US2225143A - Well packer mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1940.

jaiyul.

R. C. BAKER ET AL WELL PACKER MECHANISM Filed June 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l EEUGEN C. 6AKER, CLAQENCEE. 3027; filo/WAS J 1. KAGAN,

abhor/W24 Dec. 17, 1940. R. c. BAKER ETAL WELL PACKER MECHANISM Filed June 15, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 fez/551v C. BAKER,

CLARENCE E. 5027;

M EAGAN,

THoMAs' Dec. 17, 1940. R, c BAKER ETAL 2,225,143

WELL PACKER MECHANISM Filed June 13, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet s awe/Mow EEuaEN C. BAKER,

CLARENCE E. .5027, 720M115 M. 3 464,

Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL PACKER MECHANISM Application June 13, 1939, Serial No. 278,840 58 Claims. (o1. use-12) This invention relates to well packers and more particularly to packers capable of being secured within well casings for performing various functions therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved well packer, such as a bridge plug, capable of being set accurately at any desired point within a well casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer that can be simultaneously fully set within a well casing and released from a run-in string.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a well packer releasably connected to a runin string, disconnection of the string initiating automatic setting of the packer in the casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved devices'for setting well packers within a casing. V

The invention has other objects that will become apparent from a consideration of several of its embodiments shown in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present invention. These embodiments will now be described in detail, but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limited sense, since the scope of the invention is best described by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figures 1 and 1a constitute a two-part longitudinal section through a well casing showing a well packer and its associated tripping and setting apparatus in relative positions for being run in the casing prior to tripping and setting of the packer;

Figures 2 and 2a constitute a two-part longitudinal section similar to Figures 1 and 1a showing the arrangement of the elements after the' tripping and setting operation;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the packer in set condition within the well casing;

Figures 4, and 6 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on lines 4-4, 5-5 and 6'-6 of Figures 1 and 1a;

Figure '7 is a partial longitudinal section of another embodiment of a setting device;

Figure 8 is transverse section taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a longitudinalsection of another embodiment of a setting tool, illustrated in untripped condition;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 with the parts in tripped relationship;

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line I ll l of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal section through a variant form of well packer and tripping device; and

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section through still another form of well packer. 5

The well packer disclosed in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, is in the form of a bridge plug A releasably connected to a run-in string and adapted to be set at any desired point within a casing B upon operation of a setting tool. The bridge plug includes a main body It] supporting sets of circumferentially arranged upper and lower slips H, 'II having interior tapered surfaces l2 cooperable with opposed tapered surfaces on oppositely directed slip expander cones l3, l3 integral- 3 1y or otherwise secured to the body. Each set of slips II is initially held against its-cooperable cone andwithin a recess I4 formed in the periphery of a rubber packing retainer l5 by an encircling tension spring [6 seating within grooves i1 formed in the exterior of each slip.

Each set of slips H is urged longitudinally of its associated expander cone l3 by a helical spring l8 seating against a spring retainer l9 threadedly or otherwise suitably secured to the main body of the packer. The other end of thesprlng engages aset ring seated within the base portion 21 of a rubber packing 22, the latter element being secured to the retainer by their respective interlocking flanges 23, 24. Although initially prevented from elongating by suitable latch or pawl means later to be described, when released, the spring l8 will effect movement of the rubber packing and retainer longitudinally toward its associated expander cone l3 causing the retainer V IE to abut the slips and expand them radially into engagement with the casing. In pursuing this movement, the wall engaging portions of the rubber packing 22 will be forced radially into fluid tight engagement with the casing through the cooperation of its inturned flange 25 with a conical expander cone 26 extending from the spring retainer l9.

This packing islnitially held from contact with the casing by a depending annular lip 21 on the spring retainer engaging the outer end of the packing. It will be apparent that longitudinal movement of the packing 22 with respect to the body II] will cause disengagement of the end ,of the packing from the lip and permit its positive eXpansion against the walls of the casing, due to the cooperation between its inturned flange 25 and the axial cam 26 extending from the spring retainer.

The upper and lower sets of slips II, II and screwed in the terminal end of the main body to facilitate assembly and complete the lower enclosure.

