Casing inflation packer

An inflatable casing packer apparatus for use in a casing string in a well bore, said apparatus comprising:

• integral housing means interconnected by a non-movable mandrel having threaded means for connecting to the casing string and defining a central opening therethrough;
• inflatable packing means connected to said housing means for sealingly engaging the well bore;
• inflation passageway means for providing communication between said packing means and said central opening of said housing means, whereby fluid may be pumped from said housing means to said packing means for inflation thereof;
• and
• pressure actuated valve means disposed in said inflation passageway means and physically isolated from said central opening for closing said inflation passageway means after inflation of said packing means and for preventing deflation thereof, said valve means having a shoulder thereon and being actuated only in response to a predetermined differential pressure across said shoulder.

An inflatable casing packer apparatus for use in a casing string in a well bore, said apparatus comprising:

• housing means for connecting to the casing string and defining a central opening therethrough;
• inflatable packing means connected to said housing means for sealingly engaging the well bore;
• inflation passageway means for providing communication between said packing means and said central opening of said housing means, whereby fluid may be pumped from said housing means to said packing means for inflation thereof;
• rupture means between said central opening of said housing means and said inflation passageway means for rupturing in response to a predetermined pressure thereby placing said central opening in communication with said inflation passageway means for inflation of said packing means;
• and
• pressure actuated valve means disposed in said inflation passageway means for closing said inflation passageway means after inflation of said packing means and for preventing deflation thereof, said valve means being actuated in response to a predetermined pressure differential thereacross.

An inflatable casing packer apparatus for use in a casing string of a well bore, said apparatus comprising:

• integral housing means interconnected by a non-movable mandrel having threaded means for connecting to the casing string and defining a central opening therethrough;
• inflatable packing means connected to said housing means for sealingly engaging the well bore when inflated, said inflatable packing means comprising:
• an elastomeric packer element;
• and
• metal reinforcing means for reinforcing said packer element;
• inflation passageway means for providing a flow path between said central opening of said housing means and said packing means such that fluid may be pumped into said central opening and directed to said packing means for inflation thereof;
• means for opening said inflation passageway means in response to a first differential pressure, thereby allowing inflation of said packing means;
• and
• means for closing said inflation passageway means in response to a second predetermined pressure, thereby preventing deflation of said packing means, said means for closing being physically isolated from said central opening and comprising pressure actuated valve means for closing only in response to said second predetermined pressure acting across a shoulder portion of said valve means and thereby sealingly separating said central opening of said housing means and said packing means.

An inflatable casing packer apparatus for use in a casing string of a well bore, said apparatus comprising:

• housing means for connecting to the casing string and defining a central opening therethrough;
• inflatable packing means connected to said housing means for sealingly engaging the well bore when inflated, said inflatable packing means comprising:
• an elastomeric packer element;
• and
• metal reinforcing means for reinforcing said packer element;
• inflation passageway means for providing a flow path between said central opening of said housing means and said packing means such that fluid may be pumped into said central opening and directed to said packing means for inflation thereof;
• means for opening said inflation passageway means in response to a first differential pressure, thereby allowing inflation of said packing means, said means for opening comprising rupture means for rupturing in response to a predetermined pressure and thereby placing said inflation passageway means in communication with said central opening;
• and
• means for closing said inflation passageway means in response to a second predetermined pressure, thereby preventing deflation of said packing means.