Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal for well apparatus – For below ground apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-08-21
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal for well apparatus
For below ground apparatus
C277S339000, C166S123000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276690
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a ribbed sealing element for use in a well bore. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to a ribbed sealing element and method for using the ribbed sealing element in a well bore.
In the oil and gas industry, a well is drilled to a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir. A casing string is then run into the well and the casing string is cemented into place. The casing string can then be perforated and the well completed to the reservoir. A production string may be concentrically placed within the casing string and production of the hydrocarbons may begin, as is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
During the drilling, completion, and production phase, operators find it necessary to perform various remedial work, repair and maintenance to the well, casing string, and production string. For instance, holes may be created in the tubular member accidentally or intentionally. Alternatively, operators may find it beneficial to isolate certain zones. Regardless of the specific application, it is necessary to place certain down hole assemblies such as a liner patch within the tubular member, and in turn, anchor and seal the down hole assemblies within the tubular member.
Numerous devices have been attempted to create a seal and anchor for these down hole assemblies. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,321 entitled “LINER AND REINFORCING SWAGE FOR CONDUIT IN A WELLBORE AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING SAME” to Owen et al, a method and apparatus for emplacing a liner in a conduit with the use of swage means and a setting tool is disclosed. The Owen et al invention anchors and seals the liner within the wellbore.
Despite these advances, the prior art suffers from the ability to properly anchor the down hole assembly into the tubular member. Also, the prior art devices do not properly seal within the tubular members. Therefore, there is a need for a device that will properly set, anchor and seal within a tubular member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for sealing and anchoring within a tubular member is disclosed. The device comprises a top swage member disposed within the tubular member, with the top swage member having a longitudinal center of axis. Also included is a first sealing member disposed about the top swage member, with the first sealing member containing a first plurality of circumferential ribs disposed about the first sealing member. The device also includes a second sealing member that is attached to the first sealing member, with the second sealing member containing a second plurality of circumferential ribs disposed about the second sealing member.
A bottom swage member is disposed within the second sealing member, with the bottom swage member having a longitudinal center of axis. The device further comprises a setting means for driving the top swage longitudinally downward relative to the top swage's longitudinal center axis and for driving the bottom swage longitudinally upward relative to the bottom swage's center axis.
The device may further comprise an extension member disposed between the first sealing member and the second sealing member. The extension member will have a first end connected to the first sealing member and a second end connected to the second sealing member. In the preferred embodiment, the top swage member has a first cylindrical surface that extends to a second conical surface, and wherein the first cylindrical surface is disposed within the first sealing member. Additionally, the bottom swage member will have a first cylindrical surface that extends to a second conical surface, with the first cylindrical surface being disposed within the second sealing member.
In one of the embodiments, the ribs of the first and second sealing member is a series of grooves, with the grooves having a radius of curvature of between 0.030 inches to 0.060 inches, and wherein the outer diameter of the series of grooves is essentially equal to the outer diameter of the first sealing member. Additionally, the first and second sealing member may have disposed thereon an elastomeric seal such as an O-ring.
In the preferred embodiment, the first and second sealing member is comprised of a metal having a hardness that is equal to or less than 105 on the Rockwell B scale, and wherein the metal is medium to high ductility and medium to low hardness; moreover, the preferred micro structure of the metal is to be spheroidized but some pearlitic micro structures are acceptable. Further, the top swage member and the bottom swage member, in the preferred embodiment, is comprised of a high tensile steel, that has a hardness generally higher than 108 on the Rockwell B scale.
A method of sealing and anchoring a device within a tubular member is also disclosed. The method includes positioning the device in an internal diameter wall of the tubular member and driving the top swage longitudinally downward relative to the top swage's longitudinal center of axis with a setting tool member. The setting tool member is selectively attached to the device. The method further includes expanding the first sealing member radially outward and embedding at least one of the first plurality of circumferential ribs into the inner diameter wall which in turn seals and anchors the device within the internal diameter wall. The embedding of the ribs produces a slight circumferential indentation profile in the internal diameter wall.
The method further comprises driving the bottom swage longitudinally upward relative to the bottom swage's longitudinal center of axis and expanding the second sealing member radially outward. This expansion will embed at least one of the second plurality of circumferential ribs into the inner diameter wall which in turn seals and anchors the device within the internal diameter wall. The embedding of the ribs produces a slight circumferential indentation profile in the internal diameter wall.
In one of the embodiments, the first sealing member further comprises a first elastomeric member circumferentially disposed thereon and wherein the step of expanding the first sealing member radially outward includes forcing the first elastomeric member against the internal diameter wall so that a secondary seal is provided for the device within the internal diameter wall. Additionally, the second sealing member may further comprise a second elastomeric member circumferentially disposed thereon and wherein the step of expanding the second sealing member radially outward includes forcing the elastomeric member against the internal diameter wall so that a tertiary seal is provided for the device within the internal diameter wall.
In one of the embodiments, the step of driving the top and bottom swage upward and downward includes pumping a fluid down the inner bore and forcing a power piston in the tool in an upward direction so that the lower swage is moved upward thereby forcing an outer sleeve in the tool in a downward direction so that the upper swage is moved downward. The continued pumping will result in the shearing of a shear ring selectively attaching the device to the setting tool means. Next, the setting tool means may be retrieved from the tubular member.
An advantage of the present invention includes having a seal element creating a metal-to-metal seal within the tubular member. Another advantage is that a series of ribbed seal elements are created. Each of the individual circumferential ribs may create a seal so that multiple seals may be created with the ribbed elements. Yet another advantage is that the ribbed seal elements are harder to damage than elastomeric types currently used.
Still yet another advantage is that since the individual rows of sealing elements are actually embedded, the device functions as an anchor to the device that is set in a tubular member. The embedded annular rings affix the device within the tubular string so that the device remains stationary during subsequent operations.
Still yet another advantage is that a polymeric se
Domingue & Waddell PLC
Hewitt James M
Trettel Michael F.
LandOfFree
Ribbed sealing element and method of use does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ribbed sealing element and method of use, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ribbed sealing element and method of use will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2485608