Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SLIP RING EMPLOYING RADIALLY OFFSET SLOT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application Serial No.
17/392,564, filed on
August 3, 2021, entitled "SLIP RING EMPLOYING RADIALLY OFFSET SLOT," commonly
assigned with this application and incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A typical sealing assembly (e.g., packer, bridge plug, etc.) generally
has one or more
sealing elements or "rubbers" that are employed to provide a fluid-tight seal
radially between a
mandrel of the sealing assembly and the casing or wellbore into which the
sealing assembly is
disposed. Such a sealing assembly is commonly conveyed into a subterranean
wellbore
suspended from tubing extending to the earth's surface.
[0003] To prevent damage to the sealing elements while the sealing assembly is
being conveyed
into the wellbore, the sealing elements are carried on the mandrel in a
relaxed or uncompressed
state in which they are radially inwardly spaced apart from the casing. When
the sealing
assembly is set, the sealing elements radially expand (e.g., both radially
inward and radially
outward), thereby sealing against the mandrel and the casing and/or wellbore.
In certain
embodiments, the sealing elements are axially compressed between element
retainers straddling
the sealing elements on the seal assembly, which in turn radially expand the
sealing elements. In
other embodiments, one or more swellable sealing elements are axially
positioned between the
element retainers, the swellable sealing elements configured to radially
expand when subjected
to one or more different activation fluids.
[0004] The seal assembly often includes one or more slip rings, which grip the
casing and
prevent movement of the seal assembly axially within the casing after the
sealing elements have
been set. Thus, if weight or fluid pressure is applied to the seal assembly,
the slip rings resist the
axial forces on the seal assembly produced thereby, and prevent axial
displacement of the seal
assembly relative to the casing and/or wellbore.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in
conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a well system designed, manufactured, and operated
according to one or
more embodiments of the disclosure, the well system including a sealing tool
including a sealing
assembly designed, manufactured, and operated according to one or more
embodiments of the
disclosure;
[0007] FIGs. 2A through 2D illustrate alternative views of one embodiment of a
slip ring
designed, manufactured, and operated according to an embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0008] FIGs. 3A through 3D illustrate alternative views of an alternative
embodiment of a slip
ring designed, manufactured, and operated according to an embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0009] FIGs. 4A through 4D illustrate alternative views of an alternative
embodiment of a slip
ring designed, manufactured, and operated according to an embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0010] FIGs. 5A through 5D illustrate alternative views of an alternative
embodiment of a slip
ring designed, manufactured, and operated according to an embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0011] FIGs. 6A through 6D illustrate alternative views of an alternative
embodiment of a slip
ring designed, manufactured, and operated according to an embodiment of the
disclosure; and
[0012] FIGs. 7A and 7B illustrate various different deployment states for a
sealing assembly
designed, manufactured, and operated according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In the drawings and descriptions that follow, like parts are typically
marked throughout
the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively.
The drawn
figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may
be shown exaggerated
in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of certain elements
may not be shown
in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present disclosure may be
implemented in
embodiments of different forms.
[0014] Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the
drawings, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the principles
of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to that
illustrated and described
herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the
embodiments discussed
herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce
desired results.
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[0015] Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms "connect," "engage,"
"couple," "attach," or
any other like term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to
limit the
interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include
indirect interaction
between the elements described. Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms
"up," "upper,"
"upward," "uphole," "upstream," or other like terms shall be construed as
generally toward the
surface of the ground; likewise, use of the terms "down," "lower," "downward,"
"downhole," or
other like terms shall be construed as generally toward the bottom, terminal
end of a well,
regardless of the wellbore orientation. Use of any one or more of the
foregoing terms shall not
be construed as denoting positions along a perfectly vertical axis. Unless
otherwise specified,
use of the term "subterranean formation" shall be construed as encompassing
both areas below
exposed earth and areas below earth covered by water such as ocean or fresh
water.
