Slips for downhole sealing device and methods of making the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017218711-A1
Application number	US-201715422332-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 1, 2017
Priority date	Feb 1, 2016
Publication date	Aug 3, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A slip for a downhole sealing device includes a plurality of slip segments angularly disposed about a central axis, each slip segment including, a body, and a plurality of engagement members molded or cast at least partially within the body, wherein each of the slip segments are releasably coupled to one another.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A slip for a downhole sealing device, comprising:
a plurality of slip segments angularly disposed about a central axis, each slip segment including;
a body; and
a plurality of engagement members molded or cast at least partially within the body;
wherein each of the slip segments are releasably coupled to one another.

2 . The slip of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the engagement members is formed of a first material, and the body is formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

3 . The slip of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the engagement members comprises an arcuate segment.

4 . The slip of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the engagement members comprises:
a cylindrical head including a planar engagement surface; and a base; wherein the base is embedded within the body; and wherein the planar engagement surface is disposed outside of body.

5 . The slip of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the engagement members comprises a longitudinal member axis that extends radially with respect to the central axis;
wherein the planar engagement surface is disposed at an angle less than 90° with respect to the member axis.

6 . The slip of claim 1 , wherein the body of each slip segment comprises a projection extending axially with respect to the central axis;
wherein the body of each slip segment includes a slot extending axially with respect to the central axis; and wherein the projection of each slip segment is disposed in the slot of another of the slip segments.

7 . The slip of claim 6 , wherein the projection and the slot of the body of each slip segment is dovetail shaped.

8 . The slip of claim 6 , wherein the projection of each slip segment is tapered; and
wherein the slot of each slip segment is tapered.

9 . The slip of claim 8 , wherein the projection of each slip segment includes an engagement member extending outward from a lateral side of the projection;
wherein the slot of each slip segment includes an engagement receptacle extending inward from a lateral side of the slot; and wherein when the projection of each slip segment is inserted into the slot of another of the slip segments, the engagement member on the projection is seated within the engagement receptacle in the slot.

10 . The slip of claim 1 , wherein each slip segment comprises:
a plurality of the bodies; and a web extending between the plurality of bodies; wherein the web is monolithically formed with each of the plurality of bodies.

11 . The slip of claim 1 , wherein:
a radially inner end of the body comprises a receptacle; and an insert is received within the receptacle of the body.

12 . A slip for a downhole sealing device, comprising:
a plurality of separate and distinct slip segments angularly disposed about a central axis, each slip segment comprising:
a body formed of a first material; and
an arcuate engagement member embedded within the body, the engagement member formed of a second material that is different from the first material.

13 . The slip of claim 12 , wherein the first material is harder than the second material.

14 . The slip of claim 12 , further comprising:
a plurality of the arcuate engagement members embedded within the body; wherein each arcuate engagement member extends arcuately about the central axis.

15 . The slip of claim 12 , wherein the body of each slip segment includes a projection extending axially with respect to the central axis;
wherein the body of each slip segment includes a slot extending axially with respect to the central axis; and wherein the projection of each slip segment is disposed in the slot of another of the slip segments.

16 . The slip of claim 15 , wherein:
the projection and the slot of each slip segment are each tapered; the projection of each slip segment includes an engagement member extending outward from a lateral side of the projection; the slot of each slip segment includes an engagement receptacle extending inward from a lateral side of the slot; and when the projection of each slip segment is inserted into the slot of another of the slip segments, the engagement member on the projection is seated within the engagement receptacle in the slot.

17 . The slip of claim 12 , further comprising:
a plurality of elongate locking members; wherein the body of each slip segment includes a slot extending axially with respect to the central axis; and wherein the locking members are inserted into the slot of each slip segment.

18 . The slip of claim 17 , wherein:
each locking member comprises a pair of dovetail profiles and a throat disposed between the dovetail profiles; and one of the dovetail profiles of the locking members is inserted into the slot of each slip segment.

19 . A method for manufacturing a slip for a downhole sealing device, the method comprising:
(a) forming a plurality of engagement members from a first material; (b) placing the engagement members into a mold; (c) inserting a second material into the mold around the engagement members to form a slip segment; and (d) coupling the slip segment formed during (c) to another slip segment.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein (c) comprises pouring a molten material into the mold.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the second material includes at least one of zinc, composite, and plastic.

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein (a) comprises:
(a1) cutting a plurality of rings from a first material; and (a2) cutting each ring into a plurality of arcuate segments.

23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein (a) further comprises:
(a3) cutting one or more grooves into one or more of the arcuate segments.

24 . The method of claim 19 , wherein (d) comprises inserting a projection on the slip segment into a slot of another slip segment.

25 . The method of claim 19 , wherein (d) comprises axially inserting a separate locking member into a slot of each slip segment.

Assignees

• G&H Diversified Mfg Lp

Inventors

• Kash Edward Cannoy

Classifications

• B22D19/04 Primary

  for joining parts · CPC title

• B22D19/00

  Casting in, on, or around objects which form part of the product (B22D23/04 takes precedence; alumino-thermic welding B23K23/00; coating by casting molten material on the substrate C23C6/00) · CPC title

• E21B23/01 Primary

  for anchoring the tools or the like (E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18) · CPC title

• E21B33/1293

  with means for anchoring against downward and upward movement (E21B33/1291, E21B33/1295 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/129

  with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) · CPC title