The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 26, 1997
Darrin L Willauer, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for verifying positive inflation of an inflatable element include electrical switches or sensors adapted to be actuated when sufficient element to borehole wall contact is achieved. The device may be a micro switch similar to that used in a calculator button, proximity switch or may employ a spear type arrangement wherein a spear is connected to one lead and is isolated from the other lead by insulation and wherein the spear is forced radially inwardly by the radially outwardly expansion of the cover on the element against the borehole wall. Upon piercing the insulation, the spear will have connected first and second leads that such connection being detectable via hard wire to the surface and electrical continuity whereby downhole electronics or intelligence whereby a downhole signal generator using any type of telemetry to communicate uphole. With each of the embodiments of the invention, the pressure of the element against the borehole wall may be predetermined in order to actuate the device of the invention.