IMPROVED SEAL

• US 20060186602A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freudenberg Oil & Gas LLC (Freudenberg & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Caledyne Limited (Baker Hughes Eho Ltd. (Dubai))
• Inventors: Martin, David, Sinclair, Ewan
• Granted Patent: US 8,186,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 277/338
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/07 Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/12 Packers; Plugs used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1212 including a metal-to-metal seal element
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/128 with a member expanded radially by axial pressure E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/028 the packing being mechanically expanded against the sealing surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/128 with metal covering
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/18 the sealing means being rings

Abstract

An annular sealing element to seal between metal surfaces for use in flanges, joints, packers and the like, located in oil and gas exploration and production equipment. The sealing element has inner and outer metal deformable surfaces joined at ends, defining an interior volume which is entirely filled with a plastic deformable material. The surfaces are arranged such that on compression of the element from the ends, the element will deform in a controlled manner on a cantilever principle. The volume of filler and the interior volume remain substantially equal during compression so that delamination does not occur. Thus the sealing element provides a seal combining the flexibility of elastomer seals with the integrity of a metal to metal seal.

Claims

1. A sealing element for providing a seal between a first and a second surface, comprising:

an inner deformable surface;

an outer deformable surface;

the inner and outer surfaces being joined at opposed first and second ends, providing a body defining an interior volume entirely bounded by the said surfaces and said ends;

a deformable filler material within said interior volume;

wherein the element deforms in a predetermined manner to seal between the first and second surfaces when said ends are brought toward each other.

2. The sealing element of claim 1 wherein the inner and outer deformable surfaces are sleeves, the element thereby being annular.

3. The sealing element of claim 2 wherein the inner and outer surfaces are deformable metal sleeves.

4. The sealing element of preceding claim 1 wherein the inner and outer surfaces define a first shape containing the interior volume, following deformation the inner and outer surface define a second shape and wherein the second shape is a cantilever structure arranged longitudinally between the ends.

5. The sealing element of claim 4 wherein the first and second shapes are annular having a polygon in longitudinal cross-section.

6. The sealing element of claim 5 wherein the polygon is symmetrical about a horizontal plane, equidistant from the ends.

7. The sealing element of claim 1 wherein the deformable filler material has a first volume which equals the interior volume and both remain substantially equal as the ends are brought together.

8. The sealing element of claim 1 wherein the deformable filler material is a plastic.

9. The sealing element of claim 1 wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of outer ridges.

10. The sealing element of claim 1 wherein a sealant material is applied to at least a portion of the outer surface.

11. The sealing element of claim 1 wherein at least one metal insert is located in at least a portion of the outer surface.

12. A method of providing a seal between a first and a second surface, comprising the steps of:

providing the sealing element of claim 1, having a first interior volume and a first shape with a filler having a first volume substantially equal to the first interior volume;

arranging the element adjacent the first surface and opposite the second surface;

moving one or both ends of the sealing element toward the opposing end;

deforming the sealing element in a controlled manner to provide a second shape while keeping the first interior volume and the first volume substantially equal;

contacting the sealing element on the first and second surfaces to provide the seal; and

further moving one or both ends of the sealing element toward the opposing end to provide a pressure across the sealing element between the inner and outer surfaces.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the sealing element forms a cantilever structure during deformation.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the method includes the step of deforming the outer and inner surfaces of the sealing element.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the method includes the step of abutting ridges of the sealing element onto at least the second surface.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the method includes the step of abutting a sealing material of the sealing element to at least the second surface.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the method includes the step of abutting a metal insert of the sealing element to at least the second surface.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the sealing element is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

18. Apparatus for providing a seal between a first and a second surface within in a well bore, comprising:

a substantially tubular body upon which is located the first surface;

a sealing element located around the tubular body, comprising an inner deformable surface, an outer deformable surface, the inner and outer surfaces being joined at opposed first and second ends, providing a sealing body defining an interior volume entirely bounded by the said surfaces and said ends, a deformable filler material within said interior volume;

at least one actuating element arranged around and longitudinally moveable relative to the tubular body;

the actuating element including means for contacting an end of the sealing element;

wherein the sealing element deforms in a predetermined manner to seal between the first and second surfaces when said ends are brought toward each other by movement of the actuating element.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the at least one actuating element is a cone, the cone having a bore therethough for passage of the tubular body.

20. The apparatus claim 18 wherein the at least one actuating element is a threaded ring.

22. A method of anchoring an apparatus to an inner surface of a well bore, comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 18 having a first interior volume and a first shape with a filler having a first volume substantially equal to the first interior volume;

running the apparatus on a work string in the well bore;

moving one or both ends of the sealing element toward the opposing end;

deforming the sealing element in a controlled manner to provide a second shape while keeping the first interior volume and the first volume substantially equal;

contacting the sealing element on the first and second surfaces; and

further moving at least one end of the sealing element toward the opposing end to provide a pressure across the sealing element between the inner and outer surfaces thereby anchoring the apparatus to the second surface.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the sealing element forms a cantilever structure during deformation.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the method includes the step of deforming the outer and inner surfaces of the sealing element.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the method includes the step of abutting ridges of the sealing element onto at least the second surface.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the method includes the step of abutting a sealing material of the sealing element to at least the second surface.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the method includes the step of abutting a metal insert of the sealing element to at least the second surface.

28. A flange ring seal for location in a groove of a mating plate of a flange, the seal comprising:

a sealing element having an inner deformable surface, an outer deformable surface, the inner and outer surfaces being joined at opposed first and second ends, providing a sealing body defining an interior volume entirely bounded by the said surfaces and said ends, a deformable filler material within said interior volume;

wherein an end is arranged to locate in the groove of the flange; and

wherein the seal deforms in a predetermined manner when an opposing mating plate is brought against the mating plate to seal between the plates.

29. (canceled)