초록 ▼

A down hole flow control device used in a well bore includes a central mandrel and a packer ring disposed thereon. The packer ring is compressible along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel to form a seal between the central mandrel and the well bore. Upper and lower slip rings are disposed on

A down hole flow control device used in a well bore includes a central mandrel and a packer ring disposed thereon. The packer ring is compressible along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel to form a seal between the central mandrel and the well bore. Upper and lower slip rings are disposed on the central mandrel and include a plurality of slip segments joined together by fracture regions to form the slip rings. The fracture regions are configured to facilitate longitudinal fractures to break the slip rings into the plurality of slip segments that secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore. The upper and lower slip rings have different fracture regions from one another to induce sequential fracturing with respect to the upper and lower slip rings when an axial load is applied to both the upper slip ring and the lower slip ring.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A down hole flow control device for use in a well bore, comprising: a) a central mandrel sized and shaped to fit within a well bore and including a packer ring disposed thereon, the packer ring being compressible along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel to form a seal

What is claimed is: 1. A down hole flow control device for use in a well bore, comprising: a) a central mandrel sized and shaped to fit within a well bore and including a packer ring disposed thereon, the packer ring being compressible along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel to form a seal between the central mandrel and the well bore; b) an upper slip ring and a lower slip ring disposed on the central mandrel, the upper slip ring disposed above the packer ring and the lower slip ring disposed below the packer ring, each of the upper and lower slip rings including a plurality of slip segments joined together by fracture regions to form the slip rings, the fracture regions being configured to facilitate longitudinal fractures to break the slip rings into the plurality of slip segments, and each of the plurality of slip segments being configured to secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore; c) the upper and lower slip rings having different fracture regions from one another to induce sequential fracturing with respect to the upper and lower slip rings when an axial load is applied to both the upper slip ring and the lower slip ring; d) an upper backing ring and a lower backing ring disposed on the central mandrel between the packer ring and the upper and lower slip rings, respectively, each of the upper and lower backing rings further including: i) a plurality of backing segments disposed circumferentially around the central mandrel; and ii) a plurality of fracture regions disposed between respective backing segments, the fracture regions being configured to fracture the upper and lower backing rings into the plurality of backing segments when the axial load induces stress in the fracture regions, and the backing segments being sized and shaped to reduce longitudinal extrusion of the packer ring when the packer ring is compressed to form the seal between the central mandrel and the well bore; e) an upper cone and a lower cone disposed on the central mandrel adjacent the upper and lower backing rings, respectively, each of the upper and lower cones being sized and shaped to induce stress into the upper an lower backing ring, respectively, to cause the backing ring to fracture into the plurality of backing segments when the axial load is applied to the upper slip ring; and f) a plurality of spacers disposed about the upper and lower cones, the spacers corresponding the fracture regions in the upper and lower backing rings to transfer an applied load from the upper and lower cone to the fracture point of the upper and lower backing rings to reduce uneven fracturing of the backing rings into backing segments. 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fracture region of the lower slip ring is configured to fracture before the upper slip ring under the axial load so as to induce fracture of the lower slip ring before the upper slip ring under the axial load. 3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fracture regions include thinned portions of the slip segments and wherein the fracture regions of the lower slip ring are thinner than the fracture regions of the upper slip ring. 4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the upper slip ring continues to move axially along the central mandrel under the axial load after the slip segments from the lower slip ring secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore. 5. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a) an anvil coupled to the central mandrel adjacent the lower slip ring, the anvil having a tapered slip ring engagement surface to engage a corresponding tapered surface of the lower slip ring; b) a top stop movably disposed on the central mandrel adjacent the upper slip ring, and having a tapered slip ring engagement surface to engage a corresponding tapered surface of the upper slip ring; and c) the corresponding tapered surfaces being sized and shaped to translate forces from the axial load to radial forces on the slip segments to wedge and secure the slip segments against the well bore. 6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mandrel includes a fiber and resin composite material including a resin selected from the group consisting of a tetrafunctional epoxy resin with an aromatic diamine curative, bismaleimide, phenolic, thermoplastic, and combinations thereof; and fibers selected from the group consisting of E-type glass fibers, ECR type glass fibers, carbon fibers, mineral fibers, silica fibers, basalt fibers, and combinations thereof. 