The upper end of the hollow packer body l0 has an opening permitting passage of the holding and tripping mechanism C employed in setting the bridge plug A at a desired point within the casing. This tripping mechanism consists of a pair of crossing trip levers 30,30 having latch noses or holding pawls 3| initially extending through openings 32 in the main body, with inclined surface 33 of the pawls engageable with the ends of extended retainer portions 34 and thereby preventing the helical springs |8 from expanding and setting the slips and rubber packings in the manner aforementioned. The levers 30, are fulcrumed upon a suitable pin 35 extending through a slot 36 in a trip rod 31 and secured to walls of a sleeve 38 surrounding the rod. These levers are guided for movement to 30 and from their latching positions by the sides of an extended guide slot 39 in the trip rod aligned with slots or windows 40 through the walls of the sleeve. It will be noted that each trip lever is of the first class with its pawl 35 ends 3| extending in opposite directions to engage respectively with upper and lower retainer portions 34. As assurance that the slips and their associated operating mechanism will be held initially in retracted positions, a pair of 40 levers is employed, providing a balanced restraint against spring expansion and smoothness in operation of the device as a whole.

The trip levers 30, 30 are initially held in,f

tween the detent and its guide 43. This spring is under low tension to permit the ends 3| of the trip levers to be moved inwardly under the 55 influence of springs l8 and other parts (later described), to lower the detent from engagement with the levers through the cooperation between the inner surfaces on the pawls and the opposed inclined sides 41, 41 of the detent head. 60 However, it is to be noted that the lower lever pawls are provided with initially parallel surfaces 48, 48 of slight longitudinal extent cooperable with parallel sides 49, 49 on the detent head depending from its inclined surfaces. The 65 engagement between these parallel surfaces furnishes a positive stop holding the levers 30 in latching engagement with the retainers l5 against the action of the slip setting springs I8, which tend to collapse the levers inwardly by reason 7 of the inclination 33 of the pawl noses. Upon movement of the trip rod 37 and'its detent 4| downwardly to a slight extent, its parallel holding surfaces 49, 49 will be disengaged from the cooperable lever surfaces, allowing the setting 75 springs to swing the ends of the levers inwardly toward one another out of engagement with the retainers and continue sliding of the slips longitudinally on their cones 3 into engagement with the casing. When fully engaged, the extended retainer portions can be received within annular pockets 50'provided in the body adjacent the smaller ends of the cones.

As assurance that the trip levers 30 will be moved inwardly out of latching engagement with the retainer portions 34, a pin 5| is secured to 10 the trip rod extending through oppositely directed slots 52, 53 in the trip levers. Downward movement of the trip rod will swing the levers inwardly toward each other by virtue of the camming efiect of the rod pin 5| against the 1d sides of the inclined slots 52, 53. However, it is to be noted that before the levers can be swung inwardly the parallel sides 49 on the detent head must first be removed from abutting association with the companion sides 48' on the lever 20 ends. In the instant case, removal of the parallel detent sides from such association before the rod pin can force the levers towards one another is permitted by forming the slots 52, 63 of a greater width than the diameter of the pin 5|, 20 in efiect producing a lost motion connection between the trip rod 31 and levers 30, allowing lonitudinal movement of the rod to a sumcient extent to slide the parallel detent sides out of engagement with the levers before the pin 5| for- 30 cibly engages the sides of the lever slots.

Downward movement of the rod can be initiated in any suitable manner. In this specification several devices are hereinafter described, each of which is cooperable with a trip anvil or abutment 54 secured to the trip rod 31 and extending in opposite directions through guide slots 55 in the sleeve 38, the ends of the slots engaging with the anvil to determine limiting positions of the trip rod. With the anvil in up- 4 permost position, the trip levers 30 are in latched position as regards their associated retainers l5 and when in lowermost position against the ends of the slots, the trip levers are in retracted position, ,free from the openings 32 in the main body and entirely confined within the trip sleeve 38" to permit withdrawal of the entire trip device C from the main body l0 of the packer after the slips have been set.

The specific setting tool disclosed in Figures 5 1 to 6, inclusive, is designed for operation in connection with a wire line 56 by means of which'the entire bridge plug A, trip lever device C and setting tool D can be lowered to the desired point in the well casing B. The upper 55 end of the trip sleeve 38 has a sinker bar 51 piloted therewithin and securely attached thereto by means of welding material 58 or the like. The upper end of the sinker bar is threadedly secured within a. hollow socket 59 receiving the 60 lower end of the wire line 56, the terminal portion of this line being unstranded for reception within an enlarged bore 60 in the socket. Disconnection between the line and socket is prevented by threading a locking screw 6| within the socket in such a manner as to maintain the wire strands outwardly against the confines of the enlarged bore.