[0016] The present disclosure has acknowledged that typical c-ring slip rings,
which often
contain a single axial slot therein (e.g., aligned with Figs a centerline (CO
of the slip ring), do
not provide 360-degree contact between the packer and the surrounding tubular
when in the
radially enlarged state. Specifically, as the axial slot widens when the slip
ring moves from the
radially reduced state to the radially enlarged state, an exposed region
exists where there is no
contact between the packer and the surrounding tubular. The present disclosure
has further
acknowledged that the exposed region may cause the packer to cantilever within
the surrounding
tubular, as well as creates misalignment between related upper and lower c-
ring slip rings, which
are both undesirable.
[0017] Based upon the foregoing acknowledgments, the present disclosure has
recognized that
the undesirable cantilever effect may be reduced, if not eliminated, if there
is 360-degree contact
between the packer and the surrounding tubular when the slip ring is in the
radially enlarged
state. The present disclosure has further recognized that the 360-degree
contact may be achieved
with a slip ring employing a slot that is misaligned with the centerline (CO
of the slip ring. For
example, the present disclosure has recognized that the 360-degree contact may
be achieved
using a slip ring employing a slot extending between a first end and a second
opposing end of a
ring member, wherein a first portion of the slot located at the first end and
a second portion of
the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one
another by at least 15-
degrees. The slot may take on many different shapes while achieving the
discussed radially
offset, including both non-linear and linear slots. In at least one
embodiment, the slot is a non-
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linear slot, such as a Z-shaped slot, an S-shaped slot, a spiral shaped slot,
or a helical shaped slot,
among others. In yet another embodiment, the slot is a linear slot, such as a
linear slot extended
from the first end to the second opposing end at an angle.
[0018] Therefore, a slip ring designed, manufactured, and used according to
the present
disclosure will allow for 360-degree contact between the packer and the
surrounding tubular,
even when in the radially enlarged state, without the need for a full barrel
style type external slip
ring. Full barrel style type external slip rings are expensive to manufacture.
Moreover, a slip
ring according to the disclosure can be manufactured generally using the same
processes used to
manufacture typical c-ring slip rings (with the exception of the process used
to form the slot),
which is much less expensive. Accordingly, the slip ring of the present
disclosure could be used
as a direct replacement for existing c-ring slip rings with a slot of all
sizes and weight ranges,
and thus may be readily used in certain low-cost commodity packers.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a well system 100 designed, manufactured, and
operated according to
one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the well system 100 including a
sealing tool 150
including a sealing assembly 155 designed, manufactured and operated according
to one or more
embodiments of the disclosure. The well system 100 includes a wellbore 110
that extends from
a terranean surface 120 into one or more subterranean zones 130. When
completed, the well
system 100 produces reservoir fluids and/or injects fluids into the
subterranean zones 130. As
those skilled in the art appreciate, the wellbore 120 may be fully cased,
partially cased, or an
open hole wellbore. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the wellbore 110
is at least partially
cased, and thus is lined with casing or liner 140. The casing or liner 140, as
is depicted, may be
held into place within the wellbore 110 by cement 145.
[0020] An example well sealing tool 150 is coupled with a tubing string 160
that extends from a
wellhead 170 into the wellbore 110. The tubing string 160 can be a coiled
tubing and/or a string
of joint tubing coupled end to end. For example, the tubing string 160 may be
a working string,
an injection string, and/or a production string. The sealing tool 150 can
include a bridge plug,
frac plug, packer and/or other sealing tool, having a seal assembly 155 for
sealing against the
wellbore 110 wall (e.g., the casing 140, a liner and/or the bare rock in an
open hole context). The
seal assembly 155 can isolate an interval of the wellbore 110 above the seal
assembly 155 from
an interval of the wellbore 110 below the seal assembly 155, for example, so
that a pressure
differential can exist between the intervals.
