Mandrel Supported Flexible Support Ring Assembly
First Claim
1. A mandrel supported assembly for borehole use, comprising:
- at least one base comprising an opening for the mandrel;
at least one tapered segment extending from said base further comprising a plurality of slots defining fingers therebetween, said fingers comprising ends, spaced from said base, and said ends comprising a stiffening feature;
said fingers flexing independently of each other relative to said base to conform to a shape of a surrounding surface by contact thereof while exerting a force against the surrounding surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Spring discs are rotationally locked to the mandrel are between pairs of actuation rings that feature a circumferential protrusion. On application of axial force release of a stored force from flexing, the protrusion engages a sloping portion of the spring disc and moves the sloping portion toward a more vertical orientation. Alternatively, a release of a stored force from flexing accomplishes the same result. Slots in the spring disc allow irregular growth to conform to surface irregularities of a surrounding surface. The discs can serve as anchors, centralizers or supports for a sealing element in a packer. Ends of fingers feature stiffeners to enhance strength. The discs can be stacked apart or together and oriented in the same or opposed directions. The can deliver an axial force when stacked and pushed toward flat and released.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A mandrel supported assembly for borehole use, comprising:
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at least one base comprising an opening for the mandrel; at least one tapered segment extending from said base further comprising a plurality of slots defining fingers therebetween, said fingers comprising ends, spaced from said base, and said ends comprising a stiffening feature; said fingers flexing independently of each other relative to said base to conform to a shape of a surrounding surface by contact thereof while exerting a force against the surrounding surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of supporting or positioning a mandrel with respect to a surrounding surface defining a borehole, comprising:
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mounting at least one ring shaped object to a mandrel that further comprises; at least one base comprising an opening for the mandrel; at least one tapered segment extending from said base further comprising a plurality of slots defining fingers therebetween, said fingers comprising ends, spaced from said base, and said ends comprising a stiffening feature; flexing said fingers independently of each other relative to said base to conform to a shape of a surrounding surface by contact thereof while exerting a force against the surrounding surface. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification