assume the upper slip heads 43 to be retracted from the well casing, with the friction drag block portions 56 making surface contact with the wall of the casing B. When in this position, the inclined surfaces 38 of each slip make an acute angle with the companion inclined surface 37 of the upper expander 14.

When the upper expander moves down the slip heads 43, it will tilt the slips =13 about the upper corner 61 of the friction drag block members 56 of the fulcrum, the expander surface 37 and the slip surfaces 38 coming into full parallel contact with each other, which will place the slip wickers 63 in parallel relation to the wall of the casing. The drag block portions 56 are tilted away from the wall of the casing B against the force of the springs 57, there being suflicient radial clearance space in the grooves 41of the upper sleeve 42 to permit this tilting or rocking action to take place. When the upper expander 14 is shifted upwardly out of the upper slip head 43, the springs 57 are effective to rock the slips 13 about their fulcrums 61, to move the drag blocks 56 into surface contact with the wall of the well casing B, and shift the slip heads 43 inwardly away from the wall of the latter. The expanded and retracted positions of the slips are illustrated in the above-mentioned Patent 2,751,012.

The lower set of slips 15 is arranged like the upper set of slips 13, except that they are inverted with respect thereto. The lower slip members 15 have lower fulcrum points 61 at the lower ends of their drag block portions 56, the lower springs 57 urging the drag block members 56 into full surface engagement with the wall of the well casing when the slip heads are retracted away from the latter. When this occurs, the inclined slip surfaces 40 make an acute angle with the lower expander surface 39. When the body 10 and lower expander 16 are moved upwardly within the slip heads 46, the slips 15 are rocked on the casing about their lower fulcrum points 61 to shift the slip heads 46 outwardly against the well casing and the friction block portions 56 of the slips inwardly against the force of the springs 57. When the lower slip heads 46 fully engage the casing B, their surfaces 41) snugly engage the expander surface 39, in effect being parallel thereto. Lowering of the tubular body 18 and expander 16 with respect to the lower slips 15 will shift the expander away from the latter, allowing the springs 57 to rock the slips 15 about their fulcrums 61 on the casing, to shift the lower slip heads 46 away from the wall of the casing and bring the drag block portions 56 into full surface engagement with the casing once again. The foregoing mode of operation is likewise illustrated in Patent No. 2,751,012.

When the well packer A is unrestrained, as when it is above ground and out of the well casing, the outward movement of the upper slip members 13 under the action of the'springs 57 is limited by engagement of the lower slip fingers or leg portions 70 with the upper rim 48 of the intermediate ring and also by engagement of the base portion 7-1 of the external groove formed on each slip member immediately above its friction drag portion 56 with a retaining ring 73 disposed around all of the slips 13. Similarly, outward movement of the lower set of slips 15 under the action of the springs 57 is limited by engagement of upper fingers 70 on the slips with the lower rim portion 49 of the intermediate ring, and also by engagement of the base portions 71 of the lower peripheral grooves 72 formed in the slips immediately below the friction drag block portions 56 with a lower retainer ring 73 encompassing all of the slips 15 and disposed in the grooves 72. When the well packer A is inserted in the well casing B, the friction drag block portions 56 will engage the wall of the casing and force the slips 13 and 15 inwardly against the action of the springs 57, to provide ample radial clearance space between the legs 70 and rims 43, 49, and also between the base portions 71 and the retainer rings 73. This latter clearance space is more than sutficient to allow the appropriate rocking of the sets of slips 13, 15 into and out of anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing.

The upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 are caused to move longitudinally and as a unitvwith the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and intermediate ring 47. The upper end of the upper sleeve 42 has an upper flange 75 engaging the of the slip .grooves 72 to carry the slips 13 in a downward direction; Upward movementof the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45' and ring 47 will cause the intermediate ring 47 to bear against the lower ends 70 of the slip members and move'them upwardly therewith. Upward movementof the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and ring 47 will cause the intermediate ring 47 to bear against the lower end 70 f the slip members and move them upwardly therewith. Similarly, upward movement of the slip carrying sleeves will cause a lower flange 75 on the lower sleeve 45' to engage the lower retainer ring 73 and force it against the upper sides 76 of the slip grooves 72 to carry the slips 15 in an upward direction. Downward movement of the sleeves 42, 45 and ring 47 will cause the intermediate ring 47 to engage the upper ends 70 of the lower slip members 15, to carry them in a downward direction. Thus, the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45, intermediate ring 47, and upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 are movable longitudinally through the well casing substantially as a unit, while the slips 13, 15 are permitted to rock on their fulcrums 61 into and out of anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

In view of the frictional engagement of the drag block portions 56 of the slip members against the wall of the casing, the body will tend to move down with respect to the slip members 13, when being lowered in the casing. Conversely, the tubular body 10 will tend to move upwardly with respect to the slip members in the event it is elevated in the well casing. Such downward movement is permitted when the well packer is to be anchored in the well casing against downward movement therein, and relative upward movement is permitted when it is desired to anchor the well packer in the casing against upward movement therein. However, when the well packer is to be raised or lowered as a unit in the well casing, the relative movement is prevented.

