Downhole formation testing and sampling apparatus

A formation tester for testing or sampling formation fluids in a wellbore, the formation tester comprising:

• a plurality of elongated sealing pads, each comprising:
• at least one inlet to establish fluid communication between the formation and an interior of the tester;
• an outer surface to seal along an inner surface of the wellbore;
• and
• at least one elongated recess to establish fluid flow from the formation to the at least one inlet;
• and
• an actuator, comprising:
• at least one flexible member to which at least one of the elongated sealing pads is coupled;
• and
• at least one ram actuable to curve the flexible member outward toward the wellbore so that:
• the outer surface of the at least one of the elongated sealing pads seals a region along the inner surface of the wellbore;
• the at least one elongated recess of the at least one of the elongated sealing pads establishes fluid flow from the formation to the at least one inlet;
• and
• the at least one inlet of the at least one of the elongated sealing pads establishes fluid communication between the formation and the interior of the tester.

A formation tester for testing or sampling formation fluids in a wellbore, the tester comprising:

• a plurality of elongated sealing pads having at least one inlet establishing fluid communication between the formation and the interior of the tester, each sealing pad of the plurality of elongated sealing pads having an outer surface to seal a region along a surface of the wellbore and having at least one elongated recess to establish fluid flow from the formation to the at least one inlet;
• an actuator having at least one flexible member, the plurality of elongated sealing pads coupled to the actuator;
• and
• at least one hydraulic ram coupled to the actuator;
• wherein the flexible member comprises opposing first and second ends, and a plurality of interwoven bands;
• and
• wherein the at least one ram comprises first and second rams coupled to the first and second ends, respectively, to move the first and second ends closer together so that the elongated sealing pad extends away from the tester toward the formation, and to move the first and second ends farther apart so that the elongated sealing pad is retracted away from the formation.