US3199906A - Releasable fluid control apparatus for retrieving subsurface well devices - Google Patents

Description

Aug. l0, 1965 D. v. cHENowETl-l 3,199,906

RELEASABLE FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING SUBSURFACE WELL DEVICES Filed July 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

V: /EA/OWETH BY www rro/e/veys.

vAug. 1o, 1965 D. V. CH ENOWETH RELEASABLE FLUID CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING SUBSURFACE WELL DEVICES Filed July 5, 1965 .F200 3c C 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTOR.

DHV/0 I( CHE/v0 WE n/ BY rromveys.

United States Patent O RELEASABLE FLlUHD CNTRL APPARATUS FR REIREEVI TS SUESURFAlE WELL Dill/EEES David V. Clienoweth, Houston, Tex., assigner to Baker @il Tools, lne., Los Angeles, Quill., a corporation of California Filed duly 5, 1%3, Ser. No. 292,918 16 Claims. (Si. 29d- $6.15)

The present invention relates to subsurface well bore apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus useful in retrieving a device from a well bore.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus adapted to be coupled to a device and moved longitudinally in a well bore on a running-in string, the Iapparatus being readily releasable from the device without the necessity for rotating the running-in string.

Another Vobject of the invention is to provide apparatus connectible to a running-in string for lowering and elevating a device in the well bore, and capable of being released from the device without the necessity for rotating the running-in string.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus connectible to a running-in string and movable into coupling relation to a device 4in the well bore without the need for rotating, the running-in string, enabling the device to be shifted longitudinally in the wall bore, the apparatus being releasable from the device without rotation of the running-in string. In a more limited sense, release of the apparatus .from the device is ellected by liuid pressure. More specifically, the pressure is imposed on the the iiuid in the well bore externally of the running-in string.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus connectible to a tubular running-in string for lowering and elevating a device in the well bore, the apparatus being relea-sable hydraulically from the device, in which iiuid in the well bore is allowed to lill the tubular string readily during lowering of the apparatus and device in the well bore, and is also allowed to drain readily Afrom the tubular string during elevation of the apparatus and device in the well bore.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other object-s which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings acc-ompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope or the invention is best defined by the 'appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a longitudinal section through an apparatus embodying the invention disposed in a Well casing, operatively connected to vanother device and positioned for lowering the latter inthe well casing;

FlG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1, in condition for elevating the device in the well casing;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. l illustrating theapparatus partially elevated relative to the device;

FIG. 4 is a view similar' to FlG. l illustrating the apparatus. uncoupled or released from the device;

FlG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5 5 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the movement of the latch portion of the apparatus to a releasing position with respect to the device.

The apparatus A illustrated in the drawings is a running-in and retrieving tool adapted to be lowered in a well casing B, or similar conduit string, dispo-sed in a ICC well bore on a tubular string C. It is adapted to be releasably connected to another device D in the well bore or casing, such as a retrievable bridge plug of the type illustrated and described in U.S. Patent No. 2,998,072.

The retrievable bridge plug D includes a tubular body lll having an upper valve cage ll lsecured thereto1 there being a control rod or bar l2 extending into the body for controlling the setting of the plug, the bar passing through a valve head 13 adapted to engage the upper end of the body lll to close its passage lll against downward llow of iluid therethrough, suit-able seals 15, i6 being provided between the valve head and the bridge plug body and between the valve head and the control rod or bar to prevent leakage of iluid therebetween. A helical con pression spring i7 surrounds the control rod l2, its upper end bearing against the valve cage ll, which has slots or ports 13 therethrough, and its lower end engaging the valve head 13 to urge the latter downwardly into engagement with the bridge plug body lll. As disclosed in the drawings, a suitable packing cup 19 is mounted on the bridge plug body for sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

As described in the above patent, the control rod or 'bar l2 is adapted to occupy selected longitudinal positions within the bridge plug body lil for the purpose of preventing anchoring of the bridge plug in the well casing against upward or downward movement therewithin, and also to permit such anchoring. The bridge plug D is prevented from being set in the well casing when the control rod or bar occupies a downward position within the bridge plug body ill, and it also prevents the bridge plug from 4setting in the well casing when the control rod or bor l2 occupies an upper position within the body. When the control rod or bar occupies an intermediate or neutral position, Isetting of the bridge plug can occur.