In controlling the relative longitudinal movement between the slips 13, 15 and the packer body 10, a control rod 80 is availed of which extends completely through the tubular body 10. This control rod has a diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of the tubular body, to provide an annular passage 81 through the tubular body for fluid in the well bore. An upper reduced diameter portion 82 of the rod is slidable through the end portion 83 of the upper valve cage and clamp 24, whereas a lower reduced diameter portion 84 of the rod is slidable through the lower end portion 85 of the lower valve cage and clamp 34. The upper and lower clamp members 24, 34 serve to hold the rod 3t) centrally of the body 10 and guide it in its longitudinal movement therein.

The intermediate portion of the rod has a longitudinal slot 86 extending therethrough receiving a cross-piece or anvil 87 having a longitudinal extent that is substantially shorter than the length of the slot 86, to allow the control rod 80 to move longitudinally with respect to the anvil 87. This anvil 87 extends transversely through opposed longitudinal slots 88 in the tubular body, the cross-piece having opposed reduced terminals 89 projecting into the circumferential groove 52 defined between the upper and lower slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and the intermediate ring 47. In effect, the cross-piece 87 is coupled to the sleeves and ring, to be movable longitudinally therewith, the outer faces 90 of the cross-piece engaging the inner surfaces 51 of the upper and lower sleeves 42, 45 to prevent lateral movement of the cross-piece.

The slots 88 through the body 10 are substantially longer than the height of the cross-piece 87, so thatthe body 10 can be moved longitudinally with respect to the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and the intermediate ring 47,

aswell as the slip members 13, 15 themselves.

The location of the control rod 80lwithin the body 10 determines the ability of-the body to move longitudinally with respect to the slips 13, 15. The control rod acts in" conjunctionwith upper andlower valve'members 91, 92 indetermining the'setting of 'theslips-agains't the well casing, or the'inability of the slips to beset against the well casing. The upper reduced diameter portion 82 of the control rod is encompassed by an upper valve head 91 slidable thereon, this valve head being urged down wardly'to a closed position across the upper end of the tubular body 10'by a helical compression spring 93 encompassing the rod, its upper end bearing against the end portion 83 of the upper valve cage 24 and its lower end bearing against the valve head 91. This spring 93 urges the upper valve head 91 downwardly to engage it with the upper end 95 of the body 10 and thereby close the passage through the/body against downwardflow of fluid therethrough. The lower reduced diameter portion 84 of the control rod extends through-the lower valve head 92 which is slidable with respect to the rod. This valve head 92 is urged in an upward direction, to shift the valve head against the lower end of the body and thereby close the body passage to upward flow of fluid therethrough, by a helical compression spring 99'encompassing the rod, its lower end bearing against the lower end portion of the valve cage 34 and its upper end bearing against the valve head 92.

The springs 93, 99 constantly urge the valve heads 91, 92 toward their closed positions. The reduced diameter portions 82, 84 of the control rod 80 provide upper and lower shoulders 103, 104 engageable with the upper and lower valve members 91, 92, respectively, to shift such valve members to open position when the rod 811 is moved appropriately within the tubular body 10. Such springs are also eflective to bear against the valve heads 91, 92, causing the heads to engage the shoulders 103, 164 and dispose the control rod 89 in a central position lengthwise of the body, the valves then both being in closed position within the upper and lower ends 95, 98 of the tubular body, as illustrated in the aforesaid Patent 2,751,012.

The control rod 80 is not only effective to engage the valve heads 91,92 and shift them to open position, but it is also effective to shift the valve heads into engagement with the upper and lower valve cages 24, 34, "and thereby determine the ability of the slips 13, 15, and slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 to move relative to the tubular body 16.

When the rod 80 is in its lowermostt position, with the lower shoulder 104 of the rod engaging the lower head 92 and causing the latter to bear against the lower valve cage 34, the upper end 108 of the rod slot is then adjacent the upper end of the crosspiece 87, the upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 then both being in a retracted or central position with respect to the body 10 and the upper and lower eXpanders 14, 16. If the control rod 84) is now moved downwardly, it will bear against the lower valve cage 92 to carry the body 10 and the expanders 14, 16 downwardly with it. At the same time, the rod at the upper end 108 of its slot 86 is engaging the cross-piece 87 to carry the sleeves 42, 45,'intermediate ring 47, and upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 downwardly with it. Accordingly, the latter parts cannot move longitudinally with respect to the body 10 and expanders 14, 16, which will insure that the slips cannot be anchored against the well casing under ordinary conditions encountered therewithin. The helical springs 57 retain the friction drag block portions engaged with the well casing B, and hold the slip heads 43, 46 inwardly away from the wall of the well casing. The friction drag blocks 56 merely slide frictionally along the wall of the well casing B during such downward movement of the control rod 80, the entire well packer being carried downwardly in the well casing with the rod to the desired setting point (see FIGS. 1, la and 2).

The apparatus can then be lowered in the'well casing.

During'suchlowering, fluid can by-pass around the well packer by flowing upwardly into the lower end 98 of the tubular body 10; through the passage 81, engaging the upper valve head 91'and forcing the latter to open position against the effort of its helical compression spring 93, the fluid discharging from the upper end of the body. In this manner, the fluid in the well casing can by-pass around the apparatus and will not prevent its descent in the well casing.

In the event the apparatus is to be elevated in the well casing, then the taking of an upward pull on the control rod 80 will shift its upper shoulder 103 into engagement with the upper valve head 91, carrying the latter upwardly into engagement with the upper valve cage 24. When the rod is in this position, the lower end 169 of its longitudinal slot 86 is adjacent or immediately below the cross-piece 87, the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45, intermediate ring 47 and upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 being disposed in their intermediate position with respect to the tubular body 10 and the upper and lower expanders 14, 16. Upward motion of the rod will then cause it to carry the body 10 upwardly with it, the lower end 169 of the rod slot 86 engaging the cross-piece 37 to cause the latter to also carry the slip carrying members 42, 45, 47 and the sets of slips 13, upwardly with the rod, the slips 13, 15 being prevented from moving longitudinally relative to the tubular body 10 and the expanders 14, 16. A suflicient elevating force is imposed on the control rod 80 to overcome the friction of the drag block members 56 against the wall of the well casing, as well as the friction of the packing cups 20, 26 against the wall of the well casing.

During the elevating motion, the upper valve head 91 is held in open position by the upper rod shoulder 103. Fluid can bypass around the apparatus, flowing downwardly into the upper end 95 of the tubular body, and through the passage 81 to engage the lower valve head 92, shifting it down against the force of the spring 99 to open position (see approximate position of parts shown in FIG. 7a).

In lowering the well packer A in the well casing B to a desired setting point, it is merely necessary to exert a downward force on the control rod 81 the rod being shifted to the position shown in FIGS. 1, la and 2, which will place the valves 91, 92 in the position and condition wherein fluid can by-pass through the tubular body 10 and around the packing elements 20, 26, the slip members 13, 15 being held in their neutral or ineffective position with respect to the body 10 and the upper and lower expanders 14, 16. When the location is reached in the well casing at which the well packer is to be anchored in packed-oif condition, it is merely necessary to relieve the downward force on the control rod 80. Upon such relief, the springs 93, 99 will shift the valve head 91, 92 to closed positions, the lower valve head 92 engaging the rod shoulder 104 and shifting the rod 80 upwardly to a central position in which both of the valve heads are closed against the valve body. This upward shifting of the control 80 will elevate the upper end 108 of the longitudinal slot substantially above the cross-piece 87. The packing cups 20, 26 and the friction drag block portions 56 of the slips will tend to hold the well packer A in this position within the well casing B, in the absence of fluid pressure either above or below the packer,

If a greater fluid pressure is now imposed on the well packer from a region below its location in the well casing than exists above the well packer, this fluid under pressure will urge the packer body 10 and expanders 14, 16 in an upward direction. Inasmuch as it is acting over the entire cross-sectional area of the body, it will hold the lower valve 92 closed against the body. The upward movement of the body 10 and expanders 14, 16 will shift the lower expander 16 upwardly within the lower slips 15, since upward movement of the slip structure is prevented or resisted by the frictional engagement of the drag blocks 56 against the wall of the well casing. The lower set of slips 15 will be rocked on their fulcrum portions 61 to bring their wickered head portions 46 into firm anchoring engagement with the well casing. Accordingly, the fluid pressure from below the well packer will be incapable of shifting the latter in an upward direction within the well casing, the fluid under pressure being prevented from passing around the outside of the packer body 10 by the lower packing cup 26, and through the interior of the valve body by the closing action of the valve head 92 against the lower end of the packer body. The fluid under pressure is also acting over the cross-sectional area of the lower rod portion 84, but it may do nothing more than shift this rod upwardly, as permitted by the fact that there is a substantial space between the lower end 109 of the rod slot 86 and the view of the substantial distance that existed initially between the upper end 198 of the slot and the upper end of the cross-piece 87. The body 10 and expanders 14, 16 will be shifted in a downward direction to wedge the upper expander 14 in the upper slips 13, rocking the latter about their fulcrum points 61 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. Here again, fluid under pressure is prevented from passing downwardly around the outside of the tubular body I by the upper packing cup 20, and it is also prevented from passing down through the tubular body 10 by the closing action of the upper valve head 91 against the upper end 95 of the body. act upon the upper end of the rod 81 to shift it downwardly to some extent, but such downward shifting will have no eifect on the operation of the apparatus.

It is, therefore, apparent that fluid pressure, either above or below the well packer, is elfective to automatically anchor it in packed-off condition against longitudinal movement on either a downward or an upward direction, as the case may be. In the event it is desired to release the packer and lower it to another position in the well casing, it is merely necessary to exert a downward force on the control rod 80, which will reshift the parts to the relative position shown in FIGS. 1, 1a and 2, whereupon lowering action can continue. Conversely, in the event it is desired to elevate the well packer in the well casing, it is merely necessary to grasp the control rod 80 by means of the running-in and retrieving device to locate the parts in substantially the relative position shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a, in which the slips 13, 15 are in their neutral position, and in which relative movement between the slip carrying structure 42, 45, 47 and the tubular body 10 cannot occur.

I With the parts in this relative position, the well packer A can be withdrawn completely from the well casing.

In the event the rubber packing cups 20, 26 do not provide suflicient friction against the well casing B resisting longitudinal movement of the tubular body 10 within the well casing to secure the appropriate relative longitudinal movement of the control rod 80 within the tubular body, a friction drag device may be suitably secured to the lower valve cage 34. This friction drag device includes circumferentially spaced, outwardly bowed, drag springs 116 frictionally engaging the wall of the well casing, the lower ends of the springs being suitably secured to a suitable support 117.

