Patent ID: 7753131
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A high temperature packer supported on a tubular string in a well, comprising: a packer mandrel; an elastomeric packer body positioned circumferentially about the mandrel and radially expandable to seal the annulus about the packer mandrel; an upper packer head positioned about the mandrel and secured to an upper end of the packer body; a lower packer head positioned about the mandrel and secured to a lower end of the packer body; a connector for axially interconnecting at least one of the upper packer head and the lower packer head to the packer mandrel, the connector comprising a radially outwardly biased C-ring which is radially inwardly compressed for axially securing the packer head to the mandrel; and a temperature responsive member for maintaining the connector in position to secure the packer head to the mandrel until the temperature in the well rises to a level such that the temperature responsive member yields to allow the connector to release the radially outwardly biased C-ring to disconnect the packer head from the mandrel, the temperature responsive member connecting ends of the C-ring in a radially compressed C-ring position, and yielding to release the ends of the C-ring to move circumferentially apart to a radially expanded C-ring position, thereby disengaging the C-ring from the mandrel to allow the head to remain stationary while the mandrel expands and contracts axially with temperature changes.