An inertia trip body 62 of ample weight is slidable upon the rope socket and sinker bar, being held initially from engagement with the trip anvil 54 by a plurality of latches 63 pivotally mounted within guide slots 64 in the trip body upon pins 65 and having inwardly extending fingers 66 engaging the upper end of the rope socket 59 under the influence oi latch leaf springs iii secured to the body and engaging the free ends of the latches.

Whenever it is desired to run a well packer. such as a bridge plug, within a casing to be set therein, the bridge ring A is initially arranged with its springs i8 held as by the cap screws 58 received within threaded holes 88a and engaging the main body it, and its slips ii in retracted position, with the free ends of the rubber packings 22 confined inwardly by the lips 27 extending from the spring retainers. The trip mechanism C is positioned within the packer with the pawl ends at of its latch levers extending through the body openings32 and engaging the ends of the extended retainer portions 34 to hold the slip springs under compression. When set in this position, the detent portion ll of the trip rod is fully engaged with the lowerv ends of the levers 30 and the anvil 54 is in its uppermost position within the longitudinal slots 55 in the trip sleeve 38. The cap screws can then be removed. 1

The wire line 56 is confined within its socket 59 by the lock ti and is coupled to the trip sleeve 38 through the agency of the sinker bar 51 and threaded and welded interconnections previously described. Thereafter, the tripping weight 62 is positioned around the wire line, the rope socket and sinker bar, with its latches 63 engaging the upper end of the socket 59 and holding it in raised and ineiiective position.

After the entire mechanism has been positioned at the proper level in the casing B, a godevil 69 is lowered on the wire line (see Figures 2, 2a), travelling downwardly by gravity until it reaches a position within the weight body 52 where its lower end engages the inclined faces on the latches 66 and moves them on their pivots out of engagement with the upper end of the rope socket. Upon becoming disengaged, the weight will fall upon the trip anvil 54 and move it with its associated trip rod 31 downwardly to retract the latch levers from the packing retainers, as aforementioned, permitting the springs l8 to expand and set the slips'and packings' against the casing. In moving through the weight 62, any fluid displaced by the go-devil can exit through the ports 10 in the hollow weight so as to present no impedance to movement of the go-devil to complete latch disengaging position.

It is to be noted that tripping of the levers and setting of the slips also effects a disconnection between the .packer A and the tripping mechanism, permitting withdrawal of the tripping device C and setting tool D from the casing B. It is preferred, however, to employ a shear screw H at the upper part of the spring retainer engaging the top of a release ring 12 welded or otherwise secured to the trip sleeve 38. These parts prevent complete disconnection between the sleeve 38 and the bridge plug A upon disconnection of the trip levers, serving as a safety factor in the event that the latter parts are released and the slips do not set properly. Should this condition occur the well packer can still be withdrawn from the casing. due to the associapleted by lowering or pumping a bridging ball '13 down the casing to seating and sealing association with the top of the main body (see Figure 3).

The security with which the bridge plug is held and sealed within the casing is increased by the action of fiuid under pressure upon the oppositely disposed cup-shaped packings 22, tending to force them toward one another and correspondingly urge the slips it further along their expander cone faces into firmer gripping engagement with the casing.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the tripping mechanism C and bridge plug A are controlled by a go-devil device acting directly on the trip plunger 31. In place of lowering the mechanism to a desired point in the casing at the end of a wire line, a string of tubing 14, or the like, is used, being coupled to a sub '!5 whose lower end is threaded to the upper portion of the trip sleeve 38 with the trip plunger extending through the sub into communication with the interior of the tubing. A go-devil 16 of suitable construction is lowered through the tubing until it engages the plunger 31 and moves it downwardly to a position limited by contact between the trip anvil 54 and the lower ends of its guide slots 55, releasing the tripping mechanism C and permitting the helical springs l8, l8to set the slips and packing sleeves, as previously described. Thereafter, the tripping mechanism can be removed with the tubing 14, leaving the bridge plug in place. To prevent the pulling of a wet job, bleeder ports I1 are provided through the sub for fluid to drain" from the interior of the tubing upon its elevation.

