Pressure responsive centralizer

Abstract

A centralizer including hollow structural components. In at least one embodiment, the hollow structural component is sealed by at least one valve or rupture disk. When unacceptable overpressures occur, the valve or rupture disks break to allow influx into the hollow element, thereby relieving pressure and avoiding damage that might otherwise occur. In other embodiments, the hollow structural component collapses to expand available volume.

1 . A downhole pressure adjusting system, comprising: 
 a centralizing structure; and    at least one closed hollow structural component, wherein the hollow structural component is responsive to overpressure.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the hollow structural component is sealed by one or more rupture disks.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the hollow structural component is sealed by one or more valves.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the hollow structural component at least partially collapses in response to pressure.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the centralizing structure provides radial positioning of a casing and axial support within a wellbore.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the centralizing structure provides radial positioning of a casing.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a second hollow structural component.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the rupture disk of the hollow structural component ruptures to relieve overpressure.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising a second hollow structural component.  
   
   
       10 . A downhole pressure adjusting system, comprising a structure for placement on a casing, wherein the structure includes at least one hollow structural component, and the hollow structural component is sealed by at least one seal.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the seal is a rupture disk or a relief valve.  
   
   
       12 . A production system, comprising: 
 a casing; and    a centralizer which includes at least one hollow structural component.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the hollow structural component is sealed by a rupture disk.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the hollow structural component is sealed by a relieve valve.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the hollow structural component is designed to collapse at a predetermined pressure.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the least one hollow structural component comprises a first hollow structural component and a second hollow structural component, wherein the first and second hollow structural components are designed to respond to pressure changes.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the hollow structural component is placed outside of the centralizer.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the hollow structural component is part of a strut of the centralizer unit.