Downhole tool with backup ring assembly

Abstract

A downhole tool suitable for use in a wellbore, the tool having a chassis or mandrel, with a center element and a plurality of support elements disposed therearound. The downhole tool also includes a first fingered member, and a second fingered member. In a run-in configuration, the first fingered member has a slot axially aligned with a midpoint of a finger of the second fingered member.

Claims

1. A downhole tool for use in a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising: a packer chassis comprising: a distal end; a proximate end; and a chassis outer surface, a central element; a plurality of support elements; a first fingered member comprising a plurality of fingers having respective longitudinal slots therebetween; a second fingered member proximate the first fingered member, and comprising a plurality of second member fingers having respective midpoints; and an end cap, wherein the plurality of support elements, the first fingered member, and the second fingered member are held between the central element and the end cap, wherein the longitudinal slots of the first fingered member are proximately aligned to the respective finger midpoints of the second fingered member wherein in a run-in-hole position, there is a clearance between an outer bottom end of the second fingered member and an inner bottom end of the first fingered member, and wherein in a set position, the outer bottom end and the inner bottom end are in contact.

2. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein each of the first fingered member and the second fingered member comprise an outer annular groove formed in the region where respective member fingers extend away from a member body.

3. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of support elements is proximate the second fingered member, and wherein a plastic spacer is disposed between the one support element and the second fingered member.

4. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein in a set position a gap formed between respective expanded second member fingers is occluded by a first member finger proximate thereto.

5. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool is coupled with a casing string, and wherein in a set position, the downhole tool forms a seal against an external surface.

6. A downhole tool for use in a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising: a packer chassis; a central element disposed around the packer chassis; a plurality of support elements disposed around the packer chassis; a first fingered member disposed around the packer chassis, and further comprising a plurality of fingers having respective longitudinal slots therebetween; a second fingered member disposed around the packer chassis and proximate the first fingered member, and further comprising a plurality of second member fingers having respective midpoints; and an end cap disposed around the packer chassis, and engaged with the first fingered member, wherein the plurality of support elements, the first fingered member, and the second fingered member are held between the central element and the end cap, wherein the longitudinal slots of the first fingered member are proximately aligned to the respective finger midpoints of the second fingered member, and wherein each of the first fingered member and the second fingered member comprise an outer annular groove formed in the region where respective member fingers extend away from a member body.

7. The downhole tool of claim 6, wherein a backup ring assembly is disposed on the other end of the packer chassis, wherein the backup ring assembly comprises a respective first fingered member, a respective second fingered member, and a respective end cap.

8. The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein in a run-in-hole position, there is a clearance between an outer bottom end of the second fingered member and an inner bottom end of the first fingered member, and wherein in a set position, the outer bottom end and the inner bottom end are in contact.

9. The downhole tool of claim 8, wherein one of the plurality of support elements is proximate the second fingered member, and wherein a plastic spacer is disposed between the one support element and the second fingered member.

10. The downhole tool of claim 8, wherein in a set position a gap formed between respective expanded second member fingers is occluded by a first member finger proximate thereto.

11. The downhole tool of claim 10, wherein the downhole tool is coupled with a casing string, and wherein in a set position, the downhole tool forms a seal against an external surface.

12. A downhole tool for use in a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising: a packer chassis; a central element disposed around the packer chassis; a plurality of support elements disposed around the packer chassis; a first fingered member disposed around the packer chassis, and further comprising a plurality of fingers having respective longitudinal slots therebetween; a second fingered member disposed around the packer chassis and proximate the first fingered member, and further comprising a plurality of second member fingers having respective midpoints; and an end cap disposed around the packer chassis, and engaged with the first fingered member, wherein the plurality of support elements, the first fingered member, and the second fingered member are held between the central element and the end cap, wherein the longitudinal slots of the first fingered member are proximately aligned to the respective finger midpoints of the second fingered member, wherein each of the first fingered member and the second fingered member comprise an outer annular groove formed in the region where respective member fingers extend away from a member body, wherein one of the plurality of support elements is proximate the second fingered member, and wherein a plastic spacer is disposed between the one support element and the second fingered member.

13. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein a backup ring assembly is disposed on the other end of the packer chassis, wherein the backup ring assembly comprises a respective first fingered member, a respective second fingered member, and a respective end cap.

14. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein in a run-in-hole position, there is a clearance between an outer bottom end of the second fingered member and an inner bottom end of the first fingered member, and wherein in a set position, the outer bottom end and the inner bottom end are in contact.

15. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein in a set position a gap formed between respective expanded second member fingers is occluded by a first member finger proximate thereto.

16. The downhole tool of claim 15, wherein the downhole tool is coupled with a casing string, and wherein in a set position, the downhole tool forms a seal against an external surface.

17. The downhole tool of claim 16, wherein the longitudinal slots of the second fingered member are proximately aligned to the respective finger midpoints of the first fingered member.

18. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal slots of the second fingered member are proximately aligned to the respective finger midpoints of the first fingered member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A full understanding of embodiments disclosed herein is obtained from the detailed description of the disclosure presented herein below, and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to be limitative of the present embodiments, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a process diagram of a conventional plugging system;

(3) FIG. 1B is a side view of a process diagram of a conventional plugging system for an open hole wellbore;

(4) FIG. 1C illustrates the deployment of a conventional packer tool that needs to seal an oversized annulus;

(5) FIG. 1D illustrates the occurrence of a weak seal made by a conventional packer tool;

(6) FIG. 1E illustrates the occurrence of an extruded seal in a conventional packer tool;

(7) FIG. 2A shows a longitudinal side cross-sectional view of a downhole tool, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

(8) FIG. 2B shows a close-up side view of a first fingered member in staggered, nested engagement with a second fingered member, according to embodiments of the disclosure

(9) FIG. 2C shows a of the downhole tool of FIG. 2A, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

(10) FIG. 3A shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a downhole tool in a run-in-hole (RIH) position, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

(11) FIG. 3B shows a close-up side cross-sectional view of a first fingered member of the tool of FIG. 3A in a staggered, nested engagement with a second fingered member, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

(12) FIG. 3C shows a longitudinal side cross-sectional view of the downhole tool of FIG. 3A in a set position according to embodiments of the disclosure; and

(13) FIG. 3D shows a partial side view of nested fingered members of the downhole tool of FIG. 3C according to embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) Herein disclosed are novel apparatuses, systems, and methods that pertain to and are usable for wellbore operations, details of which are described herein.

(15) Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail in a non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying Figures. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, such as to mean, for example, “including, but not limited to . . . ”. While the disclosure may be described with reference to relevant apparatuses, systems, and methods, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments shown or described. Rather, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of configurations may be implemented in accordance with embodiments herein.

(16) Although not necessary, like elements in the various figures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency and ease of understanding. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure; however, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. Directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “right”, “left”, “down”, etc., are used for convenience and to refer to general direction and/or orientation, and are only intended for illustrative purposes only, and not to limit the disclosure.

(17) Connection(s), couplings, or other forms of contact between parts, components, and so forth may include conventional items, such as lubricant, additional sealing materials, such as a gasket between flanges, PTFE between threads, and the like. The make and manufacture of any particular component, subcomponent, etc., may be as would be apparent to one of skill in the art, such as molding, forming, press extrusion, machining, or additive manufacturing. Embodiments of the disclosure provide for one or more components that may be new, used, and/or retrofitted.

(18) Various equipment may be in fluid communication directly or indirectly with other equipment. Fluid communication may occur via one or more transfer lines and respective connectors, couplings, valving, and so forth. Fluid movers, such as pumps, may be utilized as would be apparent to one of skill in the art.

