Inflatable Borehole Packers

These packers represent a new innovation in packer design, the rubber sleeve is reinforced with kevlar strands giving each packer exceptional properties of expansion, strength and flexibility.

The sleeve is further wrapped on the outside with several layers of high-elongation neoprene which is designed to resist erosion by contact with abrasive rock during positioning and working under pressure. The innermost layer of the sleeve consists of a tough nitrile rubber with very low permeability to air or gas.

All steel work is electroplated to prevent corrosion under usual operating conditions.

The packers are supplied in five different standard diameters, covering borehole diameters 42 up to 350 mm. The central stem is fitted with BSP end couplers in order to connect the packer to a suitable riser pipe. Alternatively we can supply adaptors to connect the packers to most types of drill pipe.

The packers should be lowered into the borehole with the fixed, bracketed end of the sleeve uppermost. The inflation line is connected to the packer easily via push-fit connectors situated on the steel end fittings of the rubber sleeve

The packers may be inflated using compressed air, a neutral gas such as nitrogen, or water. During inflation the unit expands to a remarkable degree and reaches maximum diameter beyond which it will not go due to the limitation imposed by the interlacing kevlar strands. On deflation, the packer reverts to its original diameter. the large expansion ratio makes extraction from the borehole very easy.

Care must be taken not to move the packer after it is inflated in the borehole as this may cause the sleeve to rupture. For safety reasons, when testing the packer outside the borehole, the packer should be restrained inside a steel tube with sealed ends and with an internal diameter no larger than the maximum diameter of the packer at full inflation.

See also:
Double Packers
Mechanical Borehole Packers