7. A down hole flow control device for use in a well bore, comprising: a) a central mandrel sized and shaped to fit within a well bore and including a packer ring disposed thereon, the packer ring being compressible along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel to form a seal between the central mandrel and the well bore; b) an upper slip ring and a lower slip ring disposed on the central mandrel, the upper slip ring disposed above the packer ring and the lower slip ring disposed below the packer ring, each of the upper and lower slip rings including a plurality of slip segments joined together by fracture regions to form the slip rings, the fracture regions being configured to facilitate longitudinal fractures to break the slip rings into the plurality of slip segments, and each of the plurality of slip segments being configured to secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore; c) an anvil coupled to the central mandrel adjacent the lower slip ring, the anvil having a tapered slip ring engagement surface to engage a corresponding tapered surface of the lower slip ring; d) a top stop movably disposed on the central mandrel adjacent the upper slip ring, and having a tapered slip ring engagement surface to engage a corresponding tapered surface of the upper slip ring; e) the corresponding tapered surfaces being sized and shaped to translate forces from the axial load to radial forces on the slip segments to wedge and secure the slip segments against the well bore; f) a tapered cut out extending circumferentially around an inner surface of the top stop; b) a tapered cut out extending circumferentially around an outer surface of the central mandrel; c) a tapered wedge ring disposed around the central mandrel and inside the tapered cut out of the top stop when the top stop is disposed on the central mandrel; and g) the wedge ring being movable with the top stop so as to engage the tapered cut out of the central mandrel as the top stop moves downward axially along the central mandrel such that the wedge ring wedges between the tapered cut out of the top stop and the tapered cut out of the central mandrel to secure the top stop on the central mandrel. 8. A down hole flow control device for use in a well bore, comprising: a) a central mandrel sized and shaped to fit within a well bore and including a packer ring disposed thereon, the packer ring being compressible along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel to form a seal between the central mandrel and the well bore; b) an upper slip ring and a lower slip ring disposed on the central mandrel, the upper slip ring disposed above the packer ring and the lower slip ring disposed below the packer ring, each of the upper and lower slip rings including a plurality of slip segments joined together by fracture regions to form the ring, the fracture regions being configured to facilitate longitudinal fractures to break the slip rings into the plurality of slip segments, and each of the plurality of slip segments being configured to secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore; c) an upper cone and a lower cone disposed on the central mandrel adjacent the upper slip ring and the lower slip ring, respectively, each of the upper and lower cones being sized and shaped to induce stress into the upper and lower slip rings, respectively, to cause the slip rings to fracture into slip segments when an axial load is applied to the slip rings; d) a plurality of stress inducers disposed about the upper and lower cones, each stress inducer corresponding to a respective fracture region in the upper and lower slip rings, and sized and shaped to transfer an applied load from the upper and lower cone to the fracture region of the upper and lower slip rings to reduce uneven fracturing of the slip rings into slip segments and to provide substantially even circumferential spacing of the slip segments; e) an anvil coupled to the central mandrel adjacent the lower slip ring, the anvil having a tapered slip ring engagement surface to engage a corresponding tapered surface of the lower slip ring; f) a top stop movably disposed on the central mandrel adjacent the upper slip ring, and having a tapered slip ring engagement surface to engage a corresponding tapered surface of the upper slip ring; g) the corresponding tapered surfaces being sized and shaped to translate forces from the axial load to radial forces on the slip segments to wedge and secure the slip segments against the well bore; h) a tapered cut out extending circumferentially around an inner surface of the top stop; i) a tapered cut out extending circumferentially around an outer surface of the central mandrel; j) a tapered wedge ring disposed around the central mandrel and inside the tapered cut out of the top stop when the top stop is disposed on the central mandrel; and k) the wedge ring being movable with the top stop so as to engage the tapered cut out of the central mandrel as the top stop moves downward axially along the central mandrel such that the wedge ring wedges between the tapered cut out of the top stop and the tapered cut out of the central mandrel to secure the top stop on the central mandrel and limit axial movement of the down hole tool. 9. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the fracture region of the lower slip ring is configured to fracture before the upper slip ring under the axial load so as to induce fracture of the lower slip ring before the upper slip ring under the axial load. 10. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the upper slip ring continues to move axially along the central mandrel under the axial load after the slip segments from the lower slip ring secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore. 11. A device in accordance with claim 8, further comprising: a) an upper backing ring and a lower backing ring disposed on the central mandrel between the packer ring and the upper and lower slip rings, respectively, each of the upper and lower backing rings further including: i) a plurality of backing segments disposed circumferentially around the central mandrel; and ii) a plurality of fracture regions disposed between respective backing segments, the fracture regions being configured to fracture the upper and lower backing rings into the plurality of backing segments when the axial load induces stress in the fracture regions, and the backing segments being sized and shaped to reduce longitudinal extrusion of the packer ring when the packer ring is compressed to form the seal between the central mandrel and the well bore. 12. A down hole flow control device for use in a well bore, comprising: a) a central mandrel sized and shaped to fit within a well bore and including a packer ring disposed