The running-in and retrieving tool C constitutes a device for shifting the control rod 80 downwardly within the body of the well packer A, when the latter is being lowered Within the well casing B, to prevent the upper The fluid pressure may also slips 13 from being anchored against the casing. This took-can also become coupled orconnected-to the control rod 80 for the purpose of-elevating thelatter within thebody lll of the tool to prevent the lower expander 16 from being wedged upwardly within the lower slips 15 and anchor 'the'latter against the-well casing. When the retrieving tool C is connected to the well packer, to shift the control rod 89 in the upward direction just described, the-entireapparatus can beelevated in the well casing to the desired location in the latter, or may be removed completely therefrom.

In'most respects, the running-in and retrieving tool is described and claimed in my apparatus for Apparatus for Retrieving Tools in Well Bores," Serial No. 656,795, filed May 3, 1957. It is connected to the lower end of the tubular running-in stringD,the lower end of which is threadedly secured to a coupling 120 which is, in turn, threadedly secured to the upper end of the tubular head portion'121 of a tubular housing 122, as by means of welding material 123. This tubular housing 122 has a slotted structure 124 embodied therewithin, which is rotatable in one direction with respect to the housing, but prevented from rotating substantially in the other direction with respect thereto. As specifically shown, the slotted structure 124 is permitted to rotate to the left, or ina counter clockwise direction within the housing, be ingprevented from partaking of any substantial rotation within the housing in the opposite direction (except a fraction of a revolution) by a one-way clutch or ratchet device 125: This device includes an upper ratchet or clutch member 126 abutting the tubular head and prevented from rotating with respect to the housing by a radialpin 127 secured to the housing 122 and extending within a transverse hole 128 in the upper cluteh'member' 126. The latter has an outside diameter conforming to the diameter of the inner wall of the tubular housing 122, from which depends a reduced diameter skirt portion 129 abutting the upper end of the slotted structure 124. The upper portion'of the slotted structure is constituted by a skirt 139 of a diameter conforming to that of the upper ratchet member skirt 129, the'structu-reskirt being inte gral with a lower ratchet or clutch portion 131 of the slotted structure.

A helical spring 132 encompasses-the two skirt portions, the upper end of the spring engaging a longitudinal or axial tooth 133 provided on the upper ratchet or clutch member 126, and the lower end of the spring engaging a lower longitudinal or axial tooth 134 formed on the lower ratchet or clutch member 131. Each tooth has a length preferably somewhat greater than the diameter of the wire of which the spring is made, each clutch member having a cam face 135 or slope pitched to conform substantially to the slope or inclination of the spring 132 and running from the inner end of each tooth to its outer end. This slope or face functions as a cam to permit the slotted structure 124 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction (as seen from the top of the hole) with respect to the spring 132, whichcould also rotate in a'counter clockwise direction relativeto the upper clutch member 126 and the housing 122. Counter-clockwise rotation of the housing 122 will cause the slotted structure 124 to rotate in'the same direction with it,

except to the extent permitted by unwinding of the spring 132, as described hereinbelow, the turning effort being transmitted from the upper tooth 133 to the spring, and from the latter to the lower clutch tooth 134' of the slotted structure.

The slotted structure 124 includes the upper portion 131 having the ratchet or clutch member, which is of a diameter conforming to the diameter of the inner wall of the housing 122. It further includes a lower slotted portion 136secured in appropriate relation to the upper slotted portion by an intermediate sleeve member 137' integralt with both of such portions 131, 136. Thelower slotted portion 136 is, in turn, integral with a lower sleeve memwall of the housing 122. The same is true of the outside diameter of the intermediate'sleeve member 137. Actu ally, the several parts 131 137, 136,- 138 of the slotted structure are integral with' each other, being made from a single casting.

The slot of the sleeve structure is formed within and betweenthe upper and lower slotted portions 131,136. the pin 140 on a head 141 secured to the upper end of the control rod can move relatively in an upward direction against the lower inclined guide surface 142 on the lower slotted po-rtion136, which'will serve to guide the pin into the vertical slot portion 143, terminating at another inclined guide surface 144 which slopes in an upward directionto the left, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 7, this surface guiding the pin 'intoa vertical or locating slot portion 145 in the upper region 131 of the sleeve structure.

It is evident that the locating slot portion 145 is "displaced to the left of the vertical-slot portion 143, such displacement being provided to preclude inadvertent downward and return movement of the pin into the entrance vertical slot portion 143. Instead, relative downward movement of the pin 140 in the locating slot will result in its engaging a guide surface 146 on the upper end of the lower slotted 'portion 136, which is inclined in a downward direction toward the left, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 7,'th-is' guide surface causing the pin to shift relatively to the left and into alignment with opposed upper and lower vertical slot portions 147, 148 in the upper and lower sections 131, 136 of the sleeve structure, respectively, that enable the well packer A to be either lowered in the well casing B or elevated in the well casing, by shifting the control rod 80 downwardly with respect to the packer body 10 or upwardly with respect to the packer body.

Adjacent the upper slot portion 147 is a guide surface 149 inclined downwardly to the left, whereas adjacent the elevating slot portion 148 is a guide surface 150 inclined upwardly to the left. These opposed inclined guide surfaces will direct the pin into a releasing slo't portion 151 (dotted lines in FIG. 1) that extends upwardly to substantially the same degree as the locating slot portion 145, and which also opens downwardly into an exiting slot portion 152 inclined in a downward direction toward a vertical locating wall surface 153 on the lower housing structure 136, which is in alignment with the entrance slot portion 143.

Although reference has been made to movement of the pin 140 to the left, actually the pin is normally stationary insofar as rotary motion is concerned, and it is the sleeve structure 124 that is rotated in the opposite direction, or in a left-hand or counter clockwise direction, the rotation being accomplished by the camming action of the pin against the various inclined surfaces on the sleeve structure, as permitted by the release of the over-running clutch 125," which automatically uncouples or unclutches the slotted structure 124 from the housing 122.

The slotted structure 124 is maintained in the housing 122 inappropriate clutching relation to the spring 132 and upper clutch'member 126 by a clutching shoe and guide 155 threadedly secured to the lower end of the housing 122, its unthreading being prevented by a cap screw 156 "extending through the wall of the housing and threadedly attached to the shoe. This clutching shoe and guide '155 has circumferentially spaced depending coupling lugs' or clutch teeth 157 thereon for clutching action with the upper valve cage 24 of the well packer A, as described'hereinbelow.

The housing 122 and its guide 155 are of such length with respect to the slots provided within the slotted structure-124 that the lower end 158 of the guide will engage the upper end 159 'of the upper body valve cage 24 to bear thereagainst at the same time that the pin 140 is dis-- tion in which it prevents relative longitudinal movement between the body and its expanders 14, 16 on the one hand, and the slips 13, 15 on the other hand, as described hereinabove. However, the control rod 80 may be shifted downwardly within the body 10 to the extent of preventing the slips from being expanded out against the casing, in the absence of the guide 155 engaging the upper end 159 of the valve cage, inasmuch as the control rod 80 itself, as described above, may be shifted to a position in which it exerts a downward force on the body to prevent relative downward movement between the rod 80 and the body 10 and between the expanders 14, 16 and the slips 13, 15.

In the use of the running-in and retrieving tool C in connection with the retrievable bridge plug or well packor A, the apparatus is lowered to the desired location in the well casing B, at which the well packer is to be set. The shoe and guide 155, the housing 122 and the slotted structure 124 are first disposed over the upper portion of the control rod 80, the pin 140 moving into the slotted structure and bearing against the lower inclined surface 142 of the lower slotted portion, the pin moving through the vertical slot portion 143 and against the lower inclined surface 144, the latter causing the slotted structure 124 to turn so that the pin is moved upwardly and into the locating slot 145. The housing 122 is now elevated, causing the pin 140 .to engage the lower inclined surface 146, which will further rotate the slotted sleeve structure 124 within the housing 122, as permitted by the one-way clutch 125, until the pin 140 shifts into the elevating slot 148.

The apparatus is then lowered in the well casing B. As the bridge plug A enters the latter, the drag block portions 56 of the slips will engage the wall of the well casing, whereupon the downward weight imposed on the tubing string D will shift the housing 122 and slotted structure 124 contained therewithin downwardly, causing the pin 140 to move from the lower elevating slot portion 148 into the running-in slot portion 147 aligned therewith. When the upper end of the running-in slot portion 147 engages the pin, it shifts the rod 80 downwardly within the packer body 10 to the extent determined by engagement of the lower end of the shoe and guide 155 with the upper end of the valve cage 24. When in this position, as explained above, further relative downward movement between the, rod 86 and the body 10 cannot occur, which, by virtue of the interconnection between the rod 80 and slips 13, 15, also precludes relative movement between the slips 13, 15 and the expanders 14, 16, the slips occupying the neutral position shown in FIGS. 1a and 2, as described hereinabove. The apparatus can now be lowered in the well casing on the lower end of the string of tubing D, the latter pushing the bridge plug A downwardly without anchoring the slips against the casing B, the pin 14% occupying and remaining in the running-in slot portion 147.

When the location in the well casing has been reached at which the well packer is to be anchored, the runningin and retrieving tool C is released from the rod 80. This is accomplished by taking a left-hand torque on the tubular running-in string D, which shifts the housing 122 and slotted structure 124 to the left, in view of the coupling action of the one-way clutch 125, the upper clutch member 126 engaging the upper end of the spring 132 and causing the lower end of the spring to engage the tooth 134 on the lower clutch member 131, which is acutally an integral part of the slotted structure 124. With such left-hand torque imposed on the tubing string D and the housing 122, the tubing string is elevated slowly, the upper end of the guide 155 engaging the slotted structure 124 and elevating it with the housing with respect to the pin 140 and control rod 80. Inasmuch as the slotted structure is being urged in a counter-clockwise direction, the pin 14!) comes out of'the running-in slot portion 147 and will then engage the inclined guide surface 149 and move against the left wall of the releasing slot 151. The tubing string D and running-in and retrieving tool C can now be elevated, to remove the latter from the well packer and its control rod 80, where upon the well packer will either be anchored against downward movement in the well casing or upward movement therewithin, depending upon the existence of a pressure differential above the well packer or below the well packer.

