Patent · US Expired

Non-extruding inflatable packer assembly

US4349204A · kind A · utility

111Cited by
6References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 1981
Grant dateSep 14, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 29, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16J15/46
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An extrusion resistant expansible element for use as a sealing element or packer in a subterranean well bore. The expansible element comprises an inner elastomeric sleeve to which fluid pressure is internally applied to produce the expansion forces. The internal sleeve is surrounded by an annular array of elongated reinforcing slats formed of a relatively rigid, yet deformable material such as metal or a plastic filled with reinforcing material such as fiber glass. The medial portion of the reinforcing slats is surrounded by an outer elastomeric sleeve which effects the primary seal with the well bore when the internal elastomeric sleeve is expanded through the application of fluid pressure. Those portions of the reinforcing slats adjacent to each end of the outer elastomeric sleeve are deformed into frictional abutting engagement with the well bore, thus providing securement against any axial displacement or extrusion of the outer elastomeric sleeve due to cold flow under the long applied pressure, or excessive fluid pressure or temperatures encountered in the well bore. In a modification, the elongated reinforcing slats are individually coated with an elastomeric material to impr…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.