Locator devices

Claim 2

A locator device including: an elongate mandrel; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; expansible and retractable locator and stop dogs carried by said control sleeve; an expander surface on said mandrel engageable with said dogs for moving said dogs to expanded locating and stopping positions; coengageable means on said mandrel and said control sleeve for restraining movement of said control sleeve in one direction longitudinally of said mandrel to position said dogs in expanded engagement with said expander surface and yieldable to permit movement of said control sleeve further in such direction on said mandrel to disengage said dogs from said expander surface; and means on said mandrel and said control sleeve coengageable to prevent movement of said control sleeve in the opposite direction on said mandrel to hold said locator and stop dogs in engagement with the expander surface on the mandrel in expanded position to provide a positive stop.

Claim 3

A locator device including: an elongate mandrel; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; expansible and retractable locator and stop dogs carried by said control sleeve; an expander surface on said mandrel engageable with said dogs for moving said dogs to expanded locating and stopping positions; coengageable restraining means on said mandrel and control sleeve for restraining movement of said control sleeve on said mandrel in one direction longitudinally thereof at a point at which the locator and stop dogs are in engagement with said expander surface, said control sleeve being yieldably movable in the direction opposite said one direction from said first position to disengage said dogs from said expander surface and biased to return to said first position; said restraining means being yieldable to permit movement of said control sleeve and dogs in such one direction on the mandrel past said first position to a second position in which said locator and stop dogs engage said expander surface; and stop means on said mandrel and said control sleeve coengageable to prevent movement of said control sleeve in said opposite direction on said mandrel past said second position to hold said locator and stop dogs in engagement with the expander surface on the mandrel in expanded position to provIde a positive stop by means of said dogs; said control sleeve being yieldably movable in said one direction on said mandrel from said second position after having been moved to said second position.

Claim 4

A locator device including: an elongate mandrel; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; expansible and retractable locator and stop dogs carried by said control sleeve; an expander surface on said mandrel engageable with said dogs for moving said dogs to expanded locating and stopping positions; coengageable restraining means on said mandrel and control sleeve for restraining movement of said control sleeve on said mandrel in one direction longitudinally thereof at a point at which the locator and stop dogs are in engagement with said expander surface, said control sleeve being yieldably movable in the direction opposite said one direction from said first position to disengage said dogs from said expander surface and biased to return to said first position; said restraining means being yieldable to permit movement of said control sleeve and dogs in such one direction on the mandrel past said first position to a second position in which said locator and stop dogs engage said expander surface; and stop means on said mandrel and said control sleeve coengageable to prevent movement of said control sleeve in said opposite direction on said mandrel past said second position to hold said locator and stop dogs in engagement with the expander surface on the mandrel in expanded position to provIde a positive stop by means of said dogs; said control sleeve being yieldably movable in said one direction on said mandrel from said second position after having been moved to said second position.

Claim 5

A locator device including: an elongate mandrel; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; expansible and retractable locator and stop dogs carried by said control sleeve; expander means on said mandrel engageable by said dogs for moving said dogs to expanded locating and stopping positions; coengageable restraining means on said mandrel and said control sleeve for restraining movement of said control sleeve in one direction longitudinally of said mandrel past a first position in which said dogs are in engagement with said expander surface; biasing means on said mandrel engaging said control sleeve resiliently biasing said control sleeve to said first position and yieldable to permit said control sleeve to move away from said first position to move the dogs in the opposite direction out of engagement with the expander surface; said restraining means being yieldable to permit movement of said control sleeve further in said one direction past said first position to a second position wherein the said dogs engage said expander surface and are held in expanded position thereby; second biasing means on the mandrel engaging the control means resiliently biasing said control means in said opposite direction on said mandrel toward such second position and yieldable to permit said control sleeve to move the dogs in said one direction out of engagement with the expander surface; and stop means on said control sleeve and on said mandrel coengageable to prevent movement of said control sleeve in said opposite direction on said mandrel past said second position to hold said locator and stop dogs in engagement with the expander surface on the mandrel.

Claim 6

A locator device including: an elongate mandrel; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; expansible and retractable locator and stop dogs carried by said control sleeve; expander means on said mandrel engageable by said dogs for moving said dogs to expanded locating and stopping positions; coengageable restraining means on said mandrel and said control sleeve for restraining movement of said control sleeve in one direction longitudinally of said mandrel past a first position in which said dogs are in engagement with said expander surface; biasing means on said mandrel engaging said control sleeve resiliently biasing said control sleeve to said first position and yieldable to permit said control sleeve to move away from said first position to move the dogs in the opposite direction out of engagement with the expander surface; said restraining means being yieldable to permit movement of said control sleeve further in said one direction past said first position to a second position wherein the said dogs engage said expander surface and are held in expanded position thereby; second biasing means on the mandrel engaging the control means resiliently biasing said control means in said opposite direction on said mandrel toward such second position and yieldable to permit said control sleeve to move the dogs in said one direction out of engagement with the expander surface; and stop means on said control sleeve and on said mandrel coengageable to prevent movement of said control sleeve in said opposite direction on said mandrel past said second position to hold said locator and stop dogs in engagement with the expander surface on the mandrel.

