US 5,010,958 A · Multiple cup bridge plug for sealing a well casing and method

Abstract

A bridge plug for sealing a well casing comprises a plurality of cups which tightly interfit together when a compressive load is applied to both opposite ends of the plurality of cups. Application of the compressive load to both opposite ends of the cups forces a first cup to fit into a second cup, the second cup to fit into a third cup, and the third cup to fit into a fourth cup, etc., thereby producing a single unitary plug which includes a plurality of tightly interfit cups. Further application of the compressive load to both opposite ends causes transverse expansion of the plurality of interfit cups to occur. When the cups contact the well casing wall, a permanent seal is achieved between the cups and the well casing wall. Anchor elements on both sides of the cups contact the well casing wall and permanently hold the interfitting cups in their compressed condition.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A sealing apparatus for sealing a well casing, comprising:

a plurality of cups of successively larger sizes;
plate means disposed on opposite ends of said plurality of cups;
means for applying a compressive load to said plate means, said plate means providing a platform from which a further compressive load is applied to opposite ends of said plurality of cups in response to said compressive load applied to said plate means by said means for applying;
anchor means disposed adjacent each said plate means for gripping said well casing when said means for applying applies said compressive load to each said plate means thereby maintaining the application of said further compressive load from said plate means to said opposite ends of said plurality of cups;
the plurality of cups interfitting tightly together to form said sealing apparatus for sealing said well casing when said means applies said compressive load to said plurality of cups,
said plurality of cups remaining tightly interfit together and the well casing remaining sealed by the tightly interfit cups when said anchor means grips said well casing.

3 more elements

A sealing apparatus adapted for sealing a well casing, comprising:

a sleeve;
a plurality of objects disposed within said sleeve and adapted to interfit together to form a plug when said objects ar removed from within said sleeve and a compressive load is applied to opposite ends thereof;
undeployed backup means disposed on both sides of said plurality of objects for deploying in response to said compressive load and providing a backup platform from which a further compressive load is applied to said both sides of said plurality of objects, said plurality of objects forming said plug in response to said further compressive load;
and
undeployed anchor means disposed adjacent each backup means for deploying in response to said compressive load and for anchoring said sealing apparatus to said well casing when deployed thereby maintaining the formation of said plug by said plurality of objects in the absence of said compressive load and maintaining a seal between said plurality of objects and said well casing.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiple cup bridge plug for sealing a well casing and method

Life of this patent

Multiple cup bridge plug for sealing a well casing and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19