| 摘要 |
<p>There is disclosed an elastically deformable support for an expandable seal element of a downhole tool, an expandable seal assembly incorporating such a seal element and support, and a downhole tool, such as a packer, incorporating the expandable seal assembly. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a one-piece elastically deformable support (13) for an expandable seal element (30) of a downhole tool (10). The support is deformable between an unexpanded configuration (Fig. 2) and a radially expanded configuration (Fig. 5) and comprises: a plurality of base portions (31), each base portion having a surface (33) which, in use, faces towards the seal element; and a plurality of overlap portions (35), each overlap portion extending from a respective base portion so that it overlaps the surface of an adjacent base portion and having a surface (37) which, in use, faces towards the seal element. The base portions and the overlap portions are arranged to define a generally ring-shaped seal support structure (39) which forms a continuous circumferentially extending support surface (41) for abutting and supporting the seal element.</p> |