Claim 7

A locator device of the character set forth in claim 2 wherein said restraining means comprises: an external annular flange on the mandrel intermediate the ends thereof; and elongate spring fingers on said control sleeve having inwardly extending hook members on their ends having cam surfaces on one side engageable with the flange on the mandrel for restraining movement of said control sleeve in said one direction on the mandrel, said hook members having abrupt shoulders on their other sides engageable with an abrupt shoulder on the external annular flange to prevent movement of said control sleeve in said opposite direction on said mandrel.

Claim 8

A device of the character set forth in claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises: springs confined on the mandrel between a shoulder thereon at one end and the control sleeve at the other end; said springs engaging opposite ends of said control means and each biasing the control means toward the other spring.

Claim 9

A locator device of the character set forth in claim 2 wherein said control sleeve is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending apertures; said locator and stop dogs have retainer flanges on their inner ends engageable with the inner ends of the apertures in the sleeve, and have converging beveled surfaces on their upper and lower outer ends; and said mandrel is provided with retracting recesses on opposite longitudinal sides of the expander surface.

Claim 10

A locator device including: an elongate mandrel; an annular expander surface intermediate the ends of said mandrel; annular recess means at each end of said locking surface having a diameter smaller than that of the locking surface; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of locator and stop dogs carried by said sleeve and engageable with said expander surface to be held in projected locating position by said expander surface; said control sleeve being movable longitudinally on said mandrel to dispose said dogs in registry with a first one of said recesses to permit said dogs to be moved to retracted position; resilient means biasing said sleeve in one direction on said mandrel toward a first position on said mandrel in which said dogs are disposed in engagement with said expander surface; yieldable retaining means on said sleeve and on said mandrel coengageable to yieldably prevent further movement of said sleeve in said one direction from said first position with said dogs in engagement with said expander surface; said resilient means permitting movement of said sleeve and dogs longitudinally in said opposite direction on said mandrel to align said dogs with said first recess; said restraining means being yieldable upon application of a predetermined longitudinal force to said dogs and said sleeve to move said sleeve further longitudinally in said one direction on said mandrel to disengage said restraining means and to dispose said dogs in alignment with said second recess for movement to retracted position; and stop means on said sleeve and said mandrel coengageable upon subsequent movement of said sleeve and dogs in said opposite direction on said mandrel to stop said sleeve and dogs in a second position thereon in which the dogs are in engagement with said expander surface and held in expanded locating position and second resilient means biasing said sleeve and said dogs in said opposite direction toward said second position on said mandrel, said resilient means being yieldable to permit said sleeve and said dogs to move longitudinally in said one direction on said mandrel to align said dogs with said second recess, whereby said dogs are retractable from said expanded location position; said sleeve and said dogs when in said second position provide a positive stop means against movement of said mandrel with said sleeve and said dogs in said expanded position in said one direction axially of said mandrel.

Claim 11

A locator device including: an elongate mandrel; an annular expander surface intermediate the ends of said mandrel; annular recess means at each end of said locking surface having a diameter smaller than that of the locking surface; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; a plurality of locator and stop dogs carried by said sleeve and engageable with said expander surface to be held in projected locating position by said expander surface; said control sleeve being movable longitudinally on said mandrel to dispose said dogs in registry with a first one of said recesses to permit said dogs to be moved to retracted position; resilient means biasing said sleeve in one direction on said mandrel toward a first position on said mandrel in which said dogs are disposed in engagement with said expander surface; yieldable retaining means on said sleeve and on said mandrel coengageable to yieldably prevent further movement of said sleeve in said one direction from said first position with said dogs in engagement with said expander surface; said resilient means permitting movement of said sleeve and dogs longitudinally in said opposite direction on said mandrel to align said dogs with said first recess; said restraining means being yieldable upon application of a predetermined longitudinal force to said dogs and said sleeve to move said sleeve further longitudinally in said one direction on said mandrel to disengage said restraining means and to dispose said dogs in alignment with said second recess for movement to retracted position; and stop means on said sleeve and said mandrel coengageable upon subsequent movement of said sleeve and dogs in said opposite direction on said mandrel to stop said sleeve and dogs in a second position thereon in which the dogs are in engagement with said expander surface and held in expanded locating position and second resilient means biasing said sleeve and said dogs in said opposite direction toward said second position on said mandrel, said resilient means being yieldable to permit said sleeve and said dogs to move longitudinally in said one direction on said mandrel to align said dogs with said second recess, whereby said dogs are retractable from said expanded location position; said sleeve and said dogs when in said second position provide a positive stop means against movement of said mandrel with said sleeve and said dogs in said expanded position in said one direction axially of said mandrel.

Claim 12

For use in combination with a tubular landing nipple adapted to form part of a well flow conductor and having a stop shoulder thereon and an annular locking groove in the bore wall thereof intermediate its ends, and a well tool anchoring device insertable through the well flow conductor into said landing nipple and having a mandrel, radially expansible and contractable locking members, and means for expanding said locking members into expanded position into the locking groove in the landing nipple, a locator and setting tool device for inserting said anchoring device into the well flow conductor, locating the same at the landing nipple and anchoring the same in place in the landing nipple and comprising: setting tool and locator means having support means for attachment to the mandrel of the anchoring device; expansible and retractable locator means adapted to engage said stop shoulder on the landing nipple to position the locking members of the anchoring device in registry with the landing nipple locking recess; means on the setting tool movable with respect to the mandrel of the anchoring device to move the expander means on said mandrel into expanding engagement with the locking members to move the same into expanded position engaged in the locking recess of the landing nipple while said support means is connected to said locking device and said locator means is engaged with said stop shoulder to positively lock the mandrel of the locking device against movement in either longitudinal direction in the nipple; and means for releasing the connection of the support means with the mandrel of the locking device only after said locking device has been locked in said nipple to permit the setting tool and locator device to be moved from the flow conductor after the anchoring device has been anchored in the landing nipple.

