Well tool

Abstract

A well tool and more particularly a hanger assembly having an improved design for more effectively, reliably and economically hanging a liner or other well equipment in a well casing or the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A well tool for suspending well equipment in a well, the well tool comprising: an elongated hanger mandrel;   a plurality of cones axially spaced on said mandrel;   a plurality of sets of slips axially spaced around said mandrel, each set of slips including a plurality of slips circumferentially spaced around said mandrel and positioned with respect to a different one of said cones to engage said one cone upon relative axial movement between the set of slips and the cone;   a plurality of elongated slip reins circumferentially spaced around said mandrel for controlling alignment of said slips during relative axial movement between the .[.set.]. .Iadd.sets .Iaddend.of slips and the cones, each slip rein being secured to .[.a of slip from a.]. .Iadd.one slip of each set of said .Iaddend.plurality of .[.said.]. sets of slips and each slip rein controlling the alignment of each slip to which it is secured.   
     
     
       2. A well tool as specified in claim 1 wherein relative axial movement between said slips and an associated cone produces radial outward movement of said slips. 
     
     
       3. A well tool as specified in claim 1 wherein said reins move radially with respect to said mandrel during relative movement between said slips and said cones and extend substantially parallel to the axis of said mandrel during the entire extent of relative movement between said slips and said cones. 
     
     
       4. A well tool as specified in claim 1 additionally comprising actuator means connected to said reins for producing relative axial movement between said slips and said cones. 
     
     
       5. A well tool as specified in claim 1 wherein said cones are fixed relative to said mandrel and said sets of slips are movable with respect to said mandrel. 
     
     
       6. A well tool as specified in claim 1 wherein each slip set includes a plurality of slips circumferentially and equally spaced around said mandrel, and a slip from one slip set being aligned with a respective slip from each of the other slip sets along a slip axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel. 
     
     
       7. A well tool as specified in claim 6 wherein said reins have longitudinal axes coinciding with respective ones of said slip axes. 
     
     
       8. A well tool for suspending well equipment in a well, the well tool comprising: an elongated hanger mandrel;   a plurality of cones axially spaced on said mandrel;   a plurality of sets of slips axially spaced around said mandrel, each set of slips including a plurality of slips circumferentially spaced around said mandrel and each set of slips being positioned with respect to a different one of said cones and adapted to engage said one cone upon relative movement between the set of slips and the cone;   a plurality of elongated slip reins circumferentially spaced around said mandrel, each slip rein being secured to .[.a.]. .Iadd.one .Iaddend.slip .[.from a plurality.]. .Iadd.of at least two sets .Iaddend.of said sets of slips;   annular rein housing means on said mandrel in communication with said reins; and   spring means associated with said annular rein housing means for urging said reins radially inwardly with respect to said mandrel.   
     
     
       9. A well tool as specified in claim 8 wherein said rein housing means is slidable with respect to said mandrel and movable in an axial direction with said reins. 
     
     
       10. A well tool as specified in claim 8 wherein said rein housing means is fixed to said mandrel and a portion of each of said reins moves axially within said housing means. 
     
     
       11. A well tool for supporting well equipment in a well, the well tool comprising: an elongated hanger mandrel;   at least one tapered cone on said mandrel;   at least one set of slips spaced around said mandrel, including a plurality of slips circumferentially spaced around said mandrel and positioned to engage said cone upon relative axial movement between the set of slips and the cone;   elongated rein means for supporting each slip around said mandrel, said rein means extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel during the entire extent of relative axial movement between the set of slips and the cone and extending beyond both axial limits of said set of slips;   annular rein housing means on said mandrel and in communication with one axial end portion of said rein means;   spring means in said housing means for urging said rein means radially inwardly with respect to said mandrel.   
     
     
       12. A well tool as specified in claim 11 additionally comprising actuator means on said mandrel connected to the other axial end portion of said rein means for axially moving said rein means and the slips connected thereto with respect to said cone. 
     
     
       13. A well tool for suspending well equipment in a well, the well tool comprising: an elongated hanger mandrel;   at least one tapered cone on said mandrel;   at least one set of slips including a plurality of slips circumferentially spaced around said mandrel and positioned to engage said cone upon relative axial movement between said set of slips and said cone;   elongated rein means for supporting each slip around said mandrel, said rein means movable radially outwardly with respect to said mandrel and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel during the entire extent of relative axial movement between the set of slips and the cone.   
     
     
       14. A well tool as specified in claim 13 additionally comprising: at least one other tapered cone on said mandrel and axially spaced from said first mentioned cone;   at least one other set of slips on said mandrel and axially spaced from said first mentioned set of slips including a plurality of slips circumferentially spaced around said mandrel and positioned relative to said other cone for engagement therewith upon relative axial movement between said other set of slips and said other cone;   said rein means supporting said other set of slips and including a plurality of elongated reins, each elongated rein being secured to .[.a.]. .Iadd.one .Iaddend.slip .[.from.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.each of said sets of slips.   
     
     
       15. The well tool of claim 13 wherein: said cone includes axial slot means therein; and   said rein means extend through said slot means, extend beyond the axial limits of said cone, are constrained to move in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said mandrel by said slot means, and are allowed to move radially with respect to said mandrel by said slot means.