CA2063515A1 - Method and apparatus for sealing at a sliding interface - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for sealing at a sliding interfaceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2063515A1 CA2063515A1 CA002063515A CA2063515A CA2063515A1 CA 2063515 A1 CA2063515 A1 CA 2063515A1 CA 002063515 A CA002063515 A CA 002063515A CA 2063515 A CA2063515 A CA 2063515A CA 2063515 A1 CA2063515 A1 CA 2063515A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- seal
- region
- bead
- pressurized
- coating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B2200/00—Special features related to earth drilling for obtaining oil, gas or water
- E21B2200/01—Sealings characterised by their shape
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A seal is provided for containing fluid (either gaseous or liquid fluids) under variable pressure in a pressurized region to prevent leakage into a less pressurized region. First and second interfacing seal members are provided and adapted to slidably engage one another at an interface region during makeup of the seal apparatus. A seal region is carried by the first seal member at the interface region and composed of a deformable material. A seal bead is carried at the interface region by the second seal member and protrudes therefrom. The seal bead is composed of a material less malleable than the seal region for seating in the seal region. At least a portion of the second seal member adjacent the seal bead forms a containment barrier with the pressurized region on one side and the less-pressurized region on the opposite side. A pressure differential will develop between the pressurized region and the less-pressurized region which urges the seal bead into tighter engagement with the seal region in an amount corresponding to the pressure differential.
A seal is provided for containing fluid (either gaseous or liquid fluids) under variable pressure in a pressurized region to prevent leakage into a less pressurized region. First and second interfacing seal members are provided and adapted to slidably engage one another at an interface region during makeup of the seal apparatus. A seal region is carried by the first seal member at the interface region and composed of a deformable material. A seal bead is carried at the interface region by the second seal member and protrudes therefrom. The seal bead is composed of a material less malleable than the seal region for seating in the seal region. At least a portion of the second seal member adjacent the seal bead forms a containment barrier with the pressurized region on one side and the less-pressurized region on the opposite side. A pressure differential will develop between the pressurized region and the less-pressurized region which urges the seal bead into tighter engagement with the seal region in an amount corresponding to the pressure differential.
Description
2Q63~5 ~ BA~RGRO~D OF T~E INV~NTION
3 ~. Fiel~ o~ the Inve~tion:
The present invention relates generally to 6 seals, and in particular to methods and apparati ~or 7 sealing at a sliding interface.
9 2. Description o~ th~ Prlor ~r~:
11 In khe oil and gas industry, tight seals are 12 frequently required to seal regions which contain 13 extremely corrosive, high temperature, and high 14 pressure fluids, both liquid and gaseous. The sealing task is further complicated by the inaccessibility of 16 the regions to be sealed, which in wellbores are 17 frequently thousands of feet below the earth's surface.
19 Conventional seals which include rubber components are susceptible to disintegration if 21 continually exposed to the corrosive wellbore flui~s.
22 Metal or plastic materials may produce lon~er lasting 23 seals, but known metal seals such as conventional C-24 ring and V-ring seals, which are depicted in F~gure~ 1 and 1~, are not suitable ~or use in such hostile 26 environments. Such seals are suitable ~or use only in 27 rather pristine environments. Furthermore, 28 conventional C-ring and V-ring seals are not able to ~9 withstand axiaI or sliding movement~ since such movement would degrade or destroy the seals.
3 ~. Fiel~ o~ the Inve~tion:
The present invention relates generally to 6 seals, and in particular to methods and apparati ~or 7 sealing at a sliding interface.
9 2. Description o~ th~ Prlor ~r~:
11 In khe oil and gas industry, tight seals are 12 frequently required to seal regions which contain 13 extremely corrosive, high temperature, and high 14 pressure fluids, both liquid and gaseous. The sealing task is further complicated by the inaccessibility of 16 the regions to be sealed, which in wellbores are 17 frequently thousands of feet below the earth's surface.
19 Conventional seals which include rubber components are susceptible to disintegration if 21 continually exposed to the corrosive wellbore flui~s.
22 Metal or plastic materials may produce lon~er lasting 23 seals, but known metal seals such as conventional C-24 ring and V-ring seals, which are depicted in F~gure~ 1 and 1~, are not suitable ~or use in such hostile 26 environments. Such seals are suitable ~or use only in 27 rather pristine environments. Furthermore, 28 conventional C-ring and V-ring seals are not able to ~9 withstand axiaI or sliding movement~ since such movement would degrade or destroy the seals.
2~$35~S
1 ~MMARY OF T~B I~VE~ION
1 ~MMARY OF T~B I~VE~ION
3 It is one objective of th~ present inYention 4 to provide a seal which operates at a sliding interface of slidably engaged seal members.
7 It is another objective of the present 8 invention to provide a seal which increases and g decreases in sealing engagement in response to changes in pressure of the contained fluid.
12 It is yet another objective of the present 13 invention to provide a seal which is adapted for use in 14 a wellbore and is composed of a pair of interlocking wellbore tubular members.
17 It is still another objective of the present 18 invention to provide a sliding interface seal which may 19 be assembled, disassembled, or adjusted by sliding one seal member relative to another seal member under low-21 pressure differential condition~.
23 These and other objectives are achieved as is 24 now described. A seal is provided for containing fluid ~either gaseous or liquid fluids) under variable 26 pressure in a pressurized re~ion to prevent leakage of 27 the ~luid into a less-pressurized region. First and 28 second interfacing seal me~bers are provided and 29 adapted to Rlidably engage one another at an inter~ace region during makeup of the seal apparatus. A seal 31 region is carried by the first seal mem~er at the 32 inter~ace region and i~ composed Q~ a deformable 33 material. A seal bead is carried a~ the interface 20~351~
1 region by the second seal member and protrudes 2 therefrom. The seal bead is composed of a material 3 harder and less malleable than the seal region, and is 4 adapted for seating in the seal region. At least a portion of the second seal member adjacent the seal 6 bead forms a containment barrier with the pressurized 7 region on one side, and the less-pressurized region on 8 the opposite side. A pressure differential will 9 develop between the pressurized region and the less-pressurized region which urges the seal bead into 11 tighter engagement with the seal region in an amount 12 corresponding to the pressure differential.
14 In the preferred embodiment, the first and second seal members comprise concentrically 16 interlocking tubular members, and the seal bead is 17 semi-circular in cros~-section. Furthermore, in the 18 preferred embodiment, the seal region comprises at 19 least one seal coating disposed on the first seal member at the interface region.
22 As a method, the present invention includes a 23 number of steps which prevent the passage of 24 pressurized fluid ~rom a pressurized region into a less-pressurized region. First and second interlocking 26 seal members are provided. ~ deformable ssal coating 27 is provided on the first seal member. A protruding 28 seal bead is provided on the second seal membar. The 29 first and second interlocking seal members slide together, with the seal bead ex~ending into tha 31 deformable layer. The seal bead is forced into tighter 32 contact with the seal coating, in an amount 33 corresponding to the pressure differential between the 2~3~1~
1 pressurized region and the less-pressurized region.
2 Therefore, the magnitude of the sealing engagement 3 between the first and second seal members will vary in 4 response to changes in pressure of the pressurized ~luid.
7 The above as well as additional objects, 8 features, and advantages of the invention will become 9 apparent in the following detailed description.
2~3S:L5 1 BRIBF ~E5CRIPTION OF T~ DRAWING
3 The novel features believed characteristic of 4 the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The invention itself however, as well as a preferred 6 mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, 7 will best be understood by reference to the following 8 detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when 9 read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
12 Figure-~ la and lb respectively depict a prior ~3 art metal V-ring static seal and a prior art metal C-14 ring static seal;
1~ Figure3 2a and 2b depict the s~iding 17 inter~ace seal of the present invenkion during a makeu~
18 mode wherein first and second interfacing seal ~embers 19 are slidable engaged;
21 Figura 3 depicts, in exploded form, one 22 embodiment of the second seal member of the sliding 23 interface seal of .the present invention including the 24 assembly used for holding said second seal member in place within a wellbore;
27 Figurs 4 depicts the embodiment o the 28 sliding inter~ace seal of Figur~ 3 dispo~ed within a 29 wellbore, in one-quarter longitudinal ection;
31 Figur~ 5 and 6 depict the interface region 32 between the ~irst and second seal members of Figur~
33 with a seal bead seated in a sealing region;
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2 Figur~ 7 depicts an alternative em~odiment o~
3 the second seal member of the sliding interface seal of 4 the present invention, in longitudinal section:
6 Figure 8 further depicts the alternative 7 embodiment of Figur~ 7, in one-quarter longitudinal 8 section;
Figur~ 9 depicts, in exploded form, the 11 alternative embodiment of the second seal member o~ the 12 sliding interface seal of Figur~s 7 and 8, including 13 the assembly used to hold said second seal member in 14 place; and 16 Figuro 10 depicts the alternative em~odiment 17 of the sliding interface seal of Figure~ 7 through 9, 18 disposed within a wellbore, in one-quarter longitudinal 19 section.
2~35~
1 DETAILED DESCRIP~ION OF T~ INVENTION
3 ~igur~s 1~ and lb respectively depict prior 4 art V-ring and C-ring seals. In ~igure 1~, a prior art V-ring seal ll is depicted in cross-section. V-shaped 6 seal member 15 is disposed within seal compartment 17, 7 and includes a soft seal point 19, which interfaces 8 with hard seal surface 21 to ~orm a static seal.
9 Pressure from the fluid contained in the sealed region acts on V-ring seal 11 to urge soft seal point 19 into 11 sealing en~agement with hard seal surface 21. Fi~ure 12 lb depicts C-ring seal 13 in cross-section. C-shaped 13 seal member 23 is disposed in seal compartment 25, and 14 includes soft seal point 27, which engages hard seal surface 2~. Pressure from the sealed fluid likewise 16 acts on C-shaped seal member 23 to urge soft seal point 17 27 into sealing engayement with hard seal surface 29.
19 As discussed above, V-ring and C-ring seals 11, 13 are not suitable for US2 in environments which 21 would subject the seals to movement, since movement of 22 the hard seal sur~aces 21, 29 relative to soft seal 23 points 19, 27 would degrade or destroy the ability of 24 V-ring and C-ring seals 1~, 13 to maintain a s~aling engagement.
27 The present invention is a method and 28 apparatus for sealing at a sliding interface between 29 seal members. Figure~ Xa and 2b depict sliding interface seal 31 in two positions. As shown, ~irst 3~ seal member 33 interfaces with second seal member 31 at 32 interface region 37. A seal region 4~ is carried by 33 first seal member 33, and a seal bead 39 is carried by 2 ~
1 second seal member 35. Seal bead 39 operates to seat 2 within seal region ~1 and form a bubble-tight seal 3 between pressurized re~ion ~5 and less-pressurized 4 region 47.
6 Sliding interface seal 31 may be assembled, 7 disassembled, or repositioned by moving ~irst and 8 second seal members 35, 33 relative to one another.
9 Figures 2a, and 2b depict the positioning of the seal by movement of second seal member 35 relative to first 11 seal memb r 33 along the direction of arrow 43 of 12 Figure 2b. Of course, second seal member 33 could be 13 moved in the opposite direction also. Accordingly, the 14 sliding interface ~eal 31 of the present invention includes the benefits o~ a tight seal, but allows for a 16 movable "dynamic" seal, as opposed to a static seal, 17 such as a V-ring or C-ring seal 11, 13.
