US3134441A - Apparatus for drill stem testing - Google Patents

Description

May 26, 1964 A. BARRY ETAL APPARATUS FOR DRILL STEM TESTING 5 Sheets-Sheer. 1

Original Filed May 9, 1960 F I G. I. FIG. IA FIG. 2.

SWABBING UNIT g LATCH szcnou SOLENOID SECTION PRESSURE SWITCH B8 BATTERIES SWAB CUPS MAGNET i HI m. 4 7/11 I VII/I! FIG. 2A.

INVENTORS.

m RU A O BM T D R M B M L E W D H A W ATTORNEY.

May 26, 1964 A. BARRY ETAL APPARATUS FOR DRILL STEM TESTING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 9, 1960 F'|G.4A. FIG.4B. FIG.4C. Fl

w w As w IN VEN TORJ ADELBERT BARRY,

BY WHlTMAN D. MOUNCE,

ATTORNE May 26, 1964 A. BARRY ETAL APPARATUS FOR DRILL STEM TESTING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ofiginal Filed May 9, 1960 FROM PACKER i I i If E SOVLENOID 12s INVENTORJ'. ADELBERT BARRY, BY WHITMAN D.MOUNCE,

gx gwm ATTORNEY.

R E P D. o H c TRIGGERING CIRCUIT 92 0%. SOURCE FIG. 9.

United States Patent 3,134,441 APPARATUS FOR DRILL STEM TESTING Adelhert iiarry and Vfnitman D. Maurice, Houston, Tex assignors, by mesne assignments, to Jersey Production Research Company, Tulsa, 01:121., a corporation of Delaware Original application May 9, 1960, Ser. No. 27,730, now Patent No. 3,107,729. Divided and this application May 21, 1962, Ser. No. 196,088

6 Claims. (Cl. 66-437) This invention relates to apparatus for determining the nature of subsurface geological strata, and more particularly to apparatus for use in connection with the sampling of earth formation fluids.

This application is a division of US. application Serial No. 27,730, entitled Apparatus for Drill Stem Testing, filed May 9, 1960, by Adelbert Barry and Whitman D. Mounce, now Patent No. 3,107,729.

In connection with the drilling of boreholes in the earth for the purpose of exploiting petroleum deposits therein, often it is desirable to obtain samples of fluids existing in particular formations of the earth through which dril ing operations are progressing. In the interest of econonly, it is particularly desirable to achieve this end without withdrawing the drill stem from the well for the attachment of testing tools as is the present practice. T 0 this end it is necessary to seal off the lower part of the borehole by means of a well packer. While formation fluids often will flow to the earths surface through the drill pipe, more often it is necessary to pump drilling mud out of the lower portion of the borehole until a relatively pure sample of t e formation fluid can be obtained. Various devices for this purpose have been devised in the part. Particularly satisfactory drill stem testing apparatus is described in US. Patent No. 2,813,587-W. D. Mounce and in U.S. patent application Serial No. 656,341 for Drill Stem Testing Device, filed May 1, 1957 by Adelbert Barry and W. D. Mounce, now Patent No. 3,059,695.

in the construction of drill stem testing apparatus, it is particularly desirable to isolate the component parts thereof from drilling fluids to be pumped down the bore of the drill stern, insofar as such is practicable. The reason for this is that drilling fluids are extremely abrasive so that component parts of the drill stem testing apparatus that are in the flow stream of the drilling fluid can be eroded away. Furthermore, it has been found that sand and other constituents of the drilling fluid have a tendency to pack under moving parts of the apparatus so as to impede their operation.

Another desirable attribute of a drill stern testing apparatus is that it should not require an electrical cable traversing the bore of the drill pipe during testing operations for the purpose of actuating the component parts of the drill stern testing apparatus or for conveying information to the earths surface. Manifestly, the electrical leads are subject to damage. Necessary electrical components of the drill stern testing apparatus should be entirely selfcontained insofar as such is possible. It is desirable that such apparatus be suspended in the Well bore by the conventional swab line on the well.

A still further desirable attribute of drill stem testing apparatus is that the well packer associated therewith should be held tightly against the drill stem during drilling operations to allow unimpeded passage of drilling fluids by the packer, and should be adapted to be readily pressed against the sides of the borehole when drilling operations have ceased preparatory to a testing operation. This is necessary in order to minimize damage to the relatively soft borehole seahng parts of the packer.

The objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following de- 3,134,441 Patented May 26, 1964 scription thereof when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and l-A taken together show a vertical crosssectional View, partially in elevation, of a portion of a drill ng string incorporating drill stern testing apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The apparatus is shown in its nonactuated, or whiledrilling, position;

FIGS. 2 and 2-A taken in elevation, of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 1-A showing the apparatus in its actuated position for taking a sample with actuating and swabbing apparatus in position in the drilling string;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, partially in elevation, of a portion of the go-devil actuating apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS 4, 4-A, 4-H, and 4-C are vertical sectional views, partially in elevation, of the drill stem swabbing and sample-retrieving apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2-A;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional View, partially in elevation, of portions of the sample-retrieving and go-devil apparatuses shown in FIGS. 2 and 2-A in the sample-taking position;

PEG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view, partially in elevation, of the well packer actuating apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus is shown in its nonactuated position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional View, partially in elevation, similar to FIG. 6 showing the apparatus in its actuated position;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken along section 8-8 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic electrical diagram of the electrical portion of the triggering apparatus of FIG. 4-A.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1, lA, 2, and 2-A, there is shown a borehole 1 which has been drilled into subsurface formations. The drill stem 2, in addition to pipe sections not shown, includes the pipe sections designated by the reference numerals 3, 4, 5, 10, 61, 65, and 74. A drill bit 76 is connected to the lower end of the drill stem. Drill stern sections 4 and it are relatively thin walled. Drill stem section 4 is the outer member and elastic pipe 6 is the inner member of a section defining a portion of space or recess So that acts as a reservoir for hydraulic actuating fluid for the drill stem testing apparatus to be described. Elastic pipe 6 is fastened to collar 8 by annular clamps 6a. Drill stem section it is the outer member and nonmagnetic pipe section 16 is the inner member defining the remainder of the recess or space that acts as the reservoir, and additionally within which is housed certain of the drill stem testing apparatus along with the actuating fluid. The two recesses are interconnected by passageways 14 in the coupling collar 3 interconnecting the two sections. Elastic pipe 6 may be formed of neoprene or other rubber-like deformable material. The elastic pipe is secured at one end to coupling collar 8 by an annular clamp 6a and at the other end to coupling collar 5 by conventional locking means such as a retainer sleeve 5a.

Packer 66 is aihxed to drill stem section 65 by means of a fixed collar member 64. The packer may be similar in construction to the packer described in Patent No. 2,828,823 and may include a multiplicity of cables, or a braid, securely anchored at one end in member 64, and at the other end to a slidable sleeve member 70. The packer may be formed of rubber or rubber-like material .aflixed to the reinforcing braid or cables 68 by suitable heat treating means known to the prior art. The function of the slidable sleeve-member 70 will be described below.

The packer actuating fluid contained within the recess enclosed within drill pipe sections 4 and 10 may flow to the packer 66 by passageway 67, passageway 56, check valves 50 and 52, and a control or slide valve 42. A port 53 in passageway 56 is in fluid communication with check valve 52. The function of slide valve 42 and check valves 50 and 52 is to permit fluid flow from the reservoir to the packer in one position of the slide valve, and to permit fluid flow from the packer to the reservoir in the other position of the slide, valve. The construction of the slide valve and the check valves and the interrelation therebetween will be described below.

The function of go-devil 63 shown in FIG. 3 is to prevent the downward flow of drilling fluid through the bore of the drill pipe while permitting upward flow of drilling fluid through the bore. The go-devil also functions to actuate a member in the sample-retrieving apparatus to be described below. The go-devil is provided with an elongated spacer 71, a tubular body member or mandrel 38, a valve section 29, and an actuating member generally designated 25. A pair of packer cups 41 are aflixed to body member 38 for the purpose of preventing downward flow of drilling fluid around the outside of the godevil. The length of the spacer rod '71 is suflicient to place the packer cups '41 between elastic pipe section 6 and elastic pipe section 60. The spacer rod bears on the 'stem and has a generally hemispherical valve member 174 at the lower end thereof that normally fits into the upper opening of the bore 179. Thus, fluids passing upwardly through the bore 179 will lift the hemispherical member and will pass out of the go-devil through ports 37 into the bore of the drill stem. The pressure of drilling fluid above the packer cups 41 will tend to force the hemispherical valve member 174 downwardly to efiectively seal the well bore against fluid flow downwardly therethrough.

. A permanent magnet 39 is affixed to body member 38 for a purpose that will become apparent below.