In Figures 9, and 11, a hydraulically operated setting device is employed in connection with the bridge plug and its associated latching mechanism. The assembled arrangement of parts is run in on a string of tubing 18 connected to the upper end of a sub 19 which, in turn, is threaded onto the trip sleeve with the trip rod or plunger 31 extending within a chamber formed in the .sub. The trip rod 31 is movable downwardly upon being engaged by a plunger 80 slidable within the sub, but initiallyrestrained against movement by a shear screw 8| securing of the latches 30, 30 and the setting of the bridge plug A in the-same manner as described in connection with Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. When moved to its lowermost position, the upper end of the slidable plunger 80 will be positioned below annular spaces 84 communicating with bleeder ports 85 opening through the sub. This will permit fluid to pass from the tubing as it is raised in the casing on coming out of the hole.

As assurance that the plunger 80 will not move upwardly to close the annular spaces 8|, a latch 86 is provided in the sub, being urged into operative position over the top of the plunger by a spring 81 within the body. As soon as the plunger is lowered below the guiding portion 19a of the sub, the spring 81 will position the latch over its upper end to prevent its--return movement.

A modified form of well packer is shown in Figure 12, wherein only an upper set of slips ll and cup-shaped packing 22 is employed for setting the packer within the casing. The cone expander 13 for causing radial movement of the upper set of slips terminates adjacent its larger end and threadedly receives a guide 88 closing its terminal portion.

' The construction and mode of operation of the trip mechanism is essentially the same as described in connection with the other forms of invention. However, a change has been made in the tripping levers 89, 89, by fulcruming them on a pivot pin 35 fastened to the trip sleeve 38, from which they-extend downwardly with their latches or pawls 90 insertable through openings 32 in the main body of the packer into engagemerit with the ends of the rubber retainers l5. Thus, it is apparent that whereas the end portions 33 of the pawls engage with the retainers in the Figures 1 and 2 construction, in the present instance, the retainers I 5 engage with an outer inclined side surface "9| on each latch inclined inwardly and upwardly from its end.

- The well packer A is set in position through downward movement of the trip rod 31 and the tripping mechanism C released therefrom in the same manner as described in connection with the other embodiments. setting tool and tripping mechanism removed, the packer can be utilized for various purposes such as a bridge builder in the shooting of wells. A bridge can be formed above the packer by placing thereupon a suflicient quantity of sand or the like, which will serve as a cushioning device for concentrating the explosive force at the intended region.

The packer shown in Figure 12 is expanded into engagement with the casing by fluid pressure directed downwardly. In the form illustrated in Figure 13, the slips II are still set upon their downward movement under the influence of the compressed spring "I, but the spring retainer l9 and rubber l5 are interchanged, with the latter holding the base portion 2| of the packing cup 22 in comparatively fixed relation with respect to the main body-of the packer, and the former abutting the slips II and having an annular lip 92 initially retaining the free end of the packing.

Release of the tripping levers will produce spring movement of the spring retainer l9 down wardly to set the slips and at the same time will cause the ain'al cam 26 integral with this retainer to contact the inturned flange 25 at the lower end of the packing sleeve and force it into engagement with the walls of the casing. The sealing effectiveness of this sleeve against the casing will be' increased upon application of pressure originating below the packer. The manner of setting this packer and releasing the' tripping mechanism is'the same as described in connection with the other embodiments, and particularly with Figure 12. v g I 'By' means of the various arrangements described, the bridge plug can be set at any desired point within the casing accurately and securely; "Accurate setting is assured since the mode ofsetting the slips andcup packlngs is not dependent upon any movement of the main body of the packer, as in prior art constructions. The

Movement of the main body is not required. It

After being set, and thebody for engagement with such casing, and

means for substantially simultaneously moving said sets with respect to each other longitudinally of said body and transversely into engagement with said casing.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered.

in a well casing, sets of retracted means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, and means for substantially simultaneously moving said sets toward each other longitudinally of said body and transversely into engagement v with said casing.

3. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line, retracted means carried by said body'for engagement with such casing, normally restrained spring means adapted to move said retracted means longitudinally' of said body into engagement with said casing, and means movable longitudinally of said Wire line for releasing said spring means to allow its movement of said retracted means.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line, retracted means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, means constantly tending to move said retracted means longitudinally of said bodyinto engagement with said casing, releasable means preventing such movement, and means movable longitudinally of said wire'line for releasing said releasable means.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line, retracted means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, means constantly tending to move said retracted means into engagement with said casing, means preventing such movement, and means contained within said body while being lowered in said casing and movable with respect thereto to release said preventing means and permit said retracted means to engage said casing.