Claim 13

For use in combination with a tubular landing nipple adapted to form part of a well flow conductor and having a stop shoulder thereon and an annular locking groove in the bore wall thereof intermediate its ends, and a well tool anchoring device insertable through the well flow conductor into said landing nipple and having a mandrel, radially expansible and contractable locking members, and means for expanding said locking members into expanded position into the locking groove in the landing nipple, a locator and setting tool device for inserting said anchoring device into the well flow conductor, locating the same at the landing nipple and anchoring the same in place in the landing nipple and comprising: setting tool and locator means having support means for attachment to the mandrel of the anchoring device; expansible and retractable locator means adapted to engage said stop shoulder on the landing nipple to position the locking members of the anchoring device in registry with the landing nipple locking recess; means on the setting tool movable with respect to the mandrel of the anchoring device to move the expander means on said mandrel into expanding engagement with the locking members to move the same into expanded position engaged in the locking recess of the landing nipple while said support means is connected to said locking device and said locator means is engaged with said stop shoulder to positively lock the mandrel of the locking device against movement in either longitudinal direction in the nipple; and means for releasing the connection of the support means with the mandrel of the locking device only after said locking device has been locked in said nipple to permit the setting tool and locator device to be moved from the flow conductor after the anchoring device has been anchored in the landing nipple.

Claim 14

For use in combination with a tubular landing nipple adapted to form part of a well flow conductor and having a stop shoulder thereon and an annular locking groove in the bore wall thereof intermediate its ends, and a well tool anchoring device insertable through the well flow conductor into said landing nipple and having a mandrel, radially expansible and contractable locking members, and means for expanding said locking memBers into expanded position into the locking groove in the landing nipple, a locator and setting tool device for inserting said anchoring device into the well flow conductor, locating the same at the landing nipple and anchoring the same in place in the landing nipple and comprising: an elongate mandrel; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; expansible and retractable locator and stop dogs carried by said control sleeve; an expander surface on said mandrel engageable with said dogs for moving said dogs to expanded locating and stopping positions; coengageable restraining means on said mandrel and control sleeve for restraining movement of said control sleeve on said mandrel in one direction longitudinally thereof at a point at which the locator and stop dogs are in engagement with said expander surface, said control sleeve being yieldably movable in the direction opposite said one direction from said first position and biased to return to said first position; said restraining means being yieldable to permit movement of said control sleeve and dogs in such one direction on the mandrel past said first position to a second position in which said locator and stop dogs engage said expander surface; and stop means on said mandrel and said control sleeve coengageable to prevent movement of said control sleeve in said opposite direction on said mandrel past said second position to hold said locator and stop dogs in engagement with the expander surface on the mandrel to provide a positive stop by means of said dogs; said control sleeve being yieldably movable in said one direction on said mandrel from said second position after having been moved to said second position, said locator and stop dogs when in said second position being engageable with a stop shoulder of said landing nipple to position the locking members of the anchoring device in registry with the landing nipple locking recess; support means on said locator and setting tool device for attachment thereof to the mandrel of the anchoring device for supporting the same in position for the locking members to be moved into the locking recess of the landing nipple when said locator and stop dogs are engaged with the stop shoulder of the landing nipple; means on said locator and setting tool device movable with respect to the mandrel of the anchoring device while the locator and stop dogs are in engagement with the stop shoulder of the landing nipple to move the expander means on said mandrel into expanding engagement with the locking members to move the same into expanded position engaged in the locking recess of the landing nipple to positively lock the mandrel of the locking device against movement in either longitudinal direction in the nipple, and means for releasing the connection of the support means with the mandrel of the locking device to permit the setting tool and locator device to be moved from the flow conductor after the anchoring device has been anchored in the landing nipple.

Claim 15

For use in combination with a tubular landing nipple adapted to form part of a well flow conductor and having a stop shoulder thereon and an annular locking groove in the bore wall thereof intermediate its ends, and a well tool anchoring device insertable through the well flow conductor into said landing nipple and having a mandrel, radially expansible and contractable locking members, and means for expanding said locking memBers into expanded position into the locking groove in the landing nipple, a locator and setting tool device for inserting said anchoring device into the well flow conductor, locating the same at the landing nipple and anchoring the same in place in the landing nipple and comprising: an elongate mandrel; a control sleeve slidable on said mandrel; expansible and retractable locator and stop dogs carried by said control sleeve; an expander surface on said mandrel engageable with said dogs for moving said dogs to expanded locating and stopping positions; coengageable restraining means on said mandrel and control sleeve for restraining movement of said control sleeve on said mandrel in one direction longitudinally thereof at a point at which the locator and stop dogs are in engagement with said expander surface, said control sleeve being yieldably movable in the direction opposite said one direction from said first position and biased to return to said first position; said restraining means being yieldable to permit movement of said control sleeve and dogs in such one direction on the mandrel past said first position to a second position in which said locator and stop dogs engage said expander surface; and stop means on said mandrel and said control sleeve coengageable to prevent movement of said control sleeve in said opposite direction on said mandrel past said second position to hold said locator and stop dogs in engagement with the expander surface on the mandrel to provide a positive stop by means of said dogs; said control sleeve being yieldably movable in said one direction on said mandrel from said second position after having been moved to said second position, said locator and stop dogs when in said second position being engageable with a stop shoulder of said landing nipple to position the locking members of the anchoring device in registry with the landing nipple locking recess; support means on said locator and setting tool device for attachment thereof to the mandrel of the anchoring device for supporting the same in position for the locking members to be moved into the locking recess of the landing nipple when said locator and stop dogs are engaged with the stop shoulder of the landing nipple; means on said locator and setting tool device movable with respect to the mandrel of the anchoring device while the locator and stop dogs are in engagement with the stop shoulder of the landing nipple to move the expander means on said mandrel into expanding engagement with the locking members to move the same into expanded position engaged in the locking recess of the landing nipple to positively lock the mandrel of the locking device against movement in either longitudinal direction in the nipple, and means for releasing the connection of the support means with the mandrel of the locking device to permit the setting tool and locator device to be moved from the flow conductor after the anchoring device has been anchored in the landing nipple.

