| (19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 0 447 204 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
|
04.03.1992 Bulletin 1992/10 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
|
18.09.1991 Bulletin 1991/38 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 13.03.1991 |
|
| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)5: E21B 33/127 |
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
| (30) |
Priority: |
13.03.1990 US 492841
|
| (71) |
Applicant: BAKER-HUGHES INCORPORATED |
|
Houston
Texas 77210-4740 (US) |
|
| (72) |
Inventor: |
|
- Mody, Rustom K.
Houston,
Texas 77096 (US)
|
| (74) |
Representative: White, Martin David et al |
|
MARKS & CLERK,
57/60 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3LS
London WC2A 3LS (GB) |
|
| |
|
| (54) |
Inflatable packer with inflatable packing element for use in subterranean wells |
(57) An inflatable packing element (10) for an inflatable packer or bridge plug utilized
in subterranean wells comprises a tubular elastomeric sleeve (30) which is surrounded
by a plurality of circumferentially overlapping flexible metal ribs (12). The opposite
ends of the ribs (12) are respectively welded to an external surface provided on a
force transmitting sleeve (14). The sleeve (14) is provided with a shoulder (14a)
having an abutting relationship with an internally projecting shoulder (20a) provided
on the tubular mounting structure (20) for the inflatable element (10).