19 Figure 3 is an exploded view of one embodiment o~ the second seal member of ~he sliding 21 interface seal 31 of the present invention. In this 22 embodiment, second seal member 35 is cylindrical in 23 shape. However, it should be understood that ~irst and 24 second seal members 33, 35 need not be cylindrical in shape, and could in fact be formed in other shapes.
27 As shown in Figur~ 3, ~eal b~ad 39 ls 28 circumferentially disposed along the outer cylindrical 29 surface ~7 of cylindrical-shaped second seal me~ber 35 adjacent low~r end 49 thereo~. Cylindrical-shaped 31 second seal member 35 includes internal threads, which 32 are obscured fro~ view in ~igus~ 3, at upper end 69 2~3~ ~
1 which mate with external threads 71 of seal retainer 2 member 65.
4 Cylindrical-shaped second seal member 35 is lowered into a wellbore connected to mandrel 51.
6 Second seal member 35 is secured to mandrel 51 by split 7 ring 63 which rides in-part in split ring groove 53 on 8 exterior cylindrical surface 5S of mandrel 5~ Split 9 ring 63 is abutted on one side by lower end 73 o~ s~a~
retainer member 65, and on the other side by spacer ~1.
ll Spacer 61 is next to soft brass ring 59 which abuts 12 central bore 57 of second seal member 35. The 13 interconnection o~ these components is more clearly set 14 forth in Figure 4, which is a one-quarter lon~itudinal section o~ one embodiment of the sliding interface seal 16 of ths present invention.
18 As shown in Figure ~, sliding interface seal 19 31 is disposed within wellbore 75. Preferably, first seal member 33 is a cylindrical wellbore tubular member 21 which is disposed in a fixed position within wellbore 22 75. In the preferred embodiment, ~irst seal ~ember-33 23 comprises a cylindrical tubular member; how~ver, it 24 should be understood that the present invention i~ not limited in shape to cylindrical members, and can be 26 employed with other ~hapes. Second seal member 35 27 rides on the exterior sur~ace o~ mandrel 51, and is 28 lowered within wellbore 75. Mandrel 51 and second seal 29 member 35 are held together by 6plit ring 63 which i~
disposed in part in split ring groove 53 on the 31 exterior cylindrical sur~ace 55 o~ mandrel 51.
~3;3~ ~ 5 1 Split ring 63 is held in place from above by 2 seal retainer member C5 which is coupled to second seal 3 member 35 by external threads 7~ and internal thr~ads 4 79. From below, split ring 63 is held in place by spacer 51 and soft brass ring 59. Soft bras~ ring 59 6 is disposed at taperad region 81 of central b~re 57 of 7 second seal me~ber 35. When seal retainer member 65 8 an~ second seal member are made-up, soft brass ring is g compressed between tapered region 81 and mandrel 51 to form a static seal.
12 As shown in Figuxe ~, seal bead 39 is 13 disposed at the lower end of second seal member 35, and 14 is in sliding engagement with first seal member 33 at interface regi.on 37. In particular, seal bead 39 16 extends into seal region ~ to form a tight seal to 17 prevent the passa~e of pressurized fluid 83 from 18 pressurized region ~5 to less-pressurized region 47.
~s shown in Figure ~, second seal member 35 21 forms a containment barrier with pressurized region 45 22 on one side and less-pressurized region ~7 on the 23 opposite si~e. Boost area 85 is disposed radially 24 inward ~rom seal bead 39, and communicates with pressurized region 95. When a pressure di~erential is 26 developed between pressurized regio~ 45 and less-27 pressuxized region ~7, seal bead 39 is urged into a 28 tighter engagement with seal regiQn 41 in an amount 29 corresponding to the pressure di~erential, since boost area 85 will flex slightly radi~lly outward. Second 31 seal member 39 makes contact with first sea} member 33 3a at seal bead 39 and shoulder 87. The force o~ the 33 pressure differential developed between pressurized 2 ~
l region 45 and less-pressurized region 47 is distributed 2 between seal bead 39 and shoulder 87. As a pressure 3 differential is developed, second seal member 35 will 4 flex slightly radially outward, causing seal bead 39 to dig into seal region 41 of first seal member 33. The 6 amount of flexing of second seal member 35 will depend 7 upon t~e ratio of ~he sur~ace area of boost area 85, 8 the distance of circumferential con~act o~ bead 39, the 9 strength and dimensions of the material which comprises the boost area 85, the location o~ shoulder 87, and the 11 pressure differential. In the pre~erred embodiment, 12 boost area 85 is one inch long, and covers a total area 13 of 21.6 square inches. Shoulder 87 is disposed 2.5 14 inches from seal bead 39. ~he wall which forms boost area ~5 is comprised of 4130 steel and is 0.22 inches 16 thick. The line of contact of seal bead 39 is 23.2 17 inches. The ratio of boost area to line contact of 18 seal bead 39 is approximately one-to-one when these 19 dimensions and materials are employed.
21 In the preferred embodiment, sliding 22 interface seal 31 of the present invention is made up 23 by sliding second seal member 35 downward within 24 wellbore 75 in the direction of arrow 77~ In the preferred embodiment, in wellbore applications, ~liding 26 inter~ace seal 3~ of ths present invention includes a 27 seal region 41 which is twelve to fourteen feet in 28 length. Preferably, the cylindrical tubular me~ber of 29 first seal me~ber 31 has an inner diameter o~ seven and three-eights inches ~ 7 3/8"). Also, in the pre~erred 31 embodiment, seal bead 39 is machined to be 0.020 inches 32 larger than the bore of first seal member 33. Second 33 seal member 35 is press fit into ~irst seal member 33, 20~3~
1 putting a very high load on seal bead 39. In the 2 pre~erred embodiment, this load exceeds 3,000 pounds 3 per inch of circumference of seal bead 39. Therefore, 4 seal bead 3~ is pressed downward in sliding engagement with second seal member 35 for substantial distances, 6 up to twelve or fourteen ~eet. The sliding interface 7 seal 31 of the present invention is a "dynamic" seal in 8 that it may bs assembled, disassembled, or repositioned 9 within the wellbore numerous times without affecting the integrity of the seal.
