Abstract: An embodiment of a gripping arrangement includes a mandrel having an axially extending groove therein, a first slip ring about the mandrel, a first cone about the mandrel spaced from the first slip ring, and a key engaged with the groove such that the key is axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to the mandrel. The key is disposed to maintain the spacing between the first slip ring and the first cone. The gripping arrangement also includes a release feature releasably interconnected with the key and method.

Abstract: A degradable seat arrangement consisting of a pusher; a cone having a tapered face; and a seal having a seal deformation face configured to contact the tapered face. A method for creating a seat in a borehole.

Abstract: In one aspect, a degradable apparatus is disclosed, including: an inner core with a first degradation rate in a downhole environment; an outer sheath disposed around an outer extent of the inner core with a second degradation rate less than the first degradation rate in the downhole environment. In another aspect, a method of temporarily sealing a downhole zone is disclosed, including: providing an inner core with a first degradation rate in a downhole environment; providing an outer sheath disposed around an outer extent of the inner core with a second degradation rate less than the first degradation rate in the downhole environment; sealing the downhole zone with the outer sheath; exposing the outer sheath to the downhole environment; and exposing the inner core to the downhole environment.

Abstract: A vegetation trimmer with a hub and spool assembly has a cutting filament wound around the spool. The free end of the filament extends through an aperture in the hub into the cutting plane. The hub and spool are rotated at a high rate to allow the filament to cut vegetation. The spool includes a plurality of arms which engage with arms on the hub. When the spool is acted upon, the arms on the spool disengage with the arms on the hub to permit relative rotation of the spool to the hub to feed additional filament into the cutting plane. An indexing feature is used to regulate the amount of additional cutting filament that is allowed to be fed into the cutting plane. The arms on the hub selectively engage with the arms on the spool to limit the axial movement between the spool and the hub. Quick removal is permitted when the spool is rotated relative to the hub and spool assembly, and the arms on the hub no longer limit the axial movement of the spool, and the spool is removed from the hub and spool assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, degradable material is disclosed, including: a polyurethane component with a first degradation rate in a downhole environment; and a corrosive additive component with a second degradation rate that is higher than a first degradation rate in the downhole environment. In another aspect, a method of temporarily sealing a downhole zone is disclosed, including: providing a polyurethane component with a first degradation rate in a downhole environment; providing a corrosive additive component with a second degradation rate that is higher than a first degradation rate in the downhole environment; mixing the polyurethane component and the corrosive additive component to form a degradable material; sealing the downhole zone with the degradable material; exposing the degradable material to the downhole environment; and degrading the degradable material.

Abstract: In one aspect, a degradable apparatus is disclosed, including: an inner core with a first degradation rate in a downhole environment; an outer sheath disposed around an outer extent of the inner core with a second degradation rate less than the first degradation rate in the downhole environment. In another aspect, a method of temporarily sealing a downhole zone is disclosed, including: providing an inner core with a first degradation rate in a downhole environment; providing an outer sheath disposed around an outer extent of the inner core with a second degradation rate less than the first degradation rate in the downhole environment; sealing the downhole zone with the outer sheath; exposing the outer sheath to the downhole environment; and exposing the inner core to the downhole environment.

Abstract: A vegetation trimmer with a filament enclosure has cutting filament stored inside the filament enclosure. The free end of the cutting filament extends through a portal in the filament enclosure into the cutting plane. The filament enclosure is rotated at a high rate to allow the cutting filament to cut vegetation. Additional portals in the filament enclosure provide air circulation to the cutting filament stored inside the filament enclosure to prevent heating of the cutting filament during use.

Abstract: A degradable seat arrangement consisting of a pusher; a cone having a tapered face; and a seal having a seal deformation face configured to contact the tapered face. A method for creating a seat in a borehole.

Abstract: A packer arrangement for forming a seal between an inner tubular string and an outer tubular string in a borehole includes: an outer tubular string member defining an axial flowbore and having an associated packer setting mechanism; a packer device disposed at least partially within the outer tubular string member to form a seal against an inner tubular string, the packer device including a degradable layer for temporarily and at least partially protecting the packer device; an inner tubular string member to be disposed within the flowbore of the outer tubular string member; and an actuator carried on the inner tubular string member, the actuator being operable to actuate the packer setting mechanism to set the packer device against the inner tubular string.