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[0021] In accordance with the disclosure, the seal assembly 155 may comprise a
slip ring
including a ring member having a first end, a second opposing end, a width
(w), and a wall
thickness (t). The slip ring, in at least one embodiment, further includes a
slot located entirely
through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the first end and the
second opposing end,
the slot configured to allow the ring member to move between a radially
reduced state and a
radially enlarged state. The slip ring, in yet another embodiment, is
configured such that a first
portion of the slot located at the first end and a second portion of the slot
located at the second
opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 15-degrees.
[0022] Turning to FIGs. 2A through 2D, illustrated are different views of one
embodiment of a
slip ring 200 designed, manufactured, and operated according to one embodiment
of the
disclosure. FIG. 2A illustrates a first side view of the slip ring 200, FIG.
2B illustrates a first
cross-sectional view of the slip ring 200 taken through the line 2B-2B of FIG.
2A, FIG. 2C
illustrates a second side view of the slip ring 200 (e.g., rotated by about
180-degrees as related to
the first side view of FIG. 2A), and FIG. 2D illustrates a second cross-
sectional view of the slip
ring 200 taken through the line 2D-2D of FIG. 2C.
The slip ring 200, in the illustrated
embodiment, includes a ring member 210 having a width (w), a wall thickness
(t), an inside
diameter (di) and an outside diameter (do). In at least one embodiment, the
width (w) is no
greater than 2.75 meters (e.g., about 9 feet). In at least one other
embodiment, the width (w) is
no greater than 1.83 meters (e.g., about 6 feet). In yet at least another
embodiment, the width (w)
ranges from .3 meters (e.g., about 1 foot) to 1.2 meters (e.g., about 4 feet).
In at least one
embodiment, the thickness (t) is no greater than 15 centimeters (e.g., about
5.9 inches). In at
least one other embodiment, the thickness (t) is no greater than 9 centimeters
(e.g., about 3.5
inches). In yet at least another embodiment, the thickness (t) ranges from 15
centimeters (e.g.,
about 5.9 inches) to 6 centimeters (e.g., about 2.4 inches).
[0023] The slip ring 200, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a first end
220 and a second
opposing end 225. In at least one embodiment, the first end 220 is a first
uphole end, and the
second opposing end 225 is a second downhole end. Nevertheless, the opposite
could be true,
and in fact certain embodiments employ two slip rings 200 that would be
oppositely arranged. In
the embodiment of FIGs. 2A through 2D, the slip ring 200 additionally includes
a plurality of
teeth 230 extending from the ring member 210. In at least one embodiment, the
plurality of teeth
230 are configured to grip a bore (e.g., tubular) located outside of the ring
member 210 when the
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ring member 210 is in a radially enlarged state. While a plurality of teeth
230 are illustrated in
FIGs. 2A through 2D, other embodiments may employ different shaped
protrusions.
[0024] In the embodiment of FIGs. 2A through 2D, the slip ring 200
additionally includes one or
more reduced thickness notched 240 located in the ring member 210. The one or
more reduced
thickness notches 240 are configured to allow the ring member 210 to more
easily flex between a
radially reduced state and a radially enlarged state. The embodiment of FIGs.
2A through 2D
illustrate the ring member 210 having four reduced thickness notches 240, for
example radially
offset from each other by 90-degrees. Nevertheless, the number and orientation
of the reduced
thickness notches 240 may vary while still remaining within the scope of the
disclosure.
Moreover, certain embodiments may exist wherein the ring member 210 does not
include any
reduced thickness notches 240.
