U.S. patent number 3,827,488 [Application Number 05/357,832] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-06 for casing hanger assembly and operating tools therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Rucker Company. Invention is credited to Raymond K. Lamb, Andre L. Piazza.
United States Patent |
3,827,488 |
Piazza , et al. |
August 6, 1974 |
CASING HANGER ASSEMBLY AND OPERATING TOOLS THEREFOR
Abstract
A casing hanger assembly adapted to be set in a wellhead by
longitudinal actuation, and operating tools for running, setting
and retrieval thereof. A circulating casing hanger having a body
including a fluid passageway carrying a seal sleeve having a seal
for sealing in the passageway. A longitudinally movable actuator
for moving a locking ring and the sleeve downwardly to set the seal
and engage the ring in a locking recess in the body. Coacting
tapering faces directed inwardly and downwardly between the locking
ring and the recess and coacting tapering faces directed downwardly
and outwardly between the actuator and locking ring providing a
releasable holding structure as well as providing a mechanical
advantage for setting the seal. Various locking means and energy
storing means may be used to maintain the seal in a set position.
Hanger and protector bowl setting and retrieving tools for
operating the assembly.
Inventors: |
Piazza; Andre L. (Houston,
TX), Lamb; Raymond K. (Houston, TX) |
Assignee: |
The Rucker Company (Houston,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
23407209 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/357,832 |
Filed: |
May 7, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/208; 285/18;
285/123.12; 166/182 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
43/10 (20130101); E21B 33/04 (20130101); E21B
2200/01 (20200501) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
33/04 (20060101); E21B 33/03 (20060101); E21B
43/02 (20060101); E21B 43/10 (20060101); E21B
33/00 (20060101); E21b 033/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;166/87,88,89,226
;285/18,140,142 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leppink; James A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A casing hanger comprising,
a body having a landing shoulder for landing on a shoulder in a
wellhead,
a longitudinally movable seal sleeve carried by the body and
including a seal for sealing between the body and the wellhead,
said sleeve having an upwardly facing shoulder,
a movable locking ring positioned between the body and the sleeve
and above the sleeve shoulder,
said body including a locking recess for receiving the locking
ring,
an actuator positioned between the sleeve and the body and above
the locking ring whereby on longitudinal downward movement of the
actuator the ring is moved downwardly against the sleeve shoulder
for moving the seal into sealing engagement between the body and
the wellhead and the ring is moved into the recess, and
locking means for holding the seal in a sealed position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top of the locking ring and
the top of the recess include tapering coacting faces.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the actuator and the locking
ring include tapering coacting faces.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the locking means include
releasable coacting ratchet means between the actuator and the
sleeve.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the locking means include
self-locking tapering coacting faces between the actuator and the
locking ring.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 including a hydraulic setting tool for
moving the actuator and setting the seal comprising,
a running string,
a piston and cylinder assembly connected to the running string and
adapted to be positioned in engagement with the actuator, said
assembly being in fluid communication with the interior of the
running string whereby fluid pressure applied to the interior of
the running string may longitudinally move the actuator.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the locking means includes,
upwardly directed ratchet teeth on the exterior of the
actuator,
downwardly directed ratchet teeth segments carried by the sleeve
for coacting with the ratchet teeth on the actuator,
yieldable urging means carried by the sleeve yieldably urging the
segments inwardly into contact with the teeth on the actuator,
and
segment releasing elements carried by the actuator which when moved
outwardly move the segments away from the teeth on the
actuator.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the actuator includes a
downwardly directed retrieving shoulder and including a seal
retrieving tool comprising,
a mandrel,
an engaging surface on the mandrel for engagement with the segment
releasing elements for moving the elements outwardly when the
mandrel is inserted into the actuator, and
a spring loaded retrieving lug on the mandrel for engagement with
the retrieving shoulder on the actuator for retrieving the
actuator, the sleeve and the locking ring.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the well mandrel includes a
