Swellable material and method

Abstract

A swellable element includes a mandrel, a swellable material disposed about the mandrel and at least one cut in the swellable material and method.

1 . A swellable element comprising:
 a mandrel;   a swellable material disposed about the mandrel; and   at least one cut in the swellable material.   
   
   
       2 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut is orthogonal to an axis of the element. 
   
   
       3 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut is circumferential to the element. 
   
   
       4 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut is segmented. 
   
   
       5 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut has a radial dimension that is substantially equal to that of the element. 
   
   
       6 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut is parallel to an axis of the element. 
   
   
       7 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut is at an angle different than orthogonal or parallel to an axis of the element. 
   
   
       8 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut is axially spiral. 
   
   
       9 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut is axially helical. 
   
   
       10 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one cut is zig-zag shaped. 
   
   
       11 . A swellable element comprising:
 a mandrel; and   a plurality of annular discs of a swellable material disposed about the mandrel.   
   
   
       12 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the annular discs are each affixed to the mandrel at an inside dimension thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 11  wherein selected ones of the annular discs are affixed to the mandrel and at least one selected annular disc is unaffixed to the mandrel. 
   
   
       14 . The swellable element as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the at least one selected unaffixed annular disc is axially bounded by affixed annular discs. 
   
   
       15 . A method for making a swellable element comprising:
 disposing a swellable material on a mandrel; and   cutting the swellable material.   
   
   
       16 . The method for making a swellable element as claimed in  15  wherein the disposing includes affixing. 
   
   
       17 . A method for making a swellable element comprising:
 disposing a plurality of discs of a swellable material on a mandrel closely adjacent one another; and   affixing at least one of the plurality of discs of swellable material to the mandrel.