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US 12,624,636 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for contacting an open hole surface
AssigneeExpro North Sea Limited
InventorSamuel Keith Taylor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for contacting an open hole surface are provided. The apparatus includes an expandable portion surrounded by a contact portion configured to contact an open hole surface. The method includes expanding an expandable portion surrounded by a contact portion to create contact between the contact portion and an open hole surface.
Claims6
An apparatus for contacting an open hole surface within a subterranean extending well, the apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable bladder;
- and
- an electrically conductive sleeve;
- wherein the electrically conductive sleeve is disposed radially outside of the inflatable bladder and circumferentially surrounds the inflatable bladder;
- wherein the apparatus is configured to be disposed in a rest state with the inflatable bladder disposed at a first diameter or in an expanded state with the inflatable bladder disposed at a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter;
- wherein in the expanded state the apparatus is configured to create electrical contact between the electrically conductive sleeve and the open hole surface of the subterranean extending well for electrical conduction of electrical signals to and from the open hole surface of the subterranean extending well.
3 more elements
A method for contacting an open hole surface within a subterranean extending well, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus comprising an inflatable bladder and an electrically conductive sleeve, wherein the electrically conductive sleeve is disposed radially outside of the inflatable bladder and circumferentially surrounds the inflatable bladder, and wherein the apparatus is configured to be disposed in a rest state with the inflatable bladder disposed at a first diameter or in an expanded state with the inflatable bladder disposed at a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter;
- disposing the apparatus in the rest state within a subterranean extending well at a position contiguous with an open hole surface of the subterranean extending well
- creating electrical contact between the electrically conductive sleeve of the apparatus and the open hole surface by expanding the apparatus from the rest state to the expanded state;
- and
- transmitting electrical signals to the open hole surface through the electrically conductive sleeve, or receiving electrical signals from the open hole surface through the electrically conductive sleeve, or both.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.