US3291220A

US3291220A - Hydraulic set liner hanger

Info

Publication number: US3291220A
Application number: US360700A
Authority: US
Inventors: James D Mott
Original assignee: Cicero C Brown
Current assignee: Hughes Tool Co
Priority date: 1964-04-17
Filing date: 1964-04-17
Publication date: 1966-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-13
Also published as: DE1219426B

Description

Dec. 13, 1966 J. D. MOTT 3,291,22U

HYDRAULIC SET LINER HANGER Filed April 17, 1,964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. /0/77 Q J fl M 0 f 2 BY A United States Patent 3,291,220 HYDRAULHC SET LINER HANGER James D. Mott, Houston, Tex., assignor to Cicero C. Brown, Houston, Tex. Filed Apr. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 360,7tl0 6 Claims. (Cl. 1662tl8) This invention relates to a liner hanger apparatus and more particularly to improvements in a hydraulically-operated liner hanger adapted to be set in a well casing.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a liner hanger employing means by which pressure fluid for setting the hanger is supplied from the setting tool, the means being so constructed and arranged that it may be readily removed from the hanger body when the setting tool is withdrawn, without requiring the drilling-out or other more diflicult operations to clear the bore of the hanger body, as is frequently the case with more conventional designs.

An important object is the provision of a fluid transfer and sealing sleeve carried on the setting tool and slidable inside the hanger body, the sleeve being provided with transverse passages for communicating pressure fluid from the setting tool to the hydraulically operated hanger setting devices.

Another object is the provision of such a sleeve means having, in addition to the transverse passages for communicating pressure fluid from the setting tool to the hydraulically operated apparatus, longitudinally extending passages for controlling the fill-up of the running-in string with fluid as it is being run, and to also discharge fluid from the setting tool and operating string as the latter are pulled from the well after the hanger has been set, to thereby avoid carrying fluid to the surface.

Other and more specific objects of this invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a useful embodiment in accordance with this invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, quarter-sectional view showing the hanger liner inserted in a well casing with the hanger parts in the running-in or non-actuated positions;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the parts in the positions occupied when the hanger is set;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the position of the setting tool during a stage of its release from the liner hanger; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the liner hanger apparatus in accordance with this invention, is shown in a well casing C which, it will be understood, lines a well bore, and to which a liner L is to be attached by means of the liner hanger apparatus. The liner hanger apparatus comprises a generally tubular body l0 having a bore lltla. The upper end of body is screwed into a coupling sleeve 11, the upper end of which forms a seat for a conventional anti-friction bearing 12 which is provided with a plurality of radial slots 13 affording fluid communication between the exterior of the hanger body and the bore thereof. The lower end of body 10 is screwed into the upper end of a tubular sub 14, the lower end of which is threaded for connection to liner L by means of a threaded collar 15. Mounted below sleeve 11 on the exterior of body 10 in longitudinally spaced relation are upper and lower slip expanders l6 and 17, respectively, each of the expanders being of conventional form having angularly spaced slots defining inwardly sloping

surfaces

16a and 17a, respectively, to co-operably engage upper and lower sets of toothed pipe-gripping wedges or slips l8 and 19,

IiiflLZZfl' Patented Dec. 13, 1965 ice respectively, for urging the slips radially outwardly into gripping engagement with wall C in response to relative longitudinal movement between the expanders and the related slips. The slips of one set are angularly staggered with respect to the slips of the other set,

The slips of upper set 18 are carried on the upper ends of resilient arms 20 which are mounted on a cage ring 21 slidably disposed about the exterior of body ltl. The slips of lower set 19 are similarly mounted on resilient arms 22 which are, in turn, secured to an annular cylinder head 23 slidably disposed about the exterior of body it) adjacent its lower end and above sub 14. Arms 20 of the upper slips have downward extensions 20a which are secured at their lower ends to cylinder head 23, and thereby normally support the upper set of slips from cylinder head 23, as well as from cage ring 21. While two sets of slips are shown, it will be understood that in many instances only one set of slips will be required. The number of slips and the general arrangement and details thereof are generally conventional and are intended to be illustrative of various radially expansible and contractible devices commonly employed in well tools such as liner hangers, packers, and the like.