The general arrangement of the component parts of the swabbing and sample-retrieving unit or housing 81 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 2-A. The unit is suspended from a swab line 82 by means of a coupling head 83. Below the coupling head are a latch section 84, a solenoid section 86, a pressure switch 88, a battery housing section 90, a triggering circuit section 92 including a pair of spaced-apart electrodes 94, a swab cup section 96, and a sample tube 98 along with the actuating apparatus therefor, and an overshot 7 for the purpose of latching onto the retrieving head 170 of member 25 of g'o-devil 63.

The details of construction of the swabbing and sample-retrieving unit 81 are best shown in FIGS. 4, 4-A, 4-B, and 4-C. As is shown, the coupling head 83 is connected to an elongated mandrel 100 which terminates 'in a latching head 102 adapted to receive the opposed members 104 and 106 of pivoted latch 108. A 'cavity is provided in the housing in latch section 84 to accommo- "date the latch section and mandrel 100. A locking dog 83a is provided for the purpose of locking to the lower reduced section 101 of mandrel 100 after the mandrel is released from the grip of latch 108. The opposed latching members 106 and '104 of latch 108 are held in position against the force exerted by a cross spring 112 when the latch trip is in the position shown inFIG.'4 by stop member 118a on connecting bar 118. The cross spring fits into slots 114 out in the opposed latching members 104 andf106. The lower ends of members 104 and 106 are respectively pivotally connected to the ends of linkage members '104a 1and 106a. The upper end of connecting bar 118 is connected to the other ends of linkage members 104a and v106a. Sufficient clearance exists between members 104 and 106 and the latching head 102 so 4 that the upper ends of opposed latch members 104 an 106 can swing toward each other when the lower ends are forced apart by connecting bar 118 as it moves upwandly. When the connecting bar 118 is moved upwardly by plunger 124 responsive to energization of coil 126, the cross spring :112 opens the latching members 106 and 104 to release the mandrel 100. Mandrel 100 is telescopically arranged with respect to the housing section 99 and is shown in its most telescoped position (i.e.,

the position at which mandrel 100 extends as far as possible into housing section 99). When released by the latch, the entire housing will drop. Locking dog 83a will pop inwardly under the impetusof spring to hold the mandrel in its least telescoped position.

The pressureswitch 88, battery 90, triggering circuit section 92, and electrodes 94 function to energize solenoid 126 to trip the latch 108 and release mandrel 100 when the mud in the borehole surrounding the apparatus is of a predetermined resistivity. The schematic electrical diagram of FIG. 9 illustrates the electrical interconnection of the apparatus. The DC. source 200, which may be a battery, is housed in the battery section 90. The output terminals 204 and 206 of the source are connected to a chopper or inverter 202 and also are connected to an amplifier 228 by means of leads 208 and 210 to provide. operating bias for the amplifier. Chopper or inverter 202 may be a transistorized device such as is illustrated in Patent No. 2,849,614--G. H. Royer et a1. Mechanical inverting devices also may be used. The alternating output signal of chopper 202 is applied to input terminals 220, and 222 of a bridge circuit including resistors 212, 214, and 216, and .the resistance across electrodes 94. The resistance of resistors 212, 214, and 216 is adjusted so that a signal of predetermined amplitude will appear across output terminals 224 and 226 when the resistivity'of the mud or fluid between electrodes 94 is of a predetermined value. The alternating output signal appearing across terminals 224 and 226 is amplified by amplifier 228 and applied to solenoid 126 by means of leads 230. The solenoid 126 is adapted to exert a pull on plunger 124 so as to tripthe latch circuit when the fluid resistivity between electrodes 94 is of a predetermined value. The fluid appearing between electrodes 94 enters the chamber within which the electrodes are housed by means of elongated ports 93 in the housing. Pressure switch 88 may be connected between D.C. source 200 and terminal 204. The pressure switch closes when the apparatus has reached a desired depth in the borehole to positively prevent premature energization of solenoid 126.

The sampling tube section of the apparatus is illustrated in detail in FIGS.- 4-B and 4-0.

