# US 2024/0200422 A1 · Temperature compensator for improved sealing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0200422 A1 - Document ID: US20240200422A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/083,269 - Filed: 2022-12-16 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-16 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Linley FRIPP; Xiaoguang Allan ZHONG; Shobeir P. GAR - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200422A1 ## CPC - E21B 17/02: Couplings; joints {(expandable couplings or joints E21B43/106)} - E21B 33/128: with a member expanded radially by axial pressure (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) - E21B 23/06: for setting packers - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Methods and apparatus for performing a wellbore operation. A thermal compensator is introduced into a wellbore having a temperature. The thermal compensator comprises an outer layer comprising a first material, an inner layer comprising a second material, and a core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; wherein the core comprises a third material. The third material has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the second material. The core contracts when the wellbore temperature is decreasing and the contraction of the core moves the outer layer such that it applies a force to a structure adjacent to the outer layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A thermal compensator comprising: an outer layer comprising a first material; an inner layer comprising a second material; a core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; wherein the core comprises a third material; wherein the third material has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the second material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; wherein the first material and the second material are the same type of material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; further comprising a middle layer between the outer layer and the inner layer; wherein the middle layer comprises a fourth material; wherein the core is a first core and is disposed between the inner layer and the middle layer; wherein the thermal compensator further comprises a second core comprising a fifth material; wherein the second core is disposed between the middle layer and the outer layer; wherein the fifth material has higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the fourth material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The thermal compensator of claim 3; wherein the fifth material and the third material are the same type of material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; wherein the core comprises two terminal ends; wherein one terminal end of the core is coupled to the inner layer; and wherein the second terminal end of the core is coupled to the outer layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; wherein the core is sealed between the inner layer the outer layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; wherein the outer layer and the inner layer each comprise a terminal end comprising a lip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; wherein the core comprises two terminal ends; wherein each terminal end comprises a lip; wherein each lip is coupled to one of the inner layer or the outer layer; and wherein the inner layer and the outer layer do not comprise a lip. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; wherein the core is a solid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; wherein the core is a fluid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The thermal compensator of claim 1; wherein the first material and the second material each comprise a material selected from the group consisting of zirconium tungstate, coextruded iron nickel oxide, invar, titanium, carbon steel, stainless steel, chrome alloys, nickel alloys, ceramics, tungsten, glass, and any combination thereof, and wherein the third material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, brass, lead, polyamide-imide thermoplastics, polyetheretherketone, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene difluoride, epoxy, rubber, paraffin wax, water, silicone oil, petroleum products, alcohol, glycerin, salt, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 12 A method for performing a wellbore operation: introducing a thermal compensator into a wellbore having a temperature; wherein the thermal compensator comprises: an outer layer comprising a first material; an inner layer comprising a second material; a core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; wherein the core comprises a third material; wherein the third material has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the second material; wherein the core contracts when the wellbore temperature is decreasing; wherein the contraction of the core moves the outer layer such that it applies a force to a structure adjacent to the outer layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the structure adjacent to the outer layer is a sealing element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the thermal compensator is disposed on a mandrel and the structure adjacent to the outer layer is a compression-set packer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12; wherein the thermal compensator further comprises a middle layer between the outer layer and the inner layer; wherein the middle layer comprises a fourth material; wherein the core is a first core and is disposed between the inner layer and the middle layer; wherein the thermal compensator further comprises a second core comprising a fifth material; wherein the second core is disposed between the middle layer and the outer layer; wherein the fifth material has higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the fourth material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12; wherein the core comprises two terminal ends; wherein one terminal end of the core is coupled to the inner layer; and wherein the second terminal end of the core is coupled to the outer layer. ### Claim 17 A system for performing a wellbore operation, the system comprising: a thermal compensator comprising: an outer layer comprising a first material; an inner layer comprising a second material; a core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; wherein the core comprises a third material; wherein the third material has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the second material; wherein the core is configured to contract when a temperature of the wellbore is decreasing; wherein the contraction of the core moves the outer layer such that it applies a force to a sealing element; and the sealing element; wherein the sealing element is adjacent to the outer layer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the system further comprises a mandrel and the thermal compensator and the sealing element are disposed on the mandrel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the sealing element is a compression-set packer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the thermal compensator further comprises a middle layer between the outer layer and the inner layer; wherein the middle layer comprises a fourth material; wherein the core is a first core and is disposed between the inner layer and the middle layer; wherein the thermal compensator further comprises a second core comprising a fifth material; wherein the second core is disposed between the middle layer and the outer layer; wherein the fifth material has higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the fourth material.