# US 2016/0258245 A1 · Packer Assembly with Thermal Expansion Buffers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258245 A1 - Document ID: US20160258245A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/655,321 - Filed: 2014-05-29 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-29 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Shanu Thottungal Eldho - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258245A1 ## CPC - E21B 33/128: with a member expanded radially by axial pressure (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) - E21B 23/06: for setting packers - E21B 29/00: Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming of pipes in boreholes or wells; Reconditioning of well casings while in the ground - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B 33/129: with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) - E21B 33/1293: {with means for anchoring against downward and upward movement (E21B33/1291, E21B33/1295 take precedence)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Systems, methods, and apparatuses for accommodating thermal expansion in a tool string are disclosed. Exemplary systems include one or more sacrificial members placed between or adjacent elements of the tool string that are expected to expand when subjected to high temperatures. The sacrificial members are configured to destruct upon exposure to a control signal or a critical temperature or load. Destruction of the sacrificial members provides additional clearance for adjacent elements to expand. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A packer assembly comprising: a slip assembly having a cammed surface; an actuator subassembly having a cammed actuation surface that engages the cammed surface of the slip assembly to actuate the slip assembly; and a sacrificial member disposed between the cammed surface of the slip assembly and the cammed actuation surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the sacrificial member has a linear thickness that is approximately equivalent to a linear displacement resulting from thermal expansion of the cammed surface of the slip assembly and the actuator subassembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the slip assembly further comprises a second cammed surface, and wherein the packer assembly further comprises: a stationary cammed surface that engages the second stationary cammed surface upon actuation of the slip assembly; and a second sacrificial member disposed between the second cammed surface and the stationary cammed surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The packer assembly of claim 3, wherein the second sacrificial member has a linear thickness that is approximately equivalent to a linear displacement resulting from thermal expansion of the second cammed surface of the slip assembly and the stationary cammed surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the sacrificial member comprises a dissolvable material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the sacrificial member comprises a collapsible chamber having a hydraulic fluid and a dissolvable plug. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the sacrificial member comprises a thermoplastic. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the sacrificial member comprises at least one reactive material, wherein the reactive material becomes reactive at temperatures above or equal to approximately 400° F. ### Claim 9 A packer assembly comprising: an expandable sealing element; a compressive actuator that compresses the expandable sealing element to actuate the packer assembly; and a sacrificial member disposed between the expandable sealing element and the compressive actuator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The packer assembly of claim 9, wherein the sacrificial member has a linear thickness that is approximately equivalent to a linear displacement resulting from thermal expansion of the packer assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The packer assembly of claim 9, wherein the sacrificial member comprises a dissolvable material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The packer assembly of claim 9, wherein the sacrificial member comprises a collapsible chamber having a hydraulic fluid and a dissolvable plug. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The packer assembly of claim 9, wherein the sacrificial member comprises a thermoplastic. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The packer assembly of claim 9, wherein the sacrificial member comprises at least one reactive material, wherein the reactive material becomes reactive at temperatures above or equal to approximately 400° F. ### Claim 15 An isolation method comprising: providing an isolation system comprising: an expandable sealing element; a compressive actuator; and a first sacrificial member disposed between the expandable sealing element and the compressive actuator; and actuating the compressive actuator to compress the expandable sealing element; and allowing the first sacrificial member to destruct. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The isolation method of claim 15, further comprising: providing a packer assembly comprising: a slip assembly having a cammed surface; a second actuator having a cammed actuation surface; and a second sacrificial member disposed between the cammed surface of the slip assembly and the cammed actuation surface; and actuating the second actuator to engage the cammed actuation surface with the cammed surface of the slip assembly; and allowing the second sacrificial member to destruct. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The isolation method of claim 15, wherein the first sacrificial member and second sacrificial member comprise a dissolvable material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The isolation method of claim 15, wherein the first sacrificial member and second sacrificial member comprise a collapsible chamber having a hydraulic fluid and a dissolvable plug. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The isolation method of claim 15, wherein the first sacrificial member and second sacrificial member comprise a thermoplastic. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The isolation method of claim 15, wherein the first sacrificial member and second sacrificial member comprise at least one reactive material, wherein the reactive material becomes reactive at temperatures above or equal to approximately 400° F.