The swab cups 96 are affixed to a reduced section of the housing. The diameter of the swab cups is such as to contact the sides of the drill stem so that fluid above the swab cups will be. pulled upwardly as the swab line is lifted. When the apparatus is dropped, fluid will flow through ports 136, through the drilled passageway 134 within the reduced section to which the swab cups are connected, will lift the ball check traveling valve 132, and will pass outwardly through ports 133; thus, fluid will be pumped up the valve stem by reciprocating the apparatus in the drill stem. The sample chamber is provided within housing section 98 Y of the apparatus. A check valve 142 is provided at the 7 inlet. port 144 to the sample chamber 140 for the purpose of permitting fluid entry into and preventing fluid exit from the sample chamber. A screw plug 140a and check valve 140]; in passageway'140c at the upper end ofchamber 140 are for the purpose of providing access to chamber 140 to remove fluid therein. After sample tube 98 is unscrewed from the other portions of unit 81, screw plug 140a is removed and check valve 14% (which opposes fluid egress from the chamber 149) is stabbed open so that fluid will flow from chamher 149.

Fluid entry into passageway 144 is controlled by a valve including a piston member slidable within chamber 146. Port 148 provides fluid entry into the chamber 146. A spring 54 in the enlarged oil filled chamber 156 functions to hold the valve piston 15% away from the position whereat drilled passageway 152 therein will provide fluid communication between port M8 and passageway 144. A threaded annular fitting 159 interconnects the lower end of piston 15d with an actuating shaft 163 therefor. The clearance between fitting 159 and the sides of chamber 156 is only enough to permit slow movement thereof in an upward direction. Passageways 158 and 164 are drilled in the piston and a check valve arrangement including ball 162 an spring 1&8 is provided to permit the piston to move quickly downward under the impetus of spring 154. An overshot arrangement 15:: is provided at the lower end of the housing to latch onto the retrieving head of godevil 63 when the retrieving head 17%) shoves the actuating shaft 168 a sumcient distance upward. In FIG. 5 the overshot is shown latched to the retrieving head 17!). In this position the valve stem will be as shown in FIG. 5 so that fluid flow will be permitted through port 143, passageways 152 and 144, through check valve 142, into the sample chamber 149.

The valving arrangement for controlling the flow of actuating fluid from reservoir 3a to the packer, and from the packer to the reservoir, is shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. In FIG. 7 the apparatus is shown in the position which it will assume when the drill stem is making hole and when it is desired to flow fluid from the packer to the reservoir. In FIG. 6 the apparatus is shown in the position whereat fluid under pressure will flow from the reservoir to the packer.

The control valve apparatus 4-2 comprises a valve housing 4241 having a. passageway 183 drilled therein adapted to receive a valve stem 181?. The valve housing is provided with a port 186 opening into the reservoir 3a, a port 183 connected to a check valve by connection 183a and line 13317 for permitting fluid flow from the reservoir to the packer, and another port 1&4 connected to a check valve 52 by connection 184a and line 1841) for permitting fluid flow from the packer to the reservoir. The valve stem 18) has a multiplicity of longitudinal slots cut therein substantially equal in length to the longitudinal distance along the valve housing between ports 184 and 186 and between ports 186 and 188. Annular slots 135 and 157 are respectively hydraulically connected to ports 13 iand 188 so that :hen the valve stem 18% is in the position shown in FIG. 6, port 186 is hydraulically connected to port 183, and so that when the valve stem is in the position shown in FIG. 7, port 186 will be hydraulically interconnected with port 184.

A coil spring 1% is provided in a well within a fitting 191 at the bottom of the valve housing. Spring 1% bears against the bottom of valve stem 13 so as to urge the valve stem in an upward direction. A second spring 28 connected to a shoulder 44 at the top of the valve stem housing 24 bears against actuating shaft 26 for substantially the same purpose. Shoulder 46 is ported and drilled so that the upper end of chamher 183 is in hydraulic communication with the fluid reservoir around the valve housing through ports 4 3a.

A port 194 is provided fitting 191 so that the lower end of the chamber 183 is in hydraulic communication with a passa eway 58, which in turn is hydraulically connected to a recess 62 in valve stem section 61 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The ecess 62 surrounds elastic pipe section so that when the piston 18% is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the elastic sleeve will bulge slightly into the recess 62 as shown in FIG. 2.

Returning to FIGS. 6 and 7, it is seen that at the projecting annular flanges upper end of the actuating shaft 26 there is provided a pivoted member including a pivoted arm 23 pivotally afiixed to a slotted ball member 27. A slot 27a is cut in the ball member so that the actuating shaft 26 will assume the position shown in FIG. 7 when the arm 23 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7. Spring 22 is provided for urging the arm to the position shown in FIG. 6. The arm is pivotally supported within the drill stem by a suitable support means 2i A clevis member 24 is connected to one end of the pivoted arm 23 and partially surrounds the nonmagnetic pipe member 16. A clevis actuating member 19a is aflixed to the inner pipe member 15 so as to drive the clevis 24 from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7 when a magnet 19 slidably mounted on the pipe member 16 strikes the lower end of the clevis actuating member 19a. The magnet 19 is supported by an annular stop member 21 and is free to slide between the clevis actuating member 19a and the annular stop member 21.