12 Figure~ 5 and 6 show the sliding interface 13 seal 31 of the present invention in greater detail. As 14 shown in ~igure 5, second seal member 35 includes base material 89 which carries a section of hardfacing 91.
16 Hardfacing 91 has been machined to form a rounded 17 cross-section seal bead 3~. Seal bead 3g is seated in 18 seal region ~1. In one embodiment seal region 41 may 19 comprise a friction reducing plastic material such as Teflon which is sprayed onto the inner bore of *irst 21 seal member 33 and baked. For example, soft FEP Teflon, 22 manufactured by E.I. DuPont de Nemour & Company, may 23 be used to form a seal coating in seal region ~1. If a 24 FEP Teflon is employed, it is recommended that it be applied to second seal member by conventional means, in 26 a thickness of at least 0.002 inches. Alternately, as 27 shown i~ Figure S, seal region ~l may include one or 28 more layers of a malleable metallic coating.
A~ shown in F~guro 6, seal region 41 may 31 include outer coating ~3 disposed above inner coating 32 95. Both coatings are carried by tubular member g7 33 which forms the body of first ~eal memb~r 33. In the - 13 ~
2063~5 1 pre~erred embodiment, tubular member 97 is composed of 2 4140 steel, which has a yield strength of 110,000 3 pounds per square inch, and has a hardness o~ thirty 4 (30) on the Rockwell C scale.
6 In the preferred embodiment, inner coating 95 7 comprises a layer of metal which is between ten 8 thousand and fifteen thousand angstroms thicko In the 9 preferred embodiment, inner coating 95 is composed of an aluminum bronze alloy which is not as hard as, and 11 is more malleable than, the material which forms 12 tubular member 97.
1~ In the preferred embodiment, outer coating ~3 is a ten thousand to fifteen thousand angstroms thick 16 layer of material which is less hard, and more 17 malleable, than, inner coating 95. In the preferred 18 embodiment, outer coating 93 is compo~ed of a silver 19 palladium alloy.
21 In ths preferred embodiment, seal bead 39 is 22 composed of a material which is harder (and less 23 malleable) than tubular member 97, inner coating 95 and 24 outer coating 93. Preferably, seal bead 39 is formed of a nickle chrome alloy which has a hardness of 26 approximately forty (40) on the ~ock~ell C scale. In 27 the preferred embodiment, seal bead 39 is composed of 28 between thirteen to fifteen percent (13%-15~) chrome, 29 two percent (2%) Boron, and the remainder of nic~le.
31 Of course, it is possible that other 32 materials and alloys be substituted for thos~ u~ed in 33 the preferred embodiment. For examplP, it may be D ~ 4 _ 2~5~
possible to supplement gold alloys, tin, or lead tin 2 alloys for outer coating 93. It may also be pos~:~ible~
3 to substitute titanium, or chrome gold alloys for inner 4 coating 95. The present invention only requires that 5 inner and outer coatings 95, 93 have a hardness and 6 malleability which is less than that of tubular member 7 97 and seal bead 39.
9 A5 stated above, in wellbore applications, 10 tubular member 97 will have a hardness of thirty (30) 11 on the Rockwell C scale, and seal bead 39 will have a 12 hardness o~ forty ~40) on the Rockwell C scale.
13 Preferably, inner and outer coatings 93, 95 will have a 14 hardness between forty and sixty on the Rockwell B
scale, and outer coating 93 will be more malleable (and 16 le~s hard) than inner coating 95.
18 The relatively soft coatings of inner and 19 outer coatings 95, 93 serve to fill in machinin~ marks and scratches that develop durlng use. These coatings 21 also function as anti-galling coatings, and must stay 22 on during repeated use. As ~hown in Figure 6, outer 23 coating 93 will deform in regions 99, 101 around seal 24 bead 39 to form a seat 103. It is important that seal bead 39 be hard enough to withstand repeated sliding 26 engagement with first seal member 33.
28 In th~ preferred embodiment, outer and inner 29 coatings 93, 95 are ~ctually diffused into tubular member 9~ through known ionic material deposition 31 technologies, in which ions o~ metals such as silver 32 are combined with ions o~ other metals, such as 33 chromium or palladium, and e~bedded in the crystalline ~0~3~
1 matrix of the matal surface to become an integral part 2 of the surface, and not just a film coating. In ion 3 plating processes, clouds of electrons are produced in 4 very strong magnetic ~ields. Atoms o~ coating material passing through the electron clouds from the source of 6 alloy material will be ionized by electron collision.
7 The positive ions thus formed are acceleraked in the 8 intense field to an extremely high velocity and impact 9 and penetrate the negative charged surface of the metal material. The result is a diffusion of metals into and 11 below the sur~ace of the base material.