(19) Numerical ranges in this disclosure may be approximate, and thus may include values outside of the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from and including the expressed lower and the upper values, in increments of smaller units. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property, such as, for example, molecular weight, viscosity, temperature, pressure, distance, melt index, etc., is from 100 to 1,000, it is intended that all individual values, such as 100, 101, 102, etc., and sub ranges, such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc., are expressly enumerated. It is intended that decimals or fractions thereof be included. For ranges containing values which are less than one or containing fractional numbers greater than one (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), smaller units may be considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, etc. as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure. Others may be implied or inferred.

(20) Embodiments herein may be described at the macro level, especially from an ornamental or visual appearance. Thus, a dimension, such as length, may be described as having a certain numerical unit, albeit with or without attribution of a particular significant figure. One of skill in the art would appreciate that the dimension of “2 centimeters” may not be exactly 2 centimeters, and that at the micro-level may deviate. Similarly, reference to a “uniform” dimension, such as thickness, need not refer to completely, exactly uniform. Thus, a uniform or equal thickness of “1 millimeter” may have discernable variation at the micro-level within a certain tolerance (e.g., 0.001 millimeter) related to imprecision in measuring and fabrication.

Terms

(21) The term “connected” as used herein may refer to a connection between a respective component (or subcomponent) and another component (or another subcomponent), which can be fixed, movable, direct, indirect, and analogous to engaged, coupled, disposed, etc., and can be by screw, nut/bolt, weld, and so forth. Any use of any form of the terms “connect”, “engage”, “couple”, “attach”, “mount”, etc. or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described.

(22) The term “fluid” as used herein may refer to a liquid, gas, slurry, multi-phase, etc. and is not limited to any particular type of fluid such as hydrocarbons.

(23) The term “fluid connection”, “fluid communication,” “fluidly communicable,” and the like, as used herein may refer to two or more components, systems, etc. being coupled whereby fluid from one may flow or otherwise be transferrable to the other. The coupling may be direct or indirect. For example, valves, flow meters, pumps, mixing tanks, holding tanks, tubulars, separation systems, and the like may be disposed between two or more components that are in fluid communication.

(24) The term “pipe”, “conduit”, “line”, “tubular”, or the like as used herein may refer to any fluid transmission means, and may be tubular in nature.

(25) The term “composition” or “composition of matter” as used herein may refer to one or more ingredients, components, constituents, etc. that make up a material (or material of construction). Composition may refer to a flow stream, or the material of construction of a component of a downhole tool, of one or more chemical components.

(26) The term “chemical” as used herein may analogously mean or be interchangeable to material, chemical material, ingredient, component, chemical component, element, substance, compound, chemical compound, molecule(s), constituent, and so forth and vice versa. Any ‘chemical’ discussed in the present disclosure need not refer to a 100% pure chemical. For example, although ‘water’ may be thought of as H2O, one of skill would appreciate various ions, salts, minerals, impurities, and other substances (including at the ppb level) may be present in ‘water’. A chemical may include all isomeric forms and vice versa (for example, “hexane”, includes all isomers of hexane individually or collectively).

(27) The term “mounted” as used herein may refer to a connection between a respective component (or subcomponent) and another component (or another subcomponent), which can be fixed, movable, direct, indirect, and analogous to engaged, coupled, disposed, etc., and can be by screw, nut/bolt, weld, and so forth.

(28) The term “machined” can refer to a computer numerical control (CNC) process whereby a robot or machinist runs computer-operated equipment to create machine parts, tools and the like.

(29) Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C together, a longitudinal side cross-sectional view of a downhole tool, a close-up partial side view of a first fingered member in staggered, nested engagement with a second fingered member, and a component breakout view of the downhole tool of FIG. 2A, respectively, illustrative of embodiments disclosed herein, are shown.

(30) Although not shown in detail here, the downhole tool 202 may be part of a system operable to deploy the tool 202 into a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation. The wellbore may have a tubular, such as casing (e.g., casing, hung casing, casing string, etc.) (which may be cemented), and the like. Just the same, the wellbore may be open hole. A workstring may be used to position or run the downhole tool 202 into and through the wellbore to a desired location. The downhole tool 202, which may be a closed or an open hole packer, may be RIH, set, and otherwise operated like that of any tool described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,995,111, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including in particular as it may pertain to setting or activating a downhole packer tool.