Turning again to FlGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the sliding lower anchor member 7t? for the flexible packer 65 comprises a tubular outer section 211 1 having inwardly 263 and 285 at the upper and lower ends thereof respectively. The tubular outer section 2%1 slidingly engages an annular flange 297 on drill stem section 65. Thus there is formed between the drill stem section 653' and the member 291 first and econd cavities 2t and 211, the volume of which increases and decreases as the member 231 slides up and down on flange 2&7. Cavity 299 is in fluid communication with the borehole annulus through at least one port 72 which at all times is above flange 287. Cavity 211 is in fluid cornmunication with the drill stem bore through at least one port 213 below flange 2 57. The braid or cables of the packer are anchored to the upper end of member 70.

When hydraulic pressure is applied to the drill stem and there is no obstruction therein so that fluid circulation is possible, the pressure drop across the bit forces member 71 down since the pressure drop is exerted across member 79 through port 213. However, when the godevil 63 prevents fluid circulation, or when there is no hydraulic pressure applied to the drill stem, the member '73 is free to move up when hydraulic pressure is exerted on the interior of packer member 66 through passageway 67.

During drilling operations the apparatus will assume the position shown in FIG. 1. The packer will be held against the drill stem by virtue of the differential pressure across the drill bit exerted on the sliding sleeve member 79. When it is desired to conduct a drill stem test, godevil 63 is dropped into the bore of the drill stem. Spacer bar 71 will space the packer cups 41 between the elastic pipe sections 6 and 6?. Heavy hydraulic pressure is then exerted down the bore of the drill stern. By virtue of the action of the elastic pipe 6, the hydraulic force within the drill stem will be exerted on the valve stem 18% to force the valve stem into the position shown in FIG. 6. Pivoted arm 23 will rotate due to the pull exerted by spring 22 so that the spherical member 27 will hold the valve stem 1811 in the position shown in FIG. 6. Fluid may then flow through port 186, through slots 182, through port 1 38, check valve 56, passageways 56 and 67 and will be exerted against the inner side of the packer. Sleeve member 719 will be permitted to slide upwardly inasmuch as the e is now no differential pressure existing across the drill bit. Hydraulic pressure may now be released. By virtue of the latching action. of the spherical member 27 and the check valve 51), the packer will stay in its inflated position shown in FIG. 2.

The swabbing and sample retrieving member 81 may now be lowered into the bore of the drill stem until the swab cups are adjacent drill stem section 3. This may be done by lowering member 31 until retrieving head 17%) engages member 1 68. The dashpot action of fitting 159 7 will prevent the stem 159 from moving up rapidly to prematurely open the sampling chamber. Member 81 maybe lifted a short distance in drill stern section 3 and spring 154 will quickly force member 168 back to its original position (ball 162 will unseat to permit fluid flow through passageway 164-). The swabbing unit may then be reciprocated in drill stem section 3 without contacting retrieving head 170 to pump fluid out of the earth formation, through ports 59, through passageway 179, through ports 37, up the drill stem bore between the godevil and the swabbing unit, and through the swaboing unit into the, portion of the drill stem bore immediately above cups 96. As the fluid around the electrodes 94 changes from drilling fluid to earth formation fluid, the resistivity thereof will change. When the resistivity has reached a predetermined value, the electrical triggering circuit will energize solenoid 126 to trip the latch 19S and release mandrel 100. The entire swabbing and sampling apparatus will suddenly drop, which will produce a sudden jerk on the swab line.

