Sealing Mechanism to Be Used in a Well Beyond a Tight Spot or in Inverted Casing

Abstract

Downhole oil tools such as anchors and packers with mechanical setting and sealing mechanisms are not able to travel through narrower casing and then set in wider casing. This invention is a sealing mechanism which can expand enough to set a tool in a wider casing, but still travel through the narrower casing or tight spot above.

1 . A component of an apparatus for sealing an annular space, the component comprising: A tube made of synthetic rubber; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: A circumferential groove or grooves located on the inner and/or outer surface of the tube. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus comprising: a tube made of synthetic rubber, with a circumferential groove or grooves located on the inner and/or outer surface of the tube; and means for compressing the tube longitudinally. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tube has a plurality of circumferential parallel grooves arranged in an alternating pattern between the inner and outer surface of the tube. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tube's circumferential parallel grooves are arranged as follows, from one end to the other: outer, then inner, then outer, then inner, then outer; with none radially concentric. 
     
     
         5 . A packer which includes the invention of  claim 2  as a sealing mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . A packer which includes the invention of  claim 3  as a sealing mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . A packer which includes the invention of  claim 4  as a sealing mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . A pump anchor which includes the invention of  claim 2  as a sealing mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . A pump anchor which includes the invention of  claim 3  as a sealing mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . A pump anchor which includes the invention of  claim 3  as a sealing mechanism.