Quarter turn torque anchor and catcher

Abstract

A tubing anchor for anchoring and catching well equipment in a well conduit to arrest movement in both longitudinal directions and rotation in a first direction. A mandrel connected to the equipment has in one embodiment C or reverse C-shaped grooves when viewed in front elevation for slideably receiving respective pins from a drag body on the mandrel. A slip retainer on the mandrel houses slips for selectively engaging and disengaging the conduit. An initial pull of the mandrel causes the pins to move the drag body toward the slip retainer driving the slips outward to grip the conduit. Rotation of the mandrel in the first direction sets the anchor to arrest movement. Further pulling and a reversed turn of the mandrel maintains the set position. A spring biases the slips outward to maintain their set to catch the well equipment in the event of a break in the string above the anchor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from Canadian Patent Application No. ______ filed Jun. 14, 2014 entitled Quarter Turn Torque Anchor and Catcher. This application is a continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 716,075 filed ______ and entitled Quarter Turn Tension Torque Anchor.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to tools for oil and gas wells generally, including wells accessing heavy crude, and in particular relates to a ¼ turn tension torque or tubing anchor (collectively herein a tubing anchor) and catcher for anchoring from rotation and linear movement, and catching well equipment, such as a progressive cavity or rod pump, and related tubing string in a well conduit.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Known tubing anchors, also referred to as anchor catchers, use either a combination of right and left hand threads, or are limited to one thread orientation.[0004]Examples of such tubing anchors are ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a tubing anchor for anchoring well equipment in a well conduit to arrest movement in both longitudinal directions and rotation in a first direction. The anchor includes a mandrel connected to the equipment, a first cone element slidably mounted on the mandrel, a drag body slidably mounted on the mandrel, and a slip retainer mounted on the mandrel. A spring is used to push the first cone element inward and outward. The anchor also includes a groove in the mandrel with longitudinally extending and laterally extending portions. The groove is designed to receive a pin connected to the drag body and to grip the well conduit. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a reliable and effective tool for anchoring well equipment in a well conduit.

Problems solved by technology

Disadvantages of such tubing anchors include the expense of manufacturing the threaded portions, and the stop pins are vulnerable to breakage during use.

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