I Additionally, during the swabbing operations, the swabbing member 81 is periodically lowered to rest on top of the go-devil 63. This gives a depth reference which may be marked on the swab line at the wellhead. The swab line weight is indicated at the wellhead. (When the swabbing member 81 comes to rest on the go-de'vil 63, ,a weight indicator falls off.) Bottom reference may be made as often as desired. Short movements of valve stem 150 are not additive due to the return feature of the check valve arrangement (ball 162 and spring 169). Therefore, in addition to a jerk on the swab line (which may be missed by the operating personnel), a positive indication that the mandrel 100 has been released by a detected change in the resistivity of the well fluid is observable at the wellhead byran apparent increase in the length of the swab line upon a bottom reference check. In other words, when mandrel 100 has been released, the mark on the wire line will be at a distance from the well head equal to the length of the mandrel when member 81 is again resting go-devil '63. This increase in length of the swab line will be equal to the length of the mandrel 100. Upon this indication at the surface, a sample may then be obtained by allowing the swab unit 81 to rest upon the go-devil 63 [for a long enough period to ascertain movement of the valve stem 150 for its full stroke which will open the sample chamber and allow latching onto the go-devil '63. When the retrieving head 170 is engaged by the overshot 166 (see FIG. 5), the valve stem 150 ismoved to the position as shown, and formation fluid will flow into the sample chamber which is at atmospheric pressure until the pressure between the sample chamber and the well bore therearound drops to a value suflicient to close check valve 142 and retain the formation fluid sample. Both the swabbing and sample-retrieving unit 81 and the go-devil 63 may then be retrieved from the well bore. As the magnet 39 passes by the magnet 19, the mutual attraction therebetween will cause magnet 19 to be lifted until clevis 24 is stricken by member 19a and pivoted arm 23 will be rotated, releasing the valve stem 180 so that it is free to assume the position shown in FIG. 7. When the go-devil 63 has been removed from the well bore, drilling fluid pressure will force packer anchor member '70 down to the position shown in FIG. 1, thereby forcing fluid up the passageways 67 and 56 through check valve 52, port 184, slots 182, and port 186 into the fluid reservoir. After a s-ufficient time to allow the packer to be deflated, drilling operations may recommence.

The invention is not to be restricted to the specific structural details, arrangement of parts, or circuit con- The objects and features of the invention having been completely described, what we wish to claim is:

1. Apparatus for hydraulically inflating an inflatable packer aflixed to the exterior of a drill stem responsive to exertion of fluid pressure in the bore of the drill stern, comprising:

a first drill stem section having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member defining a space therebetween; a

said inner tubular member including an elastic tubular section deformable by fluid pressure within the bore of the drill stem, and a nonmagnetic tubular section;

a substantially incompressible liquid in said space;

a control valve in said space comprising a valve stem,

a valve housing for said valve stem having first, second, and third ports, said first port being in hydraulic communication with said space, said valve stem including means to hydraulically interconnect said first and second ports when said stem is in a first postion thereof, and to hydraulically interconnect said first and third ports when said stem is in a second position thereof;

means in said valve housing urging said valve stem toward said first position thereof;

means including first check valve means hydraulically interconnecting said third port to said packer, adapted to allow fluid flow only from said third port to said packer to inflate said packer;

means including second check valve means hydraulically interconnecting said packer to said second port to permit fluid flow only from said packer to said second port;

a second drill stem section below said first drill stern section, including a recess therein and a second elastic tubular section between said second recess and the bore of the drill stem;

a passageway providing hydraulic communication between said second recess and said valve housing to permit free movement of said valve stem;

a valve stem latching mechanism including a pivoted arm bearing against the valve stem and further including means for latching said valve stem in said second position thereof when said valve stem moves to its second position, means pivotally supporting said pivoted arm in said space, spring means connected to the pivoted arm and to the drill stem adapted to urge the pivoted arm against the valve stem and to rotate the arm to its latching position responsive to movement of the valve stem, and a clevis of magnetizable material afiixed to said pivoted arm and partially surrounding the bore of the drill stem adapted to rotate the arm away from'its latching position against the force of said spring means responsive to movement of a magnet up the drill stern bore to release said valve stem and permit said valve stem to move to its first position; and

a go-devil insertable into said valve stem for preventing fluid flow down said drill stem, said go-devil including a mandrel, cup packer means on the mandrel for providing a fluid seal between the mandrel and the Walls of the drill stem bore, andspacer means afiixed to the mandrel for spacing the cup packer means from the bottom of the drill stem to a level in the drill stem between said first and second elastic tubular sections. 7

