# US 10,370,934 B2 · Systems and methods for an expandable packer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,934 B2 - Document ID: US10370934B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/519,707 - Filed: 2015-10-09 - Published: 2017-08-31 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-31 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre; Rania El Fadil - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370934B2 ## CPC - E21B 33/1285: {by fluid pressure} - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B 33/127: with inflatable sleeve (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) - E21B 47/117: Detecting leaks, e.g. from tubing, by pressure testing - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 33/122: Multiple string packers - E21B 49/08: Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a system that includes a downhole packer assembly that includes an outer skin having a first axial length and an inner packer having a second axial length greater than the first axial length. The inner packer is disposed within the outer skin such that inflation of the inner packer causes the outer skin to expand. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A downhole packer assembly, comprising: an outer skin having a first axial length; an inner packer having a second axial length greater than the first axial length, wherein the inner packer is disposed within the outer skin such that inflation of the inner packer causes the outer skin to expand; and a plurality of flowlines, wherein a first portion of each of the plurality of flowlines is at least partially embedded within the outer skin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The downhole packer assembly of claim 1, wherein a first outer surface area of the outer skin is less than a second outer surface area of the inner packer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The downhole packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer skin has the first axial length at a first circumferential location, the outer skin has an overall axial length at a second circumferential location, and the overall axial length is greater than the first axial length. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The downhole packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer skin comprises a cutout area that exposes a portion of the inner packer when the inner packer is disposed within the outer skin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The downhole packer assembly of claim 1, wherein upon inflation of the inner packer, the outer skin is configured to seal against walls of a wellbore, and at least a portion of the inner packer is configured to contact the walls of the wellbore. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The downhole packer assembly of claim 1, comprising a plurality of protectors configured to at least partially cover a second portion of each of the plurality of flowlines not embedded within the outer skin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The downhole packer assembly of claim 6, wherein upon inflation of the inner packer, the plurality of protectors and at least a portion of the inner packer not covered by the outer skin are configured to contact walls of a wellbore. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The downhole packer assembly of claim 1, comprising an articulated protector configured to at least partially cover a second portion of each of the plurality of flowlines not embedded within the outer skin, the articulated protector comprising a plurality of links coupled to one another and the plurality of flowlines. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The downhole packer assembly of claim 8, wherein upon inflation of the inner packer, the articulated protector is configured to expand, contact walls of a wellbore, and block the inner packer from contact with walls of the wellbore. ### Claim 10 A method, comprising: providing a packer assembly having an inner packer disposed within an outer skin, wherein a first axial length of the outer skin is less than a second axial length of the inner packer; providing the packer assembly with a plurality of flowlines, wherein a first portion of each of the plurality of flowlines is at least partially embedded within the outer skin; positioning the packer assembly in a wellbore; and inflating the inner packer until the outer skin seals against walls of the wellbore. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, comprising: providing the packer assembly with a plurality of protectors configured to at least partially cover a second portion of each of the plurality of flowlines; and inflating the inner packer until the outer skin seals against walls of the wellbore, and the plurality of protectors and at least a portion of the inner packer not covered by the outer skin contact walls of the wellbore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, comprising: providing the packer assembly with an articulated protector configured to at least partially cover a second portion of each of the plurality of flowlines; and inflating the inner packer until the outer skin seals against walls of the wellbore, and the articulated protector expands, contacts walls of a wellbore, and blocks the inner packer from contact with walls of the wellbore. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein expanding the articulated protector comprises moving each of a plurality of links of the articulated protector circumferentially away from one another.