[0025] The slip ring 200 of FIGs. 2A through 2D additionally includes a slot
250 located entirely
through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the first end 220 and the
second opposing
end 225. In at least this embodiment, the slot 250 is configured to allow the
ring member 210 to
move between the radially reduced state (e.g., as shown) and the radially
enlarged state (e.g., not
shown). In accordance with one or more embodiments, a first portion of the
slot 250 located at
the first end 220 and a second portion of the slot 250 located at the second
opposing end are
radially offset from one another by at least 15-degrees. In accordance with
one or more
embodiments, the first portion of the slot 250 located at the first end 220
and the second portion
of the slot 250 located at the second opposing end are radially offset from
one another by at least
30-degrees. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the first portion of
the slot 250
located at the first end 220 and the second portion of the slot 250 located at
the second opposing
end are radially offset from one another by at least 45-degrees. In accordance
with another
embodiment, the first portion of the slot 250 located at the first end 220 and
the second portion
of the slot 250 located at the second opposing end are radially offset from
one another by at least
90-degrees. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the first portion of
the slot 250 located
at the first end 220 and the second portion of the slot 250 located at the
second opposing end are
radially offset from one another by at least 180-degrees (e.g., such as shown
in FIG.s 2A through
2D), and in yet another embodiment radially offset from one another by at
least 360-degrees. In
even yet another embodiment, the slot 250 makes more than one full revolution
around the ring
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member 210, and thus is radially offset from one another by substantially more
than 360-degrees
(e.g., if the slot 250 were spiral shaped or helically shaped).
[0026] The slot 250 may take on many different shapes while achieving the
aforementioned
radial offset. In at least one embodiment, such as shown, the slot 250 is a
non-linear slot.
However, in other embodiments, the slot 250 is a liner slot. In the embodiment
of FIGs. 2A
through 2D, the slot 250 is a non-linear Z-shaped slot. For example, the slot
250 of FIGs. 2A
through 2D includes a first portion extending from the first side 220 in a
direction substantially
parallel with the centerline (CL), a second portion extending in a direction
not substantially
parallel with the centerline (CO (e.g., substantially perpendicular with the
centerline (CL)), and a
third portion extending from the second portion in a direction substantially
parallel with the
centerline (CO and toward the second opposing side 225. Accordingly, the slot
250 forms a
(e.g., modified) Z-shaped slot. The second portion of the slot 250 is
illustrated at approximately
a center point of the width (w) of the ring member 210, but such is not
required. While the slot
250 is illustrated is a Z-shaped slot, as will be illustrated below, other
shaped slots are within the
scope of the disclosure.
[0027] Turning to FIGs. 3A through 3D, illustrated is an alternative
embodiment of a slip ring
300 designed, manufactured, and operated according to an alternative
embodiment of the
disclosure. The slip ring 300 is similar in certain respects to the slip ring
200. Accordingly, like
reference identifiers have been used to indicate similar, if not identical,
features. The slip ring
300 differs, for the most part, from the slip ring 200, in that the slip ring
300 employs an S-
shaped slot 350 (e.g., with a 180-degree radial offset).
[0028] Turning to FIGs. 4A through 4D, illustrated is an alternative
embodiment of a slip ring
400 designed, manufactured and operated according to an alternative embodiment
of the
disclosure. The slip ring 400 is similar in certain respects to the slip ring
200. Accordingly, like
reference identifiers have been used to indicate similar, if not identical,
features. The slip ring
400 differs, for the most part, from the slip ring 200, in that the slip ring
400 employs a linear
slot 450. The linear slot 450, in the illustrated embodiment, is situated such
that the first portion
of the slot 450 located at the first end 220 and the second portion of the
slot 450 located at the
second opposing end 225 are radially offset from one another by 180-degrees.
[0029] Turning to FIGs. 5A through 5D, illustrated is an alternative
embodiment of a slip ring
500 designed, manufactured and operated according to an alternative embodiment
of the
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disclosure. The slip ring 500 is similar in certain respects to the slip ring
400. Accordingly, like
reference identifiers have been used to indicate similar, if not identical,
features. The slip ring
500 differs, for the most part, from the slip ring 400, in that the slip ring
500 is situated such that
the first portion of the slot 550 located at the first end 220 and the second
portion of the slot 550
located at the second opposing end 225 are radially offset from one another by
180-degrees.