(31) Although not limited, the downhole tool 202 may be an open hole or casing annulus packer. In embodiments, the downhole tool 202 may be a high-expansion open hole packer. In such a configuration, the downhole tool 202 may be deployed with corresponding fracing tools along a liner and deployed into the open hole section of the wellbore. The downhole tool 202 may provide for or otherwise facilitate isolation of various stages of the wellbore. Once isolated, stimulation fluid may be pumped from surface and used for stimulating sections of the formation via any variety of fracing tools. In other embodiments, the downhole tool 202 may be used in cementing (or comparable) operations.

(32) Although not shown in detail here, the downhole tool 202 may include a mandrel 214 (shown only in part here; see also 314, FIG. 3A) having a setting piston engaged therewith. The setting piston may include one or more surfaces (e.g., shoulder) with varied diameter. There may be more than one setting piston. For example, the string may include a first piston with a first setting stroke for compressing against a first end of the tool. The string may include a second piston with a second setting stroke for compressing against the second end of the tool. The result of compressing together is the urging (radially) outwardly of one or more components.

(33) When a piston surface is exposed pressurized fluid source, this may act on the surface, and move the piston. The force may be suitable to completely set the downhole tool 202. The piston may be a hydraulic piston, which may be integral to the mandrel. The pressure applied to the piston may be from inside the tool 202.

(34) The downhole tool 202 may have a backup ring system 230. One of skill would appreciate that each end of the downhole tool 202 may have the backup ring system. The (backup) ring system or assembly 230 may include an at least one expansion ring or fingered member 231 (also sometimes called a backup ring or backup element). The use of the term ‘fingered member’ refers to the “fingers” 232 that extend from a main (annular) body 233 of the member, each pair of adjacent fingers being separated by a respective longitudinal groove 234. These fingers may sometimes be referred to as petals, segments, and the like.

(35) There may be a second expansion ring or fingered member 231a. The second fingered member 231a may include its own plurality of second member fingers 232a. The fingers 232a may extend away from second main (annular) body 233a. Each finger 232a may be separated from an adjacent finger by a second member longitudinal groove 234a.

(36) The second member 232a may be engaged with an underside of the first fingered member 232. Or put another way, the second member 232a and the first member 232 may be ‘nested’ together. It is worth noting that the other end of the tool 202 may have a similar or identical system 230, thus providing a symmetrical component configuration.

(37) As mentioned, the members 231 and 231a may be slotted or grooved, which may provide easier expansion of the fingers. Looking at FIG. 2B, a close-up view of the members 231, 231a engaged in a staggered (or straddled, offset, etc.) configuration. As shown, the finger 232 may have a lateral distance L, with a midpoint P. The midpoint P may generally be, in the eye of an ordinary observer, the middle point of the lateral distance L; however, the midpoint P need not have exact mathematical precision.

(38) The staggered configuration may include the slot 234a being aligned (e.g., longitudinally) with that of the midpoint P. The slot 234a may be aligned with the midpoint P +/−5% in rotation. One of skill would appreciate that the symmetric nature of members 231 and 231a may result in each respective slot of member 231a being aligned with a respective midpoint P of each of the fingers 232. In a similar manner, the slot 234 of member 231 may be aligned with a respective midpoint of fingers 232a. The configuration shown herein, with the slots in each fingered member positioned to straddle the slots from the other member, may facilitate easier expansion.

(39) Another way to contemplate the staggered configuration is that the midpoint P may be bisected by an axis 258a. The slot 234a may, at least partially, if not in totality, align with the axis 258a.

(40) Each fingered member 231, 231a may have a respective annular groove 239, 240. The annular groove 239, 240 may be on an outer surface of either respective body, fingers, or at the point where the fingers extend away from the body.

(41) The presence of the grooves 239, 240 may provide for the members 231, 231a to deploy from the outside end of each member, which may allow the main part of each “finger” to stay relatively straight. This shape when set may provide added structural integrity in the finger section of the members 231, 231a, and may better resist bending backwards under high loads from a center element 241 (or other proximate elements).