Claim 16

In combination: a tubular landing nipple having an annular internal locking recess in its bore wall and having an upwardly facing locator shoulder spaced from the locking recess; a locking device for supporting well tools in place in said landing nipple and including a mandrel, locking members expansible and retractable on the mandrel, an expander sleeve movable on the mandrel into engagement with the locking members to move said locking members into expanded locking position and positively hold them in such expanded position, and means for connecting a seal member to said mandrel; and a locking and setting tool device for positioning the locking device in the nipple for anchoring therein and including: an elongate mandrel; means for detachably connecting said locator and setting tool mandrel to the mandrel of the locking device; expansible and retractable locator and stop means on said locator and setting tool mandrel engageable with the upwardly facing locator shoulder of the landing nipple to position the locking device in thE nipple with the locking members thereof in registry with the locking recess for expansion into locking engagement in such recess; means on said locator and setting tool device for moving the expander means on the mandrel of the locking device into engagement with the locking members to expand the locking members into the locking recess of the landing nipple and positively hold the locking members in said expanded position in engagement in the locking recess, while said locator and stop means is engaged with said locator shoulder of said nipple and said detachable connecting means is connected to said mandrel, to prevent longitudinal movement of the locking device in either direction out of the landing nipple; said detachable means connecting said locator and setting tool device with the mandrel of the locking device being releasable only by the application of an upward longitudinal force to the locator and setting tool device after the locking members of the locking device have been expanded to locking engagement in the locking recess of the landing nipple to free the locator and setting tool device from the mandrel of the locking device for removal of the locator and setting tool device from the flow conductor.

Claim 17

In combination: a tubular landing nipple having an annular internal locking recess in its bore wall and having an upwardly facing locator shoulder spaced from the locking recess; a locking device for supporting well tools in place in said landing nipple and including a mandrel, locking members expansible and retractable on the mandrel, an expander sleeve movable on the mandrel into engagement with the locking members to move said locking members into expanded locking position and positively hold them in such expanded position, and means for connecting a seal member to said mandrel; and a locking and setting tool device for positioning the locking device in the nipple for anchoring therein and including: an elongate mandrel; means for detachably connecting said locator and setting tool mandrel to the mandrel of the locking device; expansible and retractable locator and stop means on said locator and setting tool mandrel engageable with the upwardly facing locator shoulder of the landing nipple to position the locking device in thE nipple with the locking members thereof in registry with the locking recess for expansion into locking engagement in such recess; means on said locator and setting tool device for moving the expander means on the mandrel of the locking device into engagement with the locking members to expand the locking members into the locking recess of the landing nipple and positively hold the locking members in said expanded position in engagement in the locking recess, while said locator and stop means is engaged with said locator shoulder of said nipple and said detachable connecting means is connected to said mandrel, to prevent longitudinal movement of the locking device in either direction out of the landing nipple; said detachable means connecting said locator and setting tool device with the mandrel of the locking device being releasable only by the application of an upward longitudinal force to the locator and setting tool device after the locking members of the locking device have been expanded to locking engagement in the locking recess of the landing nipple to free the locator and setting tool device from the mandrel of the locking device for removal of the locator and setting tool device from the flow conductor.

Claim 18

In combination: a subsurface well locking device having a mandrel, expansible and retractable locking members thereon and means for moving the locking members from retracted to expanded position and positively holding said locking members in such expanded position; a landing nipple having means for connecting it in a well flow conductor and having an internal annular recess in its bore wall intermediate its ends for receiving the locking members of the locking device and an annular upwardly facing locator shoulder spaced above said locking recess a predetermined distance; and a locator and setting tool device comprising: means releasably connecting the setting tool means with the mandrel of the locking device; expansible and retractable locator and stop members carried by the locator and setting tool device and movable to a position to engage the upwardly facing shoulder of the landing nipple and spaced from the means for connecting the setting tool to the mandrel of the locking device a distance such that when the locator and stop members of the locator and setting tool device are in engagement with the upwardly facing locator shoulder of the landing nipple the locking dogs are in registry with the locking recess in the nipple and are in position to be expanded into said recess to lock the locking device in place in the nipple; and means on the setting tool engageable with the expanding means on the mandrel for moving said expanding means into engagement with the locking members of the locking device to expand the same into locking engagement in the locking recess in the nipple and to positively hold the same in such position; said means releasably connecting the setting tool and the mandrel of the locking device being releasable only after the locking members of the locking device have been expanded to locking engagement in the locking recess of the landing nipple; said locator and setting tool device being removable from the well flow conductor after said releasable connection between the setting tool means and the mandrel of the locking device has been released after the device has been locked in place in the nipple.

