TORQUE ANCHOR

ANCRAGE DE TORSION

English Abstract

A Torque anchor for the purpose of anchoring well equipment within a well conduit. The device anchors the well equipment from rotation in one direction but allows rotation in the other. The device has a body with slips and a driving portion within the slip. The slip has a friction surface which slides against the well conduit. This prevents damage to the gripping teeth or the well conduit. The slip has a gripping teeth portion which engages the well conduit only when the anchor is set. The slip is urged outward by the use of a spring. A portion of the slip is the drive surface which engages the driving portion. This drive surface is such that the perpendicular distance from the drive surface to the outer edge of the gripping teeth increases along the slip in the direction away from the friction surface. The slip has a portion which retains the slip within the anchor and thereby does not require any retaining means. The slip has a portion which abuts against the driving portion to allow rotation in the opposite direction. The anchor is set by rotation and is released by rotation in the opposite direction.

French Abstract

Une ancre de torsion utilisée pour l'ancrage d'équipements de puits dans un conduit de puits. Le dispositif bloque l'équipement de puits en rotation dans un sens, mais permet une rotation dans l'autre. Le dispositif comporte un corps avec des coins de retenue et une partie d'entraînement dans le coin de retenue. Le coin de retenue comporte une surface de frottement qui glisse contre le conduit de puits. Cela empêche la détérioration des dents de préhension ou du conduit de puits. Le coin de retenue comporte une partie de dents de préhension qui vient en prise avec le conduit de puits uniquement lorsque l'ancre est fixée. Le coin de retenue poussé vers l'extérieur par l'utilisation d'un ressort. Une partie du coin de retenue est la surface d'entraînement qui vient en prise avec la partie d'entraînement. Cette surface d'entraînement est telle que la distance perpendiculaire de la surface d'entraînement au bord extérieur des dents de préhension augmente le long du coin de retenue dans la direction s'éloignant de la surface de friction. Le coin de retenue a une partie qui retient le coin de retenue à l'intérieur de l'ancre et ne nécessite de ce fait aucun moyen de retenue. Le coin de retenue a une partie qui vient en butée contre la partie d'entraînement pour permettre la rotation dans le sens opposé. L'ancre est fixée par rotation et libéré par rotation dans le sens opposé.

Claims

- 6 -
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A device for anchoring well equipment against rotation
within a well conduit, said device comprising:
a body attached to the well equipment;
a plurality of slips having gripping teeth, a friction
surface, and having portions defining a cavity;
a spring that urges the slip outward to cause a force between
the friction surface and the inner well conduit wall which induces
a frictional force between the friction surface and the inner well
conduit wall to urge the slip to remain stationary without the
gripping teeth contacting the inner well conduit wall; and
a means for driving attached to the body and inserted through
the slips such that upon rotation of the body in one direction the
drive means rotate with the body and act on the slips to move the
slips outward causing the gripping teeth to engage the inner well
conduit so as to prevent any further rotation in that direction.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said slip having portions
defining a cavity which encompasses the drive means so as to retain
the slip within the device.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said slip having portions
defining a cavity which allows for movement of the slips away from
or towards the inner well conduit wall.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said slip having portions
defining a cavity which may abut against the drive means and allow
the device to rotate in the opposite direction.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said body provides a passage
to allow for the movement of fluid through the device.
6. The device of claim 2 wherein said slip having portions
defining a cavity which allows for movement of the slips away from
or towards the centerline of the well conduit and portions defining
a cavity which may abut against the drive means and allow the
device to rotate in the opposite direction.
7. The device of claim 2 wherein said body provides portions

- 7 -
defining a passage to allow for the movement of fluid through the
device.
8. The device of claim 3 wherein said body provides a passage
to allow for the movement of fluid through the device.
9. The device of claim 6 wherein said body provides a passage
to allow for the movement of fluid through the device.
10. A device for anchoring well equipment against rotation
within a well conduit, said device comprising:
a body attached to the well equipment;
a plurality of slips having gripping teeth, a friction
surface, and having a drive surface such that the perpendicular
distance from the drive surface to the outer edge of the gripping
teeth increases along the slip in the direction away from the
friction surface;
a spring that urges the slip outward to cause a force between
the friction surface and the inner well conduit wall which induces
a frictional force between the friction surface and the inner well
conduit wall to urge the slip to remain stationary without the
gripping teeth contacting the inner well conduit wall; and
a means for driving attached to the body and inserted through
the slips such that upon rotation of the body in one direction the
drive means rotate with the body and act on the slips to move the
slips outward causing the gripping teeth to engage the inner well
conduit so as to prevent any further rotation in that direction.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said slip having portions
defining a cavity which encompasses the drive means so as to retain
the slip within the device.
12. The device of claim 10 wherein said slip having portions
defining a cavity which allows for movement of the slips away from
or towards the centerline of the well conduit.
13. The device of claim 10 wherein said slip having portions
defining a cavity which may abut against the drive means and allow
the device to rotate in the opposite direction.
14. The device of claim 10 wherein said body provides portions

