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US 6,354,372 B1Granted
Subterranean well tool and slip assembly
AssigneeCarisella & Cook Ventures
InventorsJames V. Carisella, Robert Bradley Cook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A slip assembly for anchoring a subterranean well tool, such as a packer or bridge plug, along the inner wall of a conduit, such as casing, against movements in at least one direction. As a series of radially aligned slip elements move from contracted to expanded positions, a continuous radial inwardly urging bias is applied against the slip elements to permit the slip elements to move to the expanded position in a substantially uniform plane of expansion. A subterranean well tool includes an elastomeric seal and the slip assembly.
Claims30
A slip assembly for anchoring a subterranean well tool along a conduit inner wall against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) a series of radially aligned slip means moveable from a contracted position to an expanded position;
- and
- (b) means for applying a continuous radial inwardly urging bias against said slip means whereby said slip means move in a substantially uniform axial plane of expansion during movements to said expanded position.
A slip assembly for anchoring a subterranean well tool along a conduit inner wall against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) a series of radially aligned slip means moveable from a contracted position to an expanded position;
- (b) a receiving profile including first and second shoulders defined upon said slip means;
- and
- (c) means carried within said profile and abutting said shoulders for applying a continuous inwardly urging circumferential bias against said slip means during movements to said expanded position.
1 more element
A slip assembly for anchoring a subterranean well tool along a inner wall of a conduit against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) a series of radially aligned slip means manipulatable from a contracted position to an expanded position;
- (b) a grooveway exteriorly defined around each of said slip means and including first and second shoulders;
- (c) elongated belt means housed within said grooveway and wrappingly positioned around said slip means;
- (d) means for securing one end of said belt means to said slip means;
- and
- (e) means for resisting unwrapping of said belt means, whereby movements of said slip means toward said expanded position induces unwrapping of said belt means while continuous abutting relationship is retained between said belt means and said shoulders for resistance to axial misalignment of said slip means during manipulation to the expanded position.
3 more elements
A subterranean well tool for setting along a first conduit inner wall and against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) means of securing said tool to a second conduit for carrying said tool within said well;
- (b) an elastomer moveable into sealing relationship with said inner wall during setting of said tool;
- (c) a slip assembly for anchoring said well tool along said inner wall and against movements in at least one direction, said slip assembly including:
- (1) a series of radially aligned slip means moveable from a contracted position to an expanded position;
- and
- (2) means for applying a continuously radial inwardly urging bias against said slip means whereby said slip means move in a substantially uniform axial plane of expansion during movements to said expanded position.
3 more elements
A subterranean well tool for setting along a first conduit inner wall and against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) means of securing said tool to a second conduit for carrying said tool within said well;
- (b) an elastomer moveable into sealing relationship on said inner wall during setting of said tool;
- (c) a slip assembly for anchoring said well tool along said inner wall and against movements in at least one direction, said slip assembly including:
- (1) a series of radially aligned slip means manipulatable from a contracted position to an expanded position;
- (2) a receiving profile including first and second shoulders defined upon said slip means;
- and
- (3) means carried within said profile and abutting said shoulders applying a continuous inwardly urging circumferential bias against said slip means during movements to said expanded position.
4 more elements
A subterranean well tool for setting along a first conduit inner wall and against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) means for securing said tool to a second conduit for carrying said tool within said well;
- (b) an elastomer moveable into sealing relationship with said inner wall during setting of said tool;
- (c) a slip assembly for anchoring said well tool along said inner wall and against movements in at least one direction, said slip assembly including:
- (1) a series of radially aligned slip means manipulatable from a contracted position to an expanded position;
- (2) a grooveway exteriorly defined around each of said slip means and including first and second shoulders;
- (3) elongated belt means housed within said grooveway and wrappingly positioned around said slip means;
- (d) means for securing one end of belt means to said slip means;
- and
- (e) means for resisting unwrapping of said belt means, whereby manipulation of said slip means toward said expanded position induces unwrapping of said belt means while continuous abutting relationship is retained between said belt means and said shoulders for resistance to axial misalignment of said slip means during manipulation to the expanded position.
6 more elements
A slip assembly for anchoring a subterranean well tool along a conduit inner wall against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) a series of radially aligned slip means movable from a contracted position to an expanded position;
- and
- (b) means to prevent axial misalignment of said slip means during movements between said positions and whereby during movements between said position each of said slip means retain initial uniform axial orientation relative to all other of said slip means.
A slip assembly for anchoring a subterranean well tool along a conduit inner wall against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) a control mandrel for moving said slip assembly from a contracted position to an anchoring position, said mandrel including a first length having a first exterior diameter and a second length having a second exterior diameter larger than said first exterior diameter, said first and second exterior diameter lengths being joined by a control mandrel section;
- (b) a series of radially aligned slip means including an inner wall defining a third diameter small than the second exterior diameter of the second length of the mandrel and greater than the first exterior diameter of the first length of the mandrel, said slip means further including a line of taper extending from said third exterior diameter inner wall;
- (c) wedging means around the second exterior diameter of the mandrel, said wedging means having a portion thereof sandwiched between the mandrel and the slip means when said slip assembly is in the contracted position, whereby manipulation of the control mandrel directs alignment of the second and third exterior diameter lengths and said wedging means drive said slip means along said line of taper and into said anchoring position;
- and
- (d) means for applying a continuous radial inwardly urging bias against said slip means whereby said slip means move in a substantially uniform axial plane of expansion during movements to said anchoring position.
2 more elements
A slip assembly for anchoring a subterranean well tool along a conduit inner wall against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) a control mandrel for moving said slip assembly from a contracted position to an anchoring position, said mandrel including a first length having a first exterior diameter and a second length having a second exterior diameter larger than said first exterior diameter, said first and second exterior diameter lengths being joined by a control mandrel section;
- (b) a series of radially aligned slip means including an inner wall defining a third diameter small than the second exterior diameter of the second length of the mandrel and greater than the first exterior diameter of the first length of the mandrel, said slip means further including a line of taper extending from said third exterior diameter inner wall;
- and
- (c) wedging means around the second exterior diameter of the mandrel, said wedging means having a portion thereof sandwiched between the mandrel and the slip means when said slip assembly is in the contracted position, whereby manipulation of the control mandrel directs alignment of the second and third exterior diameter lengths and said wedging means drive said slip means along said line of taper and into said anchoring position.
1 more element
A slip assembly for anchoring a subterranean well tool along a conduit inner wall against movements in at least one direction, comprising:
- (a) a control mandrel for moving said slip assembly from a contracted position to an anchoring position, said mandrel including a first length having a first exterior diameter and a second length having a second exterior diameter larger than said first exterior diameter, said first and second exterior diameter lengths being joined by a control mandrel section;
- (b) a series of radially aligned slip means including an inner wall defining a third diameter small than the second exterior diameter of the second length of the mandrel and greater than the first exterior diameter of the first length of the mandrel, said slip means further including a line of taper extending from said third exterior diameter inner wall, said slip means further including a receiving profile including first and second shoulders defined thereon and means carried within said profile and abutting said shoulders for applying a continuous inwardly urging circumferential bias against said slip means during movements to said anchoring position;
- and
- (c) wedging means around the second exterior diameter of the mandrel, said wedging means having a portion thereof sandwiched between the mandrel and the slip means when said slip assembly is in the contracted position, whereby manipulation of the control mandrel directs alignment of said second and third exterior diameter lengths and said wedging means drives said slip means along said line of taper and into said anchoring position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.