Packer with integrated sensors

Abstract

Sensors are included in an inflatable packer to measure the pressure inside the packer and the distance that the outside wall of the packer moves during inflation. This data is communicated to a control module that monitors and controls the operation of the packer, as well as to a central downhole and/or surface controller.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A packer for use in a borehole, said packer comprising: 
 a base portion having a bore therethrough and having threaded ends for connection to a string of tools used in a borehole;    an inflatable portion connected to be pressurized by hydraulic fluid; and    a sensor connected to detect a condition related to the deployment of said packer.    
     
     
         2 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor detects the pressure inside said inflatable portion.  
     
     
         3 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor detects the location of the outer wall of said packer relative to the inner wall of said packer.  
     
     
         4 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a rotary potentiometer.  
     
     
         5 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is an ultrasound transducer.  
     
     
         6 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a fiber optic pressure transducer.  
     
     
         7 . The packer of  claim 1 , wherein said inflatable portion is pressurized with magnetorheological fluid.  
     
     
         8 . A system for working in a borehole, said system comprising: 
 a string of tools connected together to accomplish a task related to the production of hydrocarbons from said borehole;    a packer connected to be a part of said string of tools, said packer comprising a sensor connected to detect a condition related to the deployment of said packer.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said sensor detects the pressure inside said packer.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said sensor detects the distance an outer wall of said inflatable packer has moved.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said sensor is a rotary potentiometer.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said sensor is an ultrasound transducer.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said sensor is a fiber optic pressure transducer.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said inflatable portion is pressurized with magnetorheological fluid.  
     
     
         15 . A method of using a packer in a borehole, said method comprising: 
 positioning said packer at a predetermined position within said borehole;    inflating said packer using hydraulic fluid; and    receiving information regarding a condition related to the inflation of said packer from a sensor implanted in said packer.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said sensor detects the pressure inside said packer.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said sensor detects the distance an outer wall of said packer has moved.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said sensor is a rotary potentiometer, an ultrasound transducer, or a fiber optic pressure transducer.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said packer is pressurized with magnetorheological fluid.  
     
     
         20 . A method of using a packer in a borehole, said method comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a packer containing at least one sensor to a string of tools;    lowering said string of tools, containing said packer, into a cased borehole;    setting said packer while utilizing said at least one sensor to detect the state of said packer.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said packer is an inflatable packer.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said sensor is chosen from the group comprising a rotary potentiometer, a fiber-optic pressure transducer, an ultrasound transducer, a quartz pressure transducer, and a pressure gauge transducer.