Claim 19

In combination: a subsurface well locking device having a mandrel, expansible and retractable locking members thereon and means for moving the locking members from retracted to expanded position and positively holding said locking members in such expanded position; a landing nipple having means for connecting it in a well flow conductor and having an internal annular recess in its bore wall intermediate its ends for receiving the locking members of the locking device and an annular upwardly facing locator shoulder spaced above said locking recess a predetermined distance; and a locator and setting tool device comprising: means releasably connecting the setting tool means with the mandrel of the locking device; expansible and retractable locator and stop members carried by the locator and setting tool device and movable to a position to engage the upwardly facing shoulder of the landing nipple and spaced from the means for connecting the setting tool to the mandrel of the locking device a distance such that when the locator and stop members of the locator and setting tool device are in engagement with the upwardly facing locator shoulder of the landing nipple the locking dogs are in registry with the locking recess in the nipple and are in position to be expanded into said recess to lock the locking device in place in the nipple; and means on the setting tool engageable with the expanding means on the mandrel for moving said expanding means into engagement with the locking members of the locking device to expand the same into locking engagement in the locking recess in the nipple and to positively hold the same in such position; said means releasably connecting the setting tool and the mandrel of the locking device being releasable only after the locking members of the locking device have been expanded to locking engagement in the locking recess of the landing nipple; said locator and setting tool device being removable from the well flow conductor after said releasable connection between the setting tool means and the mandrel of the locking device has been released after the device has been locked in place in the nipple.

Claim 22

A device of the character set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for connecting the setting tool subassembly to the well tool comprises: resiliently expansible and contractable detent means; expander means for holding said detent means in expanded position; and releasable means holding said detent means in engagement with said expander means and releasable to permit movement of said detent means from expanded position for releasing the setting tool subassembly from the well tool.

Claim 23

A device of the character set forth in claim 12 wherein said setting tool subassembly includes operator means for actuating said well tool for anchoring said well tool in said flow conductor while said well tool is held at said selected level in said well pipe by the engagement of said locator subassembly with said stop shoulder and before said setting tool subassembly is released from connection with said well tool after the same has been anchored in said well pipe.

Claim 24

A locating device including: an elongate mandrel; a plurality of expansible and retractable locator and stop members mounted on the mandrel for movement laterally between expanded and retracted positions on the mandrel; means for supporting said locator and stop members on the mandrel and movable longitudinally of the mandrel; expander means on the mandrel engageable by the locator and stop members to move the locator and stop means to expanded position; means resiliently holding said carrier means in position longitudinally of the mandrel to dispose the locator and stop members in engagement with the expander surface thereon, said resilient means permitting movement of said support means longitudinally of said mandrel to move said locator and stop members out of engagement with the expander means to permit the members to retract from expanded position; and restraining means on said support member and mandrel engageable to restrain movement of said support means in one longitudinal direction of said mandrel to position the locator and stop members in engagement with expander means on the mandrel, and yieldable to permit further movement of said connectors in said one direction past said expander means; and stop means on the mandrel and support means engageable upon movement of said support means in the opposite longitudinal direction on said mandrel to dispose the locator and stop members in engagement with the expander surface to prevent movement of said support means and to hold said stop members in such engagement with said expander means against movement in said opposite direction past said expander means.

Claim 25

A locating device including: an elongate mandrel; a plurality of expansible and retractable locator and stop members mounted on the mandrel for movement laterally between expanded and retracted positions on the mandrel; means for supporting said locator and stop members on the mandrel and movable longitudinally of the mandrel; expander means on the mandrel engageable by the locator and stop members to move the locator and stop means to expanded position; means resiliently holding said carrier means in position longitudinally of the mandrel to dispose the locator and stop members in engagement with the expander surface thereon, said resilient means permitting movement of said support means longitudinally of said mandrel to move said locator and stop members out of engagement with the expander means to permit the members to retract from expanded position; and restraining means on said support member and mandrel engageable to restrain movement of said support means in one longitudinal direction of said mandrel to position the locator and stop members in engagement with expander means on the mandrel, and yieldable to permit further movement of said connectors in said one direction past said expander means; and stop means on the mandrel and support means engageable upon movement of said support means in the opposite longitudinal direction on said mandrel to dispose the locator and stop members in engagement with the expander surface to prevent movement of said support means and to hold said stop members in such engagement with said expander means against movement in said opposite direction past said expander means.

Claim 26

A locating device of the character set forth in claim 15 wherein the restraining means on the support member and mandrel comprises: resilient detent means on one of said support member and said mandrel and stop means on the other of said support member and said mandrel.

Claim 27

A locating device of the character set forth in claim 15 wherein said restraining means comprises: expansible and retractable member on the mandrel and a shoulder means on the support member engageable by said expansible and contractable member; and cam means on at least one of said expansible and contractable member and said shoulder providing for camming movement of said expansible and contractable member past said shoulder in one direction, said member and said shoulder being engageable to prevent movement of said member past said shoulder in the opposite direction.

