High pressure and temperature seal for downhole use
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsRonald D. Williams, Edward Wayne Welch, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A seal for use in temperature and pressure extremes is disclosed. It features springs internal to the sealing members and the ability to seal against pressure differentials from opposed directions. A spacer ring prevents contact from oppositely oriented seal components and at the same time prevents spring and seal collapse under extreme loading conditions. The seal assembly is self-centering in a downhole seal bore and can be used on tools delivered on wireline, where the insertion forces available are at a minimum. The seal can withstand pressure differentials in excess of 13,500 PSI and temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Claims13
A seal assembly for sealing an annular space between tubulars downhole and subject to pressure differentials from at least one of an uphole and a downhole direction, comprising:
- an assembly of at least one upper seal and lower seal separated by a middle seal wherein said upper and lower seals are disposed about said middle seal
- said upper and lower seals are disposed in a mirror image about said middle seal;
- said upper and lower seals comprise diverging legs defining an opening in between said legs;
- said opening on said upper seal is oriented uphole such that pressure differentials from uphole toward downhole spreads said legs of said upper seal across the annular space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.