[0030] Turning to FIGs. 6A through 6D, illustrated is an alternative
embodiment of a slip ring
600 designed, manufactured and operated according to an alternative embodiment
of the
disclosure. The slip ring 600 is similar in certain respects to the slip ring
400. Accordingly, like
reference identifiers have been used to indicate similar, if not identical,
features. The slip ring
600 differs, for the most part, from the slip ring 400, in that the slip ring
600 is situated such that
the first portion of the slot 650 located at the first end 220 and the second
portion of the slot 650
located at the second opposing end 225 are radially offset from one another by
90-degrees.
[0031] Turning now to FIGs. 7A and 7B, illustrated are various different
deployment states for a
sealing tool 700 designed, manufactured and operated according to one aspect
of the disclosure.
FIG. 7A illustrates the sealing tool 700 in a run-in-hole state, and thus its
slip ring is in the
radially reduced state. In contrast, FIG. 7B illustrates the sealing tool 700
with its slip ring in the
radially enlarged state. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGs. 7A and 7B, the
sealing tool 700 is
positioned within a bore 790. The bore 790, in at least one embodiment, is
exposed wellbore.
The bore 790, in at least one other embodiment, is a tubular positioned within
a wellbore, such as
a casing, production tubing, etc. In accordance with one aspect of the
disclosure, the sealing tool
700 and the bore 790 form an annulus 780.
[0032] The sealing tool 700, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGs. 7A and 7B
includes a
mandrel (e.g., not shown as a result of being covered by the other features of
the sealing tool
700). The mandrel, in the illustrated embodiment, is centered about a
centerline (CL). The
sealing tool 700, in at least the embodiment of FIGs. 7A and 7B, additionally
includes a sealing
assembly 720 positioned about the mandrel. In at least one embodiment, the
sealing assembly
720 includes first and second slip rings 730, 735 designed, manufactured and
operated according
to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The first and second slip rings
730, 735, as
discussed above, may each include a slot 740 located entirely through the wall
thickness (t) and
extending between the first end and the second opposing end thereof, and be
configured such that
a first portion of the slot 740 located at the first end and a second portion
of the slot 740 located
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at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 15-
degrees. The slot
740 is visible in the first slip ring 730, but is not visible in the second
slip ring 735. In at least
one embodiment, such as shown, the slot 740 of the first slip ring 730 and the
slot 740 of the
second slip ring 735 are radially offset by an equal distance around the
mandrel.
[0033] The sealing assembly 720, may additionally include one or more sealing
elements 750
positioned about the mandrel, the one or more sealing elements 750 operable to
move between a
radially relaxed state and a radially expanded state. The one or more sealing
elements 750, in the
illustrated embodiment, are positioned between the first and second slip rings
730, 735. In at
least one embodiment, the one or more sealing elements 750 are elastomeric
sealing elements.
In at least one other embodiment, the one or more sealing elements 750 are one
or more
swellable sealing elements.
[0034] The sealing assembly 720, in the illustrated embodiment, additionally
includes one or
more associated wedges 760. The one or more associated wedges 760, in the
illustrated
embodiment, include one or more associated angled surfaces that are operable
to engage with the
inside diameter (di) of the first and second slip rings 730, 735. Accordingly,
the one or more
associated wedges 760 may be used to move the first and second slip rings 730,
735 between the
radially reduced state (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7A) and a radially enlarged
state (e.g., as shown in
FIG. 7B). In certain embodiment, the one or more associated wedges 760 also
move the one or
more sealing elements 750 between the radially relaxed state (e.g., as shown
in FIG. 7A) and a
radially expanded state (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7B).
[0035] The seal assembly 720, in one or more embodiments, additionally
includes a piston
structure 770 for axially moving the first and second slip rings 730, 735, one
or more sealing
elements 750, and one or more associated wedges 760 relative to one another.
Accordingly, the
piston structure 770 may be used to move the first and second slip rings 730,
735 between the
radially reduced state (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7A) and a radially enlarged
state (e.g., as shown in
FIG. 7B). The piston structure 770 may take on many different designs while
remaining within
the scope of the present disclosure.