Cylinder head 23 is provided with a cylindrical skirt 24 which extends downwardly about the exterior of sub 14 in a close slidable relation and is initially secured to the sub in its lowermost postion by means of shear pins 25. Cylinder head 23, skirt 24 and the upper end of sub 14 co-operate with the exterior of body lit to define an expansible pressure chamber 26. Radial inlet ports 27 are provided through the wall of body Iltl to communicate pressure chamber 26 with the bore of body It). Seal packing 28 is arranged between the exterior of sub 14 and cylinder skirt 24- below chamber 26 and

seal packings

29 and 30 are provided between the inner wall of sub 14 and the exterior of body 10 above and below ports 27 to provide the requisite sealing for pressure chamber 26.

Arms

20 and 22 are constructed to normally bias the slips inwardly toward the hanger body so that they are normally retracted to be out of engagement with the wall of casing C when the apparatus is being run into the well.

Extending into the bore of body 10 is a tubular setting tool or mandrel 31 having a bore 31a. The upper end of setting tool 31 is screwed into a tubular coupling member 33, the upper end of which is adapted to be received in a collar P attached to the lower end of a section of an operating pipe string (not shown). Coupling member 33 extends through the bore of bearing 12 which is held in place between the upper end of bearing sleeve 11 and the shoulder 34- forrned by the lower end of collar P, the bearing furnishing anti-friction means aiding free rotational movement of the setting tool relative to the hanger body.

A conventional releasable connection is provided between the setting tool and the hanger body, This connection includes an annular travelling nut 35, having longitudinal passages 35a therethrough, which forms a releasable connection between coupling 33 and connector sleeve 11. The latter is provided with a short section of coarse threads 36 which mate with corresponding threads on the exterior of nut 35. The bore of nut 35 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal splines 37 which ride in cooperating spline grooves 38 formed on the exterior of coupling member 33. The bore wall of connector sleeve ll has an unthreaded portion above threads 36 to receive travelling nut 35 when the latter is moved out of engagement with threads 36 after a suitable number of rotations ring 42 is secured to the exterior of the lower end of reduced diameter portion 40 and a seat ring 43 is mounted in the lower end of bore 31a of the setting tool and is provided about its upper edge with a tapered seat 44 adapted for reception of a closure member, such as a ball 45 (FIG. 2). One or more radial discharge ports 46 are provided through the wall of portion 40 of the setting tool.

Slidably disposed about portion 40 of the setting tool is a sealing sleeve 47 which is somewhat shorter in length than the distance between shoulder 41 and the upper end of abutment ring 42, thereby providing a limited degree of relative longitudinal movement between sleeve 47 and the setting tool. Sleeve 47 has a thickness such as to span the annular space between the setting tool and the bore wall of hanger body and extend into a slidable engagement with the latter. The hanger body has an internal upwardly facing shoulder 48 to limit downward movement of sleeve 47, so that when the setting tool is fully inserted in hanger body 10 in the running-in position, as seen in FIG. 1, sleeve 47 will be held in place between

shoulders

41 and 48.

Sleeve 47 is provided with one or more transverse passages 49 which communicate at their opposite ends with

annular grooves

50 and 51 provided in the interior and exterior walls, respectively, of sleeve 47.

Grooves

50 and 51 and the connecting passages 49 are positioned in sleeve 47 to be in registration with

ports

27 and 46 when the sleeve is seated on shoulder 48 and held down thereon by engagement of shoulder 41 with the upper end of the sleeve.

Passages 49 serve to provide fluid communication between bore 31a of the setting tool and pressure chamber 26. Suitable seal packings 5252 are provided between the exterior of sleeve 47 and the bore wall of hanger body 10 above and below groove 51, and similar seal packings 5353 are provided between the interior wall of sleeve 47 and the exterior of portion 40 of the setting tool on opposite sides of grooves 50 to prevent leakage of fluid between sleeve 47 and the setting tool hanger body. Sleeve 47 is provided with a passage 54 extending longitudinally through the body of the sleeve from end to end thereof. A downwardly opening check valve 55 is mounted in the lower end portion of passage 54 to allow downward passage of fluid through the annular space between the setting tool and the packer body.

