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.
Claims15
An inflatable packer assembly comprising:
- opposing end fittings by which the inflatable packer assembly is installable within a downhole tool string;
- and
- an inflatable body coupled between the end fittings and having an external groove;
- characterized in that an elongation sensor is fixed in the external groove, wherein the elongation sensor comprises a capacitive element that whose capacitance varies based on elongation of the elongation sensor in response to inflation of the inflatable body.
A method of manufacturing an inflatable packer assembly, wherein the inflatable packer assembly comprises:
- opposing end fittings by which the inflatable packer assembly is installable within a downhole tool string;
- and
- an inflatable body coupled between the end fittings and having an external groove;
- characterized in that the method comprises fixedly installing an elongation sensor in the external groove, wherein the elongation sensor comprises a capacitive element that whose capacitance varies based on elongation of the elongation sensor in response to inflation of the inflatable body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.