In order to retrieve the well packer, the tubular running-in string D is lowered in the well casing, the flaring end of the shoe and guide 155 insuring the movement of the housing 122 and its slotted structure 124 over the control rod and head 141. The tubular string D and the housing 122 connected thereto need not be turned since the pin will be guided properly into the sleeve 1'24 by bearing against the inclined guiding surface 142 of the lower slotted portion, such engagement causing the sleeve structure to rotate in a counter clockwise direction within the housing until the left vertical wall 153 of the sleeve structure engages the pin, whereupon the latter is in alignment with the entrance slot portion 143. Downward movement of the tubular string D will shift the tubular housing 122 and the slotted structure 124 therein downwardly along the pin 140, the latter entering the entrance slot portion 143 and continuing along the inclined guiding wall 144 into the locating slot 145, which is disaligned with respect to the entrance slot portion. The pin 140 will not engage the upper end of the locating slot portion 145 since, before that can take place, the lower end 158 of the guide will have engaged the body valve cage 124, and will have shifted the latter downwardly to expand the upper slips 13 against the casing. The fact that the well packer is taking weight will advise the operator that the pin 140 is in the locating slot portion 145. The tubular string D, housing 122, and slotted structure 124 are now moved upwardly, to bring the inclined guiding surface 146 against the pin 140, which will cam the slotted structure in a counter clockwise direction until the pin is received within the retrieving slot portion 148. Upward movement of the tubular string, housing, and slotted structure insures the disposition of the pin in that particular slot portion 148, and continued upward movement of the parts will now shift the control rod 80 upwardly with respect to the body 10, or to a neutral position, which will prevent the slips from being set against the well casing during upward movement of the packer in the latter. With the pin in the position just described, the well packer can be elevated in the casing to a new setting location, or it can be removed completely from the well casing;

During the lowering of the apparatus in the well casing, the control rod 80 is pushing downwardly on the slips 13, 15 through the anvil 87, while, at the same time, the shoe is pushing downwardly on the body 10, expansion of the slips as a result of such downward pushing action being prevented. However, in the event a pressure differential exists in the well casing above the well packer, such pressure difierential, which may be due to fluid under pressure flowing into the casing B through a hole above the packer, can act upon the upper packing member 20 and shift the body 10 and its expanders 14, 16 downwardly relative to the rod 80, which action would move the upper expander 14 downwardly within the upper slips 13 and rock them outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing.

In a similar manner, during elevation of the well packer in the well casing, with the control rod pin 140 disposed in the retrieving slot portion 148 of the running-in and retrieving tool C, the existence of a pressure differential in thewell casing below the well packer could result in such pressure acting upwardly on the lower packing member 26, shifting the body 10 of the tool upwardly with respect tothe control rod 80 and slips 13, 15, the lower expander 16 engaging the lower slips 15 and shifting them radially outward into anchoring engagement with the well casing.

By virtue of the present invention, such undesired anchoring ofthe well packer inthe well casing canbe prevented.

The diametrically opposed body slots 88 through which the. anvil 87 extends, and which has been referred to above, may be considered to be longitudinal setting slot members which are normally used. Additional diametrically opposed lockingslots 180 are formed through the body that are substantially shorter than the setting slots 88, and which communicate therewith. The upper and lower portions 181, 182 of the locking slots 180 ter-, minate asubstantial distance below and above the upper and lower ends 88a, 88b, respectively, of the setting slot portions 88. Actually, each locking slot 180 in the body may be disposeda short arcuate distance fromits adjacent setting slot 88, there being an entrance opening 183 inthebody therebetween that is substantiallywider than thevertical height of the anvil or cross-piece 87." The body has a dovtmward projection 184 between the upper portion .181 of the locking slot and the setting-slot 88, and an upward projection 185 between the lower portion 1820f each locking slot and the adjacent settingrslot, to insure the retention of the anvil 87 in the locking slot portions 180 when it is disposed therewithin, as described hereinbelow.

The body 10 of the tool can be turned in a counterclockwise direction relative to the control rod 80 and the anvil 87, so as to place the anvil in the locking slot portions 180 of the body. When so placed, the body 10 of the tool can only move upwardly relative to the. slips 13, 15a short distance, limited by engagement of the lower end 182 of each'locking slot withthelower side of the anvil 87. The extent of relative upward movement of the.body 10 is insuflicient to move the lower expander 16 behind the lower slips 15, and will, therefore, prevent expansion of the lower slips. Similarly, with the anvil 87 disposed in the locking slot portions 180, downward movement of the body 10 relative to the slips can only occur to the extent limited by engagement of the upper .ends 181-of the locking slots with the upper end of the anvil 87, the extent of this movement being insufiicient to shift the upper expander 14 downwardly within the upper slips 13 and shift the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement-with the wall of the well casing.

The body 10 of the tool is rotatable to place its setting slots 88 in alignment with the anvil 87, or its locking slots 180 in alignment with the anvil, by appropriate rotation of the tubular running-in string D, the housing .122, and guide 155 secured to the latter. The guidehas the depending lugs or clutch teeth 157 thereon which are adapted to engage companion teeth 188 provided by-the sides of the depressions or pockets 189 formed inthe.

upper portion of the upper valve cage 24. When the tapered surface158 of the guide 155 engages the upper end 159 of the valve cage 24, the clutch teeth 157 are disposed within the depressions or pockets 189 and will rotationally couple the guide 155 to the body 10 of the With the anvil or cross-piece 87 disposed in the.

tool. setting slot portions 88 of the body and in the neutral position shown in FIG. 1a, the tubular string D and running-in retrieving tool C can now be rotated, such rotary running-in and retrieving housing 122 with respect tothe slotted structure 124 therein in a counterclockwise directioncan occur despite the fact that the overunning clutch locks these partstogether in a counterclockwise direction, since the helical .clutch"=spring 132"will 'merely unwind sufiiciently to permit such relative arcuate motion" to occur. It should also be'noted that the threaded con= nection between the upper valve cage 24 and the upper end 'of the body 10 of the tool is preferably a left-hand one, so that the aforementioned left-hand rotation 'does not tend to unscrew the cage from the body, but, instead, tends to tighten the threaded connection therebetween.