13 The following U.S. patents and published 14 articles describe generally the ion plating processes which can be used to deposit outer and inner coatingc 16 93, 95, and are incorporated herein by reference fully 17 as if set forth herein:
19 (1) U.S. Patent No. 4,468,309, entitled "~ethod of Resisting ~alling", issued to White on August 28, 21 1984;
23 (2) U.S. Patent No. 4,420,386, entitled "Method 24 of Pure Ion Plating Using Magnetic ~ields", issued to White on December 13, 1983;
27 (3) U.S. Patent No. 4,342,631, entitled "Gasless 28 Ion Plating Process and Apparatus", issued to White e~
29 al. on August 3, 1982;
31 ~4) U.S~ Patent No. RE 39,401, entitled "Gasless 32 Ion Plating", issued to White on 5eptember 9, 19~0;
2~3~
1 (5) SPE Paper No. 12209, entitled "Eliminating 2 Galling in High-Alloy Tubular Threads by High Energy 3 Ion Deposition Process", by G.W. White;
(~) "Fundamental Parameters of Ion Plating", 6 published in the March 1974 issue of ~etal ~inishing, 7 pages 41 through 45, authored by Lewis Beebe Leder;
9 (7) I'Fundamentals of Ion Plating" published in the January/February 1973 issue o~ Journal of Vacuum 11 Science ~ Technology, authored by D. M . Mattox;
13 (8) "Frictional and Morpholoqical Characteristics 14 of Ion-Plated Soft Metallic Films", published in the October lS, 1981 issue of Thin Solid Films, pages 267 16 through 272, authored by Talivaldis Spalvins and Bruno 17 Buzek;
19 (9) "Commercial Applications of Overlay Coat1ng Techniques", published in the October 16, 1981 issue of 21 Thin Solid Films, pages 361 through 365, authored by 22 D.M. Mattox; and 24 (10) "Coating~ for Wear and Lubrication", published in the September 15, 1978 issue of Thin ~ol.id 26 Films, pages 285 through 300, authored by Talivaldiq 27 Spalvins.
29 Put simply, tha ion-platin~ technigue reguires that the material to be deposited on the 31 substrate be evaporated via re~istance heating, 32 electron-beam impingement, or induction heating, then ~ o ~
~ ionized and accelerated through the discharge, and 2 finally deposited on the substrate.
4 While ion plating is the preferred mean~ of depositing the coating materials on the substrate, a 6 variety of alternative technigues are available. The 7 October, 1981 article in thin solid films entitled 8 "Commercial Applications of Overlay Coating 9 Techniques", by D.M. Mattox sets forth on page 362 in tabular form a number of competing techniques for ll fabricating coatings. These techniques are grouped 12 together in four broad categories: atomistic 13 deposition; particulate deposition; bulk coatings: and 14 surface modification. It i~ possible that one or more of these competing technigues may also serve to deposit 16 seal coatings on first seal member 33 in a satisfactory 17 manner.
19 In the area of ion plating, great potential in the plating of soft metallic forms has been 21 reported, including the use of gold, ~ilver/ lead, 22 indium, tin, and cadnium (see generally the article 23 entitled "Coatings for Wear and Lubrication," page ~96, 24 and the references cited therein). As set forth in SPE
Paper No. 12209, entitled "Eliminating Galliny in High-26 Alloy Tubular Threads By High-Energy Ion Deposition 27 Process" anti-galling layers have been deposited on 28 threaded wellbore tubular members with favorable 29 re~ults.
31 Several c~mmercially-available ion-deposition 32 processes are available, including the Bakertro~
33 process which is offered by Bakex Packers, a division - lfi -2063~1~
1 o~ Baker Oil Tools, Inc., an operating division of 2 Baker Hughes Incorporated, assignee of this patent, 3 loca~ed at 6023 Navigation Boulevard, Houston, Texas 4 77011. Test results have demonstrated thicker coatings than possible under the Bakertron process produce a 6 better seal coating. The Bakertron process allows for 7 coatings of two thousand to three thousand angstroms 8 thick. In the preferred em~odiment, for best results, 9 the metal ¢oating should each be approximately t~n thousand tv fifteen thousand angstroms thick.
12 In the Bakertron process, ions of noble 13 metals, such as gold or silver, are combined with ions 14 of chromium or palladium, and are embedded into the crystalline matrix of the metal surface to become an 16 integral part of the surfac~. In the Bakertron 17 process, ~louds of electrons are produced in a very 18 strong magnetic field. Any atom passing through these 19 electron clouds from the source of the alloy material will be ionized by electronic collision. The positive 21 ions thus formed are accelerated in the intense field 22 to an extremely high velocity and impact and penetrate 23 the negatively charged sur~ace of the coupling threads 24 or other wellbore tubular member. The result is a diffusion of the coating metals into and below the 26 surface of the alloy. When used on tubular members, 27 under makeup the noble metals shear or slip, reducing 28 friction and most importantly staying e~bedded in the 29 metal matrix, preventing contact of the Aigh alloy surfacas, cold welding, and subsequent galling.
32 In the preferred embodiment, the ion .
33 deposition process is used to first deposit aluminum-2 ~
1 bronze on first seal member 330 The pre~erred 2 composition of aluminum-bronze con~orms to ths 3 following percentages by weight in accordance with ASTM
4 E54 or ~478 (that i~, the Philadelphia-based American Society for Testing of Materials Publication No~. E54 6 or E478~
7 Minimum Haximum 8 Element Percent Percent 9 1. Copper and other elements listed 99.5 ---10 ~. Aluminum 6.3 7.6 11 3. Iron 0.0 0.3 12 4. Nickel 0.0 0.25 13 5. Manganese 0.0 0.10 14 6. Sili~one ~.5 2.2 7. Tin 0.0 0.2 16 8. Zino 0.0 0.5 17 9. Lead 0.0 0.05 18 10. Arsenic 0.0 0.15 In the preferred embodiment, the ion 21 deposition process is used to deposit silver-palladium 22 which is evaporated in the ion deposition chamber.
23 Preferably, the material to be evaporated comprises 24 eighty perc~nt by weight silver and twenty peroent by weight palladium, plus or minus two percent for each 26 element.