groove for releasably securing a bowl protector therein and
including,
a running tool releasably secured to the casing hanger body,
a bowl protector positioned above the sleeve,
a split latch ring carried by the bowl protector,
a pin in the well mandrel groove for mating in the gap of the split
latch ring of the bowl protector, and
shear means between the running tool and the bowl protector for
rotating the bowl protector and split ring to allow the pin to mate
in the gap and allow the ring to seat in the groove.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the well mandrel includes a
groove above the landing shoulder for releasably securing a bowl
protector thereto and including,
a bowl protector adapted to be positioned in the well mandrel above
the casing hanger,
a latch ring carried by the bowl protector for releasably engaging
the groove in the mandrel,
a tool engaging opening in the protector, one side of the opening
including a tapered face, and
a bowl running tool including,
a spring loaded lug for engaging the opening in the protector for
running the protector, said lug including a locking notch on the
inwardly extending end,
a lug locking sleeve carried by the tool, and
spring means yieldably urging the sleeve towards the lug and
engaging the locking notch after the protector is set and the tool
is rotated against the opening tapered face moving the lug
inwardly.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 including, locking screws in the tool
positioned to hold the locking sleeve out of engagement with the
lug whereby the tool may retrieve the bowl protector from the
mandrel by longitudinal movement after the lug engages the bowl
protector opening.
12. A circulating casing hanger comprising, a
a body having a landing shoulder for landing on a shoulder in a
wellhead mandrel,
a seal sleeve carried by and longitudinally movable relative to the
body and including a seal for sealing between the body and the
interior of the wellhead, said sleeve having an upwardly facing
shoulder,
a longitudinally movable locking ring positioned between the body
and the sleeve and above the sleeve shoulder,
said body including a locking recess for receiving the locking ring
after the locking ring is longitudinally moved downwardly,
a longitudinally movable actuator positioned between the sleeve and
the body and above the locking ring whereby on longitudinal
downward movement of the actuator the ring is moved downwardly
against the sleeve shoulder moving the seal into engagement between
the body and the wellhead,
said actuator and the locking ring include tapering coacting faces,
and directed downwardly and outwardly, and
the top of the locking ring and the top of the recess include
coacting tapering faces directed downwardly and inwardly.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the coacting faces between
the ring and the actuator includes a self-locking taper.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 including releasable locking means
between the actuator and the sleeve.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the coacting faces between
the locking ring and the recess is approximately forty five degrees
from vertical.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the coacting faces between
the actuator and locking ring are approximately 7.degree. from the
vertical.
17. A longitudinally set circulating casing hanger comprising,
a body having a landing shoulder for landing on a shoulder in a
wellhead, said body including a fluid passageway,
a seal sleeve longitudinally movable relative to and carried by the
body and including a seal initially held above the passageway but
longitudinally movable into and sealing said passageway, said
sleeve including an upwardly facing actuating shoulder which when
moved downwardly carries the sleeve downwardly and moves the seal
into a sealing relationship in the passageway,
a longitudinally movable locking ring positioned between the body
and the sleeve and above the actuating shoulder,
said body including a locking recess for receiving the locking ring
as the ring is longitudinally moved downwardly,
a longitudinally movable actuator positioned between the sleeve and
the body and above the locking ring whereby on longitudinal
downward movement of the actuator the ring is moved downwardly
against the sleeve shoulder for moving the seal into a sealing
relationship in the passageway,
the top of the locking ring and the top of the recess include
coacting tapering faces directed inwardly and downwardly, and
the actuator and the locking ring include tapering coacting faces
directed downwardly and outwardly, and
releasable locking means between the actuator and the sleeve for
holding the set seal in an engaged position.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 including energy storage means
positioned to exert a sealing force on the seal and held in an
energy storing position by the locking means.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 including,
spring means positioned above the actuator and adapted to be
compressed upon setting of the seal, said spring means held in a
compressed position by said locking means.
