Claims
- 1. A packer, comprising:
a mandrel having a first end and a second end; a booster sleeve defining a tubular body having a first end and a second end, the booster sleeve being disposed circumferentially around the mandrel and sealingly engaged with the mandrel; a packing element disposed circumferentially around an outer surface of the booster sleeve; a first sleeve disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel adjacent the first end of the booster sleeve, the first sleeve having an extension member disposed adjacent to the packing element in order to apply a first force against the packing element; a second sleeve disposed on the outer surface of the mandrel adjacent the second end of the booster sleeve, the second sleeve having an extension member disposed adjacent to the packing element in order to apply a second force against the packing element; at least one motion limiting member disposed between the first sleeve and the booster sleeve that allows the first sleeve to move toward the packing element while preventing the first sleeve to move away from the packing element; and at least one motion limiting member disposed between the second sleeve and the booster sleeve that allows the second sleeve to move toward the packing element while preventing the second sleeve to move away from the packing element.
- 2. The packer of claim 1, further comprising a seal disposed between the booster sleeve and the mandrel.
- 3. The packer of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and booster sleeves are disposed between shoulders formed on the outer surface of the mandrel.
- 4. The packer of claim 1, wherein the at least one motion limiting member comprises a ratchet ring.
- 5. The packer of claim 1, wherein the first force acting on the booster sleeve is transferred from the booster sleeve to the first sleeve.
- 6. The packer of claim 1, further comprising at least one motion limiting member disposed between the first sleeve and the mandrel.
- 7. The packer of claim 1, further comprising first and second conical members circumferentially disposed on the mandrel.
- 8. The packer of claim 7, wherein the first conical member is disposed adjacent the first sleeve and the second conical member is disposed adjacent the second sleeve.
- 9. The packer of claim 8, wherein each of the conical members comprises a tapered outer surface and an elongated portion.
- 10. The packer of claim 9, wherein the elongated portion is movably attached to the respective sleeve.
- 11. The packer of claim 7, wherein each of the conical members is movably attached to the respective sleeve using at least one motion limiting member.
- 12. The packer of claim 7, further comprising one or more slip members circumferentially disposed on the mandrel.
- 13. The packer of claim 12, wherein the one or more slip members is disposed adjacent each of the first and second conical members.
- 14. The packer of claim 13, wherein the one or more slip members comprise a base and a gripping member.
- 15. The packer of claim 14, wherein the gripping member is movably connected to a tapered outer surface of the respective conical member.
- 16. The packer of claim 15, wherein the gripping member is selectively connected to the respective conical member using a shearable member.
- 17. The packer of claim 16, wherein the shearable member is designed to disengaged at a predetermined force.
- 18. The packer of claim 15, wherein the gripping member is designed to move along the tapered outer surface and engage a surrounding tubular.
- 19. The packer of claim 14, wherein the base comprises at least one motion limiting members.
- 20. The packer of claim 1, wherein the packer is actuated is using a force selected from the group consisting of mechanical, hydraulic, hydrostatic, and combinations thereof.
- 21. The packer of claim 1, wherein the booster sleeve is movable relative to the mandrel.
- 22. The packer of claim 1, wherein extension members at least partially extend along the outer surface of the booster sleeve.
- 23. A packer having a bi-directionally boosted and trapped packing element, the packer designed to engage a surrounding tubular, the packer comprising:
a mandrel having a top end and a bottom end; a booster sleeve having a top end and a bottom end, the booster sleeve being disposed circumferentially around the mandrel; a seal disposed between the booster sleeve and the mandrel; a packing element disposed circumferentially around an outer surface of the booster sleeve; a top sleeve disposed on the outer surface of the mandrel above the booster sleeve, the top sleeve having an extension member disposed above the packing element in order to apply a downward force against the packing element; and a bottom sleeve disposed on the outer surface of the mandrel below the booster sleeve, the bottom sleeve having an extension member disposed below the packing element in order to apply an upward force against the packing element, wherein the top and bottom sleeves are designed to move closer to the booster sleeve and not away from the booster sleeve.
- 24. The packer of claim 23, wherein movement of the top and bottom sleeves are limited by one or more motion limiting devices.
- 25. The packer of claim 24, wherein the one or more motion limiting devices limit movement of the top and bottom sleeves with respect to the booster sleeve.
- 26. The packer of claim 23, further comprising a top conical member disposed above the top sleeve and a bottom conical member disposed below the bottom sleeve.
- 27. The packer of claim 26, further comprising a top slip member disposed above the top conical member and a bottom slip member disposed below the bottom conical member.
- 28. The packer of claim 27, wherein each of the slip members comprises a base and a gripping member.
- 29. The packer of claim 28, wherein the gripping member is extendable toward the tubular for engagement therewith.
- 30. The packer of claim 28, wherein the base comprises a motion limiting device.
- 31. The packer of claim 23, wherein the booster sleeve is movable relative to the mandrel.
- 32. A method of sealing a tubular, comprising:
running a tool into the tubular, the tool having:
a tubular mandrel; a booster sleeve disposed circumferentially around the mandrel, wherein the booster sleeve is movable relative to the mandrel; a first sleeve and a second sleeve disposed circumferentially around the mandrel, wherein the sleeves are arranged such that the booster sleeve is disposed between the first and second sleeve; a packing element disposed circumferentially around the booster sleeve and between the first and second sleeves; compressing the packer element between the first and second sleeves; expanding the packer element into engagement with the tubular; and limiting movement of the first and second sleeves relative to the booster sleeve in a direction toward the packing element.
- 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising transferring a first force acting on the booster sleeve to the first sleeve.
- 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the first force causes the booster sleeve to move in a direction toward the second sleeve.
- 35. The method of claim 33, wherein transferring the first force to the first sleeve further compresses the packing element.
- 36. A packer, comprising:
a mandrel having a first end and a second end; a booster sleeve defining a tubular body having a first end and a second end, the booster sleeve being disposed circumferentially around the mandrel and sealingly engaged with the mandrel; a packing element disposed circumferentially around an outer surface of the mandrel and adjacent the booster sleeve; a first sleeve disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel, the first sleeve having an extension member disposed adjacent the booster sleeve for compressing the packing element; a second sleeve disposed on the outer surface of the mandrel, the second sleeve having an extension member disposed adjacent to the packing element for compressing the packing element; at least one motion limiting member disposed between the first sleeve and the booster sleeve that allows the first sleeve to move toward the packing element while preventing the first sleeve to move away from the packing element; and at least one motion limiting member disposed between the second sleeve and the booster sleeve that allows the second sleeve to move toward the packing element while preventing the second sleeve to move away from the packing element.
- 37. The packer of claim 36, wherein the packing element is moved to the outer surface of the booster sleeve upon actuation of the packer.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/340,520, filed Dec. 12, 2001, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60340520 |
Dec 2001 |
US |