(42) This built-in hinge point in the fingered member 231, 231a is a unique feature, along with using in conjunction a (deformable) support ring 242. The hingeability allows expansion requiring lesser force than conventional rings without the hinge.

(43) As the tool 202 is activated or set, the fingers 232, 232a may ‘flower’, which may result in slots 234, 234 opening up as the members 231, 231a are expanded. As the slots 234, 234a may be staggered in alignment, this may mitigate or otherwise outright eliminate any chance of any gap, allowing for superior elastomer retention.

(44) The members 231, 231a may be made from highly ductile material, such as AISI 1018 steel. Such a material may provide form the required deformation when deployed, but offering the needed structural support. The members 231, 231a may be axially offset in the assembled position to allow fuller extent of the members when the tool 202 is in the set position.

(45) The end cap or ring 242 may also be deformable; however, the amount of deformation may be to a much lesser extent than either of the members 231, 231a. In embodiments, end cap 242 may not be slotted. The design and function of the end cap 242 may be to supply mechanical support to the hinge areas of the member(s) 231, 231a, especially where the maximum bending loads may be incurred. The end cap 242 made be made from highly ductile material that may also be deformable under load, such as steel.

(46) The center element 241 may be elastomeric. The element 241 may be proximate or otherwise adjacent to one or more adjacent elements or sections 243 a, b, c, etc. that may deploy independently of each other. Any of the elements 241, 243 a, b, etc. may be multiple-durometer. In embodiments, harder durometer elements may be used on the external ends of the tool 202, working into the softest elastomer element in the middle. The elements 243b and 243c adjacent to the member 232a may be the hardest. As such, the support elements 243b and 243c may provide the highest level of extrusion resistance, while the softer in-board element 243a may provide the best sealing properties.

(47) Between the last element 243c and the second member 234a, there may be a spacer member 235. The spacer 235 may be a solid durable material, such as hard rubber or a plastic like Teflon (PTFE). The spacer 235 may provide protection from the fingers 232a biting into the element 243c.

(48) The downhole tool 202, as well as its components, may be annular in nature, and thus centrally disposed or arranged with respect to a longitudinal axis 258. The components may be disposed around a chassis or mandrel 214 (partially viewable here). In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the tool 202 may be configured as a packer (e.g., open hole), which may be set within a wellbore in such a manner that the tool 202 forms a fluid-tight seal against a surrounding surface, such as casing or the wellbore itself. The seal may be facilitated by the center element 241 expanded into a sealing position against the surface. Once set, the downhole tool 202 may be held in place.

(49) Operation of the downhole tool 202 may allow for fast run in of the tool 202 to isolate one or more sections of the wellbore, as well as quick and simple drill-through or dissolution to destroy or remove the tool 202.

(50) Accordingly, in some embodiments, drill-through may be completely unnecessary. As such the downhole tool may have one or more components made of a reactive material, such as a metal or metal alloys. The downhole tool of embodiments herein may have one or more components made of a reactive material (e.g., dissolvable, degradable, etc.), which may be composite- or metal-based.

(51) It follows then that one or more components of a tool of embodiments disclosed herein may be made of reactive materials (e.g., materials suitable for and are known to dissolve, degrade, etc. in downhole environments [including extreme pressure, temperature, fluid properties, etc.] after a brief or limited period of time (predetermined or otherwise) as may be desired). In an embodiment, a component made of a reactive material may begin to react within about 3 to about 48 hours after setting of the downhole tool.

(52) The downhole tool (and other tool embodiments disclosed herein) and/or one or more of its components may be 3D-printed or made with other forms of additive manufacturing.

(53) Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D together, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a downhole tool in a run-in-hole (RIH) position, a close-up side cross-sectional view of a first fingered member in a staggered, nested engagement with a second fingered member, according to embodiments of the disclosure, a longitudinal side cross-sectional view of the downhole tool in a set position, and a partial lateral view of nested finger members, respectively, illustrative of embodiments disclosed herein, are shown.