20. The apparatus of claim 14 including, energy storage means
positioned between the actuator and the locking means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, the use of circulating casing hanger assemblies for
landing in a wellhead mandrel and permanently cementing well hole
casing is old as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,460,615.
The present invention is directed to various improvements in a
casing hanger assembly which may be run into a wellhead mandrel,
the seal set and tested. Emergency retrieval of the seal assembly
may be performed in the event the seal is unsatisfactory. The bowl
protector may be run and retrieved in combination with the casing
hanger or independently therefrom. And improved operating tools for
running, setting, testing and retrieving various components of the
circulating casing hanger assembly are provided.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a casing hanger assembly in
which the hanger seal may be set by longitudinal movement into a
releasable locking engagement, and may be released by longitudinal
actuation. The casing hanger body includes a fluid passageway with
a longitudinally movable seal sleeve having a seal for closing the
passageway, and a longitudinally movable actuator for moving the
sleeve and seal into a sealing relationship in the passageway. The
body includes a locking recess for receiving a locking ring which
is moved by the actuator for releasably holding the seal in a
sealed position. Tapering coacting faces are provided between the
actuator and the locking ring and between the locking ring and the
locking recess to provide a wedging action for setting the seal
which provides a releasable locking function as well as providing a
mechanical advantage in setting the seal. Additional releasable
locking means may be provided between the actuator and the sleeve
holding the seal in an expanded position such as releasable
coacting ratchet teeth which may be released by a retrieving tool.
Furthermore, energy storage means may be provided for maintaining a
setting force on the set seal. This is also releasable.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a
hydraulic setting tool for moving the actuator and setting the seal
by providing a piston and cylinder assembly connected to a running
string and adapted to be positioned in engagement with the actuator
wherein fluid pressure applied to the running string may actuate
the piston and cylinder assembly and set the casing hanger
seal.
Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of
a longitudinally movable weight setting tool for longitudinally
moving the actuator and setting the seal of the casing hanger.
Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of
a retrieving tool for emergency retrieval of the seal assembly in
the event the seal is unsatisfactory which includes an engaging
surface for releasing the releasable locking means holding the seal
in engagement, and includes retrieving lugs for engaging the
actuator and retrieving the actuator, the sleeve and the locking
ring.
Yet a still further object is the provision of a bowl protector
setting and retrieving tool for running and setting the bowl
protector in combination with a casing hanger.
Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of
a running and retrieving bowl protector tool for setting or
retrieving a bowl protector independently of the casing hanger in
which the protector includes a tool engaging opening one side of
which includes a tapered face, and the bowl running tool includes a
spring-loaded lug for engaging the protector opening with a
lug-locking sleeve carried by the running tool which is yieldably
urged toward the lug and engages a locking notch in the lug after
the protector is set and the tool is rotated against the opening
tapered face moving the lug to a locking position. The tool may
also be used to retrieve the bowl protector by locking the locking
sleeve in a disengaged position whereby the lugs may engage the
bowl protector opening and retrieve the bowl protector.
Yet a further object is the provision of a running and/or
retrieving tool having spring actuated dogs for engaging, setting,
or retrieving a bowl protector or casing hanger seal assembly by
longitudinal movement without requiring any rotational orientation
or rotational actuation. The spring actuated dogs may be released
downhole by actuation of a hydraulic release for setting of
equipment all without requiring rotative movement of the tool.
Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent
from the following description of presently preferred embodiments
of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure and taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross-section,
illustrating the casing hanger assembly of the present invention
placed in position in a wellhead mandrel prior to cementing the
casing,
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross-section, with
the running tool positioned in washing position for cleaning the
seal and seating area,
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross-section, showing
a hydraulic setting tool in position for setting the casing hanger
seal,
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross-section,
illustrating a mechanical weight setting tool in position for
setting the casing hanger seal,
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in cross-section,
of the casing hanger assembly in a wellhead mandrel after the seal
is set,
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line
6--6 of FIG. 5,
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line
7--7 of FIG. 5,
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in cross-section,
illustrating a retrieving tool for retrieving the seal assembly of
the casing hanger,
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross-section, of a
bowl protector running tool shown in position for running a bowl
protector independently of the casing hanger,
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10--10 of
FIG. 9 showing the running tool of FIG. 9 adapted to retrieve a
bowl protector independently from the casing hanger
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross section, of
another embodiment of a setting and retrieving tool shown in an
enlarged position,
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of
FIG. 11,
FIG. 13A is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross section of the
tool of FIGS. 11 and 12, showing the setting tool in a released
position after setting a bowl protector,
FIG. 13B is a fragmentary elevational view, showing the setting
tool of FIGS. 11 and 12, in position retrieving a casing hanger
seal,
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross section,
showing another embodiment of a casing hanger seal assembly shown
in an unset position, and
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross section, of the
seal assembly of FIG. 14 shown in the set position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the reference
numeral 10 generally indicates the casing hanger assembly of the
present invention attached to a running tool 12 for seating in a
wellhead mandrel 14 for supporting well hole casing 16 within a
well for conventionally cementing the well hole casing 16 into the
well.
The casing hanger assembly 10 includes a casing hanger generally
indicated by the numeral 17 and includes a casing hanger body 18
having a landing shoulder 20 for landing on a shoulder 22 in the
wellhead mandrel 14 for supporting the assembly 10 therefrom. The
body 18 also includes internal threads 24 for connection to the
well hole casing 16 for supporting the casing 16 therefrom. The
body 18 further includes internal threads 26, preferably
left-handed threads, for supporting the assembly 10 from a running
tool 12 for insertion into the mandrel 14. The body 18 further
includes wash ports 28 whose purpose and function will be more
fully described hereinafter. In addition, an internal cement return
passageway is provided in or about the body 18 for the return of
cement flowing up about the outside of the well hole casing 16
through ports 30 and 32 (FIGS. 1 and 5) into the annulus 29 within
the wellhead casing above the assembly 10. A snap ring 21 is
provided on the body 18 for engagement with a wellhead mandrel
groove 23 for releasably holding the asembly in the mandrel 14. A
locking recess 34 is provided in the body 18 whose function and
purpose will be more fully described hereinafter.
The assembly 10 also includes the seal assembly including a sleeve
36 having a seal 38 for sealing the passageway between the body 18
and the wellhead mandrel 14, a locking ring 40 positioned between
the body 18 and the sleeve 36 and an actuator 42 which when moved
longitudinally downwardly moves the sleeve 36 and locking ring 40
downwardly and moves the seal 38 into sealing engagement between
the body 18 and the mandrel 14. Initially, the seal assembly,
consisting of the sleeve 36, the locking ring 40 and the actuator
42, are retained in an upward position, such as by a shear pin 44,
for holding the seal 38 out of the passageway including the ports
30 and 32 for conducting conventional cementing operations. The
assembly 10 also includes a bowl protector 46 which may be run with
the casing hanger 17 or independently therefrom.
The casing hanger assembly 10 is initially run with a running tool
12 generally consisting of a section of pipe of the same inside
diameter as the casing 16. The tool 12 is screwed into the body 18,
preferably with a course left-handed thread 48 coacting with the
thread 26 on the body 18 and made up with two O-ring seals 50
coacting with the body 18 to initially close the wash ports 28. The
assembly 10 is lowered into the well until the shoulder 20 on the
body 18 is seated on a landing shoulder 22 of the wellhead mandrel
14. The snap ring 21 snaps into place in the groove 23 releasably
holding the body 18 in the mandrel 14, all as best seen in FIG. 1.
Conventional cementation is started and completed for cementing the
casing 16 in the well bore by pumping cement down the interior bore
of the tool 12 and casing 16 and upwardly about the outside of the
casing 16, through the passage 29 including ports 30 and 32.
