Multi-element packer

Claim 1

A multi-element packer for closing a borehole comprising: a tubular inner mandrel having an upper end and a lower end each including means for affixing to a tubing or an adjacent packer; a cylinder member being open at one end and partially closed at the other, the partially closed end having an axial opening therein, and coaxially receiving said inner mandrel at the upper end thereof; a coupling plate having an axial opening therein sealably and coaxially receiving the said inner mandrel at the lower end thereof; an outer mandrel coaxially positioned over said inner mandrel and extending from said cylinder member to said coupling plate, providing an annulus area between the interior circumference of said outer mandrel and the outer circumference of said inner mandrel, said coupling plate being affixed to said outer mandrel and providing an annular passageway there around, the inner diameter of said cylinder member being larger than the outer diameter of said outer mandrel providing an annular cylinder chamber, said cylinder member having a fluid inlet opening therein communicating with said cylinder chamber, and said outer mandrel having a first opening therein communicating said cylinder chamber with said annulus between said inner and outer mandrels, said outer mandrel having a second opening communicating said coupling plate annular passageway and a fluid outlet opening communicating the annular passageway with the exterior of said coupling plate; an annular piston slidably received on the exterior of said outer mandrel and within said cylinder member, the piston being displaceable by fluid pressure within said cylinder chamber; and a plurality of tubular elastomer elements received coaxially on said outer mandrel between said annular piston and said coupling plate.