(54) Although not shown in great detail here, the downhole tool 302 may be part of a system 300 operable to deploy the tool 302 into a wellbore 306 formed in a subterranean formation. The wellbore 306 may have a tubular, such as casing (e.g., casing, hung casing, casing string, etc.) (which may be cemented), and the like. Just the same, the wellbore 306 may be open hole. A workstring 312 may be used to position or run the downhole tool 302 into and through the wellbore 306 to a desired location. The workstring 312 may be a casing string, and the ‘tubular’ may be the wellbore 306 (or surrounding surface 307). The tool 302 may be like that of other tool embodiments described herein (e.g., 202), and may only be discussed in brevity.

(55) Although not limited, the downhole tool 302 may be an open hole or casing annulus packer. As such, the downhole tool 302 may be used in cementing (or comparable) operations. For example, the downhole tool 302 may be run as part of a casing string, and set in a desired position. Upon setting, a port collar (not shown here) may be opened, and cement may flow and settle in a surrounding annulus 390 for “off-bottom” or “stage” cementing.

(56) The downhole tool 302 may be suitable for use in a downhole system where an annulus of greater significance is present. The size of the annulus may be dictated by the presence of a narrowance or restriction that may have a reduced (and may be significantly reduced) narrowance diameter.

(57) As such, the downhole tool 302 may be suitable for variant downhole conditions, such as when multiple ID's are present within the tubular or wellbore 306. In order to perform a downhole operation, such as an open hole cement job, the tool 302 may be by necessity operable in a manner whereby it may be moved (or run-in) through a narrowed ID, and yet still be operable for successful setting within a second ID.

(58) In an embodiment, the first ID of a first portion of the tubular 306 and a second ID of a second portion of the tubular 306 may be the same. In this respect, a narrowing may have a third ID that is less than the first ID/second ID, and the tool 302 needs to have a narrow enough run-in OD to pass therethrough, yet still be functional to properly set within the second portion.

(59) For such an expansion, normally an inflatable packer might be a preferred choice; however, embodiments herein provide for mechanical packer setting that utilizes an innovative backup element system 330. In this respect, the tool 302 may need to have a narrow enough run-in OD to pass through the first portion, yet still properly set within the second portion, and properly form a seal 325 against the inner surface 307 (of tubular 306) in the tool annulus 390. The formed seal 325 may withstand pressurization of greater than 10,000 psi. In an embodiment, the seal 325 withstands pressurization in the range of about 5,000 psi to about 18,000 psi.

(60) The downhole tool 302 may include a mandrel 314 having a setting piston engaged therewith. The setting piston may include one or more surfaces (e.g., shoulder) with varied diameter. When such surface is exposed pressurized fluid source, this may act on the surface, and move the piston against a compressing member 304. Either of the ends of the tool 302 may have a compressing member 304 abutted thereagainst, ultimately resulting in compressing the components of the tool 302 together. The force may be suitable to completely set the downhole tool 302. The piston may be a hydraulic piston, which may be connect with or integral to the mandrel 302.

(61) The downhole tool 302 may have a backup ring system 330. One of skill would appreciate that each end of the downhole tool 302 may have the backup ring system 330. The (backup) ring system or assembly 330 may include an at least one expansion ring or fingered member 331. There may be a second expansion ring or fingered member 331a. The fingered members may have respect fingers 332, 332a configured to extend away from the main (annular) body 333, 333a. Each finger(s) 332, 332a may be separated from an adjacent finger by (longitudinal) grooves, which may extend from a finger outer surface 349 to a finger inner surface 349a.

(62) The fingered members 331, 331a may have a nested configuration. It is worth noting that the other end of the tool 302 may have a similar or identical system 230, thus providing a symmetrical component configuration.

(63) As mentioned, the members 331 and 331a may be slotted or grooved, which may provide easier expansion of the fingers. The nesting and fingered configuration may be like that as described herein, including such as that shown in FIG. 2B. This type of configuration, with the slots in each fingered member positioned to straddle the slots from the other member, may facilitate easier expansion, as well as improved backup and holdability.

