This invention relates to an expansion-control device (2), a piping tool (46), a method and uses for a packer body (52) on a mandrel (50) with a supporting ring (54; 58) arranged adjacent to an end (56; 60) of the packer body (52). The expansion-control device (2) includes a packer-control element (4; 4a; 4b) for positioning adjacent to the supporting ring (54; 58) and for radial movement relative to the mandrel (50); and a power-transmission body (6) connected to the packer-control element (4; 4a; 4b) for the transmission of activating power thereto. What is particular is that the power-transmission body (6) includes a lever body (8) with a fulcrum portion (10), and a lever arm (12) projecting radially from the fulcrum portion (10); the free end of the lever arm (12) being connected to the packer-control element (4; 4a; 4b); the lever body (8) being rotatable around a rotational axis (22) through said fulcrum portion (10); and the power-transmission body (6) including a torque-supplying device (30) to which the lever body (8) is operatively connected for the supply of torque to the lever body (8), and for the rotation of the lever body (8) around the rotational axis (22).

A downhole tool with a radially expandable sealing element, such as a packer or plug. The sealing element employs metallic support rings disposed on the sealing element outer surface for preventing extrusion during run-in and for clamping the sealing element to the tool.

A method and apparatus according to which a backup ring is radially expanded to prevent, or at least reduce, extrusion of a sealing element. The backup ring includes an inner ring segment and an outer ring segment. The inner ring segment defines opposing first and second end portions. The outer ring segment defines opposing third and fourth end portions. The third end portion of the outer ring segment telescopically receives, and overlaps, the first end portion of the inner ring segment. Radially expanding the backup ring includes sliding the backup ring up an external tapered surface of a wedge ramp. Sliding the backup ring up the external tapered surface of the wedge ramp telescopes the first end portion of the inner ring segment outwardly from the third end portion of the outer ring segment.

Embodiments described herein provide a downhole tool (e.g., a retrievable bridge plug) that includes a sealing device and a load retention/equalization mechanism. The sealing device includes an elastomer seal component and an expansion device configured to radially expand outwardly to compress the elastomer seal component against a wellbore casing within which the downhole tool is located. The sealing device further includes lower and upper support barriers configured to radially expand outwardly against the wellbore. The sealing device also includes a seal energizing spring configured to maintain an initial setting force of the elastomer seal component against the wellbore casing. The load retention/equalization mechanism includes a spool/inflation valve configured to direct fluid into an internal volume to inflate the elastomer seal component radially outwardly based on a differential pressure between a first volume uphole relative to the downhole tool and a second volume downhole relative to the downhole tool.

An assembly for use in a downhole tool. The assembly may include a body that includes a chamber with a solder suspension contained therein, the solder suspension comprising solder particles, each solder particle comprising an outer shell and a liquid metal core that is exposed and solidifies upon rupture of the outer shell. The assembly may also include a port that allows fluid flow between the chamber and an area outside of the chamber. The assembly may further include a plunger actuatable to apply a force to create a pressure to the solder suspension within the chamber to eject the solder suspension from the port at a velocity to rupture the outer shells of the particles upon contact with a surface.

A backup including a resister articulated to a mounting ring, a support articulated to a support ring and the resister, the resister moving upon one of the mounting ring and the support ring moving away from the other. A seal including a mandrel, an element and a backup disposed on the mandrel adjacent the element. A borehole system including a borehole in a formation, a string in the borehole, a backup disposed within or as a part of the string. A backup including a deformable ring, a resister disposed adjacent the deformable ring, the resister being articulated to a ring mount through a pivot pin having a frustoconical geometry. A backup including a resister articulated to a ring, the resister including a borehole wall engager. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a backup within or as a part of the string.

A method and apparatus according to which a backup ring is radially expanded to prevent, or at least reduce, extrusion of a sealing element. The backup ring includes an inner ring segment and an outer ring segment. The inner ring segment defines opposing first and second end portions. The outer ring segment defines opposing third and fourth end portions. The third end portion of the outer ring segment telescopically receives, and overlaps, the first end portion of the inner ring segment. Radially expanding the backup ring includes sliding the backup ring up an external tapered surface of a wedge ramp. Sliding the backup ring up the external tapered surface of the wedge ramp telescopes the first end portion of the inner ring segment outwardly from the third end portion of the outer ring segment.

A packer includes a tubular mandrel. The packer includes a first end cap, the first end cap coupled to the mandrel. The packer includes a backup mechanism coupled to the first end cap. The packer includes a swellable elastomeric body positioned about the mandrel abutting the first end cap. The swellable elastomeric body is positioned at least partially between the mandrel and the backup mechanism. The swellable elastomeric body is positioned to not cover the entire outer surface of the backup mechanism.

A slip assembly includes a first support cone configured to move a first extension ramp between retracted and extended positions. The first extension ramp is biased towards the retracted position by a first biasing member. The slip assembly further includes a second support cone configured to move a second extension ramp between retracted and extended positions. The second extension ramp is biased towards the retracted position by a second biasing member. The slip assembly further includes a slip member disposed between the first extension ramp and the second extension ramp. The slip member is configured to slide between retracted and extended positions along an outer surface of the first extension ramp and along an outer surface of the second extension ramp. A shank of the slip member is held in a cage by a retainer that moves radially when the slip member moves between the retracted and extended positions.

A packer assembly includes a mandrel and a packing element disposed about the mandrel. Upper and lower recovery sleeves are disposed about the mandrel and extend between the mandrel and respective upper and lower ends of the packing element. The upper and lower recovery sleeves each have a recovery profile embedded within the packing element. Upper and lower backup assemblies are movably disposed about the respective upper and lower recovery sleeves, adjacent to the respective upper and lower ends of the packing element. The packer assembly includes at least one release mechanism. When setting the packer assembly in a bore, the packing element is axially compressed between the upper and lower backup assemblies to contact the bore wall, and the upper and lower backup assemblies splay outwards. Upon release, the packing element and backup assemblies retract, thereby facilitating retrieval of the packer assembly from the bore.