Downhole packer with element extrusion-limiting device
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsHector H. Mireles, Jr., James C. Doane
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sealing element system for a downhole packer reduces the tendency of the elements to extrude. Mechanical limits are provided to the amount of force that can be passed onto the uppermost and lowermost components of a sealing element system by providing a limit on the longitudinal compression available against a gauge ring. The gauge rings are roughened to also grab the uppermost and lowermost elements to fight the tendency to extrude. The uppermost and lowermost elements are configured with an external groove to control the way they deform into a sealing relationship with the tubing and casing so that extrusion into the gap is reduced.
Claims16
A packer sealing system, comprising:
- a body;
- at least one sealing element movable between a retracted and a set position;
- at least one gauge ring to contact said sealing element on a first end thereof;
- at least one stop ring to contact said sealing element on a second end opposite said first end of said sealing element;
- said stop ring configured to limit longitudinal compression of said sealing element against said gauge ring when compressed from said retracted to said set position by virtue of engagement to said gauge ring;
- said stop ring comprises a body to contact said sealing element and an extending portion from said body oriented toward said gauge ring;
- said sealing element is formed having an inner surface defining a recess;
- said extending portion is disposed in said recess.
An anti-extrusion method for sealing elements for a packer, comprising:
- providing at least one sealing element on a packer body;
- providing at least one gauge ring at one end of the sealing element;
- limiting the amount of longitudinal compression which can be applied to the sealing element against the gauge ring;
- using at least one stop ring on the opposite end from said gauge ring;
- providing an extending segment on said stop ring;
- allowing the extending segment to contact the gauge ring to limit compression of the sealing element by the stop ring;
- providing a recess between the packer body and the sealing element:
- forming the extending segment as a cylindrical shape having a shorter length than the sealing element;
- disposing the cylindrical shape in the recess.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.