Annular barrier

Abstract

The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole. The annular barrier comprises a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular part and having an inner face facing the tubular part, each end of the expandable sleeve being connected with a connection part which is connected with the tubular part, a space between the inner face of the sleeve and the tubular part, and an element arranged in connection with the sleeve, the element having a first part and a second part both of which extend around the inner face, the first part of the element being fastened to the inner face.

1 . An annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole, comprising
 a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure,   an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular part and having an inner face facing the tubular part, each end of the expandable sleeve being connected with a connection part which is connected with the tubular part,   a space between the inner face of the sleeve and the tubular part, and   an element arranged in connection with the sleeve, the element having a first part and a second part both of which extend around the inner face, the first part of the element being fastened to the inner face,   wherein the second part projects into the space from the first part.   
     
     
         2 . An annular barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve after expansion has two inclining parts and an intermediate non-inclining part when seen in cross-section along a longitudinal extension of the sleeve, and the element is arranged on the part of the sleeve which is non-inclining. 
     
     
         3 . An annular barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the element is made of a material able to maintain its shape after being bent, such as metal. 
     
     
         4 . An annular barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable sleeve has an outer face onto which at least one sealing element is arranged opposite the first part of the element. 
     
     
         5 . An annular barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of elements are arranged in connection with the sleeve and have a mutual distance between them, all connected to the non-inclining part of the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . An annular barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the element comprises a third part which is free and unrestrained of the inner face and arranged opposite the second part so that the first part is arranged between the third and second parts. 
     
     
         7 . An annular barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the second and/or the third part of the element has an angle in an expanded state of the sleeve in relation to the inner face being larger than 5°. 
     
     
         8 . An annular barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first part is fastened wholly or partly to the inner face or an outer face of the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . An annular barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the element has a V-shaped, a U-shaped, a C-shaped, or an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration when the sleeve is expanded. 
     
     
         10 . An annular barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the element is substituted for at least one section having an increased thickness in relation to another section of the sleeve when seen in cross-section along a longitudinal extension of the sleeve, causing the section having the increased thickness to be expanded less than another section during expansion of the sleeve is. 
     
     
         11 . An annular barrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the section of the sleeve having an increased thickness is provided by fastening a ring-shaped part onto the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . An annular barrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the section of the sleeve having an increased thickness has two inclining end parts in which the thickness of the sleeve increases. 
     
     
         13 . An annular barrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the expandable sleeve has an outer face onto which at least one sealing element is arranged opposite the section of the sleeve having an increased thickness. 
     
     
         14 . An annular barrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the sealing elements have a tapering or triangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         15 . An annular barrier system comprising an expansion means and an annular barrier according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . An annular barrier system according to  claim 15 , wherein the expansion means comprises explosives, pressurised fluid, cement, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A annular barrier system comprising:
 a tubular part having an opening,   a first connection part surrounding and connected with the tubular part,   a second connection part surrounding and connected with the tubular part,   an intermediate connection part arranged between the first and second connection parts,   a first expandable sleeve connected with the first connection part and the intermediate connection part enclosing a first inner space, and   a second expandable sleeve connected with the second connection part and the intermediate connection part enclosing a second inner space,   wherein at least the intermediate part and the first connection part are slidably connected with the tubular part.   
     
     
         18 . A downhole system comprising a well tubular structure and at least one annular barrier according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A downhole system according to  claim 18 , wherein a plurality of annular barriers are positioned at a distance from each other along the well tubular structure.