As previously mentioned, the bowl protector 46 may be run in
combination with the casing hanger 17. An adapter 52 may be
threadably secured to the upper end of the sleeve 36 for slidably
engaging and holding the lower end of the bowl protector 46. The
bowl protector 46 may include a split ring 54 for coacting with a
groove 56 in the mandrel 14. Preferably, the groove 56 includes a
pin 58. A shear pin 60 is provided between the running tool 12 and
the bowl protector 46 for rotating the bowl protector 46 and the
ring 54 until the gap in the split ring 54 mates with the pin 58
allowing the snap ring 54 to snap into the groove 56 for preventing
rotation of the protector bowl 46.
After the cementing operations are completed, the seal 38 and its
seating area are cleaned prior to setting the seal 38. Referring
now to FIG. 2, the running tool 12 is rotated to the right
unscrewing the left-handed connection between the threads 48 and 26
to back off the lower seal 50 on the running tool 12 to open the
wash ports 28. Water is now circulated down through the bore of the
tool 12, through the wash ports 28 and up through the annulus 29
between the running tool and the wellhead mandrel 14 to clean the
seating areas and the seal 38. Rotation of the running tool 12 will
also shear pin 60 between the running tool 12 and the bowl
protector 46. After the washing is completed, further rotation of
the running tool 12 will uncouple the running tool from the body 18
and the running tool 12 is pulled from the well.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, two types of tools for setting and
testing the seal 38 are shown. Referring to FIG. 3, a hydraulic
setting and testing tool 62 is shown connected to the running
string 64 and provided with a shoulder 66 which may be engaged by a
blowout preventer ram 68 for prevnting upward movement of the tool
62 and string 64 when actuating the seal 38. The hydraulic tool 62
includes a cylinder and piston assembly having a cylinder 70 and
piston 72 with a port 74 communicating with the bore of the tool 62
and running string 64. The piston 72 is adapted to be positioned
and engage the actuator 42 longitudinally moving the actuator 42 in
a downward direction. Referring to FIG. 2, the seal sleeve 36
includes an upwardly directed shoulder 80 for initially carrying
the locking ring 40 at a position above the locking recess 34. It
is also noted that the actuator 42 is positioned above and contacts
the top of the locking ring 40 so that on downward movement of the
actuator 42, the retaining shear pin 44 is sheared and the actuator
42 drives the locking ring 40 and the seal sleeve 36 downwardly
carrying the seal 38 downwardly. The actuator 42 includes a tapered
face 82 which is adapted to coact with a tapered face 84 on the
locking ring 40 when the ring 40 snaps into position in the locking
recess 34 in the body 18. The top of the locking recess 34 includes
a tapered face 86 which coacts with a tapered face 88 on the top of
the locking ring 40.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a ball 94 is provided to drop downhole and
seat on seat 96 and when hydraulic pressure is applied to the bore
of the tool 62, through port 74, the piston 72 is moved downwardly
moving the actuator 42 downwardly shearing pin 44 and moving the
locking ring 40 into the locking recess 34 which carries sleeve 36
and seal 38 longitudinally downwardly. Further longitudinal thrust
on the actuator 42 wedges the shoulder 88 on the locking ring 40
against the shoulder 86 at the top of the locking recess 34 causing
further compression of the seal 38 as its lower end contacts a
shoulder 90 on the body 18 and expands between the mandrel 14 and
the body 18. The desired compression of the seal 18 may be obtained
through the combination of a self-locking taper between the
coacting outwardly and downwardly directed faces 82 on the actuator
42 and 84 on the locking ring 40 such as a 7.degree. self-locking
taper, and against the taper between the inwardly and downwardly
directed coacting faces 86 and 88 which may be a 45 degree taper.
The two pair of coacting tapering faces, in addition to providing a
releasable locking mechanism for the seal 38, also provide a 3 or
4-to-1 mechanical advantage reducing proportionately the required
setting pressure of the piston 72. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the
seal 38 is in a set position.