- 8 -
defining a passage to allow for the movement of fluid through the
device.
15. The device of claim 11 wherein said slip having portions
defining a cavity which allows for movement of the slips away from
or towards the centerline of the well conduit and portions defining
a cavity which may abut against the drive means and allow the
device to rotate in the opposite direction.
16. The device of claims 11, 12 or 15 wherein said body
provides portions defining a passage to allow for the movement of
fluid through the device.

Description

~_ 21S9659
-- 1 .
~QBS2't~ .~N~OR
The invention relates to a device for anchoring well equipment
within a well conduit.
Various types of anchoring devices are currently available.
The devices anchor the well equipment from movement vertically, in
rotation or in both directions.
one type of anchor is described and illustrated in Canadian
Patent No. 1,274,470 to Weber. This anchor has an inner mandrel
within a slip and drag housing. Rotation of the mandrel drives the
slips into engagement with the inner casing wall.
Another type of anchor is described and illustrated in United
States Patent No. 5,275,239 of Obrejanu. This anchor uses a housing
with a plurality of anchoring mechanisms which rotate to engage the
lS inner casing wall. The anchor also uses retaining means. The bite
portion of the anchoring members also slide against the well casing
in the non-locking orientation which can cause damage to either the
bite portion of the anchoring member or the well casing.
The present invention provides an anchoring device that
incorporates a friction surface which will not damage the well
conduit. The present invention also does not require retaining
means. The device provides a simple and low cost method of
anchoring well equipment.
In accordance to one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a device for anchoring well equipment against rotation
within a well conduit. The device comprises a body attached to the
well equipment. A plurality of slips having gripping teeth, a
friction surface, and having portions defining a cavity. A spring
urges the slip outward to cause a force between the friction
surface and the inner well conduit wall. This force induces a
frictional force between the friction surface and the inner well
conduit wall which urges the slip to remain stationary without the
gripping teeth contacting the inner well conduit wall. A means for

2159659
driving is attached to the body and inserted through the slips such
that upon rotation of the body in one direction the drive means
rotate with the body and act on the slips to move the slips outward
causing the gripping teeth to engage the inner well conduit wall.
This prevents an~ further rotation in that direction.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a device for anchoring well equipment against rotation
within a well conduit. The device comprise~ a body attached to the
well equipment. A plurality of slips having gripping teeth, a
friction surface, and a drive surface. The drive surface is such
that the perpendicular distance from the surface to the outer edge
of the gripping teeth increases along the slip in the direction
away from the friction surface. A spring urges the slip outward to
cause a force between the ~riction surface and the inner well
conduit wall. This force induces a frictional force between the
friction surface and the inner well conduit wall to urge the slip
to remain stationary without the gripping teeth contacting the
inner well conduit wall. A means for driving is attached to the
body such that upon rotation of the body in one direction the drive
means rotate with the body and act on the slips to move the slips
outward causing the gripping teeth to engage the inner well
conduit. This prevents any further rotation in that direction.
Either device may also have slips having portions defining a
cavi~y that encompasses the drive means so as to retain the slip
within the device. The cavity may allow for movement of the slips
away from or towards the centerline of the well conduit. The cavity
may also have portions that may abut against the drive means and
allow the device to rotate in the opposite direction.
Either device may also have a body which provides a passage to
allow for the movement of fluid through the device.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the text set forth below, and the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the anchor in accordance with the

