Inflatable anchor element and packer employing same

摘要

An inflatable packer element utilizing metal cable employed to reinforce the elastomeric packer bladder as an anchoring element. Steel cable is exposed along at least a portion of the packer element surface to engage a casing, liner or other conduit wall, or the wall of an open well bore. A seal may be effected at one or both ends of the packer element through use of a bonded elastomer cover which is pressed against the conduit wall by the expanded cable when the packer element is inflated.