Drag block assembly with no external fasteners
Embodiments of a downhole fastening method and apparatus are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, apparatus for use in a downhole environment comprises a sleeve, the sleeve including a plurality of longitudinal receiving slots in an external surface thereof; a plurality of drag blocks positioned within the longitudinal receiving slots, each drag block including an activation element for biasing the drag block radially outward and gripping elements for engaging a wellbore casing; and a retention element positioned at an uphole end of the sleeve and configured to maintain the plurality of drag blocks engaged in the plurality of longitudinal receiving slots.
1 . An apparatus for use in a downhole environment, comprising:
a sleeve, the sleeve including a plurality of longitudinal receiving slots in an external surface thereof, wherein the longitudinal receiving slots extend from an uphole end of the sleeve;
a plurality of drag blocks positioned within the longitudinal receiving slots, each drag block including an activation element for biasing the drag block radially outward and gripping elements for engaging a wellbore casing; and
a retention element positioned at the uphole end of the sleeve, the retention element including a split ring positioned in a first groove of the sleeve proximate to an uphole end of each of the longitudinal receiving slots, the retention element configured to retain each drag block in a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal receiving slots.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drag blocks have a male T-shaped foot at each end.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the longitudinal receiving slots have a female T-shape configured to receive the male T-shaped foot of the drag block.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the retention element further includes a retainer and a retaining ring, wherein the retaining ring secures the retainer to the split ring.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the retention element further includes a retainer and a retaining ring, the retainer holding the split ring in place, the retaining ring positioned into a second groove at the uphole end of the sleeve to secure the retainer.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the split ring is configured to bear a primary load encountered by the plurality of drag blocks.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the sleeve further includes a third groove in an uphole end of the sleeve, the third groove for receiving and fastening another downhole component with the apparatus.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the activation element is a spring.
9 . A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
a downhole tool;
a drag block assembly coupled with the downhole tool, the drag block assembly comprising:
a sleeve, the sleeve including a plurality of longitudinal receiving slots in an external surface thereof, wherein the longitudinal receiving slots extend from an uphole end of the sleeve;
a plurality of drag blocks positioned within the longitudinal receiving slots, each drag block including an activation element for biasing the drag block radially outward; and
a retention element positioned at an uphole end of the sleeve, the retention element including a split ring positioned in a first groove of the sleeve proximate to an uphole end of each of the longitudinal receiving slots, the retention element configured to retain each drag block in a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal receiving slots.
10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the retention element further includes a retaining ring.
11 . The system according to claim 10 , wherein the retention element further includes a retainer for retaining the split ring, and wherein the retaining ring is positioned into a second groove at the uphole end of the sleeve.
12 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the sleeve further includes a third groove in an uphole end for receiving and fastening the downhole tool with the drag block assembly.
13 . The system according to claim 10 , wherein the split ring is configured to bear a primary load encountered by the plurality of drag blocks.
14 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the activation element is a spring.
15 . A method for fastening a component in a downhole system, comprising:
positioning a plurality of drag blocks onto a sleeve, wherein the sleeve comprises a first groove and a plurality of longitudinal receiving slots downhole of the first groove on an external surface of the sleeve, wherein the longitudinal receiving slots extend from an uphole end of the sleeve, and wherein each drag block includes an activation element for biasing the drag block radially outward;
sliding each of the plurality of drag blocks into an uphole end of a respective one of the longitudinal receiving slots; and
securing the drag blocks with a retention element, the retention element including a split ring, wherein securing includes installing the split ring into the first groove to secure the drag blocks in their respective longitudinal receiving slots.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the drag blocks have a male T-shaped foot at each end and the longitudinal receiving slots have a female T-shape configured to receive the male T-shaped feet of the drag blocks.
17 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the retention element further includes, a retaining ring and a retainer, and wherein securing the drag blocks with the retention element includes:
placing the retaining ring in a second groove; and
positioning the retainer adjacent the retaining ring and the split ring, the retainer, when positioned, holding the split ring in place.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , further comprising coupling a downhole tool with the sleeve, wherein the downhole tool engages into a third groove in the uphole end of the sleeve.
19 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the split ring is configured to bear a primary load encountered by the drag blocks.