Once the anvil 87 has been disposed in the locking slot portion 180, the apparatus can be lowered in the well casing. During such lowering movement, the pin will be disposed in the running-in slot portion 147 of the running-in and retrieving tool C, in order to exert a downward push on the control rod 80, the parts then occupying their neutral positions. In the event that pressure is now imposed on the well packer from above, suchprcssure will shift the body 10 downwardly, but only to .the extent limited by engagement of the body portion 181 defining the upper end of the locking slots with the upper end of the anvil 87, which is insufficient to shift the upper expander 14 downwardly behind the upper slips 13 and anchor them against the casing. The tool can be lowered to its desired setting point, whereupon the running-in string and retrieving tool C is rotated in a clockwise direction, to shift the body 10and slot structure 88, 180 clockwise relative to the anvil 87 and place the latter again in the setting slot portions 88 of the body. Release of the retrieving tool C from the well packer A, in the manner described above, will then permit the well packer to be set in the well casing, either by a pressure diiferen tial therebelow or by a pressure differential thereabove.

When the well packer is to be retrieved from the well casing, the running-in and retrieving tool C is disposed over the control rod 80 and the pin 140again placed in the running-in slot portion 147 'of the sleeve structure. The running-in and retrieving tool C is lowered to place the clutch teeth 157 in clutching engagement with the upper valve cage 24, the tubular running-in string D and retrieving tool C being rotated in a counterclockwise direotion to again shift the body 14) of the tool relative to the anvil and place the latter within the locking slot portions 180. The running-in string and retrieving tool can now be moved upwardlyto again place the. pin 140 in the retrieving slot portion 148, whereupon the apparatus can be shifted upwardly, the control rod Stlbeing moved up until the anvil 87 engages the body atthe upper ends 181 of the locking slots 188, in whichjposition the slips 13, 15 are held in their neutral condition and the tool can be elevated in the well'casing, the parts then being in the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 70.

During such elevating movement of the apparatus in the well casing, should there be a pressure condition in the well casing below the well packer which tends to shift the well packer upwardly, such shifting action will move the body 10-upwardly with respect to the control rod 80 and the slips, but only to the extent at which the body portions at the lower ends 182 of the locking slots 180 engage the lower end of the anvil. Such extent of movement is insuflicient to dispose the lower expander 16 behind the slips 15 and wedge the latter outwardly against the wall of the well casing. Elevation of the apparatus can continue in the well bore, with the fluid pressure be low holding the portions 182 against the anvil, which is disposed in the locking slot 180, permitting the entire well packer to be elevated in the well casing and removed completely therefrom, without danger. of the fluid pressure expanding the lower slips 15 into anchoring engagement with the well casing.

The inventor claims:

1. In well apparatus: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally ina well conduit; expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; slip meansslidab-le longitudinally with respect tosaid body'and expander means and engageable with said expander means to be expanded into engagement with the well conduit; holding means movable longitudinally with respect to said body to a first position limiting longitudinal movement of said body and expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit, said holding means being movable longitudinally with respect to said body to a second position to permit such longitudinal movement of said body and expander means relative to said slip means to expand said slip means; and means engageable with said holding means when said holding means is in said second position for limiting such longitudinal movement of said body and expander means relative to said slip means to prevent expansion of said slip means.

2. In well apparatus: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; slip means slidable long'tudinally with respect to said body and expander means and engageable with said expander means to be expanded into engagement with the well conduit; holding means engageable with said slip means and movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body to a first position limiting longitudinal movement of said body and expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit, said holding means being movable longitudinally with respect to said body to a second position to permit such longitudinal movement of said body and expander means relative to said slip means to expand said slip means; said body having means thereon engageable with said holding means limiting such longitudinal movement of said body and expander means relative to said slip means to prevent expansion of'said slip means when said holding means is in said second position.

3. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinaily in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; holding means movable with respect to said body to positions limiting longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit, said holding means being shiftable with respect to said body to still another position allowing said body and upper and lower expander means to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; and means engageable with said holding means when said holding means is in said another position for limiting longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent expansion of said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

4. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit;tupper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander t 1d" 7 means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip meanscoacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit;

.holding means engageable with said slip means and movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body to positions limiting longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slips into anchoring engagement with the conduit, said holding means being movable longitudinally with respect to said body to still another position to permit said body and upper and lower exander means to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; said body having means thereon engageable with said holding means limiting movement of said body and upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent expansion of said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit when said holding means is in said another position.

5. In Well apparatus: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and expander means and engageable with said expander means to be expanded into engagement with the well conduit; said body having a longitudinal setting slot therein; a rod movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body; a cross-piece extending through said slot and connected with said rod and slip means; said rod being adapted to be shifted longitudinally in said body with said cross-piece in said slot to a position allowing expansion of said slip means by allowing longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and expander means, and to another position with said cross-piece in said slot preventing such expansion; said body having a locking slot communicating with said setting slot and into which said cross-piece can be placed to prevent longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and expander means and ex pansion of said slip means.