Sleeve 47 may be provided with a second longitudinal passage 56 which extends from the lower end of the sleeve to a point between upper seal packing 53 and transverse passage 49 where the upper end of passage 56 opens through the inner wall of the sleeve. A seal packing 57 is positioned between the inner wall of sleeve 47 and portion 40 of the setting tool at a point between the'upper end of passage 56 and transverse passage 49. Longitudinal passage 56 serves as a fluid dump passage in the operation of the tool, as will be described hereinafter.

Operation of the tool is conducted substantially in the following manner: The tool, assembled as shown in FIG. 1, is run into casing C to the point at which the liner hanger is to be set. During this operation the liner may be filled with fluid, as is commonly done, in order to prevent collapse, as entry of fluid into the liner from below will normally be prevented by the back-pressure valve ordinarily provided in the cementing shoe carried by the lower end of the liner. The fluid to fill the runningin-string will flow through slots 13 in the connector sleeve and passages 35a in the travelling nut into the annular space between the setting sleeve and the hanger body, and thence through passages 54 and check valves 55 into the interior of liner L and thence through the bore of the setting tool and into the running-in-string.

When the liner hanger is in place, closure ball 45 will be pumped, along with water, mud or other pressure fluid, through the operating string into the bore of setting tool 31 and will come to rest on seat 44 of seat ring 43, thereby closing-off the bore of the setting tool below ports 46.

Thereupon, increased pressure on the hydraulic fluid in the bore of the operating string will be transmitted through discharge ports 46, transverse passages 49, and inlet ports 27 into pressure chamber 26. When the pressure is increased sufficiently, shear pins 25 will be broken, allowing cylinder head 23 to be forced upwardly thereby urging

slips

19 and 18 over their

respective expander elements

17 and 16. The slips will be forced outwardly to anchor the hanger to the wall of easing C, as best seen in FIG. 2.

When the liner hanger has thus been effectively anchored to casing C, the operating string will be rotated a sufiicient number of turns to cause travelling nut 35 to move upwardly on threads 36 until the connection between the setting tool and the hanger body is released, also as seen in FIG. 2, freeing the setting tool for removal from the hanger body. Thereupon, an upwardly pull will be applied to the operating string attached to the setting tool and the latter will be drawn upwardly. The initial upward movement will bring the upper end of abutment ring 42 into engagement with the lower end of sleeve 47, as best seen in FIG. 3. This relative movement between the setting tool and sleeve 47 will move ports 46 into registration with the upper end of dump passage 56. This communication will allow the load of liquid in the bore of the operating string and the setting tool to be discharged through passage 56 into the bore of liner L and allow the operating string to be pulled upwardly without carrying a load of liquid with it. Any liquid remaining in the annular space between the setting tool and the hanger body above sleeve 47 will likewise be dumped through passage 54. Continued upward movement of the operating string will then pull sleeve 47 out of the bore of hanger body 10 and leave the latter fully open throughout its length ready to receive any other well pipes or tools as may be required for subsequent equipping and operation of the well.

It will be evident that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of the illustrative embodiment within the scope of the appended claims but without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a liner hanger apparatus adapted to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore, a tubular body, normally retracted means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly against the well leasing, hydraulically operable means on said body for expanding said normally retracted means, inlet port means through the wall of said body for providing fluid communication to said hydraulically operable means, a tubular setting tool extending into the bore of said body, means releasably connecting said setting tool to said body, discharge port means through the wall of said setting tool for providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior thereof, and a sleeve member carried on the exterior of said setting tool for limited relative longitudinal movement thereon and extending into slidable sealing engagement with said body, said sleeve member having transverse passages movable into and out of communication between said discharge and inlet port means by longitudinal movement of the setting tool relative to said body.

2. In a liner hanger apparatus adapted to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore, a tubular body, normally retracted means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly against the well casing, hydraulically operable means on said body for expanding said normally retracted means, said hydraulically operable means including hollow piston means slidably mounted on said body, inlet port means through the wall of said body communicating the bore thereof with the interior of said piston means, a tubular setting tool extending into the bore of said body, means releasably connecting said setting tool to said body, discharge port means through the wall of said setting tool providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior thereof, a sealing sleeve member carried on the exterior of said setting tool and extending into slidable sealing engagement with said body, said sleeve member having transverse passages movable into and out of communication between said discharge and inlet port means by longitudinal movement of the setting tool relative to said body, and a passageway extending longitudinally entirely through said sleeve member, and downwardly opening check valve means controlling said passageway.

