Inflatable packer with improved reinforcing members

Abstract

An inflatable packer is provided for setting downhole in an oil or gas well to prevent fluid flow past the packer. The packer is of the type which includes an upper and lower packer head, an inflatable elastomer bladder, a radially outward tubular packer cover, and a plurality of overlapping metal reinforcing members positioned in the annulus between the bladder sleeve and the tubular packer cover. Each reinforcing member is slidably movable relative to another reinforcing member during setting of the packer, and includes a stop member between the packer heads for limiting to a preselected amount the relative sliding movement, such that gaps between reinforcing members are minimized or eliminated. These stop members on the reinforcing members may be formed by a stamping operation, wherein a recess stamped in one reinforcing member is adapted to receive a lip stamped in an adjacent reinforcing member. When the lip drops within the recess, further sliding movement between those reinforcing members is prohibited. Each of the reinforcing members preferably includes an interior surface substantially parallel to the outer surface of the bladder sleeve when the packer is inflated. The concepts of the present invention substantially reduce the likelihood of rupture of the bladder, thereby enhancing the reliability of an inflatable packer.