2. Apparatus for hydraulically inflating a packer aiflxed to the exterior of a drill stem responsive to insertion of means for preventing fluid flow down the drill stem at a given level in the drill stern, and exertion of fluid pressure in the bore of the drill stem, comprising:

a first drill stem section having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member defining a space therebetween;

said inner member including an elastic tubular section above said given level in the drill stem deformable 9 by fluid pressure within the drill stem, and'a non magnetic tubular section;

a substantially incompressible liquid in said space;

a control valve in said spacecomprising a valve stem,

a valve housing for said valve stem having first, second, and third ports, said first port being in hydraulic communication with said space, said valve stem including means to hydraulically interconnect said first and second ports when said stem is in a first position thereof, and to hydraulically interconnect said first and third ports when said stem is in a second position thereof;

means in said valve housing urging said valve stem toward said first position thereof;

means including first check valve means hydraulcially interconnecting said third port to said packer, adapted to allow fluid flow only from said third port to said packer to inflate said packer;

means including second check valve means hydraulically interconnecting said packer to said second port to permit fluid flow only from said packer to said second port;

a second drill stem section below said first drill stem section and below said given level, including a recess therein and a second elastic tubular section between said second recess and the bore of the drill stem;

a passageway providing hydraulic communication between said second recess in said valve housing to permit free movement of said valve stem; and

a valve stem latching mechanism including a pivoted arm bearing against the valve stem and further including means for latching said valve stem in said second position thereof when said valve stem moves to its second position, means pivotally supporting said pivoted arm in said space, spring means connected to the pivoted arm and to the drill stem adapted to urge the pivoted arm against the valve stem and to rotate the arm to its latching position responsive to movement of the valve stem, and a clevis of magnetizable material affixed to said pivoted arm and partially surrounding the bore of the drill stem adapted to rotate the arm away from its latching position against the force of said spring means responsive to movement of a magnet up the drill stem bore to release said valve stem and permit said valve stem to move to its first position.

3. Apparatus for hydraulically inflating a packer aflixed to the exterior of a drill stem responsive to insertion of means for preventing fluid flow down the drill stem at a given level in the drill stem, and exertion of fluid pressure in the bore of the drill stem, comprising:

a first drill stem section having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member defining a space therebetween;

said inner member including an elastic tubular section above said given level in the drill stem deformable by fluid pressure within the drill stem, and a nonmagnetic tubular section;

a substantially incompressible liquid in said space;

a control valve in said space comprising a valve stem, a valve housing for said valve stem having first, second, and third ports, said first port being in hydraulic communication with said space, said valve stem including means to hydraulically interconnect said first and second ports when said stem is in a first position thereof, and to hydraulically interconnect said first and third ports when said stem is in a second position thereof;

means in said valve housing urging said valve stem toward said first position thereof;

means including first check valve means hydraulically interconnecting said third port to said packer, adapted to allow fluid flow only from said third port to said packer to inflate said packer;

means including second check valve means hydraulical- 1y interconnecting said packer to said second port to permit fluid flow only from said packer to said second port;

means in said drill stem associated with said control valve to provide hydraulic relief to the drill stem bore below said given level for said valve stem; and

a valve stem latching mechanism including a pivoted arm bearing against the valve stem, means for latching said valve stem in said second position thereof when said valve stem moves to its second position, means pivotally supporting said pivoted arm in said space, spring means connected to the pivoted arm and to the drill stem adapted to urge the pivoted arm against the valve stem and to rotate the arm to its latching position responsive to movement of the valve stem, and a clevis of magnetizable material affixed to said pivoted arm and partially surrounding the bore of the drill stem adapted to rotate the arm away from its latching position against the force of said spring means responsive to movement of a magnet up the drill stem bore to release said valve stem and permit said valve stem to move to its first position.

4. In a drill stern testing apparatus wherein an inflatable packer affixed to the exterior of a drill stem is hydraulically inflated by fluid from a fluid reservoir located in a recess between the bore of the drill stem and the outer surface of the drill stem, wherein fluid pressure within the bore is exerted on the fluid in the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir and the packer are interconnected by a control valve in the recess having a movable, valve stem movable within a valve housing between a first position whereat fluid flow is permitted only from the packer to the reservoir and a second position whereat fluid flow is permitted only from the reservior to the packer, the valve stem being movable from the first position to the second position responsive to fluid pressure exerted thereon from the bore of the drill stem, the improvement comprising:

a valve latching mechanism operatively associated with said valve stem to lock the valve stem in the second position thereof, said valve latching mcehanism in cluding a pivoted arm bearing against the valve stem and having a recess adapted to lock the valve stem in its second position, spring means pivotally supporting the arm in the recess, means connected to the pivoted arm and to the drill stem adapted to urge the arm against the valve stem and to rotate the arm responsive to movement of the valve stem, and a clevis of magnetizable material aflixed to the arm and partially surrounding the bore of the drill stem adapted to rotate the arm against the force of the spring responsive to movement of a magnet therepast up the drill stem bore.