3. In a liner hanger apparatus adapted to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore, a tubular body, normally retracted means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly against the well casing, hydraulically operable means on said body for expanding said normally retracted means, said hydraulically operable means including hollow piston means slidably mounted on said body, inlet port means through the wall of said body communicating the bore thereof with the interior of said piston means, a tubular setting tool extending into the bore of said body, means releasably connecting said setting tool to said body, discharge port means through the wall of said setting tool providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior thereof, a sealing sleeve member carried on the exterior of said setting tool for limited relative longitudinal movement and extending into slidable sealing engagement with said body, said sleeve member having transverse passages movable into and out of communication between said discharge and inlet port means by longitudinal movement of the setting tool relative to said body, a first passageway extending longitudinally entirely through said sleeve member, downwardly opening check valve means controlling said first passageway, and a second passageway having one end communicating with the lower end of said sleeve member and its upper end positioned to communicate with said discharge port means in response to said limited relative longitudinal movement between said setting tool and said sleeve member.

4. In a liner hanger apparatus adapted to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore, a tubular body, normally retracted means on said body adapted to be expanded outwardly against the well casing, hydraulically operable means on said body :for expanding said normally retracted means, inlet port means through the wall of said body for providing fluid communication to said hydraulically operable means, a tubular setting tool extending into the bore of said body, means releasably connecting said setting tool to said body, discharge port means through the wall of said setting tool for providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior thereof, and a sleeve member carried on the exterior of said setting tool and extending into slidable sealing engagement with said body, said sleeve member having transverse passages movable into and out of communication between said discharge and inlet port means by longitudinal movement of the setting tool relative to said body, and opposed shoulder means on said setting tool and said body engageable with the opposite ends of said sleeve member to hold said sleeve member in the position establishing communication between said discharge and inlet port means when said setting tool is connected to said body.

5. A liner hanger, comprising a tubular body connectible into a liner string, a tubular slip cage slidably mounted on the mandrel, means releasably securing the slip cage to the body, two vertically spaced sets of circumferentially spaced pipe-gripping slips mounted in fixed longitudinal relation on the cage about the body, downwardly tapering slip expander members mounted on the body in positions to expand both sets of slips in response to relative longitudinal movement of the slips and expander members toward each other, fluid pressure-actuated means mounted on the body for moving the slip cage longitudinally of the body whereby to move said slips toward said expander members, and means for directing pressure fluid from the interior of said body to said fluid pressure-actuated means.

6. A liner hanger according to claim 5 wherein the slips of one set are angularly staggered with respect to the slips of the other set.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,328,840 9/ 1943 OLeary 166208 3,072,204 1/ 1963 Brown 166-212 X 3,195,646 7/1965 Brown 166208 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

D. H. BROWN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

5. A LINER HANGER, COMPRISING A TUBULAR BODY CONNECTIBLE INTO A LINER STRING, A TUBULAR SLIP CAGE SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON THE MANDREL, MEANS RELEASABLY SECURING THE SLIP CAGE TO THE BODY, TWO VERTICALLY SPACED SET OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED PIPE-GRIPPING SLIPS MOUNTED IN FIXED LONGITUDINAL RELATION ON THE CAGE ABOUT THE BODY, DOWNWARDLY TAPERING SLIP EXPANDER MEMBERS MOUNTED ON THE BODY IN POSITIONS TO EXPAND BOTH SETS OF SLIPS IN RESPONSE TO RELATIVE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF THE SLIPS AND EXPANDER MEMBERS TOWARD EACH OTHER, FLUID PRESSURE-ACTUATED MEANS MOUNTED ON THE BODY FOR MOVING THE SLIP CAGE LONGITUDINALLY OF THE BODY WHEREBY TO MOVE SAID SLIPS TOWARD SAID EXPANDER MEMBERS, AND MEANS FOR DIRECTING PRESSURE FLUID FROM THE INTERIOR OF SAID BODY TO SAID FLUID PRESSURE-ACTUATED MEANS.