Gripping apparatus and associated methods of manufacturing

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a gripping element can include depositing a gripping element material, and thereby gradually building up the gripping element and forming a gripping surface thereon, the gripping surface being configured to grippingly engage a well surface. A gripping system can include at least one extendable gripping element configured to grip a well surface, and the gripping element including a gripping element material enclosing one or more voids in the gripping element. Another gripping system can include at least one extendable gripping element having a gripping surface configured to grip a well surface, and the gripping element including at least two gripping element materials deposited to form the gripping element. Properties or characteristics may gradually change or vary from one gripping element material to another gripping element material in the gripping element. The gripping element materials may each include the same basic matrix material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.