However, an additional locking system to the self-locking taper
between the tapering faces 82 and 84 of the actuator 42 and locking
ring 40 is provided since vibration may loosen the locking taper
and release the seal 38. Additional releasing locking means may be
provided, as best seen in FIGS. 5-7 in which upwardly directed
ratchet teeth 100 are provided on the acuator 42 to coact with
ratchet teeth segments 102 having downwardly directed teeth 104.
The ratchet segments 102 are carried by the seal sleeve 36 in a
recess 106 and are yieldably urged inwardly into contact with the
actuator 42 by suitable spring means such as rubber pads 108. As
the actuator 42 is moved downwardly, the coacting ratchet teeth 100
and 104 will ratchet under the action of the resilient pads 107 to
allow the actuator 42 to move downwardly relative to the sleeve 36
to lock the seal 38 in a compressed position and prevent relaxation
of the seal 38. However, in event it is desired to remove the seal
assembly, as will be discussed hereinafter, the coacting ratchet
teeth 100 and 102 must be separated and segment-releasing elements
110 are provided carried by the actuator 42 and positioned against
the ratchet segment 102 and having ends 112 which protrude inwardly
from the actuator 42 for contact by suitable means. Thus, when the
ends 112 are pressed outwardly, the segment 102 will move against
the resilient pads 108 disengaging the ratchet teeth 100 and 102
allowing the actuator 42 to be moved upwardly relative to the
sleeve 36.
After the seal 38 is set, it is tested to ascertain whether it is
sealing properly. The setting and testing tool 62 (FIG. 3) includes
a testing seal 92 for sealing against the body 18. Pressure may be
applied downwardly onto seal 38 through the annulus 29, ports 98 in
piston 72 of tool 62, and ports 32. In the event that the testing
seal 92 leaks, bursting of the casing 13 is avoided since excess
pressure in the casing 13 may push the ball 94 off of its seat and
be released through the bore 31.
In the event that the test shows that the seal 38 is not suitably
holding or if for any other reason it is desired to remove the seal
assembly, a retrieving tool 114, as best seen in FIG. 8, is
provided. The retrieving tool 114 includes a plurality of spline
grooves 116 and upsets 118 to coact with the corresponding upsets
120 and grooves 122 of the actuator 42, as best seen in FIG. 5. In
inserting the retrieving tool 114 into the actuator 42, should the
upsets 118 contact an upset 120 on the actuator 42, slight rotation
will cause the spline-like assemblies to coact. In addition, it is
noted that the upsets 118 on the retrieving tool 114 will engage
the inner ends 112 of elements 110 to move the teeth segments 102
away from the actuator 42 and release the releasable locking
ratchet teeth 100 and 102 to allow the actuator 42 to be moved
upwardly and retract from the locking ring and sleeve 36. In
addition, the retrieving tool 114 includes a plurality of
spring-loaded lugs 124 that move downwardly over the upsets 120 on
the actuator 42 and engage an engaging shoulder 126. Upward pull on
the retrieving tool 114 longitudinally moves the actuator 42
upwardly releasing the locking ring 40. Further upward movement of
the actuator 42 causes the top 128 of the actuator to engage the
bottom of the adapter 52 thereby raising the sleeve 36 and locking
ring 40 along with the actuator 42. Upward movement will cause the
sleeve 36 to come in contact with the bottom of the protector bowl
46 to retrieve the protector bowl 46 along with the seal assembly
from the well.
After the seal assembly has been removed and checked, it may be
rerun and set with the setting and testing tool 62 shown in FIG. 4
by supporting the seal assembly from the tool 62 with a shear pin
132, so that the sleeve 36, actuator 42 and locking ring may be
reinserted around the body 18 of the casing hanger. The hydraulic
setting tool 62 may be modified, as best seen in FIG. 4, to provide
a hydraulic weight-setting tool by inserting a spacer bar 134 in
the piston and cylinder assembly or by merely setting down on the
tool 62 until the cylinder 70 closes on the piston 72. Mechanically
and longitudinally moving the tool 30 downwardly around the body 18
will longitudinally set or reset the seal 38 as in the operation
described in connection with FIG. 3.