28 An alternative embodi~ent for the liding 29 interface seal 31 of the present invention is depicted in Figure~ 7 through 10. ~gur~ 7 depicts in 31 longitudinal section an alternative second qeal member 32 105. Second seal memb2r 105 is composed of tubular 33 body 107 which has internal threads ~11 at upper end 34 10~ and shoulder ~15 disposed at a position 2063~ ~
1 intermediate of upper end 109 and lower end 113. Seal 2 bead 39 is disposed near lower end 113, and radially 3 outward from boost slot 117. In this embodiment, seal 4 bead 39 is composed of a hardfacing material, like seal bead 39 of the e~bodiment of F~qure~ 3 and 4.
7 In the embodiment of ~igure 7, tubular body 8 107 defines boosk slot 117 between inner wail ~19, and 9 outer wall 121. In the preferred embodiment boost slot 117 is machined into tubular body 107 and is onP and 11 one-half (1 1/2) inches deep. Wellbore ~luid within 12 boost slot 117 exerts pressure radially outward against 13 outer wall 121, which is in the preferred embodiment 14 one-~uarter (1/4) inch thick, causing seal bead 39 to embed in a seal coating. Boost slot 117 is designed to 16 provide three-quarters (3/4) of a square inch of area 17 along the inner surface of outer wall 121 per one (1) 18 inch of line contact of seal bead 39.
Figure ~ is a one-quarter longitudinal 21 section of altexnative second seal member 105 of F~ur~3 22 7. As shown in Figure 8, inner wall 119 extends 23 downward beyond outer wall 121, and termina~s at lip 24 123 which extends radially outward from inner wall 119.
25 The region . 25 from the lower end of outer wall 121 ~nd 26 lip 123 of inner wall ll~ defines a region adapted fox 27 receipt of a mandrel clamp which serves to clamp inner 28 wall 119 aga~nst a mandrel, and in particular causing ~S mandrel bead ~27 to engage the mandrel.
31 ~igur~ 9 is an exploded ~iew of alternative 32 second seal me~ber lOS and the assembly which holds 33 second seal member ~05 in position within a wellbore.
2063~1~
1 As shown, mandrel 131 includ~s split ring groove 133 on 2 exterior cylindrical surface 145. Mandrel is 3 positioned in interior 1~7 of second seal member 105, 4 and receives split ring 137 in split ring groove 133.
Seal retainer member 139 is mated within internal 6 threads at upper end 1~ of second seal member 105 7 (i~ternal threads are not shown in Figure 9, but are 8 shown in Figure 10). Lower end 143 of seal retainer 9 member 139 serves to abut split ring 137 and hold it in position. Full-ring mandrel clamp 135 is heated to 11 expand the metallic material from which it is composed 12 and is raised upward along the length of mandrel 13~, 13 and positioned ,over inner wall 119 in region 125 14 between the lower end of outer wall 121 and 123 of inner wall 119. As full-ring mandrel clamp 135 shrinks 16 due to cooling, it will exert force on inner wall 119, 17 and cause mandrel bead 127 to grip the exterior 18 cylindrical surface 1~5 of mandrel 131.
This assembly is further depicted in Figure 21 10, which is a one-quarter longitudinal section of ~2 sliding interface seal 31 of the present invention 23 disposed within wellbor2 75. As in the other 24 embodiment, first seal member 33 comprises a cylindrical tubular member with seal region 41 disposed 26 on its inner bore. Alternative second seal member 105 27 is carried downward within wellbore 75 in the direction 28 o~ arrow 77 by mandrel a31 which includes split ring 29 groove 133 on its outer cylindrical surface 145. Split ring 137 is disposed within split ring groove 133, and 31 held in place by lower end ~43 o~ sealing retainer 32 member 139 which treadably engages internal threads 15 33 of second seal member 105 with external thraads a~l.
2 ~
1 Split ring 137 is held in position ~rom below by 2 shoulder 153 which is formed in second seal member 105.
4 As shown in Figu~a ~o, shoulder 115 on the exterior cylindrical surface 129 of second seal member 6 105 abuts first seal member 133, as does hard-faced 7 seal bead 39. Inner wall al9 and outer wall 121 are 8 separated by a cylindrical-shaped boost slot 117 which 9 is disposed radially inward from seal bead 139.
}O
11 Full-ring mandrel clamp 135 extends over lip 12 ~23, and includes mandrel slot ~55 for accommodating 13 lip 123. One-half of full-ring mandrel clamp 135 rides 14 in region 125 of Figur~ ~, and it urges mandrel bead 127 into sealing engagement with exterior cylindrical 16 surface 1~5 of mandxel- 131. In a further alternative 17 o~ the present invention, it may be possible t~ form 18 mandrel bead 127 from hard-facing material, and apply a 19 seal coating to exterior surface 1~5 of mandrel 13~.
21 In operation, pressurized fluid 15~ (either 22 gaseous, liquid, or a combination of gaseous and liquid 23 fluids~ in pressurized region 157 communicates with 24 boost slot 117. As a prèssure different~al is developed between pressurized region ~s7 and less-26 pressurized regions ~61, ~63, outer wall 112 is urged 27 radially outward, and inner wall 119 i8 urged radially 28 inward. As outer wall 121 is urged radially outward, 29 seal bead 39 is caused to sealingly engage seal region ~1. As the pressure differential increases, inner wall 31 119 is caused to expand 61ightly radially inward, 32 causing ~andrel bead 127 to sealingly engag~ mandrel 33 131. As the pressure di~ferential increases, the 2~3~ ~ ~
1 sealing engagement between ~eal bead 39 and seal 2 coating 41 is enhanced. Likewise, as the pressure 3 differential increases the sealing engagement between 4 mandrel bead 127 and mandrel 131 is enhanced.
Ther~fore, the seal of the present invention is one 6 which increases and decreases in sealing engagement 7 depending upon the pressure differential developed 8 between the pre~surized region 157 and less-pressurized 9 regions 161, lC3.
