# US 2022/0034191 A1 · Frac plug slips with uniform breaking mechanism and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0034191 A1 - Document ID: US20220034191A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/341,571 - Filed: 2021-06-08 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-28 - Assignees: Geodynamics, Inc. - Applicants: Geodynamics, Inc. - Inventors: Casey BARRETT; Jeremy Eli CASTANEDA; Raymond Christopher SHAFFER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034191A1 ## CPC - E21B 33/1291: {anchor set by wedge or cam in combination with frictional effect, using so-called drag-blocks (E21B33/1295 takes precedence)} - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## 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 radially push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into individual parts, and a sealing element located adjacent to the first wedge and configured to seal the well. An upstream end of the first slip ring and a downstream end of the push ring form a wavy interface when in contact. The wavy interface locks the first slip ring relative to the push ring to prevent a rotation of the first slip ring relative to the push ring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 radially push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into individual parts; and a sealing element located adjacent to the first wedge and configured to seal the well, wherein an upstream end of the first slip ring and a downstream end of the push ring form a wavy interface when in contact, and wherein the wavy interface locks the first slip ring relative to the push ring to prevent a rotation of the first slip ring relative to the push ring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the first slip ring has plural initiating trenches formed into a downstream end, and the first wedge has plural corresponding ridges extending radially out from a body of the first wedge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The downhole tool of claim 2, wherein each of the plural initiating trenches is engaged with a corresponding ridge of the plural ridges so that the first slip ring cannot rotate relative to the first wedge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The downhole plug of claim 3, wherein the first slip ring includes plural separation trenches that define the individual parts, and the plural separation trenches extend longitudinally along the first slip ring, from the initiation trenches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The downhole plug of claim 4, wherein each separation trench of the plural separation trenches is aligned with a corresponding ridge of the plural ridges, and the plural ridges are configured to cut through the plural separation trenches to separate the parts from each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The downhole plug of claim 1, further comprising a second wedge located across the first wedge over the sealing element; a second slip ring located adjacent to the second wedge and having plural additional parts; and a mule shoe located adjacent to the second slip ring, wherein a downstream end of the second slip ring and an upstream end of the mule shoe form another wavy interface when in contact, and wherein the another wavy interface locks the second slip ring relative to the mule shoe to prevent a rotation of the second slip ring relative to the mule shoe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The downhole tool of claim 6, wherein the second slip ring has plural initiating trenches formed into an upstream end, and the second wedge has plural corresponding ridges extending radially out from a body of the second wedge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein each of the plural initiating trenches of the second slip ring is engaged with a corresponding ridge of the plural ridges of the second wedge so that the second slip ring cannot rotate relative to the second wedge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The downhole plug of claim 8, wherein the second slip ring includes plural separation trenches that define the additional individual parts, and the plural separation trenches extend longitudinally along the second slip ring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The downhole plug of claim 9, wherein each separation trench of the plural separation trenches of the second slip ring is aligned with a corresponding ridge of the plural ridges of the second wedge, and the plural ridges are configured to cut through the plural separation trenches to separate the additional parts from each other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the wavy interface is defined by plural planes having various orientations relative to a longitudinal axis. ### Claim 12 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 radially push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into individual parts; and a sealing element located adjacent to the first wedge and configured to seal the well, wherein the first slip ring has plural initiating trenches formed into a downstream end, and the first wedge has plural corresponding ridges extending radially out from a body of the first wedge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein each of the plural initiating trenches is engaged with a corresponding ridge of the plural ridges so that the first slip ring cannot rotate relative to the first wedge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The downhole plug of claim 13, wherein the first slip ring includes plural separation trenches that define the individual parts, and the plural separation trenches extend longitudinally along the first slip ring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The downhole plug of claim 14, wherein each separation trench of the plural separation trenches is aligned with a corresponding ridge of the plural ridges, and the plural ridges are configured to cut through the plural separation trenches to separate the parts from each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The downhole tool of claim 13, wherein an upstream end of the first slip ring and a downstream end of the push ring form a wavy interface when in contact, and wherein the wavy interface locks the first slip ring relative to the push ring to prevent a rotation of the first slip ring relative to the push ring. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The downhole plug of claim 16, further comprising a second wedge located across the first wedge, over the sealing element; a second slip ring located adjacent to the second wedge and having plural additional parts; and a mule shoe located adjacent to the second slip ring, wherein a downstream end of the second slip ring and an upstream end of the mule shoe form another wavy interface when in contact, and wherein the another wavy interface locks the second slip ring relative to the mule shoe to prevent a rotation of the second slip ring. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The downhole tool of claim 17, wherein the second slip ring has plural initiating trenches formed into an upstream end, and the second wedge has plural corresponding ridges extending radially out from a body of the second wedge, and wherein each of the plural initiating trenches of the second slip ring is engaged with a corresponding ridge of the plural ridges of the second wedge so that the second slip ring cannot rotate relative to the second wedge. ### Claim 19 A method for assembling a downhole tool that has slip rings with uniform breaking parts, the method comprising: providing a push ring; placing a first slip ring adjacent to the push ring, wherein an upstream end of the first slip ring and a downstream end of the push ring form a wavy interface when in contact; placing a first wedge adjacent to the first slip ring, the first wedge being configured to radially push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into individual parts; locking the first slip ring relative to the push ring with the wavy interface to prevent a rotation of the first slip ring; and placing a sealing element next to the first wedge, wherein the sealing element is configured to seal the well. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: locking the first slip ring relative to the first wedge by engaging plural initiating trenches formed into a downstream end of the first slip ring with plural corresponding ridges extending radially out from a body of the first wedge.