As has been previously described, in connection with FIG. 1, the
protector bowl 46 may be run in combination with the casing hanger
17. In addition, the protector bowl 46 may also be run and
retrieved separately from the casing hanger 17. Referring to FIG.
9, the bowl protector 46 includes a tool engaging opening 140 which
includes, as best seen in FIG. 1, a tapered face 142 tapering
inwardly on one side. A protector bowl tool 144 is provided for
connection to a running string (not shown) and having spring-loaded
lugs 146 adapted to engage the openings 140 in the bowl protector
46. The tool 144 also includes a lug locking sleeve 148 which is
actuated by a spring 150 toward the lug 146. The lug 146 includes a
locking notch 152 on its inwardly end whereby when the lug 146 is
pressed inwardly the notch 152 will be engaged by the lower end 154
of the locking sleeve 148. To independently set the bowl protector
46 the tool 144 is assembled at the well surface with the
spring-loaded lugs 146 positioned in the openings 140 of the bowl
protector 46 supporting the bowl protector from the tool 144. The
tool 144 and bowl protector 46 are lowered into the wellhead
mandrel 14 until the split ring 54 snaps into the coacting groove
56 in the well mandrel. The tool 144 is then rotated to the right
and the lugs 146 will be compressed inwardly by the taper 142 (FIG.
1) bringing the locking notch 152 into alignment with the lower end
154 of the locking sleeve 148 thereby locking the lugs 146 in an
inwardly or depressed position. The tool 144 may then be retrieved
upwardly from the wellhead mandrel 14.
The tool 144 may also be used to retrieve the bowl protector 46
independently from the casing hanger 17. For retrieval operations,
the locking sleeve 148 must be neutralized in order to allow the
spring-loaded lugs 146 to move inwardly as the tool 146 is moved
down the well and to spring outwardly into the openings 140 of the
bowl protector 46. As best seen in FIG. 10 a screw 156 is inserted
in the tool 144 engaging the bottom end 154 of the locking sleeve
148 and holding the sleeve 148 in the upward position and away from
the locking notch 152 of the lugs 146 (FIG. 9). The tool 144 is
then run down until the shoulder 160 on the tool 144 contacts the
shoulder 162 on the bowl protector 46 thereby aligning and
inserting the lugs 146 in the openings 140. A straight upward
pulling action on the tool 144 will retrieve the bowl protector 46
from the mandrel 14.
Of course, other and further modifications of the present invention
may be utilized. Referring now to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, a modified
setting and retrieving tool which is spring actuated and
hydraulically released is best seen for running and retrieving a
bowl protector and for retrieving a casing hanger seal assembly.
The tool generally indicated by the reference numeral 170 includes
a body 172 adapted to be attached to an operating string (not
shown), a hydraulic piston 174, and locking dogs 176. Springs 178
are provided between the hydraulic piston 174 and the dogs 176
yieldably urging the dogs 176 outwardly. As best seen in FIG. 11,
the tool 170 may act as a retrieving tool to retrieve any objects
such as a bowl protector 180 having an annular engaging notch 182.
In this event, the tool 170 may be moved downhole and the dogs 176
will bypass any obstructions or shoulders in the hole by moving
inwardly against the spring 178. When the dogs 176 are positioned
in the notch 182, an upward pull may be taken by the tool 170 for
retrieving the bowl protector 180. It is noted that no rotative
orientation or turning of the tool 170 is required for engagement
with the notch 182 and that the tool 170 has the advantage of
retrieving solely with longitudinal movement.