11 Of course, as with the other embodiment, seal 12 region ~1 may include one or more plastic or metallic 13 layers of sealing coatings, deposited in the manner 14 described above.
16 Under tha several embodiments of the present 17 invention, it is one primary ob;ective to provide a 18 seal which is ~unctional at a sliding interface between 19 first and second seal members. Such a seal would allow for the assembly, disassembly, and readjustment of the 21 seal on numerous occasions, without degradation or 22 destru~tion of the sealing ability.
24 Experiments reveal tha~ the use of plastic coatings on ~irst seal member 33, such as soft FEP
26 Teflon, provided a seal which could be made up several 27 times without impairment of the seal integrity.
28 Further experiments revealed ~hat use of an aluminum-29 bronze and silver-palladium coating~ applied through the Bakertron process provided a good, but not bubble-31 tight, seal which csuld be ~ade up and broken in excess 32 o~ a dozen times without impairment of the sealing 33 ability. Still further test~ revealed that - 2~ -2 0 ~
1 combination of thicker aluminum-bronz~ and silver 2 palladium c~atings deposited, each having a thickness 3 in the range of ten thousand to ~ifteen thousand 4 angstroms, allowed for a tighter (bubble-tight) seal which could be made up and broken in excess of a dozen 6 times without impairment of the sea}ing ability.
8 It is possible that other seal coatings will 9 be equally or more effective than those discussed abo~e. For example, it may be possibl that epoxy 11 coatings, polyurethane coatings, Tefzel brand coating 12 from DuPont, or Ryton coatings from Phillips Petroleum 13 will be equally or more effective than Teflon or metal 14 coatings.
16 Tests have revealed that the sliding 17 interface seal 31 of the embodiment of Flgur~ 3 and ~
18 provide a good seal at 8,000 psi nitrogen and 10,000 19 psi water. The boost area 85 can withstand up to lOQ,000 psi, but the mandrel seal formed by split rinq 21 63, spacer 61, and soft brass ring 59 can only 22 withstand 8,000 to 10,000 psi. Experiments further 23 reveal that second seal member 35 of the e~bodiment 24 depicted in Fi~useo 3 and 4 begins effective sealing in a pressure range o~ approximately 1 to 1.5 thousand 26 pounds per square inch. Experiments reveal that second 27 seal member 35 of this embodiment will accommodate 28 increases in pxessure and continue sealing up to the 29 lim~ts in strength of mandrel 5~ and the tubular ~ember of fir~t ~eal m~mber 33. Furthar tests reveal ~ha~ the 31 mandr~l seal of the embodim~nt of ~i~ur~s 9 and 10 ~an ~2 withstand pre~sures up to 8,000 psi, whi~h is the yield 33 strength of outer wall 121.
20~3~
2 Experiments also reveal that, for both 3 embodiments, if the pressure differential between the 4 pressurized region and the less-pressurized region is less than 1,000 psi, the sliding interface seal 31 of 6 the present invention may repositioned within a 7 wellbore by sliding one or both o~ first and second 8 seal members 33, 35, relative to the other. Therefore, g the first and second seal members are repositionable relative to each other while maintaining a sealing 11 engagement, at low pressure differentials.
13 In summary, the sliding interface seal o~ the 14 present invention provides a seal in which the seal components may be slidably engaging ona another at a 16 sliding interface. The sliding interface seal o~ the 17 present invention also provides a seal which increases 18 and decreases in sealing engagement in response to 19 changes in pressure of the contained fluid. The ~0 sliding interface seal o~ the present invention also 21 provides a seal which is especially adapted for use in 22 wellbores. ~he sliding interfa~e seal of the present 23 invention allows for a seal which may be assembl~d, 24 disassembled, or adjusted by sliding one seal member relative to another seal member under low pressure 26 differential conditions.
28 Although the in~ention has b~en described 29 with reference to a specifiG embodiment, this description is not meant to be conætrued in a limiting 31 sense. Various modi~ication~ of the disclosed 3~ e~bodim~nt as well as alternative embodiments of the 33 inv~ntion will become apparent to persons skilled in 20~3~
1 the art upon reference to the description of tha 2 invention. It is therefore contemplated that the 3 appended claims will cover any such modifications or 4 embodiments that fall within the true ~cope of the invention.
7 It is another objective of the present 8 invention to provide a seal which increases and g decreases in sealing engagement in response to changes in pressure of the contained fluid.
12 It is yet another objective of the present 13 invention to provide a seal which is adapted for use in 14 a wellbore and is composed of a pair of interlocking wellbore tubular members.
17 It is still another objective of the present 18 invention to provide a sliding interface seal which may 19 be assembled, disassembled, or adjusted by sliding one seal member relative to another seal member under low-21 pressure differential condition~.
23 These and other objectives are achieved as is 24 now described. A seal is provided for containing fluid ~either gaseous or liquid fluids) under variable 26 pressure in a pressurized re~ion to prevent leakage of 27 the ~luid into a less-pressurized region. First and 28 second interfacing seal me~bers are provided and 29 adapted to Rlidably engage one another at an inter~ace region during makeup of the seal apparatus. A seal 31 region is carried by the first seal mem~er at the 32 inter~ace region and i~ composed Q~ a deformable 33 material. A seal bead is carried a~ the interface 20~351~
1 region by the second seal member and protrudes 2 therefrom. The seal bead is composed of a material 3 harder and less malleable than the seal region, and is 4 adapted for seating in the seal region. At least a portion of the second seal member adjacent the seal 6 bead forms a containment barrier with the pressurized 7 region on one side, and the less-pressurized region on 8 the opposite side. A pressure differential will 9 develop between the pressurized region and the less-pressurized region which urges the seal bead into 11 tighter engagement with the seal region in an amount 12 corresponding to the pressure differential.
