Plug slip ring with retaining mechanism and method
AssigneeGeodynamics, Inc.
InventorsJohn T. Hardesty, Raymond Christopher Shaffer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A downhole tool for sealing a well includes a push ring; a first slip ring located adjacent to the push ring; a first wedge located adjacent to the first slip ring and configured to push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into parts; and a retaining mechanism configured to retain the first slip ring next to one of the push ring or the first wedge. The retaining mechanism is part of either (1) the first slip ring or (2) the one of the push ring or the first wedge, but not both.
Claims35
A downhole tool for sealing a well, the downhole tool comprising:
- a push ring;
- a first slip ring located adjacent to the push ring;
- a first wedge located adjacent to the first slip ring and configured to push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into parts;
- and
- a retaining mechanism configured to retain the first slip ring next to one of the push ring or the first wedge,
- wherein the retaining mechanism is part of either (1) the first slip ring or (2) the one of the push ring or the first wedge, but not both.
A downhole tool for sealing a well, the downhole tool comprising:
- a mule shoe;
- a first slip ring located adjacent to the mule shoe;
- a first wedge located adjacent to the first slip ring and configured to push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into parts;
- and
- a retaining mechanism configured to retain the first slip ring next to one of the first wedge and the mule shoe,
- wherein the retaining mechanism is part of either (1) the first slip ring or (2) one of the first wedge and the mule shoe, but not both.
A downhole tool for sealing a well, the downhole tool comprising:
- a push ring;
- a first slip ring located adjacent to the push ring;
- a first wedge located adjacent to the first slip ring and configured to push the first slip ring;
- a sealing element for sealing the well and located adjacent to the first wedge;
- a second wedge located adjacent to the sealing element;
- a second slip ring located adjacent to the second wedge;
- a mule shoe located adjacent to the second slip ring;
- and
- a retaining mechanism configured to connect at least one of the first slip ring and the second slip ring to one of the push ring, the first wedge, the second wedge and the mule shoe,
- wherein the retaining mechanism is part of either (1) the first slip ring or the second slip ring, or (2) one of the push ring, the first wedge, the second wedge or the mule shoe, but not both.
A downhole tool for sealing a well, the downhole tool comprising:
- a slip ring located on a mandrel;
- a wedge located adjacent to the slip ring;
- a retaining mechanism located adjacent to the slip ring and configured to maintain the slip ring attached to the mandrel;
- and
- an element located adjacent to the retaining mechanism,
- wherein the retaining mechanism is independent of the slip ring, the wedge and the element.
A method for using a plug in a well, the method comprising:
- providing the plug with a retaining mechanism located between a slip ring and one of a wedge, mule shoe and push ring;
- lowering the plug into the well;
- setting the plug into the well by activating a setting tool, which results in parts of the slip ring to move away from each other,
- wherein the retaining mechanism is configured to guide the parts of the slip ring to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the parts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.