5. In a drill stem testing apparatus wherein an inflatable packer aflixed to the exterior of a drill stem is hydraulically inflated by fluid from a fluid reservoir located in a recess between the bore of the drill stem and the outer surface of the drill stem, wherein fluid pressure within the bore is exerted on the fluid in the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir and the packer are interconnected by a con trol valve in the recess having a movable valve stem movable within a valve housing between a first position where at fluid flow is permitted only from the packer to the reservoir and a second position whereat fluid flow is permitted only from the reservoir to the packer, the valve stem being movable from the first position to the second position responsive to fluid pressure exerted thereon from the bore of the drill stem, the improvement comprising:

a valve latching mechanism operatively associated with the valve stem to lock the valve stem in the second position thereof, including a pivoted arm bearing against the valve stem and formed to lock the valve stem in its second position;

means pivotally supporting the arm in the recess;

, spring means connected to the pivoted arm and to the drill stem adapted to urge the arm against the valve stem and to rotate the arm responsive to movement of the valve stem; and V a magnetizable member 'aflixed to said arm and arranged with respect to the bore of the drill stem so as to rotate the arm against the force of the spring means responsive to movement of a magnet therepast up the drill stem bore.

j 6. In a drill stem testing apparatus wherein an inflatable packer affixed to the exterior of a drill stem is hydraulically inflated by fluid from a fluid reservoir located in a recess between the bore of the drill stem and the outer surface of the drill stem, wherein fluid pressure within the bore is exerted on the fluidin the reservoir, and

wherein the reservoir and the packer are interconnected is permitted only from the reservoir to the packer, the valve stem being movable from the first position to the second position responsive to fluid pressure exerted thereon from the bore of the drill stem, the improvement comprising:

' a valve latching mechanism operatively associated with i the valve stem to lock the valve stem in the second 7 position thereof, including an arm pivotally supported in the recess so as to bear against the valve stem to rotate responsive to movement of the valve stem; spring means connected to the pivoted arm and to the drill stern adapted to urge the arm against the valve stem and to rotate the arm responsive to movement of the valve stem; and a magnetizable member aifixed to said arm and arranged with respect to the bore of the drill stem so as to roate the arm against the force of the spring means responsive to movement of a magnet therepast up the drill stern bore.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,742,968 Hildebrandt Apr. 24, 1956 2,813,587 Mounce Nov. 19, 1957 2,828,823 Mounce Apr. 1, 1958 2,978,046 True Apr. 4, 1961 3,032,116 Barry May 1, 1962 3,059,695 Barry et a1 Oct.23, 1962

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULICALLY INFLATING AN INFLATABLE PACKER AFFIXED TO THE EXTERIOR OF A DRILL STEM RESPONSIVE TO EXERTION OF FLUID PRESSURE IN THE BORE OF THE DRILL STEM, COMPRISING: A FIRST DRILL STEM SECTION HAVING AN OUTER TUBULAR MEMBER AND AN INNER TUBULAR MEMBER DEFINING A SPACE THEREBETWEEN; SAID INNER TUBULAR MEMBER INCLUDING AN ELASTIC TUBULAR SECTION DEFORMABLE BY FLUID PRESSURE WITHIN THE BORE OF THE DRILL STEM, AND A NONMAGNETIC TUBULAR SECTION; A SUBSTANTIALLY INCOMPRESSIBLE LIQUID IN SAID SPACE; A CONTROL VALVE IN SAID SPACE COMPRISING A VALVE STEM, A VALVE HOUSING FOR SAID VALVE STEM HAVING FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD PORTS, SAID FIRST PORT BEING IN HYDRAULIC COMMUNICATION WITH SAID SPACE, SAID VALVE STEM INCLUDING MEANS TO HYDRAULICALLY INTERCONNECT SAID FIRST AND SECOND PORTS WHEN SAID STEM IS IN A FIRST POSITION THEREOF, AND TO HYDRAULICALLY INTERCONNECT SAID FIRST AND THIRD PORTS WHEN SAID STEM IS IN A SECOND POSITION THEREOF; MEANS IN SAID VALVE HOUSING URGING SAID VALVE STEM TOWARD SAID FIRST POSITION THEREOF; MEANS INCLUDING FIRST CHECK VALVE MEANS HYDRAULICALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID THIRD PORT TO SAID PACKER, ADAPTED TO ALLOW FLUID FLOW ONLY FROM SAID THIRD PORT TO SAID PACKER TO INFLATE SAID PACKER;

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