Packer

Abstract

A packer apparatus and method. The packer includes a mandrel including a gripping structure, a first sleeve received around the mandrel, and a second sleeve received around the mandrel and coupled with the first sleeve. The packer also includes a clamp ring received around the mandrel and axially between at least a portion of the first sleeve and at least a first portion of the second sleeve. The clamp ring includes a first tapered surface and at least one gripping structure configured to engage with the gripping structure of the mandrel. The first sleeve engages the first tapered surface, such that, when the first and second sleeves are moved axially together, the first sleeve applies a radially-inward directed force on the clamp ring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packer, comprising:
 a mandrel comprising a gripping structure;   a first sleeve received around the mandrel;   a second sleeve received around the mandrel and coupled with the first sleeve; and   a clamp ring received around the mandrel and axially between at least a portion of the first sleeve and at least a first portion of the second sleeve, wherein the clamp ring comprises a first tapered surface and at least one gripping structure configured to engage with the gripping structure of the mandrel, and wherein the first sleeve engages the first tapered surface, such that, when the first and second sleeves are moved axially together, the first sleeve applies a radially-inward directed force on the clamp ring.   
     
     
         2 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve comprises a first tapered engaging surface engaging the first tapered surface of the clamp ring, such that the first sleeve applies the radially-inward force on the clamp ring when the first and second sleeves are moved axially together. 
     
     
         3 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp ring comprises a shoulder extending radially outward from the first tapered surface. 
     
     
         4 . The packer of  claim 3 , wherein the clamp ring further comprises a second tapered surface, the shoulder being between and extending outwards from the first and second tapered surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The packer of  claim 4 , wherein the second sleeve comprises a second tapered engaging surface that engages the second tapered surface, such that the second sleeve applies a radially-inward force on the clamp ring when the first and second sleeves are moved axially together. 
     
     
         6 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping structure of the mandrel comprises at least one thread formed into the mandrel, and the gripping structure of the clamp comprises at least one thread formed into the clamp ring, wherein the threads mesh together at least when the first sleeve applies the radially-inward directed force on the clamp ring. 
     
     
         7 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp ring is positioned radially between the mandrel and at least a second portion of the second sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp ring has a first inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the mandrel prior to applying the radially-inward directed force, and a second inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the mandrel after when the radially-inward directed force is applied. 
     
     
         9 . The packer of  claim 8 , wherein the clamp ring comprises a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end, and defines a gap therebetween, such that the clamp ring is flexible between the first and second diameters. 
     
     
         10 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the first tapered surface of the clamp ring defines an inclination angle with respect to a central axis of the mandrel, wherein the inclination angle is from about 15 degrees to about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are configured to move axially together and bear on the clamp ring. 
     
     
         12 . The packer of  claim 1 , further comprising an inflatable sealing element disposed around the mandrel and held axially in place with respect thereto by the first sleeve, the second sleeve, and the clamp ring, wherein the first sleeve comprises a valve body having a valve to control inflation of the inflatable sealing element. 
     
     
         13 . The packer of  claim 12 , further comprising a third sleeve coupled with the second sleeve, such that the second sleeve is positioned at least partially axially between the first and third sleeves, wherein the third sleeve is coupled with the inflatable sealing element. 
     
     
         14 . The packer of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing element disposed at least partially around the mandrel and held axially in place relative thereto by the first sleeve, the second sleeve, and the clamp ring, wherein the sealing element is configured to swell in the wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 positioning a clamp ring at least partially around a mandrel and at least partially axially between a first sleeve and a second sleeve, wherein the clamp ring comprises:
 a first tapered surface that engages the first sleeve; and 
 a gripping structure on an inner diameter of the clamp ring; and 
   moving the first and second sleeves axially together, wherein moving the first and second sleeves together causes the first sleeve to apply a radially inward force on the clamp ring, which forces the gripping structure of the clamp ring toward engagement with a gripping structure of the mandrel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein moving the first and second sleeves axially together comprises rotating at least one of the first or second sleeves relative to the other. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first sleeve comprises a tapered engaging surface that bears on the first tapered surface of the clamp ring when the first and second sleeves are moved together, and wherein the clamp ring comprises a shoulder extending outward from the first tapered surface, the shoulder providing an end-range for axial movement of the first sleeve relative to the clamp ring. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the clamp ring comprises a second tapered surface extending inward from the shoulder and away from the first tapered surface, wherein the second sleeve comprises a second tapered engaging surface that bears on the second tapered surface when the first and second sleeves are moved together. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein positioning the clamp ring comprises:
 expanding a diameter of the clamp ring;   sliding the clamp ring over the mandrel after expanding the diameter of the clamp ring; and   contracting the diameter of the clamp ring once the clamp ring is at least partially on the mandrel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning an inflatable sealing element around the mandrel, wherein the first sleeve comprises a valve for controlling inflation of the inflatable sealing element. 
     
     
         21 . A packer, comprising:
 a mandrel having a threaded region comprising at least one thread;   an expandable sealing element received at least partially around the mandrel; and   a retention assembly coupled with the expandable sealing element and configured to retain an axial position of the expandable sealing element relative to the mandrel, wherein the retention assembly comprises:
 a first sleeve; 
 a second sleeve movably coupled with the first sleeve; 
 a third sleeve connected to the expandable sealing element; and 
 a clamp ring comprising at least one thread extending circumferentially on an inner diameter of the clamp ring, wherein the at least one thread of the clamp ring moves into engagement with the at least one thread of the mandrel when the first and second sleeves are moved axially together.