U.S. patent application number 16/122241 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-07 for collapsible support rings for a downhole system.
This patent application is currently assigned to CNPC USA Corp.. The applicant listed for this patent is CNPC USA Corp.. Invention is credited to Perry M. BATSON, JR., Jie LI, Jeff MAYNARD, Anthony TRAN, Qiang YIN, Chenggang YU.
Application Number | 20190071949 16/122241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65517257 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190071949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BATSON, JR.; Perry M. ; et
al. |
March 7, 2019 |
COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT RINGS FOR A DOWNHOLE SYSTEM
Abstract
A downhole system, such as a packer or a bridge plug, isolates
zones in a wellbore. Each downhole system includes a mandrel, a
sealing member, ring members, and support rings. Each support ring
has an extended configuration to position the support ring between
the respective ring member and sealing member during deployment and
before installation and a collapsed configuration to prevent
extrusion of the ring member and sealing member after installation.
Ring caps can be added between the support rings and ring members
for additional support.
Inventors: |
BATSON, JR.; Perry M.;
(Houston, TX) ; MAYNARD; Jeff; (Angleton, TX)
; TRAN; Anthony; (Kemah, TX) ; LI; Jie;
(Chengdu, CN) ; YIN; Qiang; (Chengdu, CN) ;
YU; Chenggang; (Chengdu, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CNPC USA Corp. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CNPC USA Corp.
|
Family ID: |
65517257 |
Appl. No.: |
16/122241 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62554355 |
Sep 5, 2017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 33/1216 20130101;
E21B 33/1285 20130101; E21B 33/1293 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 33/12 20060101
E21B033/12; E21B 33/129 20060101 E21B033/129; E21B 33/128 20060101
E21B033/128 |
Claims
1. A downhole system, comprising: a mandrel having an outer surface
and an inner surface; a sealing member positioned around said outer
surface of said mandrel; a plurality of ring members, said
plurality of ring members being comprised of a first ring member
adjacent an upper end of said sealing means and a second ring
member adjacent a lower end of said sealing member; and a plurality
of support rings, said plurality of support rings being comprised
of a first support ring and a second support ring, said first ring
member being positioned between said sealing means and said first
support ring, said second ring member being positioned between said
sealing means and said second support ring.
2. The downhole system, according to claim 1, wherein each support
ring is comprised of a peripheral side, a fold line, and an
engagement side, said fold line being between said peripheral side
and said engagement side, and wherein each support ring has an
extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, said
peripheral side being folded flush to said engagement side in said
collapsed configuration along said fold line, said peripheral side
being separated from said engagement side at an angle along said
fold line in said extended configuration.
3. The downhole system, according to claim 2, wherein said fold
line has a smaller diameter than said peripheral side and said
engagement side, said peripheral side being folded to said
engagement side outward from said fold line in said collapsed
configuration, wherein said engagement side is adjacent a
respective ring member in said extended configuration and in said
collapsed configuration, and wherein said engagement side is
cooperative with said respective ring member so as to position each
support ring relative to a respective ring member in said extended
configuration.
4. The downhole system, according to claim 3, said engagement side
having a surface angled in abutment to said respective ring member
in said extended configuration.
5. The downhole system, according to claim 3, said engagement side
being cooperative with said respective ring member so as to prevent
extrusion of said respective ring member and said sealing member in
said collapsed configuration, said engagement side having a surface
for sealing engagement to said respective ring member in said
collapsed configuration.
6. The downhole system, according to claim 2, wherein said fold
line has a larger diameter than said peripheral side and said
engagement side, said peripheral side being folded to said
engagement side inward to said fold line in said collapsed
configuration, wherein said engagement side is adjacent a
respective ring member in said collapsed configuration only,
wherein said engagement side is cooperative with said respective
ring member so as to prevent extrusion of said respective ring
member and said sealing member in said collapsed configuration, and
wherein said engagement side has a surface for sealing engagement
to said respective ring member in said collapsed configuration.
7. The downhole system, according to claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of ring caps, said plurality of ring caps being comprised
of a first ring cap and a second ring cap, said first ring cap
being positioned between said first ring member and said first
support ring, said second ring cap being positioned between said
second ring member and said second support ring, wherein each
support ring is comprised of a peripheral side, a fold line, and an
engagement side, said fold line being between said peripheral side
and said engagement side, and wherein each support ring has an
extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, said
peripheral side being folded flush to said engagement side in said
collapsed configuration along said fold line, said peripheral side
being separated from said engagement side at an angle along said
fold line in said extended configuration.
8. The downhole system, according to claim 7, wherein said fold
line has a smaller diameter than said peripheral side and said
engagement side, said peripheral side being folded to said
engagement side outward from said fold line in said collapsed
configuration, wherein said engagement side is adjacent a
respective ring cap, said respective ring cap being adjacent a
respective ring member in said extended configuration and in said
collapsed configuration, said respective ring cap facing said
engagement side in said extended configuration, when said
respective ring cap is between said respective ring member and said
engagement side, and wherein said engagement side is cooperative
with said respective ring cap so as to position each support ring
relative to a respective ring member in said extended
configuration.
9. The downhole system, according to claim 8, said engagement side
having a surface angled in abutment to said respective ring cap in
said extended configuration.
10. The downhole system, according to claim 8, said engagement side
being cooperative with said respective ring cap so as to prevent
extrusion of said respective ring member and said sealing member in
said collapsed configuration, said engagement side having a surface
for sealing engagement to said respective ring cap in said
collapsed configuration.
11. The downhole system, according to claim 7, wherein said fold
line has a larger diameter than said peripheral side and said
engagement side, said peripheral side being folded to said
engagement side inward to said fold line in said collapsed
configuration, wherein said engagement side is adjacent a
respective ring cap, said respective ring cap being adjacent a
respective ring member in said collapsed configuration only, said
respective ring cap facing said engagement side in said collapsed
configuration, when said respective ring cap is between said
respective ring member and said engagement side wherein said
engagement side is cooperative with said respective ring cap so as
to prevent extrusion of said respective ring member and said
sealing member in said collapsed configuration, and wherein said
engagement side has a surface for sealing engagement to said
respective ring cap in said collapsed configuration.