In addition, as best seen in dotted outline in the lower portion of
FIG. 13B, a tool 170a may be provided similar to tool 170 but of a
smaller o.d., to engage and retrieve the hanger seal assembly since
the dogs 176a will engage the actuating shoulder 126 for moving the
actuator 42 upwardly for removing the seal assembly as previously
described, and with only longitudinal movement. The tool 170 and
170a is operable without requiring the rotational alignment as
required with the tool described in connection with FIG. 8.
The tool 170, in addition to retrieving equipment in the well by
mere longitudinal movement, can also run and set equipment therein
solely by longitudinal movement. The piston 174 includes a first
enlarged diameter section 184 which normally abuts one end of the
spring 178. The piston 174 also includes a second smaller diameter
section 186. the piston 174 also includes a groove 188 for
engagement by a spring loaded plunger 190 for normally holding the
piston 174 with the diameter section 184 in registry with the end
of the spring 178. Hydraulic fluid may be pumped into the bore 192
of the tool 170 forcing the piston 174 downwardly, as best seen in
FIG. 13A, against a retaining ring 194 and bringing a second groove
196 into engagement with the spring actuated plunger 190 for
holding the piston 174 in a lower position. The downward movement
of the piston 174 moves the larger diameter section 184 out of
engagement with the spring 178 and moves the smaller diameter
section 186 into engagment with the spring 178. Of course, the
movement of the smaller diameter section 186 downwardly into
alignment with the spring 178 reduces the outward force of the
spring 178 against the locking dogs 176. As best seen in FIG. 12,
the dogs 176 are movably secured to the body 172 by pins 192 and
194 and springs 196 and 198 which yieldably urge the dogs 176
inwardly toward the body 172. When the piston 174 is in the upward
position, as shown in FIG. 11, the spring 178 is in a more
compressed state and overcomes the springs 196 and 198 and urges
the locking dogs 176 outwardly into an engaging position. However,
when the piston 174 is moved to a downward position, as best seen
in FIG. 13, with the spring 178 abutting the smaller diameter
section 186, the springs 196 and 198 overcome the spring 178 and
move the locking dogs 176 inwardly into a released position. Again,
it is noted that the tool 170 may set and release equipment solely
by longitudinal movement and without requiring rotational
orientation or rotational actuation.
Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, a further embodiment of the
casing hanger seal assembly is best shown wherein like parts to
those in FIGS. 1-8 are shown with like numbers and the addition of
the suffix "a." The seal assembly 200 of FIGS. 14 and 15 includes
energy storage means such as one or more belleville springs 202 to
maintain a compressive force on the actuator 42a and thus on the
seal 38a when set to prevent relaxation and possible leak of the
seal 38a. That is, the springs 202 are compressed when the seal
assembly is set and the springs 202 maintain a continuous pressure
on the actuator 42a. As seen, the springs 202 are positioned above
and against the actuator 42a and a retaining member 204 is
positioned above the springs 202. The setting tool 62 carries the
assembly 200 by the shear pin 32a for movement down the well bore
and into the mandrel 14. When the setting tool 62 is actuated, such
as by the piston 72, the retainer 204 is moved downwardly against
the springs 202 which in turn moves the actuator 42a downwardly and
as in the previously embodiment, moves the locking ring 40a and
sleeve 36a downwardly setting the seal 38a.
Any suitable locking system, such as shown in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-8 may be used, although a simplified means would be a
plurality of collet hooks 206 connected to the retainer 204 which
engage a downwardly directed hook 208 on the sleeve 36a for holding
the compressed belleville spring 202, as best seen in FIG. 15,
against the upper end of the actuator 42a thereby maintaining the
locking tapers between the members 42a, 40a and seal 38a.
The assembly 200 is retrievable without requiring rotation or
orientation by use of the tool 170 described in FIGS. 11-13 by
merely shearing the pins 205 that hold the collet hooks 206 to the
retainer 204.
The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the
objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as
others inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments of
the invention have been given for the purpose of disclosure,
numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of
parts, may be provided, without departing from the spirit of the
invention and the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *