Importance

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Abstract

An inflatable packer is disclosed involving an expandable mandrel. The mandrel is initially corrugated, creating spaces for a material which can be pushed against an inflatable element when the corrugated mandrel is expanded. The mandrel can be expanded by use of fluid or mechanical forces. The mandrel can be configured to facilitate progressive expansion. Different fluids can be used to facilitate a permanent set using a hardenable material in the annular space between the mandrel and the element. Different materials can be used so that when subjected under pressure as the mandrel is expanded, they contact each other to form a hardenable filler material. A relief mechanism is provided to allow escape of excess inflation medium in certain circumstances. The yield strength of the mandrel material can vary along its length to facilitate progressive inflation. In certain applications, the inflatable described can also expand the casing in which it is mounted. Those and other features are better understood by a review of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below.

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First Claim