12. The downhole system, according to claim 7, wherein each ring
cap is comprised of a contour side and a support side, and wherein
said contour side is cooperative with a respective ring member so
as to prevent extrusion of said respective ring member and said
sealing member.
13. The downhole system, according to claim 12, said contour side
having an inner surface for sealing engagement to said respective
ring member.
14. The downhole system, according to claim 12, said support side
abutting at least a portion of a respective engagement side of a
corresponding support ring.
15. A downhole system, comprising: a mandrel having an outer
surface and an inner surface, said mandrel having an upper portion
and a lower portion, said mandrel being comprised of a shearing
means attached at said upper portion of said mandrel, and an
interlocking means between said shearing means and said lower
portion; a sealing member positioned around said outer surface of
said mandrel and around said mandrel between said upper portion and
said lower portion; a plurality of ring members, said plurality of
ring members being comprised of a first ring member adjacent an
upper end of said sealing means and a second ring member adjacent a
lower end of said sealing member; a plurality of support rings,
said plurality of support rings being comprised of a first support
ring and a second support ring, said first ring member being
positioned between said sealing means and said first support ring,
said second ring member being positioned between said sealing means
and said second support ring; a plurality of cone assemblies, a
first cone assembly proximate to said first support ring and a
second cone assembly proximate to said second support ring, said
first support ring being between said first cone assembly and said
first ring member, said second support ring being between said
second cone assembly and said second ring member; and a plurality
of slip means for extending radially outward and engaging an inner
surface of a surrounding borehole, a first slip means mounted
around said mandrel and engaging said first cone assembly and a
second slip means mounted around said mandrel and engaging said
second cone assembly.
16. The downhole system, according to claim 15, wherein each
support ring is comprised of a peripheral side, a fold line, and an
engagement side, said fold line being between said peripheral side
and said engagement side, wherein each support ring has an extended
configuration and a collapsed configuration, said peripheral side
being folded flush to said engagement side in said collapsed
configuration along said fold line, said peripheral side being
separated from said engagement side at an angle along said fold
line in said extended configuration, wherein said fold line has a
smaller diameter than said peripheral side and said engagement
side, said peripheral side being folded to said engagement side
outward from said fold line in said collapsed configuration,
wherein said engagement side is adjacent a respective ring member
in said extended configuration and in said collapsed configuration,
and wherein said engagement side is cooperative with said
respective ring member so as to position each support ring relative
to a respective ring member in said extended configuration.
17. The downhole system, according to claim 15, wherein each
support ring is comprised of a peripheral side, a fold line, and an
engagement side, said fold line being between said peripheral side
and said engagement side, wherein each support ring has an extended
configuration and a collapsed configuration, said peripheral side
being folded flush to said engagement side in said collapsed
configuration along said fold line, said peripheral side being
separated from said engagement side at an angle along said fold
line in said extended configuration, wherein said fold line has a
larger diameter than said peripheral side and said engagement side
176, said peripheral side being folded to said engagement side
inward to said fold line in said collapsed configuration, wherein
said engagement side is adjacent a respective ring member in said
collapsed configuration only, wherein said engagement side is
cooperative with said respective ring member so as to prevent
extrusion of said respective ring member and said sealing member in
said collapsed configuration, and wherein said engagement side has
a surface for sealing engagement to said respective ring member in
said collapsed configuration.
18. The downhole system, according to claim 15, further comprising:
a plurality of ring caps, said plurality of ring caps being
comprised of a first ring cap, and a second ring cap, said first
ring cap being positioned between said first ring member and said
first support ring, said second ring cap being positioned between
said second ring member and said second support ring, wherein each
support ring is comprised of a peripheral side, a fold line, and an
engagement side, said fold line being between said peripheral side
and said engagement side, and wherein each support ring has an
extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, said
peripheral side being folded flush to said engagement side in said
collapsed configuration along said fold line, said peripheral side
being separated from said engagement side at an angle along said
fold line in said extended configuration.
19. A method of installing a downhole system, the method comprising
the steps of: placing a downhole system in a wellbore, said
wellbore having inner walls surrounding said downhole system, said
downhole system comprising: a mandrel having an outer surface and
an inner surface; a sealing member positioned around said outer
surface of said mandrel; a plurality of ring members, said
plurality of ring members being comprised of a first ring member
adjacent an upper end of said sealing means and a second ring
member adjacent a lower end of said sealing member; and a plurality
of support rings, said plurality of support rings being comprised
of a first support ring and a second support ring, said first ring
member being positioned between said sealing means and said first
support ring, said second ring member being positioned between said
sealing means and said second support ring, wherein each support
ring is comprised of a peripheral side, a fold line, and an
engagement side, said fold line being between said peripheral side
and said engagement side, and wherein each support ring has an
extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, said
peripheral side being folded flush to said engagement side in said
collapsed configuration along said fold line, said peripheral side
being separated from said engagement side at an angle along said
fold line in said extended configuration; forming a seal by
extending said sealing member to said inner walls, said ring
members being cooperative with said sealing member, said support
rings sealing against said ring members; collapsing said support
rings from said extended configuration to said collapsed
configuration so as to maintain said seal; and locking said
downhole system within said wellbore.
20. The method of installing, according to claim 19, wherein said
downhole system further comprises a plurality of ring caps, said
plurality of ring caps being comprised of a first ring cap and a
second ring cap, said first ring cap being positioned between said
first ring member and said first support ring, said second ring cap
being positioned between said second ring member and said second
support ring, and wherein the step of collapsing said support rings
further comprises the steps of: engaging said ring caps with said
support rings; and collapsing said ring caps on said ring members.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] See Application Data Sheet.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC
OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM
(EFS-WEB)
[0004] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT
INVENTOR
[0005] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention relates to a downhole tool for
isolating zones in a wellbore. More particularly, the present
invention relates to collapsible support rings for downhole systems
to isolate zones in the wellbore. More particularly, the present
invention relates to collapsible support rings compatible with a
packer system or a millable bridge plug system.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under
37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
[0007] Land formations have different zones. Some zones have
mixtures of oil and gas, which can be extracted or produced. The
zones may not be identical, such that the mixtures of oil and gas
may be different in different zones. Still others zones may produce
other fluids, such as water, which do not need to be produced. Some
zones may produce no fluids at all. An oil and gas wellbore can
pass through any number and combination of these zones in the land
formation. In order to effectively extract the oil and gas, the
zones with desirable mixtures of oil and gas, called production
zones, are isolated from the other zones.
