Well tool having latching mechanism and method of utilizing the same
First Claim
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1. A tester tool for controlling fluid flow through a pipe string disposed in a well comprising:
- a first valve housing portion having a first engagement shoulder defined therein;
a second valve housing portion having a second engagement shoulder defined therein, said second valve housing portion slidably connected with said first valve housing portion;
a valve member movably retained within said first and second housing portions; and
latch means, slidably disposed adjacent said first and second housing portions, for moving, in response to an applied pressure, between an unlatched position, wherein said first and second housing portions can move relative to each other, and a latched position, wherein said first and second housing portions are latched to prevent relative movement, said latch means having third and fourth engagement shoulders defined therein for engaging said first and second engagement shoulders when said latch means is moved by the applied pressure to said latched position,wherein said latch means includes;
a slide member having a surface defining said fourth engagement shoulder;
a locking dog having a surface defining said third engagement shoulder; and
retainer means for retaining said locking dog with said slide member so that said locking dog is moved by said slide member.
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Abstract
A well tool having reciprocating portions can be locked in a predetermined position by a latching mechanism which is responsive to externally applied pressure, as opposed to mere movement of the reciprocating elements to the predetermined position. The actuating pressure can be applied through the annulus or through a pipe string in which the tool is located.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A tester tool for controlling fluid flow through a pipe string disposed in a well comprising:
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a first valve housing portion having a first engagement shoulder defined therein; a second valve housing portion having a second engagement shoulder defined therein, said second valve housing portion slidably connected with said first valve housing portion; a valve member movably retained within said first and second housing portions; and latch means, slidably disposed adjacent said first and second housing portions, for moving, in response to an applied pressure, between an unlatched position, wherein said first and second housing portions can move relative to each other, and a latched position, wherein said first and second housing portions are latched to prevent relative movement, said latch means having third and fourth engagement shoulders defined therein for engaging said first and second engagement shoulders when said latch means is moved by the applied pressure to said latched position, wherein said latch means includes; a slide member having a surface defining said fourth engagement shoulder; a locking dog having a surface defining said third engagement shoulder; and retainer means for retaining said locking dog with said slide member so that said locking dog is moved by said slide member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
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11. A method of testing a pipe string disposed in a well, comprising:
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reciprocating the pipe string to open and close a valve connected within the pipe string, said step of reciprocating the pipe string to place the valve in an open position includes; setting a packer, connected to the pipe string to seal an annulus between the pipe string and the well so that fluid flow therethrough is blocked; and applying a force to the pipe string to move the valve to the open position; applying a pressure to the pipe string when the valve is closed to determine if the pipe string leaks; moving the pipe string to place the valve in an open position; and exerting a force on a slide member disposed adjacent the valve so that the slide member axially moves locking shoulders associatd therewith into latching engagement with the valve when the valve is in the open position, whereby the valve is locked open, said step of exerting a force on the slide member includes pressurizing a fluid within the annulus for testing the seal established by the set packer and simultaneously moving the slide member. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification