Increased load bearing thickness for anchoring slip

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9562410-B2
Application number	US-201314067405-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 30, 2013
Priority date	Oct 30, 2013
Publication date	Feb 7, 2017
Grant date	Feb 7, 2017

Abstract

A slip design has segments that move relatively axially before moving in tandem up a ramp for radial extension. Due to the fact of the relative movement the segments interlock due to their geometric configuration or their surface treatment such that at the conclusion of such relative movement the load carrying thickness is effectively increased. The extended position minimizes radial extension of the slips for a smaller tool drift dimension while still allowing the needed radial extension and actually extending the radial reach of the slip assembly. The segment can have triangular or trapezoidal tapered interfaces that provide bearing areas between slip segments and adjacent spacer segment. Alternatively, the slips segments can have opposing wickers so that after riding up an underlying support member can interact with that member for load transfer. The supporting members can also be secured to an underlying mandrel for further load transfer.

First claim

I claim:

1. An articulated slip assembly, comprising:
a mandrel;
axially alternating gripping segments and support segments configured in a first position where said gripping and support segments are located by said mandrel and a set position where said support segments have each moved axially and toward each other and radially displaced said gripping segments into engagement with a surrounding tubular to support loads transmitted to said mandrel.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
said radial movement of said gripping segments results from a camming force of tapered surfaces on said support segments creating a radial force component on mating tapered surfaces of said gripping components in response to axial movement of said support segments.

3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein:
said tapered surfaces on said gripping members end in a spaced relation to each other to define a cylindrical surface.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
axial movement of said support segments to a point of contact with each other does not result in engagement of said gripping components of a surrounding tubular.

5. An articulated slip assembly, comprising:
a mandrel;
alternating gripping segments and support segments configured in a first position where said gripping and support segments are located by said mandrel and a set position where said support segments have moved axially toward each other and radially displaced said gripping segments into engagement with a surrounding tubular to support loads transmitted to said mandrel;
axial movement of said support segments to a point of contact does not result in engagement of said gripping components of a surrounding tubular;
said gripping and support segments move in tandem upon contact of said support segments with each other.

6. The assembly of claim 5 , further comprising:
a ramp to push out said support and gripping segments together once said support segments have contacted each other.

7. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
a breakable member operably engaged to at least one of said segments to order segment movement into an initial axial movement to allow said support segments to move into contact from axial movement before the assembly of said segments is moved radially by movement along said ramp.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein:
said breakable member is at least one shear pin.

9. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
said ramp is independent of said segments.

10. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
said ramp comprises opposing axially spaced end ramps on each of said support segments.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein:
said gripping segments comprise a plurality of stop surfaces that engage an opposed plurality of stop surfaces on opposing support segments that flank said gripping segments to define the end of travel of said gripping segments on said axially spaced end ramps on each of said support segments.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein:
said plurality of surfaces present a zig-zag pattern in an end section view.

13. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein:
at least two adjoining surfaces of said zig-zag pattern are disposed perpendicularly to each other.

14. An articulated slip assembly, comprising:
a mandrel;
alternating gripping segments and support segments configured in a first position where said gripping and support segments are located by said mandrel and a set position where said support segments have moved axially toward each other and radially displaced said gripping segments into engagement with a surrounding tubular to support loads transmitted to said mandrel;
said radial movement of said gripping segments results from a camming force of tapered surfaces on said support segments creating a radial force component on mating tapered surfaces of said gripping components in response to axial movement of said support segments;
said tapered surfaces meet at an apex.

15. An articulated slip assembly, comprising:
a mandrel;
alternating gripping segments and support segments configured in a first position where said gripping and support segments are located by said mandrel and a set position where said support segments have moved axially toward each other and radially displaced said gripping segments into engagement with a surrounding tubular to support loads transmitted to said mandrel;
said radial movement of said gripping segments results from a camming force of tapered surfaces on said support segments creating a radial force component on mating tapered surfaces of said gripping components in response to axial movement of said support segments;
said tapered surfaces on said gripping members end in a spaced relation to each other to define a cylindrical surface;
supporting segments that have moved axially into each other define adjacent cylindrical surfaces to abut the cylindrical surface on an opposing gripping member.

16. A slip assembly for support of a tool at a subterranean location comprising:
a mandrel:
a plurality of support segments pushed in the same direction relatively to said mandrel;
a plurality of axially spaced gripping segments flanked on opposed sides with said support segments to create an axially oriented alternating arrangement of said support segments and said gripping segments, said support segments axially slidably movable relative to said gripping segments therebetween while in contact with said gripping segments, said axial relative movement moving said gripping segments into a penetrating gripping engagement with a surrounding tubular.

17. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein: said gripping segments are secured to associated said support segments with a dovetail that permits said relative axial movement therebetween.

18. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein:
said support segments are selectively radially articulated.

19. The assembly of claim 18 , wherein:
said support segments are a part of a ring structure of relatively axially movable members whose relative axial movement creates a radially outward movement for said support segments.

20. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein:
said support segments comprise wickers on radially opposed sides thereof.

Assignees

• Baker Hughes Inc

Inventors

• Halfmann Eric

Classifications

• E21B33/1293

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

• E21B33/1291

  anchor set by wedge or cam in combination with frictional effect, using so-called drag-blocks (E21B33/1295 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/1292

  with means for anchoring against downward and upward movement · 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