[0008] Open-hole completions are commonly used for producing oil
and gas in a wellbore. Open-hole completions are particularly
useful in slant-hole wells. In these wells, the wellbore may be
deviated and run horizontally for thousands of feet through a
producing zone. It is often desirable to provide annular isolators,
or packers, along the length of the horizontal production tubing to
allow selective production from, or isolation of, various portions
of the producing zone. FIG. 1 shows a prior art liner system 410
with packers. The land formation 416 has a water-producing zone
420, a non-producing zone 421 below the water-producing zone 420,
an oil-and-gas zone 422 below the non-producing zone 421, another
water zone 423 below the oil-and-gas zone 422, and another
oil-and-gas zone 424 below the water zone 423. The wellbore 450
extends vertically and diagonally through the water-producing zone
420. The wellbore 450 extends diagonally through the non-producing
zone 421, the oil-and-gas zone 422, the other water zone 423, and a
portion of the oil-and-gas zone 424. The wellbore 450 has a casing
414 on the walls of the wellbore 450 near the surface 412 of the
land formation 416. FIG. 1 shows the wellbore 450 without casing
414 when turned diagonal or horizontal. The liner system includes
packers 417 to isolate in the casing 414 and within the zones 421,
422, 423, 424. Each packer 417 includes a mandrel 411 placed in an
interior 452 of the wellbore 450 and a sealing member activated at
the desired location in the wellbore 450. Packers 417 provide
annular seals, or barriers, between the liner and the wellbore wall
to isolate various zones within the wellbore and along the
liner.
[0009] Bridge plugs are alternative downhole components to isolate
zones. Usually in a casing, a bridge plug generally includes a
mandrel, a sealing member placed around the mandrel, ring members
adjacent the end of the sealing member and around the mandrel,
upper and lower slip devices at opposite ends of the mandrel, and
respective upper and lower cone assemblies engaged to the upper and
lower slip devices. FIG. 2A shows the prior art bridge plug system
10 with a mandrel 12, sealing member 14, and upper and lower slip
devices 16 and 18 shown. The bridge plug is placed in the wellbore
by a setting tool on a positioning assembly, such as wireline,
coiled tubing or even the drill string itself. Once in position at
the correct depth and orientation, the bridge plug is activated.
The setting tool holds the mandrel 12 in place, while a ramming
portion of the setting tool exerts pressure on the stack, which
includes the sealing member 14 and the slip devices 11 and 18. The
end can have a cap which prevents the stack from sliding off the
mandrel 12, when the ramming portion of the setting tool hits the
stack. Instead, the pressure of the ramming portion compresses the
stack, forcing the sealing member 14 to radially extend outward to
seal against the wellbore or case and to flatten to a smaller
height along the mandrel. The slip devices 16 are toothed and are
distended radially outward by the stack to dig into the wellbore
walls, locking the sealed configuration of the stack. The lower
slip device 18 holds position by the cap at the end, while the
upper slip device 16 lowers and locks the seal of the spread
sealing member 14. When the ramming portion has compressed and
locked the stack, the end 20 proximal to the setting tool on the
positioning assembly is sheared, separating the bridge plug from
the setting tool and the positioning assembly. FIG. 2B shows the
prior art bridge plug system 10 in an activated and set state.
Pressure on the lower cone assembly against the lower slip device
18 at the distal end of the mandrel causes the lower slip device 16
to open and latch against the wellbore. Continuing pressure by the
ram expands the sealing member 14 against the rings to form a seal
against the walls of the wellbore. Pressure on the upper cone
assembly causes the upper slip device 16 to also open and latch
against the wellbore, setting the seal of the sealing member.
[0010] The activation of the bridge plug requires advancement for a
more efficient and stable seal in the wellbore. The ramming portion
provide the force needed to form the seal on the wellbore, and this
force is directed by those stack structures, the sealing member,
ring members, cone assemblies, and slip devices, of the bridge
plug. The interactions between these stack structures are important
for efficiency and consistency of the forming the seal and locking
the seal on the wellbore. The pressure is exerted directly on the
sealing member by ring members in some arrangements of the stack
structures. The interface between the sealing member and the ring
members of the prior art has a constant taper angle between the
sealing member and the ring members. The amount of pressure against
the sealing member does not vary as the pressure of the positioning
assembly is exerted through the ring members. The expansion of the
sealing member to the wall of the wellbore is steady, yet possibly
insufficient for an adequate seal. The lack of a threshold amount
of pressure for setting the seal may result in a sealing member
that is not expanded enough to form a good seal or extrusion of the
sealing member beyond the ring members due to too much pressure.
The exerted pressure on the sealing member may also be too much,
causing extrusion and degradation of the seal member. There is a
need for resistance to excess pressure after the seal is
formed.
[0011] Conventional materials of the millable bridge plug, like all
downhole tools, must withstand the range of wellbore conditions,
including high temperatures and/or high pressures. High
temperatures are generally defined as downhole temperatures
generally in the range of 200-450 degrees F.; and high pressures
are generally defined as downhole pressures in the range of
7,500-15,000 psi. Other conditions include pH environments,
generally ranging from less than 6.0 or more than 8.0. Conventional
sealing elements have evolved to withstand these wellbore
conditions so as to maintain effective seals and resist
degradation.
[0012] Metallic components have the durability to withstand the
wellbore conditions, including high temperatures and high
pressures. However, these metallic components are difficult to
remove. De-activating and retrieving the bridge plug to the surface
is costly and complicated. Milling metallic components takes time,
and there is a substantial risk of requiring multiple drilling
elements due to the metallic components wearing or damaging a
drilling element of a removal assembly.
[0013] Non-metallic components are substituted for metallic
components as often as possible to avoid having so much metal to be
milled for removal of the bridge plug. However, these non-metallic
components still must effectively seal an annulus at high
temperatures and high pressures. Composite materials are known to
be used to make non-metallic components of the bridge plug. These
composite materials combine constituent materials to form a
composite material with physical properties of each composite
material. For example, a polymer or epoxy can be reinforced by a
continuous fiber such as glass, carbon, or aramid. The polymer is
easily millable and withstands the wellbore conditions, while the
fibers also withstand the wellbore conditions and resist
degradation. Resin-coated glass is another known composite material
with downhole tool applications. Composite materials have different
constituent materials and different ways of combining constituent
materials.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a downhole system for isolating zones in the
wellbore.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a support accessory for a downhole system for
isolating zones in the wellbore.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a collapsible support ring to prevent extrusion of
the ring members and sealing member.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a collapsible support ring having different
configurations when the downhole system is deployed and installed
in a wellbore.
[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a packer system.
[0019] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of the packer system with support accessories for ring
members and sealing member.
[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of the packer system with support rings to prevent
extrusion of the ring members and sealing member.
[0021] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an embodiment of the packer system with a metallic support
ring.
[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of the packer system with collapsible support rings.
[0023] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an embodiment of the packer system with support rings
having different configurations when the packer system is deployed
and installed in a wellbore.
[0024] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a millable bridge plug system.
[0025] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of the millable bridge plug system with support
accessories for stack structures, including support accessories for
ring members and the sealing member.
[0026] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of the millable bridge plug system with support rings to
prevent extrusion of the ring members and the sealing member.
[0027] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an embodiment of the millable bridge plug system with a
metallic support ring.
[0028] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of the millable bridge plug system with collapsible
support rings.
[0029] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an embodiment of the millable bridge plug system with
support rings having different configurations when the bridge plug
system is deployed and installed in a wellbore.
[0030] These and other objectives and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached
specifications and appended claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0031] A downhole system isolates zones of a formation in a
wellbore. The downhole system has a mandrel, a sealing member, and
ring members on each side of the sealing member. The sealing member
and the ring members expand to seal against the wellbore. The
expansion can be by chemical or mechanical means. The sealing
member and the ring members form the seal that allows flow through
the formation to be controlled. The downhole system can restrict
flow between zones in the formation to the mandrel. Thus, valves,
seats, and sleeves in the mandrel can control flow through the
formation.
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention include a packer system
and a millable bridge plug system. The packer system of the present
invention further includes a plurality of support rings, in
addition to the mandrel, sealing member, and ring members. The ring
members are positioned between the sealing member and the support
rings. The millable bridge plug system of the present invention
further includes the plurality of support rings, in addition to the
mandrel, sealing member, and ring members. In the embodiment of the
millable bridge plug system, there is also a shearing means
attached at an upper portion of the mandrel, a plurality of cone
assemblies, a plurality of slip means for extending radially
outward and engaging an inner surface of a surrounding borehole,
and a cap means attached at a lower portion of the mandrel. The
sealing member is still positioned around the mandrel between the
upper portion and the lower portion, and the ring members are
between the sealing member and the support rings. In particular, a
first ring member is placed adjacent the upper end of the sealing
member, and a second ring member is adjacent the lower end of the
sealing member. A first cone assembly is proximate to the first
ring member, and a second cone assembly is proximate to the second
ring member. A first support ring is between the first cone
assembly and the first ring member; and a second support ring is
between the second cone assembly and the second ring member. The
slip means extend radially outward and engage an inner surface of a
surrounding borehole to lock the position of the bridge plug. A
first slip means is mounted around the mandrel and engages the
first cone assembly, and a second slip means is mounted around the
mandrel and engages the second cone assembly.
[0033] Embodiments of the present invention for both packers and
bridge plugs include support rings for each ring member, and each
support ring is comprised of a peripheral side, a fold line, and an
engagement side. Support rings can be made of metallic materials
for the added strength. At the same time, the support ring of metal
does not add a bulk of metal material for affecting the ability to
mill the bridge plug system. Each support ring has an extended
configuration for positioning the support ring when deployed and
before installation of the system and a collapsed configuration for
preventing extrusion of the ring members and sealing member after
installation. Each peripheral side is folded flush to the
engagement side along the fold line in the collapsed configuration.
Each peripheral side is separated from the engagement side at an
angle along the fold line in the extended configuration. When the
fold line has a smaller diameter than the engagement side and
peripheral side, the support ring folds outward, and the engagement
side can be adjacent to the ring member in the extended
configuration. When the fold line has a larger diameter than the
engagement side and peripheral side, the support ring folds inward,
and the edge of the engagement side is adjacent to the ring member
in the extended configuration.
[0034] Alternative embodiments include a plurality of ring caps
between respective support rings and ring members. The ring caps
are additional support for the support ring and ring member to
prevent extrusion. Each ring cap has a contour side and a support
side. The contour side faces the ring member to prevent extrusion
of the respective ring member and the sealing member. The
engagement side faces the support ring to be in a sealed engagement
with the support ring in the collapsed configuration. The profile
of the inner surface of the contour side matches the profile of the
respective ring member. There is flush engagement so that seals
between the support rings and ring caps, between ring caps and ring
members, and between ring members and the sealing member, are
maintained, when the downhole system is installed.
[0035] The method of installing a downhole system comprises the
steps of: placing a downhole system, such as the packer or bridge
plug, in a wellbore, the wellbore having inner walls surrounding
the packer or bridge plug, forming a seal against the inner walls,
and fixing position of the packer or bridge plug. The step of
forming a seal involves collapsing the support ring to seal against
the ring member to prevent extrusion. When there are ring caps
between the ring members and the support rings, the sealing
engagement is set by the sequence of collapsing the support rings,
engaging the ring caps, and collapsing the ring caps to seal the
deforming ring members and sealing member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 a schematic view of a prior art liner system with
packer systems in a wellbore
[0037] FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a prior art bridge plug
system, being placed in a wellbore.
[0038] FIG. 2B is another schematic view of the prior art bridge
plug system, being locked in position within the wellbore.
[0039] FIG. 3A is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of the
packer system of the present invention, when deployed in the
wellbore.
[0040] FIG. 3B is a partial sectional view of the embodiment of
FIG. 3A, when installed in the wellbore.
[0041] FIG. 4A is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of
the packer system of the present invention, when deployed in the
wellbore.
[0042] FIG. 4B is a partial sectional view of the embodiment of
FIG. 4A, when installed in the wellbore.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bridge
plug system of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of
FIG. 5.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
bridge plug system of the present invention along an axis of the
bridge plug system, showing placement in the wellbore.
