# US 8,464,800 B2 · Expandable member for downhole tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,800 B2 - Document ID: US8464800B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/393,960 - Filed: 2009-02-26 - Published: 2009-08-27 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2008-02-27 - Assignees: Swelltec Limited - Applicants: Kim Nutley; Brian Nutley - Inventors: Kim Nutley; Brian Nutley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464800B2 ## CPC - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A method of forming a downhole apparatus comprises the steps of providing a body having a longitudinal axis and forming an expanding portion on the body from multiple layers of a partially or substantially cured material around the longitudinal axis of the body. The material is selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid, such as a wellbore fluid. Apparatuses formed by the method include wellbore packers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of forming an apparatus for use downhole, the method comprising the steps of: providing a body having a longitudinal axis; and forming an expanding portion on the body by sequentially wrapping multiple layers of a substantially cured material around the longitudinal axis of the body, the material selected to expand on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of bonding the substantially cured material on the body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of mechanically attaching the expanding portion to the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expanding portion is formed from a continuous length of the substantially cured material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a base layer on the body and forming the expanding portion on the base layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an outer sheath on the expanding portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of treating the substantially cured material prior to forming the expanding portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a coating to the substantially cured material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of perforating the material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of deploying the material from a storage reel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substantially cured material is an elastomer in a T50 state or above, where T100 is the fully cured state of the elastomer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substantially cured material is an elastomer in a T80 state or above, where T100 is the fully cured state of the elastomer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substantially cured material is an elastomer in a T90 state or above, where T100 is the fully cured state of the elastomer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of further curing the material after forming the expanding portion on the body. ### Claim 15 An apparatus comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis; an expanding portion formed around the longitudinal axis of the body from multiple layers of a substantially cured material, sequentially wrapped on the body, wherein the material is configured to expand on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material is an elastomer in a T50 state or above, where T100 is the fully cured state of the elastomer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material is an elastomer in a T80 state or above, where T100 is the fully cured state of the elastomer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material is an elastomer in a T90 state or above, where T100 is the fully cured state of the elastomer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material comprises a material selected to expand on exposure to a hydrocarbon fluid. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material comprises a material selected to expand on exposure to an aqueous fluid. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material is formed by an extrusion process. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the substantially cured material is formed by a co-extrusion of two or more materials. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material comprises an interlocking profile, configured for interlocking multiple layers of the material on the body. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a mechanical attachment for securing the substantially cured material to the body. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material comprises a coating. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the substantially cured material comprises perforations. ### Claim 27 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a support element disposed between the body and the substantially cured material. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the support element defines a passage for a conduit or cable through the apparatus. ### Claim 29 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the apparatus is part of a wellbore packer. ### Claim 30 A method of forming an apparatus for use downhole, the method comprising the steps of: providing a body having a longitudinal axis; forming an expanding portion on the body by sequentially wrapping multiple layers of a partially cured material around the longitudinal axis of the body, the material selected to expand on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the partially cured material is preferably an elastomer in a cured state in the range of T30 to T50, where T100 is the fully cured state of the elastomer. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising the step of further curing the material subsequent to forming the expanding portion. ### Claim 33 An apparatus for use downhole, the apparatus comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis; an expanding portion formed on the body from multiple layers of a partially cured material sequentially wrapped around the longitudinal axis of the body, the material selected to expand on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the material is partially cured such that it is in a cured state in the range of T30 to T50, where T100 is the fully cured state of the elastomer. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the apparatus is part of a wellbore packer.