Claim 28

A locating device of the character set forth in claim 17 and frangible means limiting movement of said support means in a direction which permits camming movement of said expansible and retractable member past said shoulder, said frangible means being yieldable to permit said camming movement.

Claim 29

In combination in a well flow conductor: a plurality of landing nipples connected at longitudinally spaced positions in said well flow conductor and each having an annular locking recess therein and a stop and locating shoulder thereon spaced a predetermined longitudinal distance from said locking recess, and a locator and setting tool device adapted for use in locating and anchoring a well tool locking device having locking members thereon in a selected one of said plurality of landing nipples and comprising: a setting tool subassembly including a body having means thereon for connecting said body with the well tool locking device, and means for moving the locking members of said well tool device to anchoring engagement in the locking recess of the landing nipple; a locator and stop subassembly connected with the setting tool and including an elongate mandrel, a carrier sleeve movable on the mandrel, a plurality of locator and stop members carried by the carrier sleeve and movable therewith longitudinally of the mandrel, expander means on said mandrel engageable with said locator and stop members for moving the same to expanded positions; first resilient means on the mandrel engageable with the carrier sleeve for moving said carrier sleeve longitudinally of the mandrel in one direction to a position in which the locator and stop members are in engagement with the expander means restraining means on the mandrel and carrier sleeve yieldably coengageable to restrain movement of said sleeve in said one direction longitudinally of the mandrel past said expander means, said carrier sleeve being movable in the opposite direction on the mandrel against the force of said first resilient means to move the locator and stop members out of engagement with said expander means to permit said members to retract, whereby the locator and setting tool device may be moved through each of the landing nipples in the flow conductor, said locator and stop members engaging a downwardly facing shoulder on said landing nipple to move said carrier sleeve further in said one direction on the mandrel to pass said yieldable restraining means, whereby the locator and stop members may be moved downwardly on the mandrel below the expander means out of engagement with the expander means to move to retracted position to pass the downwardly facing shoulder, whereby the locator and setting tool device may be moved upwardly through the plurality of landing nipples to a predetermined selected one of said landing nipples to a position in which the locator and stop members of the locator and setting tool device are disposed above the upwardly facing locating and stop shoulder of said selected nipple, means on said mandrel and said supporting sleeve coengageable to stop upward movement of said supporting sleeve in said opposite direction on the mandrel at a position in which the locator and stop members are engaged with the expander means and positively held in expanded position, whereby said locator and expander members will engage said upwardly facing locator and stop shoulder of said selected nipple to position the setting tool sub-assembly with respect to the landing nipple in a position for expanding the locking members of the well tool locking device in place in the locking recess of the landing nipple, and means for releasing said means for connecting the setting tool subassembly with the well tool locking device from connection therewith only after said locking device has been anchored in place in the landing nipple.

Claim 30

In combination in a well flow conductor: a plurality of landing nipples connected at longitudinally spaced positions in said well flow conductor and each having an annular locking recess therein and a stop and locating shoulder thereon spaced a predetermined longitudinal distance from said locking recess, and a locator and setting tool device adapted for use in locating and anchoring a well tool locking device having locking members thereon in a selected one of said plurality of landing nipples and comprising: a setting tool subassembly including a body having means thereon for connecting said body with the well tool locking device, and means for moving the locking members of said well tool device to anchoring engagement in the locking recess of the landing nipple; a locator and stop subassembly connected with the setting tool and including an elongate mandrel, a carrier sleeve movable on the mandrel, a plurality of locator and stop members carried by the carrier sleeve and movable therewith longitudinally of the mandrel, expander means on said mandrel engageable with said locator and stop members for moving the same to expanded positions; first resilient means on the mandrel engageable with the carrier sleeve for moving said carrier sleeve longitudinally of the mandrel in one direction to a position in which the locator and stop members are in engagement with the expander means restraining means on the mandrel and carrier sleeve yieldably coengageable to restrain movement of said sleeve in said one direction longitudinally of the mandrel past said expander means, said carrier sleeve being movable in the opposite direction on the mandrel against the force of said first resilient means to move the locator and stop members out of engagement with said expander means to permit said members to retract, whereby the locator and setting tool device may be moved through each of the landing nipples in the flow conductor, said locator and stop members engaging a downwardly facing shoulder on said landing nipple to move said carrier sleeve further in said one direction on the mandrel to pass said yieldable restraining means, whereby the locator and stop members may be moved downwardly on the mandrel below the expander means out of engagement with the expander means to move to retracted position to pass the downwardly facing shoulder, whereby the locator and setting tool device may be moved upwardly through the plurality of landing nipples to a predetermined selected one of said landing nipples to a position in which the locator and stop members of the locator and setting tool device are disposed above the upwardly facing locating and stop shoulder of said selected nipple, means on said mandrel and said supporting sleeve coengageable to stop upward movement of said supporting sleeve in said opposite direction on the mandrel at a position in which the locator and stop members are engaged with the expander means and positively held in expanded position, whereby said locator and expander members will engage said upwardly facing locator and stop shoulder of said selected nipple to position the setting tool sub-assembly with respect to the landing nipple in a position for expanding the locking members of the well tool locking device in place in the locking recess of the landing nipple, and means for releasing said means for connecting the setting tool subassembly with the well tool locking device from connection therewith only after said locking device has been anchored in place in the landing nipple.