[0046] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
bridge plug system of the present invention along an axis of the
bridge plug system, showing an activated configuration in the
wellbore.
[0047] FIG. 9 is an isolated cross-sectional view of a sealing
member, ring members, and an embodiment of support rings for both
embodiments of the packer system and bridge plug system of the
present invention.
[0048] FIG. 10 is an isolated cross-sectional view of FIG. 9,
showing the compressed configuration corresponding to both
embodiments of the downhole system installed in a wellbore.
[0049] FIG. 11 is an isolated cross-sectional view of a sealing
member, ring members, and another embodiment of support rings for
both embodiments of the packer system and bridge plug system of the
present invention.
[0050] FIG. 12 is an isolated cross-sectional view of FIG. 11,
showing the compressed configuration corresponding to both
embodiments of the downhole system installed in a wellbore.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] FIGS. 1-12 show embodiments of a downhole system 100, 300 to
isolate zones of a formation in a wellbore. The downhole system
100, 300 has a mandrel 112, 312, a sealing member 114, 314, ring
members 116, 118, 316, 318 on each side of the sealing member, and
support rings 160, 160', 170, 170'. The sealing member and the ring
members expand to seal against the wellbore. The expansion can be
by chemical or mechanical means. The sealing member is any known
sealing means for downhole systems. The sealing member and the ring
members form the seal that allows flow through the formation to be
controlled. The downhole system can restrict flow between zones in
the formation to the mandrel. Thus, valves, seats, and sleeves in
the mandrel can control flow through the formation.
[0052] FIGS. 9-12 show a plurality of support rings 160, 160', 170,
170'. There are support rings 160, 160', 170, 170' for each ring
member, 116, 118, 316, 118, so the system 100, 300 includes a set
of two support rings: a first support ring 160, 170 and a second
support ring 160', 170'. In the embodiments of FIGS. 9-12, the
first ring member 116, 316 is positioned between the sealing member
114, 314 and the first support ring 160, and the second ring member
118, 318 is positioned between the sealing member 114, 314 and the
second support ring 160'. Each support ring 160, 160', 170, 170' is
comprised of a peripheral side 162, 172 a fold line 164, 174 and an
engagement side 166, 176. The fold line 164, 174 can be a crease or
ridge between the peripheral side 162, 172 and the engagement side
166, 176. Each support ring 160, 160', 170, 170' has an extended
configuration (FIGS. 9 and 11) and a collapsed configuration (FIGS.
10 and 12). Each peripheral side 162, 172 can be folded flush to
the engagement side 166, 176 in the collapsed configuration along
the fold line 164, 174 in FIGS. 10 and 12. Each peripheral side
162, 172 is separated from the engagement side 166, 176 at an angle
along the fold line in the extended configuration in FIGS. 9 and
11.
[0053] The embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 include each support ring 160,
160' having a fold line 164 with a smaller diameter than a diameter
of the peripheral side 162 and the engagement side 166. Thus, the
peripheral side 162 folds to the engagement side 166 outward from
the fold line 164 in the collapsed configuration, as shown in FIG.
10. The engagement side 166 is adjacent a respective ring member
both in the extended configuration and in the collapsed
configuration. The engagement side 166 is cooperative with the
respective ring member so as to position each support ring 160,
160' relative to a respective ring member in the extended
configuration in FIG. 9. The spacing and distance of the support
ring 160 to the ring member 116, 316 is set by this extended
configuration and the angle formed by the peripheral side 162, fold
line 164, and engagement side 166.
[0054] In some embodiments, the engagement side 166 has a surface
angled for abutting the respective ring member in the extended
configuration. FIG. 9 shows the surface as V-shape of the
peripheral side 162, fold line 164, and engagement side 166, with
the engagement side 166 contacting the ring member 116, 316 on the
angle or slant of the surface. The engagement side 166 is also
cooperative with the respective ring member 116, 316 so as to
prevent extrusion of the respective ring member 116, 316 and the
sealing member 114, 314 in the collapsed configuration. FIG. 10
shows the surface as the closed V-shape of the peripheral side 162,
fold line 164, and engagement side 166, with the engagement side
166 in sealing engagement to the respective ring member 116, 316 in
the collapsed configuration.
[0055] The embodiment of FIGS. 11-12 include each support ring 170,
170' having a fold line 174 with a larger diameter than a diameter
of the peripheral side 172 and the engagement side 176. Thus, the
peripheral side 172 folds to the engagement side 176 inward from
the fold line 174 in the collapsed configuration, as shown in FIG.
12. The engagement side 176 is adjacent a respective ring member
only in the collapsed configuration. The edge of the engagement
side 176 can position each support ring 170, 170' relative to a
respective ring member in the extended configuration in FIG. 12.
The spacing and distance of the support ring 170 to the ring member
116, 316 is set by this extended configuration and the entire width
of the support ring 170, instead of just the angle formed by the
peripheral side 172, fold line 174, and engagement side 176.
[0056] In some embodiments, the engagement side 176 is cooperative
with the respective ring member 116, 316 so as to prevent extrusion
of the respective ring member 116, 316 and the sealing member 114,
314 in the collapsed configuration. FIG. 12 shows the surface as
the closed inward V-shape of the peripheral side 172, fold line
174, and engagement side 176, with the engagement side 176 in
sealing engagement to the respective ring member 116, 316 in the
collapsed configuration. The extended configuration has no sealing
engagement in FIGS. 11-12. The support rings 170, 170' are
structural support and collapse, when the bridge plug system 100,
300 is installed.
[0057] FIGS. 9 and 11 also show embodiments with a plurality of
ring caps 180, 180', 190, 190'. Each set of ring caps 180, 180',
190, 190' is comprised of a first ring cap 180 positioned between
the first ring member 116, 316 and the first support ring 160, and
a second ring cap 180' positioned between the second ring member
118, 318 and the second support ring 160'. Each ring cap 180, 180',
190, 190' is comprised of a contour side 182, 192 and a support
side 184, 194. Each contour side 182, 192 is cooperative with the
respective ring member 116, 316 so as to prevent extrusion of the
respective ring member 116 and the sealing member 114, 314. In the
embodiments with ring caps 180, 180', 190, 190', the support rings
160, 160', 170, 170' prevent extrusion through the ring caps 180,
180', 190, 190'. The engagement sides 162, 172 engage the
respective ring members 116, 316 by engaging the ring caps 180,
180', 190, 190'. Each contour side 182, 192 has an inner surface
for sealing engagement to the respective ring member, similar to
the respective engagement sides 166, 176 for sealing engagement to
the respective ring member. On the other side, each support side
184, 194 abuts at least a portion of a respective engagement side
166, 176 of a corresponding support ring 180, 190. The profile of
the inner surface matches the profile of the respective ring
member. There is flush engagement so that the seals are maintained
between the support rings to ring caps to ring members to sealing
member, when the bridge plug system 100 or packer assembly 300 is
installed.