thereon, the packer ring being compressible along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel to form a seal between the central mandrel and the well bore; b) an upper slip ring and a lower slip ring disposed on the central mandrel, the upper slip ring disposed above the packer ring and the lower slip ring disposed below the packer ring, each of the upper and lower slip rings including a plurality of slip segments joined together by fracture regions to form the slip rings, the fracture regions being configured to facilitate longitudinal fractures to break the slip rings into the plurality of slip segments, and each of the plurality of slip segments being configured to secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore; c) an upper backing ring and a lower backing ring disposed on the central mandrel between the packer ring and the upper and lower slip rings, respectively, each of the upper and lower backing rings further including: i) a plurality of backing segments disposed circumferentially around the central mandrel; and ii) a plurality of fracture regions disposed between respective backing segments, the fracture regions being configured to fracture the upper and lower backing rings into the plurality of backing segments when an axial load induces stress in the fracture regions, and the backing segments being sized and shaped to reduce longitudinal extrusion of the packer ring when the packer ring is compressed to form the seal between the central mandrel and the well bore; d) an upper cone and a lower cone disposed on the central mandrel adjacent the upper and lower backing rings, respectively, each of the upper and lower cones being sized and shaped to induce stress into the upper and lower backing rings, respectively, to cause the backing rings to fracture into the plurality of backing segments when the axial load is applied to the backing rings; and e) a plurality of spacers disposed about the upper and lower cones, the spacers corresponding the fracture regions in the upper and lower backing rings to provide substantially even circumferential spacing of the backing segments. 13. A device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the fracture region of the lower slip ring is configured to fracture before the upper slip ring under the axial load so as to induce fracture of the lower slip ring before the upper slip ring under the axial load. 14. A device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the upper slip ring continues to move axially along the central mandrel under the axial load after the slip segments from the lower slip ring secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore. 15. A device in accordance with claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of stress inducers disposed about the upper and lower cones, each stress inducer corresponding to a respective fracture region in the upper and lower slip rings, and sized and shaped to transfer an applied load from the upper and lower cone to the fracture regions of the upper and lower slip rings to reduce uneven fracturing of the slip rings into slip segments wherein said upper and lower cone are sized and shaped to induce stress into the upper and lower slip rings, respectively, to cause the slip rings to fracture into slip segments when the axial load is applied to the slip rings. 16. A device in accordance with claim 12, further comprising: a) an anvil coupled to the central mandrel adjacent the lower slip ring, the anvil having a tapered slip ring engagement surface to engage a corresponding tapered surface of the lower slip ring; b) a top stop movably disposed on the central mandrel adjacent the upper slip ring, and having a tapered slip ring engagement surface to engage a corresponding tapered surface of the upper slip ring; and c) the corresponding tapered surfaces being sized and shaped to translate forces from the axial load to radial forces on the slip segments to wedge and secure the slip segments against the well bore. 17. A down hole flow control device for use in a well bore, comprising: a) a central mandrel sized and shaped to fit within a well bore and including a packer ring disposed thereon, the packer ring being compressible along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel to form a seal between the central mandrel and the well bore; b) an upper slip ring and a lower slip ring disposed on the central mandrel, the upper slip ring disposed above the packer ring and the lower slip ring disposed below the packer ring, each of the upper and lower slip rings including a plurality of slip segments joined together by fracture regions to form the slip rings, the fracture regions being configured to facilitate longitudinal fractures to break the slip rings into the plurality of slip segments, and each of the plurality of slip segments being configured to secure the down hole flow control device in the well bore; c) an upper backing ring and a lower backing ring disposed on the central mandrel between the packer ring and the upper and lower slip rings, respectively, each of the upper and lower backing rings further including: i) a plurality of backing segments disposed circumferentially around the central mandrel; and ii) a plurality of fracture regions disposed between respective backing segments, the fracture regions being configured to fracture the upper and lower backing rings into the plurality of backing segments when an axial load induces stress in the fracture regions, and the backing segments being sized and shaped to reduce longitudinal extrusion of the packer ring when the packer ring is compressed to form the seal between the central mandrel and the well bore; d) a tapered cut out extending circumferentially around an inner surface of the top stop; e) a tapered cut out extending circumferentially around an outer surface of the central mandrel; f) a tapered wedge ring disposed around the central mandrel and inside the tapered cut out of the top stop when the top stop is disposed on the central mandrel; and g) the wedge ring being movable with the top stop so as to engage the tapered cut out of the central mandrel as the top stop moves downward axially along the central mandrel such that the wedge ring wedges between the tapered cut out of the top stop and the tapered cut out of the central mandrel to secure the top stop on the central mandrel and limit axial movement of the down hole tool.