Claim 31

A locator device for locating the position in the well flow conductor of a plurality of longitudinally spaced upwardly facing shoulders and a plurality of longitudinally spaced downwardly facing shoulders and including: a mandrel; means on one end of said mandrel for attachment thereof to an operating means; a supporting control sleeve slidable longitudinally on said mandrel; means on said mandrel limiting the longitudinal movement of said sleeve on said mandrel; locator and stop dog means carried by said supporting control sleeve and movable radially thereof between expanded and retracted positions; and expander member on said mandrel engaGeable with said locator and stop dog means for moving said locator and stop dog means to expanded position and holding the same in expanded position; yieldable restraining means on said mandrel and said supporting control sleeve coengageable for positioning said sleeve at a first position on said mandrel wherein said locator and stop dog means are disposed in engagement with said expander means; first biasing means yieldably biasing said supporting control sleeve to said first position and yieldable to permit said sleeve to move upwardly longitudinally of said mandrel to move said locator and stop dog means to a second position on said mandrel out of engagement with said expander means; said locator and stop dog means being engageable with the upwardly facing shoulders in said flow conductor for moving said supporting control sleeve from said first position to the second position in which the dogs are permitted to retract, whereby the dogs may pass the upwardly facing shoulders in the flow conductor, after which said resilient means biasing said supporting control sleeve back to said first position on said mandrel in which the dogs are expanded, whereby the device may be moved upwardly in the flow conductor to engage a downwardly facing shoulder in the conductor to locate the position thereof; said yieldable restraining means restraining said sleeve at said first position on said mandrel while the dogs are in locating engagement with the downwardly facing shoulder; said mandrel being movable upwardly with respect to said supporting control sleeve and said dogs while said dogs are in engagement with said downwardly facing shoulder to move said supporting control sleeve to a third position on said mandrel wherein the dogs are positioned below the expander member on the mandrel in retracted position and may pass the downwardly facing shoulder and through the restriction thereabove; second biasing means on said mandrel engageable with said supporting control sleeve biasing said sleeve to a fourth position on said mandrel wherein said dogs are again disposed in engagement with said expander surface means on said mandrel and held in expanded position; and coengageable means on said mandrel and said supporting control sleeve engageable when said sleeve is in said fourth position to prevent further upward movement of said sleeve on said mandrel and positively retain said dogs in engagement with said expander surface when the tool device is moved downwardly in the flow conductor to engage the dogs with an upwardly facing shoulder in said conductor to provide a positive stop preventing further downward movement of the mandrel, sleeve and dogs in the flow conductor and locating the position of the upwardly facing shoulder in the flow conductor; said device being movable upwardly to engage the expanded dogs with other downwardly facing shoulders in the flow conductor thereabove to move the supporting control sleeve downwardly to said third position in which the dogs are disposed for retraction to pass said downwardly facing shoulder and the restriction in the conductor thereabove, said second biasing means biasing said dogs upwardly to said fourth position upon passing the restriction in the flow conductor.

Claim 32

A locator device for locating the position in the well flow conductor of a plurality of longitudinally spaced upwardly facing shoulders and a plurality of longitudinally spaced downwardly facing shoulders and including: a mandrel; means on one end of said mandrel for attachment thereof to an operating means; a supporting control sleeve slidable longitudinally on said mandrel; means on said mandrel limiting the longitudinal movement of said sleeve on said mandrel; locator and stop dog means carried by said supporting control sleeve and movable radially thereof between expanded and retracted positions; and expander member on said mandrel engaGeable with said locator and stop dog means for moving said locator and stop dog means to expanded position and holding the same in expanded position; yieldable restraining means on said mandrel and said supporting control sleeve coengageable for positioning said sleeve at a first position on said mandrel wherein said locator and stop dog means are disposed in engagement with said expander means; first biasing means yieldably biasing said supporting control sleeve to said first position and yieldable to permit said sleeve to move upwardly longitudinally of said mandrel to move said locator and stop dog means to a second position on said mandrel out of engagement with said expander means; said locator and stop dog means being engageable with the upwardly facing shoulders in said flow conductor for moving said supporting control sleeve from said first position to the second position in which the dogs are permitted to retract, whereby the dogs may pass the upwardly facing shoulders in the flow conductor, after which said resilient means biasing said supporting control sleeve back to said first position on said mandrel in which the dogs are expanded, whereby the device may be moved upwardly in the flow conductor to engage a downwardly facing shoulder in the conductor to locate the position thereof; said yieldable restraining means restraining said sleeve at said first position on said mandrel while the dogs are in locating engagement with the downwardly facing shoulder; said mandrel being movable upwardly with respect to said supporting control sleeve and said dogs while said dogs are in engagement with said downwardly facing shoulder to move said supporting control sleeve to a third position on said mandrel wherein the dogs are positioned below the expander member on the mandrel in retracted position and may pass the downwardly facing shoulder and through the restriction thereabove; second biasing means on said mandrel engageable with said supporting control sleeve biasing said sleeve to a fourth position on said mandrel wherein said dogs are again disposed in engagement with said expander surface means on said mandrel and held in expanded position; and coengageable means on said mandrel and said supporting control sleeve engageable when said sleeve is in said fourth position to prevent further upward movement of said sleeve on said mandrel and positively retain said dogs in engagement with said expander surface when the tool device is moved downwardly in the flow conductor to engage the dogs with an upwardly facing shoulder in said conductor to provide a positive stop preventing further downward movement of the mandrel, sleeve and dogs in the flow conductor and locating the position of the upwardly facing shoulder in the flow conductor; said device being movable upwardly to engage the expanded dogs with other downwardly facing shoulders in the flow conductor thereabove to move the supporting control sleeve downwardly to said third position in which the dogs are disposed for retraction to pass said downwardly facing shoulder and the restriction in the conductor thereabove, said second biasing means biasing said dogs upwardly to said fourth position upon passing the restriction in the flow conductor.

Claim 33

A well tool for use in a well flow conductor having internal annular flanges providing upper and lower stop shoulders therein, comprising: mandrel means; means on said mandrel means for attaching the same to a well string; expansible and contractable locator means on said mandrel engageable with said upper and with said lower stop shoulders in said well flow conductor; means biasing said locator means toward shoulder engaging position; and means associated with said locator means shiftable by a predetermined force applied thereto between a first position wherein said locator means will pass said stop shoulders in a downwardly direction but will lodge against said downwardly facing stop shoulders when encountering the same from below and a second position wherein said locator Means will pass said stop shoulders in an upwardly direction but will lodge against said upper stop shoulders when encountering the same from above.

Claim 34

A well tool for use in a well flow conductor having internal annular flanges providing upper and lower stop shoulders therein, comprising: mandrel means; means on said mandrel means for attaching the same to a well string; expansible and contractable locator means on said mandrel engageable with said upper and with said lower stop shoulders in said well flow conductor; means biasing said locator means toward shoulder engaging position; and means associated with said locator means shiftable by a predetermined force applied thereto between a first position wherein said locator means will pass said stop shoulders in a downwardly direction but will lodge against said downwardly facing stop shoulders when encountering the same from below and a second position wherein said locator Means will pass said stop shoulders in an upwardly direction but will lodge against said upper stop shoulders when encountering the same from above.

Claim 35

A well tool for use in a well flow conductor having an internal flange providing upper and lower stop shoulders comprising: an elongate mandrel; means at the upper end of said mandrel for connecting it to a well tool string; a sleeve disposed about said mandrel and adapted for movement between upper, intermediate, and lower positions and having window means through the wall thereof; dog means disposed in said window means adapted for movement between an inner retracted position wherein they will not interfere with said internal flange of said flow conductor and an expanded position wherein they will lodge against said internal flange; expander means on said mandrel for moving said dog means to expanded position upon movement of said sleeve to said intermediate position; means carried by said mandrel biasing said sleeve towards said intermediate position; means on said sleeve and said mandrel releasably coengageable to limit movement of said sleeve between upper and intermediate positions; said releasable means being releasable upon application of a predetermined longitudinal force thereto to move said sleeve to said lower position, said releasable means then limiting the movement of said sleeve between intermediate and lower positions.

Claim 36

A well tool for use in a well flow conductor having an internal flange providing upper and lower stop shoulders comprising: an elongate mandrel; means at the upper end of said mandrel for connecting it to a well tool string; a sleeve disposed about said mandrel and adapted for movement between upper, intermediate, and lower positions and having window means through the wall thereof; dog means disposed in said window means adapted for movement between an inner retracted position wherein they will not interfere with said internal flange of said flow conductor and an expanded position wherein they will lodge against said internal flange; expander means on said mandrel for moving said dog means to expanded position upon movement of said sleeve to said intermediate position; means carried by said mandrel biasing said sleeve towards said intermediate position; means on said sleeve and said mandrel releasably coengageable to limit movement of said sleeve between upper and intermediate positions; said releasable means being releasable upon application of a predetermined longitudinal force thereto to move said sleeve to said lower position, said releasable means then limiting the movement of said sleeve between intermediate and lower positions.

Claim 37

A locator and setting device for releasably anchoring a well tool in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced substantially identical landing nipples in a well flow conductor each having a locking recess therein and an upwardly facing stop shoulder thereon spaced from said locking recess, said device comprising: a setting tool subassembly having means for connecting the same to said well tool; a locator subassembly connected with the setting tool subassembly for engaging said upwardly facing stop shoulder of any selected one of said landing nipples in said well flow conductor for positioning the setting tool subassembly in position for anchoring said well tool in said locking recess of said selected landing nipple; and connector means on the setting tool subassembly having means for releasably connecting the same to said well tool to support said well tool and releasable from such connection with said well tool after the well tool has been anchored in the selected landing nipple.

Claim 38

A locator and setting device for releasably anchoring a well tool in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced substantially identical landing nipples in a well flow conductor each having a locking recess therein and an upwardly facing stop shoulder thereon spaced from said locking recess, said device comprising: a setting tool subassembly having means for connecting the same to said well tool; a locator subassembly connected with the setting tool subassembly for engaging said upwardly facing stop shoulder of any selected one of said landing nipples in said well flow conductor for positioning the setting tool subassembly in position for anchoring said well tool in said locking recess of said selected landing nipple; and connector means on the setting tool subassembly having means for releasably connecting the same to said well tool to support said well tool and releasable from such connection with said well tool after the well tool has been anchored in the selected landing nipple.

Claim 39

A device of the character set forth in claim 23 wherein said setting tool subassembly includes: means for anchoring said well tool in said selected landing nipple while said well tool is held in registry with the locking recess in said selected landing nipple by said locator subassembly and before the said setting tool subassembly is disconnected from said well tool after said well tool has been anchored in said selected landing nipple.