6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end ofa wire line, slips carried bysaid body for engagement with such casing, means continuously tending to urge said slips toward engagement with said casing, latch means holding said means in ineffective position, and means movable longitudinally of said wire line with respect to said latch means for releasing the same to permit said first-mentioned -means to engage said slips with said casing.

'7. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line, slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, spring means urging said slips toward engagement with said casing, means for holding said spring means under compression and in ineflective-position, and means movable longitudinally of said wire line for releasing said holding means to permit said spring means to expand and move said slips toward casing engaging position.

8. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with said casing, and means for substantially simultaneously moving said slips longitudinally of said body and transversely into engagement with said casing.

9. An apparatus oi the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with said casing, normally restrained spring means-for moving said slips toward each other into engagement with said casing, and means movable longitudinally of said wire line for releasing said spring means to allow its'movement of said slips,

10. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower cones fixed to said bodyupper and lower slips carried by said body and engageable respectively with said upmr and lower cones, and spring means for moving said slips along said cones into engagement with said casing 11. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower cones secured to said body, upper'and lower slips carried by said body and engageaole respectively with said upper and lower cones, spring means for moving said upper and lower slips along said cones into engagement with said casing means for holding said spring means under compression and in inmeans for releasing said holding means to permit said spring means to expand and move said slips and packing means toward casing engaging position.

13. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing-slips and packing means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, means for expanding said packing means into engagement with said casing, means constantly tending to move said slips longitudinally of said body into engagement withsaid casing and said packing means along its expanding means into engagement with said casing, releasable means preventing such movement, and means for releasing said releasable means to permit said slip moving means to move said slips toward casing engaging position and said packing means along its expanding means.

14. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, slips and packing means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, means constantly tending to move said slips and packing means longitudinally of said body into engagement with said casing, and an expander carried by said body for positively moving said packing means radially into engagement with said casing upon such longitudinal movement.

15. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, a cone secured to said body, slips engageable with said cone, packing means surrounding said body and engageable with said slips, a conical spring retainer contactable with said packing means and secured to said body, and a, spring between said retainer and packing means tending to move said packing means longitudinally of said retainer into sealing contact with said casing and said slips along said cone into engagement with said casing.

16. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, a packing carried by said body, a conical expander engageable with said packing,

and means for relatively separating said expander and packing to move the latter into sealing en gagement with said casing.

.17. An apparatus of the character described comprisinga packer body adapted to be lowered ina well casing, a cup-shaped packing carried by said body, a conical expander engageable with. the free end oi said packing, and means for rela-- tively separating said expander and packing to move the free end of the latter into sealing engagement with said casing,

18. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted to be lowered in a, well casing, a packing carried by said body, and a coni cal expander positioned within said packing while in retracted position, said packing being forced outwardly to casing engaging position upon relative separating movement between said cone and pacmng.

19. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, a packing carried by said body and having one end free to be expanded laterally, a generally frusto-conical expander positioned within said packing with its outer surface converging toward said free end, the free end of said packing being forced laterally to casing engaging position upon -relative: separating movement between said cone and packing.

20. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted to belowered in a well casing, a packing surrounding said body and having one end free for lateral expansion, a generally frusto-conical expander positioned within said packing with its outer surface converging toward said free end, an inturned flange at said free end adapted to slide along said frusto-conical surface upon relative separating movement between said cone and packing to force said packing toward sealing engagement with said casing.

21. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, a packing surrounding said body and hav-- ing one end free for lateral expansion, 2. generally frusto-conical expander fixed to said body and positioned within said packing with its outer surface converging toward said free end, and means for moving said packing on said body to separate said cone and packing and force said free end to casing engaging position.

22. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, a packing surrounding said body and having one end fixed thereto and its other end free for lateralexpansion, a generally frusto-conical expander slidable on said body and positioned within said packing with its outer surface converging toward the free end of the packing, and means for moving said cone on said body to effect separation between it and said packing to force the free end to casing engaging position. A

23. An apparatus of the character described including a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, slips and packing means carried by said body, means for moving said slips and packing means into engagement with such casing comprising a frusto-conical expander positioned within said packing means with its outer surface converging toward the free end of the packing means.