6. In well apparatus: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; slip means I slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and expander means and engageable with said expander means to be expanded into engagement with the well conduit; said body having a longitudinal setting slot therein; a rod movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body; a cross-piece extending through said slot and connected with said rod and slip means; said rod being adapted to be shifted longitudinally in said body with said cross-piece in said slot to a position allowing expansion of said slip means by allowing longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and expander means, and to another position with said cross-piece in said slot preventing such expansion; said body having a locking slot communicating with said setting slot and into which said cross-piece can be placed to prevent longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and expander means and expansion of said slip means; and means for relatively rotating said body and rod to selectively place said cross-piece in said setting slot or locking slot.

7. In well apparatus: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; expander means movable longitudinally with. said body in the conduit; slip meansrslidable longitudinally witlrrespect to said body and expander means and engageable with said expander means to be expanded into engagement with the well conduit; said body having a longitudinal setting slot therein; a rod movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body; across-piece extending through said slot and connected with said'rod and slip means; said rod being adapted to. be shifted longitudinally in said body with said cross-piece in said'slot to a position allowing expansion of said slipmeans by allowing longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and expander means, and to another position with said cross-piece in said slot preventing such expansion; said body having a locking slot communicating with said setting slot and into which said cross-piece can be placed to prevent longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and expander means and expansion of said slip means; and means adapted to be coupled to the upper portion of said body for rotating said body relative to said crosspiece to selectively locate said cross-piece in said setting slot or locking slot.. s

8. In well apparatus: a. body adapted to be moved longitudinally .inra. well conduit; expander means movable longitudinally. with. said body in the conduit; slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and expander means and engageable with said expander means to be expanded into engagement with the well conduit; said body having a longitudinal setting slot therein; a rod movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body; a cross-piece extending through said slot and connected with said rod and slip means; said rod being adapted to be shifted longitudinally in said body with said cross-piece in said slot to a position allowing expansion of said slip means by allowing longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and expander means, and to another position with said crosspiece in said slot preventing such expansion; said body having a locking slot communicating with said setting slot and into which said cross-piece can be placed to prevent longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and expander means and expansion of said slip means; a tool adapted to be coupled to said rod for moving the apparatus in the well conduit; and means on said tool adapted to be coupled to said body for rotating said body relative to said cross-piece to selectively locate said cross-piece in said setting slot or locking slot.

9. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said body having a longitudinal setting slot therein; a rod movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body; a cross-piece extending through said slot and engageable with said rod and slip means; said rod being adapted to be shifted longitudinally in said body with said cross-piece in said slot to a position allowing expansion of said slip means by allowing longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and upper and lower expander means,

and toanother position with said cross-piecew in said slo'tpreventing such expansion; said body having a lock'-. ing slot communicating with said setting slot and into which said -cross-piece can be placed to prevent longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and upper and lower expander means and expansion of said slip means.

10. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved 1ongitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable-longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement; said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip-means into engagement with the-conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward ordownward movement in the conduit; said body having a longitudinal setting slot therein; a rod movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body; a cross-piece extending through said slot and engageable with said rod and slip means; said rod being adapted to be shifted longitudinally in said body with said cross-piece in said slot to a position allowing expansion of said slip means by allowing longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and upper and lower expander means, and to another position with said cross-piece in said slot preventing such expansion; said body having a locking slot communicating with said setting slot and into which said cross-piece can be placed to prevent longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and upper and lower expander means and expansion of said slip means; and means for relatively rotating said body and rod to selectively place said cross-piece in said setting slot or locking slot.

11. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said body having a longitudinal setting slot therein; a rod movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body; a cross-piece extending through said slot and engageable with said rod and slip means; said rod being adapted to be shifted longitudinally in said body with said cross-piece in said slot to a position allowing expansion of said slip means by allowing longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and upper and lower expander means, and to another position with said cross-piece in said slot preventing such expansion; said body having a locking slot communicating with said setting slot and into which said cross-piece can be placed to prevent longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and upper and lower expander means and expansion of said slip means; and means adapted to be coupled to the upper portion of slot'or locking slot.

. 12. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coaeting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein andenable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved, longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said body having a longitudinalfsetting slot therein; a rod movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body; a cross-piece extending through saidslot and engageable with said rod and slip means;

said rod being adapted to beishifted' longitudinally in said body with said cross-piece in saidtslot to a position allowing expansion of said slip means by allowing 1011- gitudinal movement between said slip means andbody and upper and lower expander means, and to another positionwith said cross-piece in said slot preventing such expansion; said body having a locking slot communicating with said setting slot and into which said cross-piece can be placed to prevent longitudinal movement between said slip means and body and upper and lower expander means and expansion of said slip means; a tool adapted to be coupled to said rod for moving the apparatus in the well conduit; and means on said tool adapted to be coupled to said body for rotating said body relative to said cross-piece to selectively locate said cross-piece in said setting slot or locking slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,122,749 Morrisett July 5, 1938 2,751,012 Baker et al. June 19, 1956 2,776,012 Baker Jan. 1, 1957 2,778,428 Baker et al. Jan. 22, 1957 2,802,534 Conrad..- Aug. 13, 1957

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