Abstract: An expandable tubing (12) for a well bore hole (14) in which selected length portions (24, 26, 28) are weakened by a slot configuration (FIGS. 2, 3, 4) to obtain predetermined expansion characteristics. The slot configurations are tailored or selected for a predetermined bore hole length and may be expanded to different radial diameters to conform generally to the peripheral contour of the bore hole. Tubing portions (29) between the slotted length potions (24, 26, 28) are unweakened.

Abstract: A slat-type inflatable packer includes a plurality of longitudinal metal slats on the exterior thereof which are partially overlapping to allow expansion of the packer element while providing a barrier against extrusion. In one embodiment each slat has narrow end portions and a wide central portion to provide greatly increased lateral stiffness as well as improved extrusion barrier and slat deployment characteristics, particularly in high expansion ratio packers, and in another embodiment such characteristics are further improved by upper and lower intermediate sections which are wider than such central portion.

Abstract: An inflatable packer used in a well and having a mandrel carrying upper and lower heads, a normally retracted inflatable packer element including an inner elastomer bladder and an outer expansible armor or carcass, the ends of the packer element being anchored to respective heads, and in one embodiment a hydraulically operable system that applies restraining force to the heads which controls the shape and deployment of the packer element during inflation and prevents entrapment of fluid bubbles outside the element and the formation of Z-folds in the bladder. In other embodiments the restraining force is supplied by a stack of disc springs, by frictional engagement between parts, by a shearing action of materials, by swaging a sleeve member, and by axially crushing a sleeve member.

Abstract: An inflatable packer assembly used in well service work and having a mandrel that carries a normally retracted inflatable packer unit. The unit includes an inner elastomer bladder surrounded by a reinforcement. To control the shape of the unit during inflation and thereby prevent the formation of Z-folds in the bladder, its axial stiffness is preferentially increased relative to its circumferential or hoop stiffness by devices such as carbon fibers or fiberglass tape.

Abstract: A reinforcing slat for use in an inflatable packer which is elongate and curved about its longitudinal axis and comprises perforations in the part thereof which enters the end portion and which bends around the end portion on inflation of the packer. The perforations serve to reduce the bending stiffness of the slat in the portion likely to suffer permantent deformation on inflation of the packer.

Abstract: An inflatable packer apparatus for use in a well bore has pre-formed metal stress rings surrounding the respective opposite end portions of the packer element. The stress rings are machined to initially have conical outer surfaces, and then are outwardly stressed beyond their yield strengths to obtain plastic deformation such that such outer surfaces are generally cylindrical so that the packer element can be inflated to higher pressures.

Abstract: An inflatable packer for use in a well includes a tubular mandrel, an inner elastomer sleeve on the mandrel, armor surrounding the inner sleeve, and an outer elastomer sleeve member that covers at least a portion of the armor. Stress rings are mounted on end portions of the armor are made from a metal plate which has been highly cold-worked in both its longitudinal and transverse directions to provide optimum strength characteristics against stresses imposed thereon when the packer is inflated.

Abstract: Bladder retention for an inflatable packer includes a tubular base and a retainer member. Retainer teeth are provided on both the tubular base and the retainer member to retain the bladder against the axial loads of inflation. Separate sealing ribs are provided on at least one of the tubular base and retainer member which positively engage a portion of the bladder which is not subjected to longitudinal stresses due to its location outwardly of the retainer teeth. Additionally, an elastomeric o-ring seal is provided between the retainer member and the tubular base thereby blocking the application of pressure forces tending to disengage the elastomeric bladder from its retention assembly.

Abstract: The strength of slats attached to an inflatable packer assembly by welding is increased by forming the slats of an age-hardening materials, welding the slats to the inflatable packer assembly in an annealed condition followed by age-hardening of the welded slats. A slat structure having much greater strength than welded cold-worked material is realized. Final assembly includes the steps of sliding an overlying sleeve over the end fitting, the weld and a portion of the slats and engaging threads on the interior of the sleeve with external threads on the end fitting. The sleeve can thereby be unaffected by the heat treatment steps.

Abstract: The strength of slats attached to an inflatable packer assembly by welding is increased by forming the slats of an age-hardening materials, welding the slats to the inflatable packer assembly in an annealed condition followed by age-hardening of the welded slats. A slat structure having much greater strength than welded cold-worked material is realized.

Abstract: A straddle inflatable packer system includes upper and lower packer assemblies each having an inner elastomer sleeve surrounded by expansible armor members. For well treating operations, the upper packer includes an external elastomer sleeve which covers a lower portion of its armor members, and the lower packer has an external elastomer sleeve that covers an upper portion of its armor members, so that the external sleeves are located adjacent to the higher pressures of injected fluids. For well testing operations, the locations of the external packer sleeves are reversed so that again these sleeves are adjacent the higher well bore pressures during the test.

Abstract: An inflatable packer apparatus having an inner elastomer sleeve covered by armor such as overlapped, longitudinal slats that extend between upper and lower collars. The end portions of such slats pass through stress rings having outwardly flared nose portions, and thin protector rings mounted inside the nose portions are employed to distribute very localized contact loads form the edge of the slats to the stress rings to prevent the formation of cracks in such rings. The apparatus further includes an elastomeric sleeve member which is expanded into sealing contact with a well bore wall by fluid pressure applied to the inside of the inner elastomeric sleeve member.

Abstract: A well treating tool string run on coiled tubing and having packers to isolate a zone to be treated in response to operation of a selector valve, pressure and temperature transducers in the tool string and a telemetry system which samples the measurements made by the transducers, an electrical conductor cable extending from the telemetry system up to the surface through the coiled tubing and to the inner end thereof on its storage reel, and a surface telemetry, data processing and display system that sends and receives encoded signals to and from the downhole telemetry system from which temperature and pressure values can be read out on the surface display in real time as the treating operation proceeds.

Abstract: The outer, sealing cover of an inflatable packer comprises an alternating series of thick and thin annular portions which act to effect greater sealing stresses and to inhibit the propagation of cracks or tears in the elastomeric cover. Bonding with only portions of the underlying slats as well as a tapered contour and spacing from an end fitting act to help to retain the cover in its proper position during running and retrieval as well as decreasing the likelihood of the development of cracks and/or tears.