Abstract: A packer arrangement for forming a seal between an inner member and an outer tubular string in a borehole includes an outer tubular string member having a chamber portion; and a packer device disposed at least partially within the chamber portion and including a sealing element for forming a seal against an inner member, the packer device including a degradable layer, the degradable layer temporarily and at least partially protecting the sealing element and method of establishing a seal.

Abstract: A packer device includes a central packer mandrel and radially surrounding expansion mandrel that carries a suitable engagement profile for engaging the surrounding casing or other tubular member. A material chamber is defined between the expansion mandrel and the packer mandrel and is filled with a filler material. In currently preferred embodiments, the filler material comprises a pliable solid, a gel or colloid, or a liquid. A setting mechanism radially expands the expansion mandrel so that the engagement profile of the expansion mandrel is brought into engagement with the surrounding tubular.

Abstract: A packer device includes a central packer mandrel and a radially surrounding expansion mandrel. At least one slip mandrel carrying wickers surrounds the expansion mandrel and is secured in place upon the expansion mandrel by an annular retaining ring. The slip mandrel is secured to the retaining ring by screw connectors that pass through the slip mandrel and into retainer segments. The retaining ring is clamped between the slip mandrel and segments. Additionally, the packer device carries a fluid seal that is made up of a thermoplastic material with elastomeric energizing elements.

Abstract: A packer device includes a central packer mandrel and a radially surrounding expansion mandrel that can expand radially. At least one slip mandrel carrying wickers surrounds the expansion mandrel and a plurality of axial slots are disposed within the slip mandrel.

Abstract: An expandable packer or anchor is disclosed. It features a gripping device integral to or mounted in a sleeve over the mandrel. Upon expansion, a sealing element engages an outer tubular and the gripping device, such as wickers on slips, preferably digs into the outer tubular. The expansion is preferably by pressure and can incorporate pressure intensifiers delivered by slick line or wire line. Release is accomplished by a release tool, which is delivered on slick line or wire line. It stretches the anchor or packer longitudinally, getting it to retract radially, for release. The release tool can be combined with packers or anchors that have a thin walled feature in the mandrel, to release by pulling the mandrel apart.

Abstract: An expandable packer or anchor is disclosed. It features a gripping device integral to or mounted in a sleeve over the mandrel and mating undulating surfaces to help maintain grip under changing load conditions. Upon expansion, pressure on a sealing element is enhanced by nodes to increase internal pressure as it engages an outer tubular. Adjacent retaining rings limit extrusion and enhance grip. A gripping device, such as wickers on slips, preferably digs into the outer tubular. The expansion is preferably by pressure and can incorporate pressure intensifiers delivered by slick line or wire line. Release is accomplished by a release tool, which is delivered on slick line or wire line. It stretches the anchor or packer longitudinally, getting it to retract radially, for release. The release tool can be combined with packers or anchors that have a thin walled feature in the mandrel, to release by pulling the mandrel apart.

Abstract: An expandable packer or anchor is disclosed. It features a gripping device integral to or mounted in a sleeve over the mandrel. Upon expansion, a sealing element engages an outer tubular and the gripping device, such as wickers on slips, preferably digs into the outer tubular. The expansion is preferably by pressure and can incorporate pressure intensifiers delivered by slick line or wire line. Release is accomplished by a release tool, which is delivered on slick line or wire line. It stretches the anchor or packer longitudinally, getting it to retract radially, for release. The release tool can be combined with packers or anchors that have a thin walled feature in the mandrel, to release by pulling the mandrel apart.

Abstract: A retractable sling assembly for mounting to coaster-type vehicles including an enclosure adapted for carrying a storage member within, said storage member arrayed for winding and holding a selected portion of a flexible sling thereon, said flexible sling having a free end to which an attaching member is secured; and a connecting member mounted to the vehicle for engaging the attaching member thereby holding the flexible sling in a more or less extended condition as and when desired.