[0058] The collapsed configuration and the extended configuration
for the embodiments with ring caps 180, 180', 190, 190', the
respective engagement sides 166, 176 are cooperative with the
respective ring cap 180, 190 so as to prevent extrusion of the
respective ring member 116, 316 and the sealing member 114, 314 in
the collapsed configuration. There is sealing engagement between
the engagement side 166, 176 and the respective ring cap 180, 190,
which is already in sealing engagement to the ring member 116, 316
in the collapsed configuration. The collapsed configuration with
ring caps 180, 180', 190, 190' is very similar to the collapsed
configuration without ring caps 180, 180', 190, 190', as FIGS. 10
and 12 show. FIG. 10 shows the ring caps 180 and 180', and FIG. 12
shows the collapsed configuration without ring caps.
[0059] FIGS. 9 and 11 show the embodiments in the extended
configuration with ring caps 180, 180', 190, 190'. The support side
184 of the ring cap 180 faces and abuts the engagement side 166 in
the extended configuration, when the respective ring cap 180 is
between the respective ring member 116, 316 and the engagement side
166. FIG. 9 shows a cooperative relationship so as to prevent
extrusion of the respective ring member and the sealing member in
the collapsed configuration and so as to position the support ring
160 in the extended position. The sealing engagement is shown in
FIG. 10 in the collapsed configuration. FIG. 12 shows again how the
ring cap 190 engages the engagement side 176 of the first support
ring 170 based on the width dimension of the first support ring
170. Only the edge of the engagement side 176 contacts the ring cap
190 or ring member 116, 316. FIG. 11 shows that the first support
ring 170 may not touch the ring cap 190 in the extended
configuration, but a sealing engagement and flush contact would
occur, when the bridge plug system 100 or packer assembly 300 is
installed.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an embodiment of the downhole
system is a packer system or packer assembly 300 includes a mandrel
312 having an outer surface and an inner surface, a sealing member
314 positioned around the outer surface of the mandrel, a plurality
of ring members, 316, 318, a first support ring 160, and a second
support ring 160'. The first support ring 160 and the second
support ring 160' are shown in a "cup up" configuration, similar to
FIGS. 9-10. There can also be stop means 320, 322 attached to the
mandrel 312. The stop means 320, 322 can be positioned according to
the chemical or mechanical trigger of the packer assembly 300.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show the stop means 320, 322 as slips anchoring the
packer assembly 300. Downhole pressure may actuate the slips, which
can cause the compression of the sealing member 314. There is a
first ring member 316 adjacent an upper end of the sealing member
and a second ring member 318 adjacent a lower end of the sealing
member 314. The first ring member 316 is positioned between the
sealing member 314 and the first support ring 160, and the second
ring member 318 is positioned between the sealing member 314 and
the second support ring 160', according to FIGS. 9-10. The sealing
member 314 is positioned around the mandrel 312. The sealing member
314 is generally symmetrical to start and is comprised of a
deformable material. The sealing member 314 and ring members 316,
318 can be swellable materials reactive to chemical triggers or
other mechanically activated swelling to seal against the casing or
wellbore.
[0061] In another embodiment, FIGS. 4A and 4B show the same packer
assembly 300 including a mandrel 312 having an outer surface and an
inner surface, a sealing member 314 positioned around the outer
surface of the mandrel, a plurality of ring members, 316, 318, a
first support ring 170, and a second support ring 170'. The first
support ring 170 and the second support ring 170' are shown in a
"cup down" configuration, similar to FIGS. 11-12. There can also be
stop means 320, 322 attached to the mandrel 312. The stop means
320, 322 are still positioned according to the chemical or
mechanical trigger of the packer assembly 300. FIGS. 4A and 4B also
show the stop means 320, 322 as slips anchoring the packer assembly
300. There is a first ring member 316 adjacent an upper end of the
sealing member and a second ring member 318 adjacent a lower end of
the sealing member 314. In this embodiment, the first ring member
316 is positioned between the sealing member 314 and the first
support ring 170, and the second ring member 318 is positioned
between the sealing member 314 and the second support ring 170',
according to FIGS. 11-12. The embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B have the
analogous sealing member 314 positioned around the mandrel 312 and
comprised of a deformable material. The sealing member 314 and ring
members 316, 318 are still swellable materials reactive to chemical
triggers or other mechanically activated swelling to seal against
the casing or wellbore.
[0062] In FIGS. 5-8, an embodiment of the downhole system is a
millable bridge plug system 100 of the present invention is shown.
The bridge plug system 100 includes a mandrel 112, a sealing member
114, and a plurality of ring members, 116, 118, a plurality of cone
assemblies 120, 122, and a plurality of slip means 124, 126. The
sealing member or sealing member 114, ring members 116, 118, cone
assemblies 120, 122 and the slip means 124, 126 are stack
structures mounted on the mandrel 112, sharing a common radial axis
of alignment. FIGS. 5-8 also show a shearing means 128, and a cap
means 130. The bridge plug system 100 is placed within a wellbore
or borehole of a well by a setting tool. The wellbore or the
borehole could have a casing or not, and the orientation of the
wellbore is variable. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment with a casing 132.
The bridge plug system 100 can be used in all ranges from generally
vertical to generally horizontal orientations. As previously
described, the millable bridge plug system 100 is used to isolate
zones within the wellbore, separating sections of the wellbore for
production or isolation. The system 100 is millable or drillable,
such that a removal assembly, such as a milling unit on a drill
string, can be used to grind through the system 100. All of the
components of the system 100 are destroyed so that the isolated
zone of the wellbore is no longer isolated.
