Downhole seal element formed from a nanocomposite material
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsJeremy Buc Slay, Thomas Wayne Ray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seal element (70) for providing a static or dynamic seal between two components (74, 78) in a downhole tool includes a polymer host material (212) and a plurality of nanostructures (220) forming a nanocomposite material (210). The polymer host material (212) has a plurality of regions of free volume (222) that receive the nanostructures (220). The nanostructures (220) and the polymer host material (212) form interfacial interactions that improve the useful life of the seal element (70) by minimizing seal failures associated with explosive decompression, extrusion, spiral failure, abrasion, temperature degradation and the like.
Claims25
A downhole tool system comprising:
- a first downhole component;
- a second downhole component positioned relative to the first downhole component;
- and
- a seal element positioned between and in sealing contact with the first and second downhole components, the seal element comprising a nanocomposite material including a polymer host material and a nanomaterial that includes chemically functionalized carbon nanotubes.
A downhole tool system comprising:
- a first downhole component;
- a second downhole component positioned relative to the first downhole component;
- and
- a seal element positioned between and in sealing contact with the first and second downhole components, the seal element comprising a nanocomposite material including an elastomer host material and a nanomaterial that includes chemically functionalized nanotubes.
A downhole tool system comprising:
- a downhole component positioned relative to a downhole surface;
- and
- a seal element positioned between and in sealing contact with the downhole component and the downhole surface, the seal element comprising a nanocomposite material including an elastomer host material and a nanomaterial that includes at least one of chemically functionalized carbon nanotubes and chemically functionalized carbon nanofibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.