Packer

Abstract

A packer that is usable with a well includes a resilient seal element and a support member. The resilient seal element is adapted to radially expand in response to the longitudinal compression of the element. The support member is at least partially surrounded by the seal element and is adapted to radially expand with the seal element to support the element. The support sleeve is substantially harder than the seal element.

1 . A packer usable with a well, comprising: 
 a resilient seal element adapted to radially expand in response to a longitudinal compression of the seal element; and    a support member at least partially surrounded by the seal element and being substantially harder than the seal element, the support member adapted to radially expand with the seal element to support the seal element.    
   
   
       2 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a sleeve circumscribed by the seal element.  
   
   
       3 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the support member has a first radial thickness that is substantially smaller than a second radial thickness of the seal element.  
   
   
       4 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the support has substantially more resistance to deformation than the seal element.  
   
   
       5 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the seal element comprises at least one of a rubber and an elastomer.  
   
   
       6 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the member comprises a metal.  
   
   
       7 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is bonded to the resilient seal element.  
   
   
       8 . The packer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an inner tubular member of the packer having an outer surface,    wherein the support member comprises first regions that closely adhere to the outer surface before the longitudinal compression of the seal element and a second region that extends radially away from the outer surface before the longitudinal compression of the seal element.    
   
   
       9 . The packer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 another seal element at least partially circumscribed by the support member.    
   
   
       10 . The packer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a gage adapted to longitudinally compress the seal element; and    at least one expandable seal assembly located between the gage and the seal element.    
   
   
       11 . The packer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a gage adapted to longitudinally compress the seal element; and    at least one spring located between the gage the seal element.    
   
   
       12 . The packer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a gage adapted to longitudinally compress the seal element; and    at least one radially expandable ring located between the gage and the seal element.    
   
   
       13 . A method usable with a well, comprising: 
 providing a resilient seal element adapted to radially expand in response to longitudinal compression of the seal element; and    radially inside the seal element, disposing a support member adapted to radially expand with the seal element to support the seal element, the support member being significantly harder than the seal element.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 selecting the support member to have substantially more resistance to deformation than the resilient seal element.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the resilient seal element comprises at least one of a rubber and an elastomer.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the support member comprises a metal.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 bonding the support member to the seal element.    
   
   
       18 . A method usable with a well, comprising: 
 compressing a resilient seal element to cause the seal element to radially expand; and    in concert with the radial expansion of the seal element, deforming a material that is substantially harder than the seal element to support the seal element.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the support member has substantially more resistance to deformation than the seal element.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the seal element comprises at least one of a rubber and an elastomer.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the member comprises at least one of a metal, a composite and a plastic.  
   
   
       22 . A system usable with a well, comprising: 
 a string; and    a packer connected to the string, the packer comprising: 
 a resilient seal element adapted to radially expand in response to a longitudinal compression of the seal element; and  
 a support member at least partially surrounded by the seal element and being substantially harder than the seal element, the support member adapted to radially expand with the seal element to support the seal element.  
   
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the support member has substantially more resistance to deformation than the seal element.