Slip ring employing radially offset slot

Abstract

Provided is a slip ring for use with a sealing assembly, a sealing tool, and a method for sealing an annulus within a wellbore. The slip ring, in at least one aspect, includes a ring member having a first end, a second opposing end, a width (w), and a wall thickness (t). The slip ring, in this aspect, may additionally include a slot located entirely through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the first end and the second opposing end, the slot configured to allow the ring member to move between a radially reduced state and a radially enlarged state, and further wherein a first portion of the slot located at the first end and a second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 15-degrees.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A slip ring for use with a sealing assembly, comprising:
 a ring member having a first end, a second opposing end, a width (w), and a wall thickness (t); and   a slot located entirely through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the first end and the second opposing end, the slot configured to allow the ring member to move between a radially reduced state and a radially enlarged state, and further wherein a first portion of the slot located at the first end and a second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 15-degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the slot located at the first end and the second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 360-degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the slot located at the first end and the second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 180-degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the slot located at the first end and the second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 90-degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the slot is a non-linear slot. 
     
     
         6 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the slot is a Z-shaped slot. 
     
     
         7 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the slot is an S-shaped slot. 
     
     
         8 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the slot is a linear slot. 
     
     
         9 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 1 , further including one or more reduced thickness notched located in the ring member, the one or more reduced thickness notches configured to allow the ring member to flex between the radially reduced state and the radially enlarged state. 
     
     
         10 . The slip ring as recited in  claim 1 , further including a plurality of teeth extending from the ring member, the plurality of teeth configured to grip a tubular located outside of the ring member when the ring member is in the radially enlarged state. 
     
     
         11 . A sealing tool, comprising:
 a mandrel; and   a sealing assembly positioned about the mandrel, the sealing assembly having a slip ring including:
 a ring member having a first end, a second opposing end, a width (w), and a wall thickness (t); and 
 a slot located entirely through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the first end and the second opposing end, the slot configured to allow the ring member to move between a radially reduced state and a radially enlarged state, and further wherein a first portion of the slot located at the first end and a second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 15-degrees. 
   
     
     
         12 . The sealing tool as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the sealing assembly further includes one or more sealing elements positioned about the mandrel, the one or more sealing elements operable to move between a radially relaxed state and a radially expanded state. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing tool as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the one or more sealing elements are one or more elastomeric sealing elements. 
     
     
         14 . The sealing tool as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the sealing assembly further includes one or more wedges positioned about the mandrel, the one or more wedges operable to move the ring member between the radially reduced state and the radially enlarged state. 
     
     
         15 . The sealing tool as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the slot located at the first end and the second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 90-degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The sealing tool as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the slot is a non-linear slot. 
     
     
         17 . The sealing tool as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the slot is a Z-shaped slot or an S-shaped slot. 
     
     
         18 . The sealing tool as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the slot is a linear slot. 
     
     
         19 . The sealing tool as recited in  claim 11 , further including one or more reduced thickness notched located in the ring member, the one or more reduced thickness notches configured to allow the ring member to flex between the radially reduced state and the radially enlarged state, and a plurality of teeth extending from the ring member, the plurality of teeth configured to grip a tubular located outside of the ring member when the ring member is in the radially enlarged state. 
     
     
         20 . A method for sealing an annulus within a wellbore, comprising:
 providing a sealing tool within a wellbore, the sealing tool including:
 a mandrel; and 
 a sealing assembly positioned about the mandrel, the sealing assembly having a slip ring including:
 a ring member having a first end, a second opposing end, a width (w), and a wall thickness (t); and 
 a slot located entirely through the wall thickness (t) and extending between the first end and the second opposing end, the slot configured to allow the ring member to move between a radially reduced state and a radially enlarged state, and further wherein a first portion of the slot located at the first end and a second portion of the slot located at the second opposing end are radially offset from one another by at least 15-degrees; and 
 
   setting the slip ring by moving the expandable metal ring member from the radially reduced state to the radially enlarged state engaged with a tubular in the wellbore.   
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the slip ring in the radially enlarged state has 360-degree contact with the tubular.