Device For Sealing Off A Well And A Pipe And A Fitting Method

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a device for sealing off a well or a pipe, that comprises a tubular sleeve that can be radially expanded by an inflating fluid, in order to press hermetically against the wall of the well or pipe, which sleeve is connected to end members, at least one of which comprises an annular skirt directed towards this sleeve. It is characterized essentially in that the skirt wall has a number of through-holes therein and in that the material of the sleeve surrounds said skirt in such a way as to cover its outside and inside faces, sealing said holes and leaving no gaps.

1 . A sealing device used for sealing off a well or a duct comprising a tubular sleeve radially expansible under the action of an inflation fluid, in order to be hermetically applied against the wall of the well or of the duct, this sleeve being attached to end members, at least one of which includes an annular skirt directed towards this sleeve wherein the wall of said skirt is pierced with a set of opening holes and said material of the sleeve clads said skirt so as to cover the external and internal faces of it while sealing off said holes without any continuity solution. 
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve from the inside to the outside, consists of an inner sealing membrane, a mechanical structure and an outer skin, wherein the material of said sealing membrane clads said skirt. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said holes extend circumferentially on the wall of said skirt. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein said skirt includes at least two distinct series of holes, shifted longitudinally. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the holes of a first series are shifted circumferentially relatively to the holes of the neighbouring series so that the whole assumes, as seen from above, a staggered arrangement. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said holes have an oblong shape. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the external surface of said sleeve is in the alignment of the outermost surface of said end member. 
   
   
       8 . A method for mounting a tubular sleeve, radially expansible under the action of an inflation fluid, onto the annular skirt of an end member of a sealing device used for sealing off a well or a duct comprising using an end member, the skirt of which is pierced with a set of opening holes and overmolding the material of said sleeve on said skirt, so as to cover the external and internal faces while sealing off said holes, without any continuity solution. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the end member is used, the holes of which extend circumferentially on the wall of said skirt. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said skirt includes at least two distinct series of holes, shifted longitudinally. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the holes of a first series are shifted circumferentially relatively to the holes of the neighbouring series so that the whole assumes, as seen from above, a staggered arrangement.