[0063] Embodiments of the bridge plug system 100 include the
mandrel 112 of the bridge plug system 100 as a generally tubular
member formed of a material to withstand the heat and pressure of
the borehole conditions. The mandrel 112 is also millable. The
mandrel 112 may have a bridge 134 or a ball valve, which seals the
zone above the system 100 from the zone below the system 100. The
sealing member 114 is positioned around the mandrel 112. The
sealing member 114 has an upper end 136 and lower end 138 as shown
in FIGS. 7 and 8. The sealing member 114 is generally symmetrical
to start and is comprised of a deformable material.
[0064] FIGS. 9-12 also show detailed views of the sealing member
114, 314 and the ring members 116, 118, 316, 118 for different
embodiments of the present invention as a packer system 300 or a
bridge plug system 100. There is a first ring member 116, 316
adjacent the upper end 136, 336 of the sealing member 114, 314 and
a second ring member 118 adjacent the lower end 138 of the sealing
member 114, 314. The ring members 116, 118, 316, 118 surround the
sealing member 114, 314 and surround the mandrel 112. The ring
members 116, 118, 316, 118 contact the sealing member 114, 314 and
can exert pressure on the sealing member 114, 314. In an activated
state, the system 100, 300 has the sealing member 114, 314
compressed to radially extend to contact the wellbore or casing 132
or expanded to seal the wellbore by other means. The ring members
116, 118, 316, 118 directly contact the sealing member 114, 314.
The seal created by the sealing member 114, 314 isolates the zones
of the wellbore.
[0065] In some embodiments, the upper end 136, 336 of the sealing
member 114, 314 has a first means 140, 340 for resisting pressure
by the first ring member 116, 316 when in contact with the first
ring member 116, 316. The lower end 138, 338 of the sealing member
114, 314 has a second means 142, 342 for resisting pressure by the
second ring member 118, 318 when in contact with the second ring
member 118, 318. In one embodiment, the first means 140, 340 for
resisting pressure is comprised of a surface interface with a
curvature, and the second means 142, 342 for resisting pressure is
also comprised of a surface interface with a curvature. The
pressures exerted by the ring members 116, 118, 316, 118 on the
upper end 136, 336 and the lower end 138, 338 of the sealing member
114, 314 can cause deformation of the sealing member 114, 314
related to the first means 140, 340 and the second means 142, 342.
The deformation of the sealing member 114, 314 allows a greater
surface area of the sealing member 114, 314 to seal against the
wellbore or casing. There is a more even spread of the sealing
member 114, 314. A portion of the ring members 116, 118, 316, 118
may also spread to the wellbore for additional seal.
[0066] The bridge plug system 100 also includes the plurality of
cone assemblies, 120, 122. FIGS. 5-8 show a first cone assembly 120
proximate to the first ring member 116 and a second cone assembly
122 proximate to the second ring member 118. As shown in exploded
view of FIG. 5, the first ring member 116 is mounted on the mandrel
112 between the first cone assembly 120 and the sealing member 114.
Similarly, the second ring member 118 is mounted on the mandrel 112
between the second cone assembly 122 and the sealing member 114.
The cone assemblies 120, 122 contact the ring members 116, 118
through the respective peripheral sides 162, 172 of the support
rings 160, 160', 170, 170' and can exert pressure on the ring
members 116, 118 through the support rings 160, 160', 170, 170'. In
an activated state, the system 100 has pressure of the cone
assemblies 120, 122 pushing through the support rings 160, 160',
170, 170', and ring members 116, 118 to the sealing member 114.
[0067] FIGS. 5-8 also show the plurality of slip means 124, 126 for
extending radially outward and engaging an inner surface of a
surrounding borehole. The slip means 124, 126 lock the position of
the system 100 by fixedly engaging the casing 132 or other
structure on the inner surface of the borehole. The slips dig into
the casing 132 to anchor the millable bridge plug system 100.
Pressure can be exerted on the system 100 to create the seal with
the sealing member 114, once the slip means 124, 126 are active.
There is a first slip means 124 mounted around the mandrel 112 and
engaging the first cone assembly 120 and a second slip means 126
mounted around the mandrel 112 and engaging the second cone
assembly 122.
[0068] FIGS. 5-8 also shows the shearing means 128 and the cap
means 130. The shearing means 128 is attached to an upper portion
of the mandrel 112 in FIGS. 5-8. The positioning assembly with the
setting tool handles the system 100 by the mandrel 112 for
placement in the wellbore. The pressure from the ramming portion of
the setting tool sets and locks the bridge plug system 100. When
the correct location is reached and the wellbore is sealed, the
shearing means 128 is separated from the setting tool on the
positioning assembly. The shearing means 128 can be comprised of a
millable material and have the form of a shaft. The cap means 130
is shown as a tubular body at the end of the system 100. The cap
means 130 can also be comprised of a millable material. The cap
means 130 engage a shearing means of an adjacent bridge plug system
further down the wellbore. In some embodiments, the cap means 130
can interlock with the adjacent shearing means of the next bridge
plug system. As the bridge plug system 100 is milled, the cap means
130 may fall loose down the wellbore 132 to reach the next bridge
plug system.
[0069] The method of installing includes placing a downhole system
100, 300 in a wellbore having inner walls surrounding the downhole
system 100, 300. The downhole system 100, 300 of FIGS. 1-12
comprises a mandrel 112, 312 having an outer surface and an inner
surface; a sealing member 114, 314 positioned around the outer
surface of the mandrel; a plurality of ring members, 116, 118, 316,
318, the plurality of ring members being comprised of a first ring
member 116, 316 adjacent an upper end of the sealing means and a
second ring member 118, 318 adjacent a lower end of the sealing
member; and a plurality of support rings 160, 160', 170, 170' the
plurality of support rings being comprised of a first support ring
160, 170 and a second support ring 160', 170', the first ring
member being positioned between the sealing means and the first
support ring, the second ring member being positioned between the
sealing means and the second support ring.
[0070] Each support ring 160,160', 170, 170' is comprised of a
peripheral side 162, 172 a fold line 164, 174 and an engagement
side 166, 176 the fold line being between the peripheral side and
the engagement side. Each support ring has an extended
configuration and a collapsed configuration, the peripheral side
being folded flush to the engagement side in the collapsed
configuration along the fold line, the peripheral side being
separated from the engagement side at an angle along the fold line
in the extended configuration.
