Downhole Tool Having Slip Composed of Composite Ring

Abstract

A single piece composite slip component is disclosed, making it easier and more feasible for milling up a composite plug after use. Moreover, because the composite slip component is one piece during deployment, and not in segments like conventional slip segments, it can better withstand the high speeds and higher fluid velocities and pressures downhole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A downhole apparatus, comprising:
 a mandrel;   a cone disposed on the mandrel;   a first slip having a cylindrical body with first and second surfaces and first and second ends, the cylindrical body disposed with the first surface about the mandrel and with the first end adjacent the cone, the cylindrical body defining only a single slit extending partially from the first end toward the second end, the cylindrical body radially expandable outward from the mandrel through interaction of the first end with the cone; and   one or more inserts disposed on the cylindrical body and exposed at the second surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface defines an incline at the first end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the single slit extends a greater distance along the second surface than along the first surface of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical body at the second end comprises an interconnection at the single slit, the interconnection hinging one side of the single slit with an opposite of the single slit. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnection defines a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plug, a packer, a liner hanger, an anchoring device, or a downhole tool. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a packing element disposed on the mandrel, wherein the cone and the first slip are disposed on an uphole end of the mandrel adjacent the packing element. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , comprising a second slip disposed on a downhole end of the mandrel adjacent an opposite side of the packing element. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second slip comprises a plurality of independent segments disposed about the mandrel. 
     
     
         10 . A downhole apparatus, comprising:
 a mandrel;   a cone disposed on the mandrel;   a cylindrical body having first and second surfaces and having first and second ends, the cylindrical body disposed with the first surface about the mandrel and with the first end adjacent the cone, the cylindrical body defining only two slits extending partially from the first end toward the second end, the cylindrical body radially expandable outward from the mandrel through interaction of the first end with the cone; and   one or more inserts disposed on the cylindrical body and exposed at the second surface.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first surface defines an incline at the first end. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of the two slit extends a greater distance along the second surface than along the first surface of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the cylindrical body at the second end comprises interconnections at each of the two slits, the interconnections hinging one side of the each slit with an opposite of the each slit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of the interconnections defines a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plug, a packer, a liner hanger, an anchoring device, or a downhole tool. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , comprising a packing element disposed on the mandrel, wherein the cone and the first slip are disposed on an uphole end of the mandrel adjacent the packing element. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , comprising a second slip disposed on a downhole end of the mandrel adjacent an opposite side of the packing element. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the second slip comprises a plurality of independent segments disposed about the mandrel. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the only two slits are disposed on radially opposite sides of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         20 . A method of setting a downhole tool against an adjacent surface, the method comprising:
 interacting a first end of a cylindrical body with a surface of the tool;   expanding the cylindrical body radially outward from the tool with the interaction as at least one and not more than two arcuate members by separating the cylindrical body along at least one and not more than two slits extending partially from the first end toward a second end of the cylindrical body;   engaging one or more inserts on the cylindrical body against the adjacent surface;   transmitting load from the surface to the cylindrical body; and   transmitting the load from the cylindrical body to the one or more inserts.