Measuring inflatable packer expansion and wellbore deformation
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsPierre Clery, Hugues Dupont, Henri-Pierre Valero, Pierre-Yves Corre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inflatable packer assembly that includes opposing end fittings by which the inflatable packer assembly is installable within a downhole tool string. An inflatable body coupled between the end fittings has an external groove. An elongation sensor is fixed in the external groove. The elongation sensor includes a capacitive element that whose capacitance varies based on elongation of the elongation sensor in response to inflation of the inflatable body.
Claims20
An inflatable packer assembly comprising:
- opposing end fittings by which the inflatable packer assembly is installable within a downhole tool string;
- an inflatable body coupled between the end fittings and having an external groove, wherein the external groove extends circumferentially around the inflatable body;
- and
- an elongation sensor fixed in the external groove, wherein the elongation sensor comprises a capacitive element whose capacitance varies based on elongation of the elongation sensor in response to inflation of the inflatable body.
An inflatable packer assembly comprising:
- opposing end fittings by which the inflatable packer assembly is installable within a downhole tool string;
- an inflatable body coupled between the end fittings and having an external groove;
- an elongation sensor fixed in the external groove, wherein the elongation sensor comprises a capacitive element whose capacitance varies based on elongation of the elongation sensor in response to inflation of the inflatable body;
- and
- an elastomeric sleeve surrounding the inflatable body, the elongation sensor, and at least a portion of each end fitting.
An inflatable packer assembly comprising:
- opposing end fittings by which the inflatable packer assembly is installable within a downhole tool string;
- an inflatable body coupled between the end fittings and having an external groove;
- and
- an elongation sensor fixed in the external groove, wherein the elongation sensor comprises a capacitive element whose capacitance varies based on elongation of the elongation sensor in response to inflation of the inflatable body, and wherein the elongation sensor is one of a plurality of elongation sensors each fixed in the external groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.