24. An apparatus of the character described including a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, slipsand packing means carried by said body, a frusto-conical expander for moving said slips into engagement with said casing, a second frusto-conical expander for moving said packing means into engagement with said casing, the angles of inclination of the .outer surfaces of said frusto-conical expanders being substantially equal, whereby said slips and packing means will contact the casing at substantially the same time.

25. An apparatus of the character described including a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, slips and packing means carried by said body, respective irusto-conical expanders engageable with said slips and packing means, and common means for relatively moving said slips and packing means longitudinally of their respective expanders into engagement with said casing.

26. An apparatus of the character described I including a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, cones fixed to said body, slips engageable with one of said cones and a packing confining and engageable with the other cone, the outer surface of said other cone converging in the direction of the free end of said packing, and common means for simultaneously moving said slips and packing lengthwise of their respective cones into contact with said casing.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 26, the angles of inclination of the outer surfaces of said cones being substantially equal.

28. An apparatus of the character described including a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line, means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, means tending to shift said means into engagement with said casing, means for restraining said shifting means, instrumentalities slidable within said body for releasing said restraining means, and means movable with respect to said wire line for'initiating releasing movement of said instrumentalities. 29. An apparatus of the character described including a packer body adapted to be lowered in a-well casing on the lower end of a wire line, means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, means tending to shift said means into engagement with said casing, latch means for restraining said shifting means, a device slidable within said body for positively retracting said latch means and means movable with respect to said wire line for initiating retracting movement of said device.

30. An apparatus of the character described including a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing on the lower end of a wire line, means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, latch means for preventing engagement of said means with said casing, a sleeve mounting said latch means, a device slidable in eflective position, and means movable with respect to said wire line for initiating sliding of said device in said sleeve.

31. An apparatus of the character described including a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, means carried by said body for en-,

.gagement with such casing, latch means for preventing engagement of said means with said casing, a sleeve mounting said latch means, a device slidable in said sleeve for moving said latch means to inefiective position, and a detent oarried by said device for holding said latch in effective position.

32. An apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, means including latch instrumentalities for preventing engagement of said means with said casing, a sleeve mounting said latch instrumentalities, a rod slidable in said sleeve, a pin and slot connection between said rod and latch instrumentalities, for moving the latter to inefl'ective position, and a detent carried by said rod for holding said latch instrumentalities in effective position.

33. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, means tending to shift said means into engagement with said casing, latch means for restraining said shifting means, said shifting means tending to move said latch means to ineffective position, and detent means for holding said latch means in efiective position.

34. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, spring means tending to shift said means into engagement with said casing, a latch adapted to be moved to ineflective position by said spring means, and a detent for holding said latch in effective position whereby to secure said spring means in energized condition.

35. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, spring means tending to shift said upper slips into engagement with said casing, spring means tending to shift said lower slips into engagement with said casing, a latch adapted to be moved to ineflective position by both of said spring means, and a detent respect to said spring means to maintain them in energized condition.

I 36. In an apparatus of the character described,

a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, a pair of spring operated means tending respectively to shift said upper slips and lower slips into engagement with said casing, a pair of crossing latches each engageable with diagonally opposite portions 01 said pair of spring operated means and adapted to be moved thereby to ineffective position, and a detent for holding said latchesin efi'ective position with respect to said spring operated means to prevent their setting the slips.

37. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, a pair of spring operated means tending respectively't'o shift said upper slips and lower slips into engagement with said casing, a pair of crossing latches each engageable with diagonally opposite portions of said pair of spring operated means, a detent for holding said latches in efiective position with respect to said spring operated means to prevent their setting the slips, and means for moving said latches to ineflective position to permit said spring operated means to set the slips.

38. In an apparatus of the character described, a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, a pair of spring operated means tending respectively to shift said upper slips and lower slips into engagement with said casing, a sleeve within said body, a pair of crossing latches pivotally carried by said sleeve,

each latch being engageable with diagonally opposite portions of said pair of spring operated means, a rod slidable in said sleeve, a detent on said rod for holding said. latches in effective p0-.

sition with respect to said spring operated means to prevent their setting the slips, and a pin and slot connection between said rod and each latch f for moving the latter to inefiective position per,-. mitting said spring operated means' to set the slips.

of a wire line, retracted means carried by said body for engagement with a casing, means for moving said retracted means into engagement with said casing, means within said body restraining such movement, and inertia means movable with respect to said wire line for rendering said restraining means ineffective.