The running-in and retrieving apparatus A will either lshift the control rod or bar l2 to its lower position in running the bridge plug D in the well casing, to its upper position in elevating the bridge plug in the well casing, or it can occupy a neutral position permitting setting of the bridge plug. It is also releasable from the bridge plug and can be elevated with respect thereto. ln fact, it can be removed completely from the well casing, if desired, leaving the' bridge plug D in its set condition within the casing.

As disclosed, the apparatus A includes an outer tubular body or housing 2li having a lower body shoe 2l threadedly attached thereto, which is adapted to engage the upper end of the bridge plug body valve cage 1l. This shoe has transverse slot-s 22 extending through its lower portion to permit fluid to pass between the interior yand the exterior of the body or housing, The upper end oi the housing or body Ztl is constituted as a sub 23 having lan upper threaded pin 24 adapted to be threadedly secured to the tubular string C extending to the top of the well casing, as to a coupling Z5. Mounted within the housing is a mechanically and hydraulically actuatable latch sleeve 25 adapted to engage a control rod body structure 27 for the purpose of shitting the control rod l2 t-o its downward position within the plug body lll, with the shoe 2l engaging the upper end of the 4valve cage il, and which is adapted to be coupled to the body structure 27 to elevate the control rod or bar 12 within the bridge plug body ll) `and to also elevate the bridge plug in the well casing B. The body structure 27 includes a lower tubular body section 23 threadedly attached to the upper end of the control rod or bar l2, disconnect-ion between the lower body section and control rod being prevented by a suitable lock or jam nut 29 threaded on the rod and tightened against the lower end of the body section. The lower body section 28 projects upwardly within an upper body section Sil, the two parts being threadedly secured toaisance gether, preferably by a left-hand threaded connection 31, which will'permit disconnection between the two sections under emergency release conditions, as described hereinbelow. Immediately below the upper body section 30, the lower body secti-on'has fishing threads or teeth 32, or the like, formed on its periphery Iand engage-able by a fishing tool (not shown). i

The upper body section 3() has a lower control h-ead 33 thereon possessing an upper tapered shoulder 34 inclined in `an upward and inward direction, and a lower tapered shoulder 35 inclined in a downward and inward direction. The upper section 30 terminates in an upper tapered guide portion 36 having a central inlet 37 surrounded by .a downwardly facing valve seat 3d adapted to be engaged by a valve element 39, in the form of a ball, to close the central inlet against upward passage of iiuid, the ball 39 being movable downwardly away from its companion seat 38 to permit downward flow of liuid through the central inlet 37 and around the ball, passing through a central body structure passage 4) and discharging through lower lateral body ports 41 to the exterior of the body 28. 'Downward movement of the ball valve element 39 within the upper body section is limited by its engagement with valve stop fingers 42 constituting the upper end of the lower body section 28.

The latch sleeve 26 is shiftable longitudinally within the outer housing 20 `and along the body structure 27, being urged in a downward direction by a helical compression .spring 43, the upper end of which surrounds a depending housing skirt 44 and bears against the sub 23, the lower end of the spring bearing against the upper end of the sleeve 26. The downward extent of movement of the sleeve 26 within the housing Ztl is limited by engagement of `a lower shoulder 45 on the sleeve with an inwardly directed stop shoulder 46 on the housing. When such .shoulders are coengaged, a plurality of latch fin-gers or feet 47, constituting the lower end of the latch sleeve 26, engage a downwardly tapering holding surf-ace 4S in the housing, which will urge the lingers 47 inwardly and dispose .them under the lower tapered shoulder :tv of the control head 3G, thereby coupling the housing 20 to the body structure 27 and the control rod or bar 12 through the .agency of the intervening ngers. `These lingers constitute the lower terminal portions of a plurality of longitudinally extend-ing spring-like latch arms 49, forming the lower portion of the latch sleeve, the latch arms 49 and ngers 47 resulting from circurniferentially spaced, longitudinal slots E@ cut through the lower portion of the sleeve and extending-downwardly through the latch iingers 47. Y

The latch fingers 47have inwardly projecting portions 51 provided with upper surfaces S2 tapering in a downwand .direction to engage the companion lower tapered shoulder 3,5 on the control head 33, and also outer, lower surfaces 53 .tapering downwardly and inwardly for engagement with the companion holding surface 4S of the outer body or housing 20. The fingers 47 also havelower tapered surfaces 54 bel-ow the ,upper surfaces 52, which incline in `a downward and outward direction, for engagement with the upper guide, 36 and the upper tapered shoulder 34 .which will shift or cam theiingers outwardly so that they can clear the guide and control head andl be disposed below the latter. The -ingers 47 normally occupy .an inward position with a minimum internal dia-meter less than the external diameter of the control head 3,3, but they are adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly within thclbody or housing Ztl to a sutiicient extent as to clear the control head.

The latch sleeve 26 is hydraulically actuatable and may be deemed to be an annular piston member having upper and .lower portions 6l), 61 slidable along the inner wall 62 ot the housing above its stop shoulder 46. The inner surface or wall 63 ot the latch. sleeve is also slidable along the upper valve headportion 64 of the control rod body structure 27. Slidable fits are provided to avoid the nel il cessity for using seal rings, or the like, to prevent substantial leaking between the latch sleeve Z6 and inner wall 62 of the housing 20, and between the latch sleeve and the upper body head 64. In effect, the latch sleeve or annular piston 26 is movable longitudinally Within an annular cylinder space R between the inner wall 62 of the upper cylindrical portion 65 of the housing and the exterior ot the upper hea-d 64 whenthe latch sleeve is disposed over the control rod body structure 27.

When the latch sleeve Z6 is in its` upper position within the housing 24D, a plurality of side ports 66 extending through the wall of the latch sleeve below its upper portion 6@ is communicable with companion ports 67 extending through the housing cylinder 65, so as to permit liuid passage between the exterior of the housing 26 and the interior of the sleeve 26, and, therefore, tothe interior of the tubular string C (FIG. l). The spring 43, under some circumstances, can shilit the latch sleeve 26 downwardly to substantially close the `housing ports 67.,.as when the lower sleeve shoulder 45 engages the housing stop shoulder 46, such as illustrated in FIG. 2. The liuid in the annulus E .surrounding the tubular string C can be subjected to pressure, which nuid pressure will pass through .the lower shoe slots 22. to the interior ot the housing 20 and lact upwardly on the latchfsleeve 26, tending to shift it upwardly within the housing yagainst the force of the spr-ing 43, the area over which the fluid pressure is acting in an upward direction over the latch sleeve or annular piston el 'being the annular area Rbetween the periphery of the upper body head 64 and the inner wall 62 of the cylinder port-ion 65 of the, housing.

In the use of the apparatus A, it can be coupled to the bridge plug device D and this combination lowered in the well casing B on the tubular string C. Since the bridge plug D resists downward movement through the casing and must be forced therewithin, a downwardly facing tapered shoulder 70 onthe sleeve above the latch arms 49 engages the upper tapered shoulder 34 of the body structure 27, and urges the control rod 12 downwardly with-in the bridge plugbody, which will prevent the bridge plug from setting, als described in UJS. Patent 2,998,072 (FIG. l). -At this time, the shoe 211 of the outer housing engages the upper end of the valve cage 11, the latch sleeve compressing the spring 43 and placing the sleeve .ponts 66 in communication with the housing ports 67. As the apparatus A and bridge plug device D are lowered .through the iiuid in the well casing, such fluid can `pass through the ports 67, 66 to the interior ofthe sleeve 26, ilowing upwardly through the housing suh23 into `the tubular string C. Any fluid tending 4to pass upwardly through the shoe slots 22 to the interi-or of the housing and through the body ports 4l into the central passage 4t) and up through the central inlet 37 into the tubular string is prevented from doing so by the upward engagement of the valve element 39 with lits companion valve seat 38..

Alter the bridge plug has been lowered to its desired setting point in the well casing, the running-in and retrieving apparatus A is releasable from the bridge plug. Such releasing action occurs as-a resul-tof applying pressure to the liuid in the tubing-casing annulus E, which fluid pressure .will pass through the lower slotsZZ and act upwardly over the area R of the latch sleeve 26, the valve element 39 engaging its seat 38 to close the p'assagedi). The tubular string C and housing 20 are elevated slowly, the fluid pressure acting upwardly on the latch sleeve or annular piston member v6l,shit`ting the sleeveV upwardly within .the housing, or maintaining it in an upper posi-tion with the latch lingers orfeet 47 elevated above the holding surliace y4S on the housing, such 'as disclosed in FIG. 3. Elevation of the housing 20 continues with pressure applied to the tubing-casing annulus E, the sleeve 26 moving upwardly with the housing and its lingers 47 engaging thelower tapered .shoulder 35 of the body` head 33 and being cammed outwardly thereby until the lingers ride past the head, such as disclosed in FIG. 6, whereupon the fingers can inherently spring laterally inwardly t-o their initial retracted position.

The apparatus A has now been released from the bridge plug device D and can be elevated in the well casing. When the latch sleeve rides ofi the upper body head 27, the fluid in the tubing-casing annulus E can then pass through the valve sleeve .26 and act on the upper side of the latter, so that there is no pressure differential acting on the sleeve, the spring 43 re-expanding and shifting the sleeve to a downward position in which the lingers 47 engage tr e holding surface 48 and are shifted inwardly, the downward travel of the latch sleeve being limited by engagement of its shoulder d5 with the stop shoulder 4d of the housing, the parts then being in the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

ln the event it is desired to retrieve the bridge plug device from the well casing, or to elevate it within the well casing, the apparatus A is lowered on the tubular string C in the well casing B, the housing shoe 21 and the main portion of the housing passing downwardly over the body structure 27, the lower inner tapered surfaces 54 of the fingers 47 engaging the upper tapered shoulder 34 of the body head, the sleeve momentarily being held stationar and the housing shifting downwardly so as to elevate the fingers relatively above the holding surface 43, the upward movement of the sleeve within the housing further compressing the upper spring 43. The fingers 47 are then disposed in the enlarged diameter portion of the housing and can be expanded outwardly by the upper tapered head shoulder 34 and will ride past the head 33, the spring reexpanding and shifting the latch sleeve 26 downwardly in the housing to place the linger surfaces 53 into engagement with the holding surface i8 and the fingers in their retracted position below the control head 33.

The tubular string C and housing ,2d can now be moved upwardly, the latch sleeve 26 moving upwardly therewith until the upper, inner tapered surfaces S2 of the lingers engage the lower tapered shoulder 35 of the control head (FlG. 2). However, such control head surface cannot cam the lingers outwardly because of the fact that the rctaining surface 48 of the housing engages the lingers and precludes their outward expansion. Accordingly, upward movement of the tubular string C and housing Ztl will be transmitted through the lingers 47 to the control head 33 and through the body structure 27 to the control rod or bar 12, the latter being shifted upwardly within the bridge plug body lll to a position that will prevent setting of the plug D in the well casing, the entire bridge plug being elevated in the well casing to another setting location, or, if desired, for removal to the top of the well bore. During such elevating movement, the housing ports 67 may be closed, such as illustrated in FIG. 2, but the fluid in the tubular string C can still drain therefrom since the ball valve element 39 will move downwardly away from the valve seat 3S, the liquid draining through the central inlet 37 and around the ball valve element into the central body passage 49, discharging through the body ports 4i to the interior of the housing 2li, and then dropping out of the lower end of the housing into the well casing B.

With the apparatus A in its coupled condition to the well device D, the latter can not only be elevated in the well casing to a new location, but it can be lowered in the well casing to a dierent location, merely by shifting the tubular string C downwardly, which will place the parts in the position illustrated in FIG. l, the control rod or bar 12 being shifted downwardly in the bridge plug body l@ to prevent setting of the bridge plug in the well casing. lf at any time the apparatus is to be released from the bridge plug, it is merely necessary to move the tubular string C downwardly to a slight extent, which will correspondingly shift the housing 20 downwardly to insure that the holding surface 48 is disposed below the lingers 47. The liuid in the tubing-casing annulus E can then be subjected to pressure, the fluid pressure acting upwardly on the latch sleeve 25, since the ball valve element 39 will engage its seat 33 to prevent passage of the fluid through the body structure 2.7 to the interior of the tubular string C, and will tend to retain the latch sleeve in its upward position within the housing while the apparatus is being elevated relative to the control rod or bar l2 of the bridge plug device D and its body structure 27. The fingers will remain above the holding surface 48 while moving past the control head 33, the lower tapered surface 35 of the latter expanding the lingers 47 outwardly within the housing, the lingers riding upwardly past the head to a position thereabove, whereupon they spring inwardly. When the latch sleeve 26 moves out of sealing relation to the periphery of the valve body 64, the pressure in the tubing-casing annulus E will drop, inasmuch as the liuid can then iiow upwardly through the housing Ztl and through the sleeve 26 into the tubular string C, thereby advising the operator that the apparatus A has been released from the bridge plug device D.

