Baker Hughes Corporation

Shawn Edward Nowlin

John R Abarca

Halit L Dilber

Dorothy L Nowlin, Legal Representative

An expandable downhole tool features a mandrel that is expanded from within by a swage or other technique. The expansion of the mandrel advances an exterior ring or comparable slidably mounted object against an exterior sleeve that can be impervious or porous. The ring engages a ratchet mechanism to hold its position with respect to the mandrel as the swage advances through the mandrel and expands the ring and the exterior sleeve. The locking of the ring to the mandrel keeps the exterior sleeve from springing back longitudinally as the expansion is concluded.

Expandable tool with enhanced expansion capability

An inflatable packer or bridge plug utilized in well bores comprises a tubular elastomeric bladder that is circumferentially surrounded by flexible metallic rib elements. At opposite ends of the packer, the ribs are secured to the inside bore of respective end sleeves by welding and by non-welded bonding. The rib ends are corner bead welded to the end sleeve bore wall to overlie a circumferential undercut of the sleeve bore wall. A second, circumferential weld bead fuses an adjacent sleeve ring to the first and integrates peripheral elements of the ribs. One or more radial vents into the undercut facilitates distribution of a low temperature bonding compound such as epoxy or polyester resins or braze metal or solder. The welding procedures are carried to completion before the bonding agents are applied.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Shawn Edward Nowlin