Patent ID: 7721799
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A packer for controlling fluid flow in a conduit comprising: a packer mandrel; and an inflatable element fixedly attached at each end to the packer mandrel configured for inflation with a selected inflation pressure, the inflatable element having a length, an outside surface and a variable stretch pressure along the length, the inflatable element comprising a plurality of spaced circumferential grooves on the outside surface, and a plurality of flow control grooves on the outside surface between the circumferential grooves, the circumferential grooves and the flow control grooves configured to provide flow channels for a fluid flow between the inflatable element and the conduit and to control a flow rate of the fluid flow as a function of the inflation pressure, the variable stretch pressure selected to control contact of the circumferential grooves with the conduit along the length as a function of the inflation pressure.