Patent ID: 7066281

Claim:
A drilling apparatus that includes a drilling string comprised of a drilling pipe, in a borehole, and a drilling bit, said apparatus comprising: a formation fluid sampling and hydraulic testing tool disposed in said drilling string and below said drilling pipe; a first packer member disposed about said drilling pipe in said borehole above said sampling and testing tool; and means associated with said first packer member for effecting extension and retraction of said first packer member to and from sides of said borehole, wherein said first packer member includes a bladder that is adapted to be expanded and deflated to effect extension and retraction respectively of said first packer member, wherein said means for effecting extension and retraction includes a pressure storage means containing a pressurized gas or other medium, and a vacuum storage means, wherein a first valve is associated with said pressure storage means and a second valve is associated with said vacuum storage means, wherein said first valve is adapted to release compressed gas from said pressure storage means to effect expansion of said bladder and hence extension of said first packer member, and wherein said second valve is adapted to subject said bladder to vacuum and hence to effect retraction of said first packer member.