DOWNHOLE FORMATION TESTING AND SAMPLING APPARATUS HAVING A DEPLOYMENT LINKAGE ASSEMBLY

A downhole formation testing and sampling apparatus. The apparatus includes a setting assembly and an actuation module that is operable to apply an axial compressive force to the setting assembly shifting the setting assembly from a radially contracted running configuration to a radially expanded deployed configuration. A plurality of probes is coupled to the setting assembly. Each probe has a sealing pad with an outer surface operable to seal a region along a surface of the formation to establish the hydraulic connection therewith when the setting assembly is operated from the running configuration to the deployed configuration. Each sealing pad has at least one opening establishing fluid communication between the formation and the interior of the apparatus. In addition, each sealing pad has at least one recess operable to establish fluid flow from the formation to the at least one opening.