[0071] The method of installing further comprises forming a seal by
extending the sealing member to the inner walls, the ring members
being cooperative with the sealing member. The extending can be
mechanical, such as compressing the sealing member and ring
members. The extending can also be chemical, such as dispensing a
chemical additive into the wellbore or mandrel to react with the
sealing member or ring members or both. The composition of the
sealing member or ring members or both can be compatible with the
chemical additive for a controlled extending. The support rings
seal against the ring members in the method of installing also.
[0072] Another step of the method of installing includes the step
of collapsing the support rings from the extended configuration to
the collapsed configuration so as to maintain the seal; and locking
the downhole system within the wellbore. The locking can be done by
stop means 320, 322 for the packer system 300 or the cone
assemblies 120, 122 and the slip means 124, 126 for the bridge plug
system 100. 20.
[0073] When the downhole system 100, 300 further comprises a
plurality of ring caps 180, 180', 190, 190', the plurality of ring
caps can be comprised of a first ring cap 180, 190 and a second
ring cap 180', 190'. The first ring cap is positioned between the
first ring member and the first support ring, and the second ring
cap is positioned between the second ring member and the second
support ring. With the ring caps, the step of collapsing the
support rings further comprises the steps of: engaging the ring
caps with the support rings; and collapsing the ring caps on the
ring members
[0074] According the FIGS. 3-4, installing the packer assembly 300
comprises the steps of placing a packer assembly 300 in a wellbore,
activating the seal on the wellbore, and sealing the system 300 in
position within the wellbore. With the packer assembly 300 of the
present invention, packer assembly 300 is deployed the wellbore
having inner walls with or without casing. At the proper depth and
location, the sealing member 314 is activated by a chemical or
mechanical trigger, causing the sealing member 314 to form the seal
against the wellbore. The chemical trigger may be a chemical agent
released in the wellbore to react with the material composition of
the sealing member 314 so as to cause the sealing member 314 to
swell. The mandrel 312 is held in place as sealing member 314 is
activated. The ring members 316, 318 may also be activated by a
chemical or mechanical trigger, causing the ring members 316, 318
to assist the sealing member 314 to form the seal against the
wellbore. The ring members 316, 318 may swell and seal at a
different rate than the sealing member 314. In some instances, the
ring members 316, 318 push the sealing member 314 to expand, the
support rings 160, 160' seal the ring members 316, 318. The step of
sealing includes the support rings 160, 160' sealing to the ring
members 116, 118, which includes collapsing the support rings 160,
160' from the extended configuration to the collapsed
configuration. When the packer assembly 300 includes ring caps 180,
180', the step of collapsing the support rings 160, 160' includes
engaging the ring caps 180, 180' with the support rings 160, 160'
and then collapsing those ring caps 180, 180' on the respective
ring member 316, 318.
[0075] According to FIGS. 5-8, the embodiment of the method of
installing a millable bridge plug system 100 comprises the steps of
placing a bridge plug system 100 in a wellbore, forming the seal on
the wellbore, and locking the system 100 in position within the
wellbore. With the millable bridge plug system 100 of the present
invention, system 100 is lowered into the wellbore having inner
walls, such as a casing 130, using a setting tool on a positioning
assembly. The mandrel is held in place as the stack structures 114,
116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126 are hammered by a ram portion of
the setting tool. Pressure on the bridge plug system 110 forms a
seal, when the sealing member 114 is compressed to radially extend
outward to seal against the inner walls of the borehole. The ring
members 116, 118 push the sealing member 114 to expand, the support
rings 160, 160' seal said ring members 116, 118, and the cone
assemblies 120, 122 push the ring members 116, 118 through the
support rings 160, 160'. The cone assemblies 120, 122 also push the
slip means 124, 126 to extend radially outward to fixedly engage
the inner walls, locking the system 100 in position within the
wellbore. At least one slip means 124, 126 is activated, so that
stack structures are locked in the sealed position. The exerted
pressure through the system 100 is controlled by the sealing member
114 in conjunction with the ring members 116, 118. The step of
sealing the support rings 160, 160' to said ring members 116, 118
includes collapsing the support rings 160, 160' from the extended
configuration to the collapsed configuration. When the system 100
include ring caps 180, 180', the step of collapsing the support
rings 160, 160' includes engaging the ring caps 180, 180' with the
support rings 160, 160' and then collapsing those ring caps 180,
180' on the respective ring member 116, 118.
[0076] The present invention is a downhole system for isolating
zones in the wellbore. The collapsible support rings are
accessories to improve the seal by the known sealing member and
ring members of the conventional packers and bridge plugs. The
collapsible support rings have different configurations when
deployed and installed in a wellbore. There is an extended
configuration for being deployed, and a collapsed configuration for
being installed. The support rings and ring caps improve the
sealing engagement of the ring members and sealing member. The
downhole system can be a packer assembly to prevent extrusion of
the ring members and sealing member or a millable bridge plug
system with support rings and ring caps as support accessories for
the stack structures. For the bridge plug in particular, when
installed and compressed under pressure, the composite material or
other deformable material compositions are prevented from
extruding. The seal to the wellbore is more stable without the ring
member or sealing member leaking around the cone assemblies because
of the support rings with or without ring caps.
[0077] In some embodiments, the support ring can be metallic so
that the system has the added strength of metallic components.
Furthermore, as just a support ring, there is no bulk of metal
material, which would reduce the ability to remove the packer or to
mill the bridge plug system for removal. The versions of metallic
rings can give added strength for support with impact on the
overall removing of the packer and milling of the bridge plug for
removal. The support rings of the present invention are also
collapsible with the two configurations: extended and collapsed.
The sealing engagement can be deployed at the proper time, and the
method of installing can include sealing the ring member with the
collapsed configuration before the ring member and sealing member
are fully deformed. A more stable seal can be formed against the
wellbore. The ring caps further support the sealing engagement of
the support rings to the ring member. With the collapsing of the
support ring, the sealing engagement to the ring member is
stabilized with the ring cap between the support ring and ring
member. The ring cap prevents any premature deformation from
affecting the collapsing and sealing engagement of the support
ring.
[0078] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is
illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the
details of the illustrated structures, construction and method can
be made without departing from the true spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *