摘要 |
A method of manufacturing a wall thickness program onto an elastomeric tubular component, such as an expandable bladder and/or cover element, for incorporation into a packing device for use in a subterranean well includes steps of contouring upon a surface a diametrical configuration defining a wall thickness program for the tubular component. The diametrical configuration is transferred from the surface onto at least one of the walls of the tubular component as a wall thickness program whereby the transfer diametrical configuration conforms substantially as a mirror image of the program on the contoured surface. An elongated mandrel may be provided as the surface onto which the diametrical configuration of the wall thickness program is contoured, such as by machining. Thereafter, the elastomeric tubular component may be prepared on the mandrel, such as by wrapping elastomeric ribbon in layers therearound as the mandrel is manipulated. Extrusion abating heat shrinkable tape may be applied around the uncured elastomer and the elastomer on the mandrel cured under heat to transfer the diametrical configuration from the mandrel onto the tubular component. Alternatively, the diametrical configuration of the elastomeric tubular component may be machined along a constant outer diameter of a blank elastomeric tubular component.
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