215~659
invention within the well conduit shown in section.
Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line A-A of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3a is a section taken on the line B-~ of Fig. 2 in the
unset position.
Fig. 3b is a section taken on the line B-B of Fig. 2 in the
set position.
Figure 1 shows an anchor 10, with the well equipment 12
attached above and below the anchor 10, within the well conduit 14.
The generally cylindrical body 16 contains the slips 18. The
gripping teeth 20 are shown as a portion of the slip 18. The
friction surface 22 can also be seen as a portion of the slip 18.
Figure 2 shows an anchor 10, with the well equipment 12
attached above and below the anchor 10, within the well conduit 14.
The attaching threads 24 can be seen which attach the anchor 10 to
the well equipment 12. The internal passage 26 can be seen by which
the fluid is produced through. The drive means 28 can be seen to be
inserted through the slip 18 and attached to the body 16 using
threads 30. The spring 32 can be seen to urge between the body 16
and the slip 18. The spring 32 is retained by a recess 34 in the
~lip 18.
Figure 3a shows the section B-B from Figure 2 in the unset
position. The gripping teeth 20 can be seen in profile as well as
the friction surface 22. The gripping teeth 20 are shown not to
contact the well conduit 14. This results in less damage and wear
of both the slip 18 and the well conduit 14. The friction surface
22 can be seen to be in contact with the well conduit 14. The
spring 32 is within the recess 34 and cannot escape from the anchor
10. The spring 32 urges the slip 18 outward with a reaction force
against the body 16. The slip 18 in turn forces outward against the
well conduit 14 and contact~ the inner well conduit wall 36. The
result of this force is a frictional force which urges the slip 18
to remain stationary with respect to the drive means 28.
The drive means 28 can be seen within the cavity 38. The
cavity 38 is defined by the drive surface 40 , the retaining

~ 21S96S9
surface 42, and the abutment surface 44.
The cavity 38 is shown to allow the slip 18 to move away from
or towards the centerline of the well conduit 46. The slip 18 can
only move outward until the retaining surface 42 contacts the drive
S means 28. As a result of the contact the slip 18 cannot escape the
anchor 10. The slip 18 can only move towards the centerline of the
well conduit 46 until it contacts the body 16 or the drive surface
40 contacts the drive means 28. This movement allows for
differences and variances in the internal diameter of the inner
well conduit wall 36. The cavity 38 also is shown to allow the slip
18 to move tangentially to the inner well conduit wall 36. When the
anchor 10 is rotated counterclockwise, when viewed from the top of
the anchor 10, the drive means 28 can only move tangentially to the
inner well conduit wall 36 until the drive means 28 contacts the
abutment surface 44. The abutment surface 44 does not urge the slip
18 outwards which will allow the slip 18 to rotate with the drive
means 28 and the anchor 10.
Figure 3~ shows the anchor 10 in the set position. The slips
18 are moved outward from the anchor 10 and the gripping teeth 20
are in contact with the inner well conduit wall 36. The setting of
the anchor 10 occurs when the anchor 10 is rotated cloc~wise when
viewed from the top of the anchor 10. The drive means 28 can only
move tangentially to the inner well conduit wall 36 until the drive
means 28 contacts the drive surface 40. The drive means 28 forces
2~ the slip 18 outward from the anchor 10. The slip 18 will move until
the gripping teeth 20 contact the inner well conduit wall 36. ~ny
further clockwise torque, when viewed from above the anchor 10,
applied to the anchor 10 is transmitted to a force from the body 16
to the drive means 28 and further through to the slip 18 and
finally in the inner well conduit wall 36. The outer edge of the
gripping teeth 48 will bite ~nto the inner well conduit wall 36 as
a result of the force to prevent sliding. The perpendicular
distance from the drive surface 40 to the outer edge of the
gripping teeth 48 increases along the slip in the direction away

~15~659
from the friction surface 22. This is to ensure that any further
movement as a result of further biting of the gripping teeth 20
into the inner well conduit wall 36 as a result of excessive force
is accommodated.
The releasing of the anchor 10 occurs when the anchor 10 is
rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the top of the anchor 10.
The rotation of the body 16 causes the drive means 28 to be moved
tangentially to the inner well conduit wall 36 away from the drive
surface 40. The gripping teeth 20 then disengage from the inner
well conduit wall 36. The anchor would return to the unset position
shown in figure 3a. ~he anchor 10 can be either moved to a
different position in the well conduit 14 and be reset or the
anchor 10 can be removed from the well conduit 14.
Although only a single embodiment of the present invention has
been described and illustrated, the present invention is not
limited to the features of this embodiment, but includes all
variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.

Representative Drawing