# US 2014/0196889 A1 · Downhole anchoring systems and methods of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196889 A1 - Document ID: US20140196889A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/742,395 - Filed: 2013-01-16 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated - Applicants: Baker Hughes Incorporated - Inventors: Levi B. Oberg; Ying Qing Xu; Gregory L. Hern; Douglas J. Lehr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196889A1 ## CPC - E21B 23/01: for anchoring the tools or the like (E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18) - E21B 33/1216: {Anti-extrusion means, e.g. means to prevent cold flow of rubber packing} - E21B 33/129: with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Anchoring systems for disposition in wellbores and tubular devices comprise a tubular member defined by two or more radially expandable slip members. The upper ends of the slip members are shaped such that when the slip members are in their respective run-in positions and in their respective set positions, a portion of an upper end of one slip member overlaps a portion of an upper end of another slip member so that the longitudinal space between each slip member that is created when the slip members are in their set position are blocked by the upper end of at least one of the slip members. Thus, in their set position, the upper end of at least one of the slip members provides a back-up to a sealing element that can be disposed adjacent to and in contact with the upper ends of the slip members when in their set positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An anchoring system for wellbores, the anchoring system comprising: a tubular member having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, an outer wall surface, a bore, a first slip member, and a second slip member, the first and second slip members being movable radially outward from the axis of the tubular member from a run-in position to a set position, wherein the first slip member comprises a first projection at an upper end of the first slip member, the first projection extending over a first portion of an upper end of the second slip member when the first and second slip members are in their respective run-in positions and, the first projection extending over a second portion of the upper end of the second slip member when the first and second slip members are in their respective set positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a collet and each of the first and second slip members are disposed on separate collet fingers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first slip member is disposed adjacent the second slip member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first projection of the first slip member is in sliding engagement with the upper end of the second slip member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the second slip member includes a detent disposed on the upper end of the second slip member, the detent being in sliding engagement with the first projection of the first slip member when the first and second slip members are in their respective run-in positions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The anchoring system of claim 5, wherein the detent is disposed in alignment with a center point of the upper end of the second slip member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first slip member further comprises a second projection, the second projection extending over a first portion of an upper end of a third slip member when the first and third slip members are in their respective run-in positions and, the second projection extending over a second portion of the upper end of the third slip member when the first and third slip members are in their respective set positions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The anchoring system of claim 7, wherein the second projection is in sliding engagement with the upper end of the third slip member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The anchoring system of claim 8, wherein the first and second projections include ends, the end of the first projection aligning with a center point of the upper end of the second slip member when the first and second slip members are in their respective run-in positions, and the second projection aligning with a center point of the upper end of the third slip member when the first and third slip members are in their respective run-in positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the second slip member comprises a second projection, the second projection extending over a first portion of an upper end of a third slip member when the second and third slip members are in their respective run-in positions and, the second projection extending over a second portion of the upper end of the third slip member when the second and third slip members are in their respective set positions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The anchoring system of claim 10, wherein the second projection is in sliding engagement with the upper end of the third slip member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The anchoring system of claim 11, wherein the first and second projections include ends, the end of the first projection aligning with a center point of the upper end of the second slip member when the first and second slip members are in their respective run-in positions, and the second projection aligning with a center point of the upper end of the third slip member when the second and third slip members are in their respective run-in positions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first end of the tubular member is operatively associated with a sealing element, and the first projection is operatively associated with the sealing element to provide support to the sealing element when the first slip member is in its set position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the first and second slip members each further comprise a lower end, the lower ends comprising an engagement profile in sliding engagement with a corresponding slip carrier profile disposed on a slip carrier. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the slip carrier comprises a tubular member having an upper end, a lower end, an outer wall surface, and an inner wall surface defining a bore, wherein the slip carrier profiles are disposed along the upper end of the slip carrier and have a shape that is reciprocal to a shape of the engagement profiles disposed at the lower ends of the first and second slip members. ### Claim 16 An anchoring system comprising: a tubular member defined by a plurality of slip members, the plurality of slip members collectively defining a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, an outer wall surface, and an inner wall surface defining a bore, each of the plurality of slip members being radially expandable from a run-in position to a set position, each of the plurality of slip members having a profile disposed at an upper end of each of the plurality of slip members, wherein at least one profile of one of the plurality of slip members overlaps at least one profile of another of the plurality of slip members when the plurality of slip members are in the set position. ### Claim 17 A method of anchoring a device in a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) locating a device within a wellbore, the device comprising a tubular member having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, a first slip member, and a second slip, the first and second slip members being movable radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, wherein the first slip member comprises a first projection at an upper end of the first slip member, the first projection extending over a first portion of an upper end of the second slip member when the first and second slip members are in their respective run-in positions; (b) radially expanding a portion of the tubular member causing the first and second slip members to move radially outward from their respective run-in positions to their respective set positions; (c) during step (b), sliding a portion of the first projection along a portion of the upper end of the second slip member; and (d) engaging an inner wall surface of a wellbore with the first and second slip members, wherein the first projection remains in sliding engagement with the portion of the upper end of the second slip member when the first and second slip members are engaged with the inner wall surface of the wellbore. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein during step (b), a sealing element disposed adjacent the first end of the tubular member is radially expanded causing a first portion of the sealing element to be placed in engagement with the inner wall surface of the wellbore and causing a second portion of the sealing element to be placed in engagement with the first projection of the first slip member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein during step (c), a lower end of each of the first and second slip members rotate about a pivot point disposed at each of the lower ends of the first and second slip members. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein during step (c), a lower end of each of the first and second slip members slide radially outward along a sliding surface.