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US 6,681,849 B2Granted
Downhole packer system utilizing electroactive polymers
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorJames Edward Goodson, Jr.
Life of this patent
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AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorJames Edward Goodson, Jr.
Estimating the term…
Sealing elements for well packers and bridgeplugs may be constructed with magnetorheological elastomers or foams disposed about electromagnet windings set in an internal mandrel. The elastomer or foam stiffness properties are formulated for a low setting force compliance in the absence of a magnetic field. After deployment, the tool winding is energized to engage the magnetic field and raise the stiffness properties of the elastomer or foam. When the magnetic field is activated, the packer or bridgeplug has greater structural resistance to unwanted pressure displacement. When the field is de-energized, the sealing element relaxes to permit resetting or removal.
A selectively deployed sealing element for a well flow channel, said sealing element being responsive to a magnetic field and having a low stiffness property for deployment and a selectively engaged high stiffness property for remaining in place.
A well packer having an expandable packing element for sealing a well annulus and an actuator for expanding said packing element into operative engagement across said annulus, said packing element being formed of a magnetorheological material and having a first stiffness property for expansion across said annulus and a second stiffness property for remaining across said annulus.
A bridgeplug having an expandable sealing element, formed of a magnetorheological material, for sealing a well bore and an actuator for expanding said sealing element into operative engagement across said well bore, said bridgeplug having a first stiffness property for expansion across said well bore and a second stiffness property for remaining across said well bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Characterised by their material: comprising magneto-rheological elastomers [MR],
Packers; Plugs: characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means
Springs
Earth or rock drilling
Term ended 22 Aug 2021 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the art of earth boring. In particular, the invention relates to packers, bridgeplugs and corresponding methods and apparatus for selectively obstructing and reopening a well flow channel.
2. Description of Related Art
For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned view of a retrievable packer tool constructed to incorporate the present invention with the elements aligned for well in-running.;
FIG. 2 illustrates a partially sectioned view of the invention in an operating set alignment to seal a well casing annulus;
The invention is illustrated by reference to a retrievable packer tool application as shown graphically by FIGS. 1-3 which comprises a tubular inner mandrel 10 having an up-hole box end 12 and a down-hole pin end 14. Along the length of the mandrel outside surface is an upper seal surface 13 and a lower seal surface 15. Between the upper and lower seal surfaces is a buttress thread section 26 and an electromagnetic winding section 28. The windings 28 may be energized by a conduit extended into the well from a surface generator or by a circulation driven generator not shown.
A receptacle 16 fits concentrically around the inner mandrel upper seal surface 13 with a sliding seal fit. The receptacle carries several piston engaged casing slips 18 and an upper gage ring 20. A connector mandrel 22 is secured to the receptacle 16 by threads at its upper end and forms an annular piston 24 at its lower end. A lock ring 32 having a rectified mesh-fit with the buttress threads 26 links the connector mandrel 22 with the inner mandrel 10. The directional bias of the buttress threads 26 and lockring 32 permits relative axial displacement in only one axial direction.
A setting sleeve 40 is secured to and sealed around the lower end of the inner mandrel 10 to overlie the connector mandrel piston 24. The sleeve 40 forms an outer wall for an annular pressure cylinder 42. A retainer ring 46 is kept in an element retention position by a retainer piston 44.