# US 11,306,554 B2 · Zonal isolation device with expansion ring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,306,554 B2 - Document ID: US11306554B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/964,805 - Filed: 2018-02-27 - Published: 2021-02-25 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-27 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Matthew James Merron; Matthew Taylor Nichols - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306554B2 ## CPC - E21B 23/06: for setting packers - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 33/124: Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space - E21B 33/1291: {anchor set by wedge or cam in combination with frictional effect, using so-called drag-blocks (E21B33/1295 takes precedence)} - E21B 43/105: {Expanding tools specially adapted therefor} - E21B 43/14: Obtaining from a multiple-zone well - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Zonal isolation devices, systems, and methods for use are provided. In some embodiments, the zonal isolation device comprises a tubular body having a fluid communication pathway formed along a longitudinal axis comprising: a sealing element comprising a deformable material and an inner bore forming at least a portion of the fluid communication pathway; an expansion ring disposed within the bore of the sealing element; a wedge engaged with a downhole end of the sealing element; and an anchoring assembly engaged with the wedge. In certain embodiments, the tubular body further comprises an end element adjacent the anchoring assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A zonal isolation device, comprising: a tubular body having a fluid communication pathway formed along a longitudinal axis comprising: a sealing element comprising a deformable material and an inner bore forming at least a portion of the fluid communication pathway; an expansion ring disposed within the bore of the sealing element; a wedge engaged with a downhole end of the sealing element; and an anchoring assembly engaged with the wedge, wherein the anchoring assembly comprises an expandable collar with one or more scarf cuts, wherein the one or more scarf cuts extend between a first end and a second end of the expandable collar with an angle relative to the first end, wherein each of the one or more scarf cuts is a spiral or helically extending cut slot through a body of the expandable collar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The zonal isolation device of claim 1, wherein the tubular body further comprises an end element adjacent the anchoring assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The zonal isolation device of claim 1, wherein the sealing element is radially expandable into sealing engagement with a downhole surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The zonal isolation device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring assembly comprises a plurality of slip segments for locking engagement with a downhole surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The zonal isolation device of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of slip segments are interconnected by a shearable link. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The zonal isolation device of claim 5, wherein the shearable link shears upon axial expansion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The zonal isolation device of claim 1, wherein longitudinal compression of the tubular body radially expands the sealing element and radially expands the anchoring assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The zonal isolation device of claim 1, wherein the sealing element is coupled to the wedge and the wedge is coupled to the anchoring assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The zonal isolation device of claim 1, wherein the wedge is coupled to the sealing element by a compression fit, an interference fit, or a bonding agent. ### Claim 10 A method comprising: inserting into a wellbore a zonal isolation device disposed on a setting tool adapter kit comprising a mandrel, wherein the zonal isolation device comprises: a sealing element comprising a deformable material and an inner bore; an expansion ring movably disposed within the inner bore of the sealing element; a wedge engaged with a downhole end of the sealing element; an anchoring assembly engaged with the wedge, wherein the anchoring assembly comprises an expandable collar with one or more scarf cuts, wherein the one or more scarf cuts extend between a first end and a second end of the expandable collar with an angle relative to the first end, wherein each of the one or more scarf cuts is a spiral or helically extending cut slot through a body of the expandable collar; and an end element adjacent the anchoring assembly and detachably coupled to the mandrel; and actuating to pull upwardly on the mandrel, wherein the upward movement of the mandrel longitudinally compresses the zonal isolation device, causing the expansion ring to axially move relative to the sealing element and radially expand the sealing element into a sealing engagement with a downhole surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the upward movement of the mandrel engages the anchoring assembly with the wedge, radially expanding the anchoring assembly into a locking engagement with the downhole surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising shearing a shear device coupling the mandrel to the end element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising removing the setting tool adapter kit and the mandrel from the wellbore. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein one or more components of the zonal isolation device comprises a pump-down ring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising seating a sealing ball on the expansion ring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the anchoring assembly comprises a plurality of slip segments for locking engagement with the downhole surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein upon sufficient movement of the wedge relative to the plurality of slip segments, at least two of the plurality of slip segments are separated from each other by shearing a shearable link joining the at least two slip segments. ### Claim 18 A zonal isolation system, comprising: a setting tool adapter kit comprising a mandrel; a sealing element disposed on the mandrel for sealing engagement with a downhole surface; an expansion ring movably disposed on the mandrel and engaged with the sealing element; a wedge disposed on the mandrel; and an anchoring assembly disposed around the mandrel for locking engagement with a downhole surface, wherein the anchoring assembly comprises an expandable collar with one or more scarf cuts, wherein the one or more scarf cuts extend between a first end and a second end of the expandable collar with an angle relative to the first end, wherein each of the one or more scarf cuts is a spiral or helically extending cut slot through a body of the expandable collar. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising an end element coupled to the mandrel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the end element is detachably coupled to the mandrel by a shearing element.