With the apparatus described, it is evident that it is capable of lowering another device in the well bore, or of retrieving the device from the well bore. It is capable of being released from the device, whenever desired, simply by the application of pressure to the liuid in the tubing-casing annulus E. Retrieving can occur without the necessity for rotating the tubular string C. All that need be done is to elevate the tubular string while applying pressure to the liuid in the tubing-casing annulus, which will hold the latch sleeve 2o upwardly in the housing to space its latch lingers 47 above the holding surface 43 and allow the fingers to expand outwardly in moving past the control head 33. Downward movement of the apparatus A and its coupling to the lower device or tool D can occur without the necessity for rotating the tubu-V lar string, since the latch lingers will merely snap over the control head 33. The coupling of the apparatus to the device, so that the latter can be elevated in the well casing, occurs merely as a result of moving the tubular string C and housing Ztl upwardly without application of pressure to the tubing-casing annulus E, the holding surface 48 retaining the lingers 47 under the lower tapered shoulder 35 of the control head. During lowering of the apparatus in the well casing, the liuid can readily enter the ports 67, and automatically lill the tubular string C. Similarly, during elevation of the apparatus in the well casing, the ball valve element 39 moves downwardly away from its seat 38 to allow the fluid in the tubular string C to drain through the control rod body structure 27 into the well casing B below the apparatus A.

I claim:

l. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a downwardly facing shoulder; a

member adapted to be connected to a running-in stringV for movement in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; latch means carried by and movable longitudinally of said member and movable inherently inwardly to a position under said shoulder to be engaged therewith; said member having shifting means engaging said latch means when said latch means moves in one direction longitudinally of said member to hold said latch means laterally inwardly under said shoulder and in coupling relation to the device; and liuid operated means responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said latch means in the opposite direction longitudinally of said member away from said shifting means to allow said latch means to be shifted by said shoulder laterally outwardly to uncoupled relation from the device.

2. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a downwardly facing shoulder; a member adapted to be connected to a running-in string for movement in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; a latch sleeve slidable longitudinally in said member and having laterally movable latch elements movable inherently inwardly to a position under said shoulder to be engaged therewith; said member having a surface thereon for engaging and holding said elements laterally inwardly under said shoulder in coupling relation to the device upon longitudinal movement of said latch sleeve in one direction in said member; said sleeve having fluid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the iluid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve in the opposite longitudinal direction in said member away from said surface to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit said elements to be shifted by said shoulder laterally outwardly to uncoupled relation with respect to the device.

3. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: a member adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string for movement in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; a latch sleeve slidable longitudinally in said member and having laterally movable latch elementsy adapted to be coupled to the device; said member having means thereon for shifting said elements laterally inwardly toward a position to be coupled to the device upon longitudinalfmovement of said sleeve in one direction in said member; means for moving said sleeve in the opposite longitudinal direction in said member to allow said elements to shift laterally outwardly of the device to a position uncoupled from the device; said sleeve being engageable with the device to shift the device downwardly in the well bore in response to downward movement of the tubular running-in string; said sleeve and member having communicating fluid passage means allowing iluid to flow from the exterior of said member to the interior of said sleeve and into the tubular running-in string during lowering of the apparatus in the well bore.

4. In combination: a. device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a downwardly facing shoulder; a member adapted to be connected to a running-in string for movement in the well bore and to be disposed over the device; a latch sleeve slidable longitudinally in said member and having laterally movable latch elements movable inherently inwardly to a position under vsaid shoulder to be engaged therewith; said member having a surface thereon for engaging and holding said elements laterally inwardlywunder said shoulder in a position to be coupled to the device upon downward movement of said latch sleeve in said member; said sleeve having iiuid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the iiuid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve upwardly in said member away from said surface to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit said elements to be shifted by said shoulder laterally outwardly to a position uncoupled from the device.

5. In apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: a member adapted to be connected to a tubular runningin string for movement in the well bore and tol be disposed over the device; a latch sleeve slidable longitudinally in said member and having laterally movable latch elements adapted to be coupledrto the device; said mem-V berihavin'g a surface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly toward a position Yto be coupled to the device upon downward movement of said latch sleeve in said member; said sleeve having fluid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the iiuid in the well bore externallyof said member for moving said sleeve upwardly in said member to prevent engagernent of said elements by said surface and permit through which fluid can iiow from the exterior of said member to the interior of said sleeve and into vthe tubular string during lowering of the apparatus in the well bore.,

6. ln apparatus for retrieving a device from a well bore: a member adapted to be connected to a running-in string for movement in the well'bore and to be disposed over the device; a latch sleeve slidable longitudinally in said member and having'laterally movable latch elements adapted to be coupled to the device; said member having a surface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly toward a position to be coupled to the device upon downward movement of said latch sleeve in said member; spring means engaging said sleeve .for shifting said sleeve downwardly in said member; said sleeve having luid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the uid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve upwardly in said member against the force of saidl spring means, to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit longitudinal outward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from the device; said sleeve having means thereon engageable with the device to move the device downwardly in the well bore upon downward movement of the running-in string and the member in the well bore.

7. ln combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore; amember adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said member and slidable longitudinally along said member and device, said sleeve havinglaterally movable elements adapted .to be coupled to said device; said member having a surface thereon for engaging andV shifting saidelements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to said device upon longitudinal movement of said sleeve in one direction in said member; said sleeve Yhaving liuid pressure operated means responsive to fluid pressure in said annular cylinder space for moving `said'sleeve longitudinally in the opposite direction -in said member to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and to permit lateral outward shifting of-said elements to a position Iuncoupled from said device.

8. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore; a member adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said member and slidableA longitudinally along said member and device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to be coupled to said device; said member having a surface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to sai-d device upon longitudinal movement of said sleeve in one direction in said member; said sleeve having liuid pressure operated means responsive to the-pressure of the iiuid in the well'bore externally of said member and in said annular cylinder space for moving said sleeve in the opposite longitudinal direction in said member to prevent engagement of said` elements by said surf-ace and permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from said device;

9.l in combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore; a member adapted to be connected to a running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said member and slidable longitudinally along said member and device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to be coupled to said'device; said member having a surface thereon for engagingpand shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to said'device upon downward movement of said sleeve in said member; said sleeve having iiuid pressure operated means responsive tothe pressure of the iiuid in the well bore externally ofgsaid member and insaid annular Vcylindery space for moving said sleeve lupwardly in said member to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from said device.

1t). ln combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore; a member adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said member and slidable longitudinally along said member and device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to be coupled to said device; said member having a surface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to said device upon longitudinal movement of said sleeve in one direction in said member; said sleeve having Huid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the fluid in well bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve in the opposite longitudinal direction in said member to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from said device; said sleeve being engageable with the device and occupying an upper position in said 4member to shift the device downwardly in the well bore in response to downward movement of the tubular running-in string; said sleeve and member .having communicating ports when said sleeve is in said upper position through which fluid can flow from the exterior of said member-to the interior of said sleeve and into the tubular string during lowering of the apparatus in the well bore.

11. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to -be connected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over said upper portion of said device; latch means carried by and movable longitudinally of said member and adapted to be coupled to said upper portion of said device; said member having shifting means engaging said latch means when said latch means moves in one direction longitudinally of said member to shift said latch means laterally inwardly toward coupled relation to said device; means for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outwardly from coupled relation to said device; and valve means in said upper portion of said device controlling the ow of fluid through said passage.

l2. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over said uppper portion of said device; latch means carried by and movable longitudinally of said member and adapted to be coupled to said upper portion of said device; said member having shifting means engaging said latch means when said latch means moves in one direction longitudinally of said member to shift said latch means laterally inwardly toward coupled relation to said device; fluid pressure means responsive to the pressure of the iiuid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said latch means longitudinally of said member in the opposite direction to allow said latch means to shift laterally outwardly from coupled relation to said device; and valve means in said upper portion of said body shifted to closed position by said external fluid pressure and adapted to open to allow fluid to pass downwardly from the tubular string through said'passage.

i3. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said member and slidable longitudinally along said member and upper portion of said device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to be coupled to said upper portion of said device; said member having a surface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to said device upon longitudinal movement of said sleeve in one direction in said member; said sleeve having'fluid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve inthe opposite longitudinal direction in said cylinder space and along said device and member to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and to permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from the upper portion of said device; and valve means in said upper portion of said device shifted to closed position by said external uid pressure and adapted to open to allow uid to pass downwardly from the tubular string through said passage.

14. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over the device to provide an annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said member and slidable longitudinally along said member and upper portion of said device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to be coupled to said upper portion of said device; said member having a surface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to said device upon longitudinal movement of said sleeve in one direction in said member; said sleeve having tluid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the iluid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve in the opposite longitudinal direction in said cylinder space and along said device and member to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and to permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from the upper portion of said device; valve means in said upper portion of said device shifted to closed position by said external fluid pressure and adapted to open to allow uid to pass downwardly from the tubular string through said passage; said sleeve being engageable with said upper portion of said device and occupying an upper position in said member to shift said device downwardly in the well bore in response to downward movement of the tubular running-in string; said sleeve and member having communicating ports when said sleeve is in said upper position through which fluid can flow from the exterior of said member to the interior of said sleeve and into the tubular string during lowering of the apparatus in the well bore.

15. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over said upper portion of said device to provide an annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said member and slidable longitudinally along said member and device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to be coupled to said device; said member having a surface thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to said device upon downward movement of said sleeve in said member; said sleeve having iiuid pressure operated means responsive to the pressure of the uid in the well bore externally of said member for moving said sleeve upwardly in said member to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit lateral outward shifting of said elements to a position uncoupled from the upper portion of said device; valve means in said upper portion of said device shiftable upwardly to closed position by said external iiuid pressure and shiftable downwardly to open position to allow iluid to pass downwardly from the tubular ii string through said passage; said sleeve being engageable with said device and occupying anupper position in said member to shift said device downwardly in the well bore in response to downward movement of the tubular running-in string; said sleeve and member having communicating ports when said sleeve is in saidr upper position through ywhich fluid can ow from the exterior of said member to the interior of said sleeve and into the tubular string during lowering of the apparatus in the well bore.

i6. In combination: a device adapted to be disposed in a well bore and having a passage therein in its upper portion; a member adapted to be connected to a tubular running-in string to be lowered in the well bore and to be disposed over said upper portion of said device to provide an annular cylinder space therewith; a latch sleeve in said cylinder space carried by said member and slid-t able longitudinally along said member and device, said sleeve having laterally movable elements adapted to be coupled to said device; said member having a surface `thereon for engaging and shifting said elements laterally inwardly to coupled relation to said device upon downward movement of said sleeve in said member; spring means engaging said sleeve for shifting said sleeve down-` il Z said sleeve upwardly in said member against the force of said spring means to prevent engagement of said elements by said surface and permit lateral outward shitting of said elements to a position uncoupled vfrom the upper portion of said device; valve means in said upper portion oflsaid device shiftable upwardly to closed position by said external uid'pressure ari-d shiftable downwardly to open position to allow fluid to pass downwardly from the tubular string through said passage; said sleeve being engageable with said device and occupying an upper position in said member to shift said device downwardly in the well bore in response to downward movement of the tubular running-in string; said sleeve and member having communicating ports when said sleeve is in said upper position through which fluid can flow from the exterior ofsaid member to the interior of said sleeve and into the tubular string'during lowering of the apparatus in the well bore.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/31 Vance 294-86Ll5 9/57 Conrad l66--125

Claims (1)

1. IN COMBINATION: A DEVICE ADAPTED TGO BE DISPOSED IN A WELL BORE AND HAVING A DOWNWARDLY FACING SHOULDER; A MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A RUNNING-IN STRING FOR MOVEMENT IN THE WELL BORE AND TO BE DISPOSED OVER THE DEVICE; LATCH MEANS CARRIED BY AND MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID MEMBER AND MOVABLE INHERENTLY INWARDLY TO A POSITION UNDER SAID SHOULDER TO BE ENGAGED THEREWITH; SAID MEMBER HAVING SHIFTING MEANS ENGAGING SAID LATCH MEANS WHEN SAID LATCH MEANS MOVES IN ONE DIRECTION LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID MEMBER TO HOLD SAID LATCH MEANS LATERALLY INWARDLY UNDER SAID SHOULDER AND IN COUPLING RELATION TO THE DEVICE; AND FLUID OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE PRESSURE OF THE FLUID IN THE WELL BORE EXTERNALLY OF SAID MEMBER FOR MOVING SAID LATCH MEANS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID MEMBER AWAY FROM SAID SHIFTING MEANS TO ALLOW SAID LATCH MEANS TO BE SHIFTED BY SAID SHOULDER LATERALLY OUTWARDLY TO UNCOUPLED RELATION FROM THE DEVICE.

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