[0036] Aspects disclosed herein include:
A. A slip ring for use with a sealing assembly, the slip ring including: 1) a
ring member
having a first end, a second opposing end, a width (w), and a wall thickness
(t); and 2) a slot
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located entirely through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the
first end and the second
opposing end, the slot configured to allow the ring member to move between a
radially reduced
state and a radially enlarged state, and further wherein a first portion of
the slot located at the
first end and a second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end
are radially offset
from one another by at least 15-degrees.
B. A sealing tool, the sealing tool including: 1) a mandrel; and 2) a sealing
assembly
positioned about the mandrel, the sealing assembly having a slip ring
including: a) a ring
member having a first end, a second opposing end, a width (w), and a wall
thickness (t); and b) a
slot located entirely through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the
first end and the
second opposing end, the slot configured to allow the ring member to move
between a radially
reduced state and a radially enlarged state, and further wherein a first
portion of the slot located
at the first end and a second portion of the slot located at the second
opposing end are radially
offset from one another by at least 15-degrees.
C. A method for sealing an annulus within a wellbore, the method including: 1)
providing a sealing tool within a wellbore, the sealing tool including: a) a
mandrel; and b) a
sealing assembly positioned about the mandrel, the sealing assembly having a
slip ring including:
i) a ring member having a first end, a second opposing end, a width (w), and a
wall thickness (t);
and ii) a slot located entirely through the wall thickness (t) and extending
between the first end
and the second opposing end, the slot configured to allow the ring member to
move between a
radially reduced state and a radially enlarged state, and further wherein a
first portion of the slot
located at the first end and a second portion of the slot located at the
second opposing end are
radially offset from one another by at least 15-degrees; and 2) setting the
slip ring by moving the
expandable metal ring member from the radially reduced state to the radially
enlarged state
engaged with a tubular in the wellbore.
[0037] Aspects A, B, and C may have one or more of the following additional
elements in
combination: Element 1: wherein the first portion of the slot located at the
first end and the
second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially
offset from one another
by at least 360-degrees. Element 2: wherein the first portion of the slot
located at the first end
and the second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are
radially offset from one
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another by at least 180-degrees. Element 3: wherein the first portion of the
slot located at the
first end and the second portion of the slot located at the second opposing
end are radially offset
from one another by at least 90-degrees. Element 4: wherein the slot is a non-
linear slot.
Element 5: wherein the slot is a Z-shaped slot. Element 6: wherein the slot is
an S-shaped slot.
Element 7: wherein the slot is a linear slot. Element 8: further including one
or more reduced
thickness notched located in the ring member, the one or more reduced
thickness notches
configured to allow the ring member to flex between the radially reduced state
and the radially
enlarged state. Element 9: further including a plurality of teeth extending
from the ring member,
the plurality of teeth configured to grip a tubular located outside of the
ring member when the
ring member is in the radially enlarged state. Element 10: wherein the sealing
assembly further
includes one or more sealing elements positioned about the mandrel, the one or
more sealing
elements operable to move between a radially relaxed state and a radially
expanded state.
Element 11: wherein the one or more sealing elements are one or more
elastomeric sealing
elements. Element 12: wherein the sealing assembly further includes one or
more wedges
positioned about the mandrel, the one or more wedges operable to move the ring
member
between the radially reduced state and the radially enlarged state. Element
13: further including
one or more reduced thickness notched located in the ring member, the one or
more reduced
thickness notches configured to allow the ring member to flex between the
radially reduced state
and the radially enlarged state, and a plurality of teeth extending from the
ring member, the
plurality of teeth configured to grip a tubular located outside of the ring
member when the ring
member is in the radially enlarged state. Element 14: wherein the slip ring in
the radially
enlarged state has 360-degree contact with the tubular.
[0038] Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will
appreciate that other and
further additions, deletions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to
the described
embodiments.
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