and a set position in variations on this embodiment the chamber 106 could be replaced with a mechanical spring to serve as an energy source to bias the outer collar 102 toward the sealing element 32 additionally the transmitter 124 and actuator 122 could be replaced by a mechanical trigger arrangement wherein the spring is mechanically released from a compressed state by engaging a release latch for the spring with an engagement member within the tubing string 40 in operation the packer device 100 is in the initially unset position shown in fig7 the tubing string 40 is lowered into the casing string 17 until the transmitter 124 is located proximate the actuator 122 the triggering signal is received by the actuator 122 which then releases the split ring 120 from the recess 114 if desired a delay could be incorporated into the programming of the actuator 122 such that a predetermined period of time elapses between the time the triggering signal is received by the actuator 122 and the split ring 120 is released from the recess 114 when the split ring 120 is released from the recess 114 fluid pressure within the chamber 106 will urge the outer collar 102 axially upwardly so that the upper end 112 will compress the sealing element 32 the sealing element 32 will be deformed radially inwardly to seal against the tubing string 40 as depicted in fig8 to create a seal referring now to fig9 and 10 a further exemplary packer.