Tool Having an Integral Premature Deployment Guard

Abstract

A downhole tool for preventing flow within a portion of an oil/gas well includes a mechanism for preventing premature deployment of portions of the tool. The bottom portion of the tool is configured to insure flow through the tool from a zone below the tool after certain processes have been completed within the well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A downhole tool comprising;
 a) a mandrel,   b) an annular seal surrounding the mandrel,   c) an annular ramp mounted on the mandrel,   d) a plurality of slips surrounding the mandrel,   e) a stationary bottom sub fixed to the mandrel,   f) means positioned between the slips and a mating component of the tool for preventing premature deployment of the slips.   
     
     
         2 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  wherein the ramp includes an inclined surface adapted to engage an inclined surface on the slips. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  further including a setting ring mounted on the mandrel. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  wherein a rear face of the bottom sub includes a plurality of planar beveled surfaces having different surface areas. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole tool of  claim 4  wherein the mandrel and the bottom sub have an axial flow passage. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole tool of  claim 5  wherein the beveled planar surfaces have notches formed therein that communicate with the axial flow passage of the mandrel. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole tool of  claim 6  wherein the total flow area of the notches is equivalent to or greater than the flow area of the axial flow of the mandrel. 
     
     
         8 . The downhole tool of  claim 7  wherein the flow area passages begin at the bottom of the central fluid passage located at the bottom of the mandrel at the point of entrance at a lower end of the mandrel. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly for preventing premature deployment of an element of a downhole tool comprising;
 a) a first member adapted to be fixedly attached to the downhole tool, said first member including rib,   b) a second member adapted to move relative to the first member, said second member having a slot which receives the rib of the first member when the tool is in a non-deployed condition.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the rib is an annular rib on a front surface of the first member. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9  including a plurality of second members forming an annular array. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 10  further including a mandrel and a slip ring which together with the first member restrict radial movement of the plurality of second members. 
     
     
         13 . A bottom sub for a downhole tool comprising a body having an axial flow path and a downhole surface, the downhole surface including a plurality of beveled planar surfaces having different surface areas. 
     
     
         14 . The bottom sub of  claim 13  wherein the planar surfaces have grooves formed wherein that communicate with the axial flow path. 
     
     
         15 . The bottom sub of  claim 13  wherein the total flow area of the grooves are equivalent to or greater than the flow area of the axial flow path. 
     
     
         16 . The bottom sub of  claim 13  wherein the beveled planar surface are constructed of two or more cuts a body that are not symmetrical along a longitudinal axis of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         17 . The bottom sub of  claim 13  wherein the beveled planar surfaces are not mirrored about a dividing plane.