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Sorem et a1.
[45]
[54]
4,951,747
INFLATABLE PACKER
5,143,154
5,195,583
[75]
Inventors:
[73] Assignee:
Ok1a_
Date of Patent:
5 9 363 9 542
V [57]
ABSTRACT
The strength of slats attached to an in?atable packer
[22] F?ed
Dec' 11 1992
166/187
[56]
References cued
US PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,837,947
9/1974
4,832,120
US. Patent
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5,363,542
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US. Patent
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Sheet 2 of 3
5,363,542
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5,363,542
well casing.
Since the elastomeric bladder is subjected to both
expansion pressure and abrasion or cutting forces, it has
welding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the reduction in
5,363,542
is equal to that of cold-worked stainless steel which has 30 other embodiments have been suggested and still others
will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading and
not been affected by heat. Additionally, the weld mate
understanding of the foregoing speci?cation. It is in
rial can easily have a strength greater than that of the
tended
that all such embodiments be included within
slat.
the scope of this invention as limited only by the ap
In accordance with the invention, the slats 30 are
formed of an age-hardening material which is welded to 35 pended claims.
Having thus described my invention, I claim:
the end ?tting 42 in the annealed condition. The welded
1. In the method of assembly of an in?atable packer
assembly is solution annealed at approximately 1700 to
including attachment of a plurality of reinforcing slats
2000 F. for one hour to relieve residual stresses and to
to an end ?tting of said packer comprising the sequen
form a more uniform microstructure in weld heat affect
zone. The annealed assembly is aged to harden the slats 40 tial steps of forming slats of an age-hardening material
in annealed condition, welding said slats to said end
30, and ?tting 42, Many age-hardening treatments are
?tting, heat treating and age hardening the resultant
possible in accordance with practices familiar to those
welded slats and end ?tting, the improvement which
skilled in the art. One possible two stage age-hardening
comprises providing external threads on the end ?tting,
cycle is to age at 1400" F. for ten hours then furnace
cool to 1200" F. and hold for total aging time of twenty 45 slipping an overlying sleeve onto the end connector and
engaging internal threads on the sleeve with the exter
hours. It is important to hang the welded assembly
nal threads of the end ?tting.
during the annealing and aging treatments to prevent
55
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