Pressure releaving means

Abstract

A packer and method and apparatus for releasing pressure within a pressurized annulus around the packer. The apparatus comprises a central tubular member having a central bore therethrough extending between first and second ends, an outer plug slidably locatable within a first end of the tubular member and having a central bore therethrough and an inner plug slidably locatable within the central bore of the outer plug. The method comprises longitudinally retracting the inner plug from sealed engagement within the central bore of the outer plug member so as to permit fluid to flow therethrough and engaging the outer plug with a retraction body operably connected to the inner plug extending adapted to engage the inner plug after a predetermined length of travel so as to draw the outer plug out of the central tubular member thereafter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for releasing pressure within a pressurized annulus around a tool string of a well bore comprising:
 a central tubular member having a central bore therethrough extending between first and second ends;   an outer plug slidably locatable within a first end of the tubular member and having a central bore therethrough; and   an inner plug slidably locatable within the central bore of said outer plug.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a first end cap operably connected to the second plug such that axial movement of the end cap retracts said second plug from said central bore of said fist plug. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a retraction member operably connected to and movable with said inner plug, said retracting member being adapted to engage said inner plug after a predetermined length of travel so as to draw said outer plug out of the central tubular member thereafter. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said retraction member comprises a retraction sleeve surrounding said inner plug along a parallel axis therewith. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said retraction sleeve includes fluid flow passages therethrough 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said retraction sleeve surrounds said outer plug and includes an inwardly oriented lip positioned to engage a corresponding outwardly oriented lip on said outer plug. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said outer plug includes a centralizer body extending therefrom adapted to maintain said outer plug in axial alignment with said central bore of said tubular member after the removal of said outer plug therefrom. 
     
     
         8 . A packer comprising:
 a central tubular member having a central bore therethrough extending between first and second ends;   a sealing element extending around said central tubular member adapted to be longitudinally compressed so as to axially expand said sealing element into contact with a surface of a well bore;   an outer plug slidably locatable within a first end of the tubular member and having a central bore therethrough; and   an inner plug slidably locatable within the central bore of said outer plug.   
     
     
         9 . The packer of  claim 8  further comprising a first end cap operably connected to the second plug such that axial movement of the end cap retracts said second plug from said central bore of said fist plug. 
     
     
         10 . The packer of  claim 9  further comprising a retraction member operably connected to and movable with said inner plug, said retracting member being adapted to engage said inner plug after a predetermined length of travel so as to draw said outer plug out of the central tubular member thereafter. 
     
     
         11 . The packer of  claim 10  wherein said retraction member comprises a retraction sleeve surrounding said inner plug along a parallel axis therewith. 
     
     
         12 . The packer of  claim 11  wherein said retraction sleeve includes fluid flow passages therethrough 
     
     
         13 . The packer of  claim 11  wherein said retraction sleeve surrounds said outer plug and includes an inwardly oriented lip positioned to engage a corresponding outwardly oriented lip on said outer plug. 
     
     
         14 . The packer of  claim 8  wherein said outer plug includes a centralizer body extending therefrom adapted to maintain said outer plug in axial alignment with said central bore of said tubular member after the removal of said outer plug therefrom. 
     
     
         15 . The packer of  claim 8  wherein said sealing elements comprises a plurality of tubular elements disposed annularly around said central member. 
     
     
         16 . The packer of  claim 15  wherein said tubular elements include annular springs encased therein. 
     
     
         17 . The packer of  claim 1  further including top and bottom extrusion blocks disposed annularly around said tubular member to opposed sides of said sealing element. 
     
     
         18 . The packer of  claim 17  wherein said top extrusion block includes an extended portion lip to engage a corresponding lip extending radially outwardly from a body secured to said inner plug after a predetermined length of travel so as to draw said top extrusion block upwards thereby releasing said sealing element. 
     
     
         19 . A method for releasing pressure within a pressurized annulus of a well bore, the method comprising:
 providing a outer plug slidably locatable within a first end of the tubular member and having a central bore therethrough; and   providing a inner plug slidably locatable within the central bore of said first plug;   longitudinally retracting said inner plug from sealed engagement within said central bore of said outer plug member so as to permit fluid to flow therethrough; and   engaging said outer plug with a retraction body operably connected to said inner plug extending adapted to engage said inner plug after a predetermined length of travel so as to draw said outer plug out of the central tubular member thereafter.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising engaging a top extrusion block of surrounding said tubular member with said retraction body after a predetermined length of travel so as to draw said top extrusion block back thereafter.