Composite swellable packer material

Abstract

A swellable packer element having a composite layer formed from an elastomeric layer backed by a fabric layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swellable packer element comprising:
 a composite layer formed from an elastomeric layer backed by a fabric layer;   wherein the composite layer is wound to form a seal comprising alternating layers of elastomer and fabric.   
     
     
         2 . The swellable packer element of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer is backed by the fabric layer having elastomer on an opposite side thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The swellable packer element of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer is at least partially merged into the fabric layer. 
     
     
         4 . The swellable packer element of any of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer does not include any super absorbent polymers. 
     
     
         5 . The swellable packer element of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric layer is a woven layer. 
     
     
         6 . The swellable packer element of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric layer is a knit layer. 
     
     
         7 . The swellable packer element of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer and the fabric layer are coterminous. 
     
     
         8 . The swellable packer element of  claim 1 , wherein the composite layer is wound about a section of drill pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The swellable packer element of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of lengths of composite layer are wound around the section of drill pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The swellable packer element of  claim 1 , further comprising a blowing agent contained in the composite layer that is selected to respond with expanding gas products when exposed to predetermined fluids in a well bore. 
     
     
         11 . A swellable packer element comprising:
 an elastomeric material formed into a shape comprising a hollow cylinder and vulcanized; and   a fibrous material contained within the elastomeric material that increases the cohesive strength of the elastomeric material;   wherein the elastomeric material is selected to swell in contact with a predetermined fluid; and   wherein the fibrous material increases transport of fluids into the elastomeric material.   
     
     
         12 . The swellable packer element of  claim 11 , wherein the fibrous material comprises fiber flock mixed into the elastomer before vulcanizing. 
     
     
         13 . The swellable packer element of  claim 11 , wherein the fibrous material comprises a woven fiber mat. 
     
     
         14 . The swellable packer element of  claim 11 , wherein the fibrous material comprises a knit fiber mat. 
     
     
         15 . The swellable packer of  claim 11 , wherein the elastomeric material and the fibrous material comprise coterminous sheets rolled into a cylinder before vulcanization. 
     
     
         16 . The swellable packer of  claim 11 , wherein the swellable packer does not contain any super absorbent polymers. 
     
     
         17 . The swellable packer of  claim 16 , further comprising a blowing agent within the elastomeric material. 
     
     
         18 . A swellable packer element comprising:
 an elastomeric material formed into a predetermined shape and vulcanized; and   a blowing agent within the elastomeric material that is selected to produce gas and expand the elastomeric material upon contact with a predetermined fluid.   
     
     
         19 . The swellable packer element of  claim 18 , further comprising a fiber reinforcement within the elastomeric material. 
     
     
         20 . The swellable packer element of  claim 19 , excluding any super absorbent polymer.