Seal for a joint or juncture – Process of static sealing – Pipe – conduit – or cable
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-11
2001-07-17
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Process of static sealing
Pipe, conduit, or cable
C277S323000, C277S340000, C277S343000, C166S380000, C166S319000, C166S242300, C285S333000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260850
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of this invention relates to sealing technology, particularly those seals used in downhole tools for sealing annular chambers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, tubing strings have employed various devices which have needed pressure chambers for actuation of various components. In some of these layouts, a separate connection outside the tubing string is provided for hydraulic control pressure. This pressure is used to selectively actuate a subsurface safety valve, depending on the configuration. Occasionally, the control components in the hydraulic circuit, for actuation of such downhole components as a subsurface safety valve, fail. For example, the hydraulic piston that is actuated by the control circuit, which is in fluid communication with an annular chamber, occasionally sticks or experiences seal failure.. When this occurs, it is not possible to use the hydraulic forces in the control circuit to actuate the subsurface safety valve, or some other downhole component as required. When these circumstances occur, it is desirable to lower a substituted component through the tubing and position it appropriately to accomplish the task of the part rendered inoperative due to control circuit failure. At the same time, it is desirable to use the hydraulic control pressure to actuate this newly inserted component in the tubing or wellbore.
When these situations occur, it has become desirable to lower a penetrating tool to the desired depth and bore laterally into the hydraulic control circuit chamber. In order to facilitate the fluid communication into the control circuit, an annular chamber is provided so that upon reaching the proper depth, radial puncture in any direction will assure fluid communication into the annular chamber. Stated differently, if the control circuit flowpath extending adjacent the tubular were strictly longitudinal, the puncture device would have to be properly oriented so that when it was actuated to perform a radial puncture, it would be in alignment with the longitudinal flowpath of the control circuit.
In the past, sealing annular control circuit chambers has been and continues to be of concern.
Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an annular chamber, such as those used in control circuits where the annular chamber extends in the tubular goods and is sealed internally and externally by metal-to-metal seals. It is a further object of this invention to eliminate resilient seals for sealing annular chambers used in control circuits or other application in tubular goods for downhole use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Internal and external metal-to-metal radially interfering seals are provided for an annular chamber. Typically, an annular chamber is used in tubular goods to be part of the hydraulic control circuitry, such as for operating subsurface equipment such as a subsurface safety valve. Resilient seals are eliminated and sealing reliability is enhanced by a design which features metal-to-metal seals internally and externally, preferably assembled by an external two-step thread. The radial interference seal, which is internally disposed, is constructed so as to be incapable of experiencing tensile loads. This reinforces joint integrity by minimizing stresses on thin components.
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Baker Oil Tools literature on Safety Systems, 1 page date unknown.
Baxendale & Co. Ltd, Catalogue No. 371, Reprinted, pp. 226-227.
Baker Oil Tools Drawing No. 565-446-00, Apr. 15, 1988.
Baker Oil Tools Drawing No. 565-446-01, Apr. 15, 1988.
Baker Packer Information Brochure/Catalog on Models “FVL”, and “FVH”, Tubing Retrievable Safety Valves, 3 pages, 1982-1983.
Baker Packer Information Brochure/Catalog on Models “FV”, Series Tubing Retrievable Flapper Safety Valve Models “FVL”, & “FVH”, 3 pages, 1984-1985.
Beall Clifford H.
Hickey Kurt A.
Rawson Michael S.
Baker Hughes Incorporated
Duane Morris & Heckscher LLP
Knight Anthony
Pickard Alison K.
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