41. A well packer including a packer body, retracted means carried by said body for engagement with a casing, means for moving said retracted means into engagement with said casing, means embodying a rod slidable within said body restraining such movement, and a weight cooperable with said rod for rendering said restraining means ineffective.

42. A tool for setting a well packer including a weight, means for retaining said-weight in in-- effective position, and means movable within said weight for releasing said retaining means to permit coaction of said weight with said well packer.

43. A tool for setting a. well packer adapted to be lowered in a casing on a run-in line, including a weight surroundingsaid line, means for coupling said weight to said line, and means movable within said weight for releasing said coupling means.

44. A tool for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in a casing on a run-in line, including a weight surrounding said line, a latch coupling said weight to said line, and a go-devil on said line movable within said weight to release said latch.

45. A tool for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in a casing on a run-in line, including a weight surrounding said line, a latch pivoted to saidweight and having an inwardly directed portion for coupling it to said line, and a 39. A well packer including a packer bodygo-devil on said line movable within said weight to engage said portion and release said latch.

46. A mechanism for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in a casing on a run-in string of tubing or the like, including an enclosure adapted to be coupled to said tubing, a tripping device for controlling the setting of said packer, and a slidable member within said enclosure for operating said tripping device.

47. A mechanism for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in a casing on a run-in string of tubing or the like, including an enclosure adapted to be coupled to said tubing, a tripping device i'orcontrolling the setting of said packer coupled to said enclosure, and means' responsive to fluid pressure within said tubing for operating said tripping device.

I 48. A mechanism ior setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in a casing on a run-in string of tubing or the like, including a tripping device for controlling the setting of said packer, an enclosure coupled to said deviceand tubing, a

member slidable in said enclosurein response to fluid pressure within said "tubing for operating said tripping device, and means in saidenclosure permitting bleeding of fluid from said-tubing and enclosure upon movement of said member to full operating position.

49. A mechanism for setting a well packer adapted to be lowered in a casing on a run-in string of tubing or the like, including a tripping device for controlling the setting of said packer,

an enclosure coupled to said device and tubing, a

plunger slidable in said enclosure, frangible means connecting said plunger and enclosure to prevent sliding movement of the former, a tripping ball adapted to seat on said plunger to allow fluid under pressure in said tubing to rupture said frangible means and move said plunger against said tripping device to set the packer, I,

said enclosure being provided with a fluid passage permitting exit of fluid from said tubing upon movement of said plunger against said tripping device, and a detent for holding the plunger in operative position with respect to said device.

50. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be connected to a running-in string and lowered into a well casing, sets of retracted means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, and separate means' for independently and-simultaneously moving each of said sets with respect. to each other longitudinally of said body and transversely into engagement with said casing.

Y 51. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in .a well casing, sets of retracted means carried by said body for engagement with such casing, and separate means for independently and simultaneously moving each of said sets toward each other longitudinally of said body and transversely into engagement with said casing.

52. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered means for substantially simultaneously moving at least two of said'sets longitudinally with respect to each other into engagement with said casing.

54. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a we] casing, sets of retracted means carried by sai body for engagement with such casing, and means for substantially simultaneously moving at least two of said sets toward each other and transversely into engagement with said casing.

55. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with said casing, and means for substantially simultaneously moving both said upper and lower slips longitudinally with respect to each other into engagement with said casing.

56. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer-body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, separate packing means carried by said body above and below said upper and lower slips respectively,

and means for urging said slips and packing means toward engagement with said casing.

57. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, separate packing means carried by said body above and below said upper and lower slips respectively, and spring means for substantially simultaneously urging said slips and packing means toward engagement with said casing.

58. An apparatus of the character described comprising a packer body adapted to be lowered in a well casing, upper and lower slips carried by said body for engagement with such casing, separate packing means carried by said body aboveand below said upper and lower slips respectively, and spring means for substantially simultaneously urging said slips toward engagement with said casing, saidspring means also being adapted to relatively move said upper and lower packing means toward each other and into engagement with said casing.

REUBEN C. BAKER. CLARENCE E. BURT. THOMAS M. RAGAN.

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