Setting tool for use in a subterranean well

Abstract

A setting tool can include a generally tubular cylinder, a generally tubular piston sealingly and reciprocably received in the cylinder, and a rod separately secured to the piston, the rod blocking an axial end of a power charge chamber formed in the piston. Another setting tool can include a generally tubular cylinder, a generally tubular piston sealingly and reciprocably received in the cylinder, a rod separately secured to the piston, and at least one port that provides fluid communication between the power charge chamber and an annular space formed radially between the cylinder and the rod. The port intersects an end surface of the piston between the cylinder and the rod.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A setting tool for use in a subterranean well to set a well tool, the setting tool comprising:
 a generally tubular cylinder;   a generally tubular piston sealingly and reciprocably received in the cylinder; and   a rod separately secured to the piston, the rod blocking an axial end of a power charge chamber formed in the piston.   
     
     
         2 . The setting tool of  claim 1 , in which at least one port provides fluid communication between the power charge chamber and an annular space formed radially between the cylinder and the rod. 
     
     
         3 . The setting tool of  claim 2 , in which the port extends through the rod. 
     
     
         4 . The setting tool of  claim 2 , in which the port extends through the piston. 
     
     
         5 . The setting tool of  claim 2 , in which the port extends through a portion of the piston radially between an exterior circumference of the piston and threads that connect the rod to the piston. 
     
     
         6 . The setting tool of  claim 2 , in which the port intersects an end surface of the piston between the cylinder and the rod. 
     
     
         7 . The setting tool of  claim 2 , in which the port intersects a portion of the power charge chamber not blocked by the rod. 
     
     
         8 . The setting tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide bushing extending radially between the cylinder and the rod, the guide bushing being sealingly secured to the cylinder, and the guide bushing being slidingly and sealingly engaged with the rod. 
     
     
         9 . The setting tool of  claim 8 , in which the guide bushing is separate from the cylinder and is threadedly secured to the cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The setting tool of  claim 8 , further comprising a setting sleeve extending outwardly from the guide bushing. 
     
     
         11 . The setting tool of  claim 10 , in which the setting sleeve is integrally formed with the guide bushing. 
     
     
         12 . A setting tool for use in a subterranean well to set a well tool, the setting tool comprising:
 a generally tubular cylinder;   a generally tubular piston sealingly and reciprocably received in the cylinder, in which a power charge chamber is formed in the piston;   a rod separately secured to the piston; and   at least one port that provides fluid communication between the power charge chamber and an annular space formed radially between the cylinder and the rod,   in which the port intersects an end surface of the piston between the cylinder and the rod.   
     
     
         13 . The setting tool of  claim 12 , in which the port extends through a portion of the piston radially between an exterior circumference of the piston and threads that connect the rod to the piston. 
     
     
         14 . The setting tool of  claim 12 , in which the rod blocks an axial end of the power charge chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The setting tool of  claim 14 , in which the ports intersect a portion of the power charge chamber not blocked by the rod. 
     
     
         16 . The setting tool of  claim 12 , further comprising a guide bushing extending radially between the cylinder and the rod, the guide bushing being sealingly secured to the cylinder, and the guide bushing being slidingly and sealingly engaged with the rod. 
     
     
         17 . The setting tool of  claim 16 , in which the guide bushing is separate from the cylinder and is threadedly secured to the cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . The setting tool of  claim 16 , further comprising a setting sleeve extending outwardly from the guide bushing. 
     
     
         19 . The setting tool of  claim 18 , in which the setting sleeve is integrally formed with the guide bushing. 
     
     
         20 . The setting tool of  claim 12 , in which a shear pin releasably secures the cylinder against axial displacement relative to the piston, and in which the shear pin is press-fit into at least one of the group consisting of a first hole in the cylinder and a second hole in the piston.