Method and apparatus for a tool-free and screw-free installation of a plug onto a setting tool

Abstract

Method and apparatus to install a plug on a setting tool with a push-and-click mechanism. The push-and-click mechanism providing a possibility of installing a plug on a setting adapter of a setting tool, without the need to use tooling during installation, and whereby the mechanism reset itself after the deployment of the plug to provide an unset mechanism for a subsequent plug installation without the need of tooling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 inserting a plug on a push-and-click mechanism of a setting adapter,
 whereby the push-and-click mechanism includes one or multiple retractable sections,
 wherein the one or multiple retractable sections include two radial positions, a retracted and an expanded position, 
 
 whereby the plug includes one or multiple shearing devices, 
 whereby inserting the plug includes radially contacting the one or multiple retractable sections with the one or multiple shearing devices,
 wherein the one or multiple retractable sections get retracted under the contact of the one or multiple shearing devices; 
 
   locking longitudinally the one or multiple shearing devices, after the one or multiple retractable section is no more under the radial contact of the one or multiple shearing devices,
 whereby the one or multiple retractable sections of the push-and-click mechanism recover its expanded position, after the one or multiple retractable sections are no more under the radial contact of the one or multiple shearing devices; 
   releasing the plug by shearing the one or multiple shearing devices;   retrieving the push-and-click mechanism of the setting adapter,
 whereby the push-and-click mechanism is usable for a subsequent plug insertion without the use of tooling. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby the one or multiple shearing devices are one or multiple shear screws, or one shear ring with one or multiple internal radial protrusion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby the plug comprises dissolvable material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby the one or multiple retractable section includes a flared outer section. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby the push-and-click mechanism includes one or multiple radial pushing springs. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or multiple radial pushing springs allows placing the one or multiple retractable sections from the retracted position to the expanded position, when the one or multiple retractable sections are no more under the radial contact of the one or multiple shearing devices. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby releasing the plug by shearing the one or multiple shearing devices occurs by the longitudinal action of the setting tool. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , whereby the longitudinal action of the setting tool occurs downhole within a tubing string. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing a downhole operation with the plug.