(64) Each fingered member 331, 331a may have a respective annular groove 339, 340. The annular groove 339, 340 may be on an outer surface (e.g., 349) of either respective body, fingers, or at the point where the fingers extend away from the body.

(65) The presence of the grooves 339, 340 may provide for the members 331, 331a to deploy from the outside end of each member, which may allow the main part of each “finger” to stay relatively straight. This shape when set may provide added structural integrity in the finger section of the members 331, 331a, and may better resist bending backwards under high loads from the stack of proximate elements.

(66) There may be more than one setting piston. For example, the string may include a first piston with a first setting stroke for compressing against a first end of the tool. The string may include a second piston with a second setting stroke for compressing against the second end of the tool. The result of compressing together is the urging (radially) outwardly of one or more components, such as the members 331, 331a, and one or more of the elements 341, 343, etc.

(67) The end cap or ring 342 may also be deformable; however, the amount of deformation may be to a much lesser extent than either of the members 331, 331a. In embodiments, end cap 342 may not be slotted. The design and function of the end cap 342 may be to supply mechanical support to the hinge areas of the member(s) 331, 331a, especially where the maximum bending loads may be incurred. The end cap 342 made be made from highly ductile material that may also be deformable under load, such as steel.

(68) The center element 341 may be elastomeric. The element 341 may be proximate or otherwise adjacent to one or more adjacent elements or sections 343 a, b, c, etc. that may deploy independently of each other. Any of the elements 341, 343 a, b, etc. may be multiple-durometer. In embodiments, harder durometer elements may be used on the external ends of the tool 302, working into the softest elastomer element in the middle. The elements 343b and 343c adjacent to the member 332a may be the hardest. As such, the support elements 343b and 343c may provide the highest level of extrusion resistance, while the softer in-board element 343a may provide the best sealing properties.

(69) Between the last element 343c and the second member 334a, there may be a spacer member 335. The spacer 335 may be a solid durable material, such as hard rubber or a plastic like Teflon (PTFE). The spacer 335 may provide protection from the fingers 332a biting into the element 343c.

(70) The cross-section views of FIGS. 3A-3C show the fingered members 331, 331a with the hinge point designed into the members 334, 334a to allow the members to deploy with less axial setting force. The nested configuration of the members 334, 334a may provide maximum support to the center element 341.

(71) As shown in FIG. 3C, the center element 341 in the set position showing the fingered members 331, 331a providing structural support and anti-extrusion barrier to the center element 341. The end cap 342 may deform slightly and provides structural support to the fingered members at the hinge point(s) 351, 351a.

(72) As shown in FIG. 3C, the end of the center element 341 in the set position, and the relative position of the expanded fingers 332, 332a, which may provide full circumference support (directly or indirectly) to the center element 341.

(73) FIG. 3D shows the how the nested members 331, 331a have their respective fingers 332, 332a expanded in such a relative way that one set of fingers 332a occludes or otherwise blocks an extrusion gap 370 between fingers 332. Analogously, the fingers 332 occlude or otherwise block an extrusion gap 370a between fingers 332a. As a result of the offset configuration, the elements (e.g., element 343c) are prevented from extruding through the gaps 370, 370a.

(74) In embodiments, in a RIH position, there is a clearance 359 between an outer bottom end 373 of the second fingered member 331a and an inner bottom end 374 of the first fingered member 331 (see FIG. 3B). In a set position, the clearance becomes closed 359a, and the outer bottom end 373 and the inner bottom end 374 are in contact (see FIG. 3C).

Advantages

(75) Embodiments of the downhole tool may advantageously provide for high expansion rates while maintaining seal integrity. A relatively low setting force need only required to deploy the fingered members.

(76) While preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the disclosure disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations. The use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, and the like.

(77) Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. The inclusion or discussion of a reference is not an admission that it is prior art to the present disclosure, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent they provide background knowledge; or exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.