14 In the preferred embodiment, the first and second seal members comprise concentrically 16 interlocking tubular members, and the seal bead is 17 semi-circular in cros~-section. Furthermore, in the 18 preferred embodiment, the seal region comprises at 19 least one seal coating disposed on the first seal member at the interface region.
22 As a method, the present invention includes a 23 number of steps which prevent the passage of 24 pressurized fluid ~rom a pressurized region into a less-pressurized region. First and second interlocking 26 seal members are provided. ~ deformable ssal coating 27 is provided on the first seal member. A protruding 28 seal bead is provided on the second seal membar. The 29 first and second interlocking seal members slide together, with the seal bead ex~ending into tha 31 deformable layer. The seal bead is forced into tighter 32 contact with the seal coating, in an amount 33 corresponding to the pressure differential between the 2~3~1~
1 pressurized region and the less-pressurized region.
2 Therefore, the magnitude of the sealing engagement 3 between the first and second seal members will vary in 4 response to changes in pressure of the pressurized ~luid.
7 The above as well as additional objects, 8 features, and advantages of the invention will become 9 apparent in the following detailed description.
2~3S:L5 1 BRIBF ~E5CRIPTION OF T~ DRAWING
3 The novel features believed characteristic of 4 the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The invention itself however, as well as a preferred 6 mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, 7 will best be understood by reference to the following 8 detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when 9 read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
12 Figure-~ la and lb respectively depict a prior ~3 art metal V-ring static seal and a prior art metal C-14 ring static seal;
1~ Figure3 2a and 2b depict the s~iding 17 inter~ace seal of the present invenkion during a makeu~
18 mode wherein first and second interfacing seal ~embers 19 are slidable engaged;
21 Figura 3 depicts, in exploded form, one 22 embodiment of the second seal member of the sliding 23 interface seal of .the present invention including the 24 assembly used for holding said second seal member in place within a wellbore;
27 Figurs 4 depicts the embodiment o the 28 sliding inter~ace seal of Figur~ 3 dispo~ed within a 29 wellbore, in one-quarter longitudinal ection;
31 Figur~ 5 and 6 depict the interface region 32 between the ~irst and second seal members of Figur~
33 with a seal bead seated in a sealing region;
~63~
2 Figur~ 7 depicts an alternative em~odiment o~
3 the second seal member of the sliding interface seal of 4 the present invention, in longitudinal section:
6 Figure 8 further depicts the alternative 7 embodiment of Figur~ 7, in one-quarter longitudinal 8 section;
Figur~ 9 depicts, in exploded form, the 11 alternative embodiment of the second seal member o~ the 12 sliding interface seal of Figur~s 7 and 8, including 13 the assembly used to hold said second seal member in 14 place; and 16 Figuro 10 depicts the alternative em~odiment 17 of the sliding interface seal of Figure~ 7 through 9, 18 disposed within a wellbore, in one-quarter longitudinal 19 section.
2~35~
1 DETAILED DESCRIP~ION OF T~ INVENTION
3 ~igur~s 1~ and lb respectively depict prior 4 art V-ring and C-ring seals. In ~igure 1~, a prior art V-ring seal ll is depicted in cross-section. V-shaped 6 seal member 15 is disposed within seal compartment 17, 7 and includes a soft seal point 19, which interfaces 8 with hard seal surface 21 to ~orm a static seal.
9 Pressure from the fluid contained in the sealed region acts on V-ring seal 11 to urge soft seal point 19 into 11 sealing en~agement with hard seal surface 21. Fi~ure 12 lb depicts C-ring seal 13 in cross-section. C-shaped 13 seal member 23 is disposed in seal compartment 25, and 14 includes soft seal point 27, which engages hard seal surface 2~. Pressure from the sealed fluid likewise 16 acts on C-shaped seal member 23 to urge soft seal point 17 27 into sealing engayement with hard seal surface 29.
19 As discussed above, V-ring and C-ring seals 11, 13 are not suitable for US2 in environments which 21 would subject the seals to movement, since movement of 22 the hard seal sur~aces 21, 29 relative to soft seal 23 points 19, 27 would degrade or destroy the ability of 24 V-ring and C-ring seals 1~, 13 to maintain a s~aling engagement.
27 The present invention is a method and 28 apparatus for sealing at a sliding interface between 29 seal members. Figure~ Xa and 2b depict sliding interface seal 31 in two positions. As shown, ~irst 3~ seal member 33 interfaces with second seal member 31 at 32 interface region 37. A seal region 4~ is carried by 33 first seal member 33, and a seal bead 39 is carried by 2 ~
1 second seal member 35. Seal bead 39 operates to seat 2 within seal region ~1 and form a bubble-tight seal 3 between pressurized re~ion ~5 and less-pressurized 4 region 47.
6 Sliding interface seal 31 may be assembled, 7 disassembled, or repositioned by moving ~irst and 8 second seal members 35, 33 relative to one another.
9 Figures 2a, and 2b depict the positioning of the seal by movement of second seal member 35 relative to first 11 seal memb r 33 along the direction of arrow 43 of 12 Figure 2b. Of course, second seal member 33 could be 13 moved in the opposite direction also. Accordingly, the 14 sliding interface ~eal 31 of the present invention includes the benefits o~ a tight seal, but allows for a 16 movable "dynamic" seal, as opposed to a static seal, 17 such as a V-ring or C-ring seal 11, 13.
19 Figure 3 is an exploded view of one embodiment o~ the second seal member of ~he sliding 21 interface seal 31 of the present invention. In this 22 embodiment, second seal member 35 is cylindrical in 23 shape. However, it should be understood that ~irst and 24 second seal members 33, 35 need not be cylindrical in shape, and could in fact be formed in other shapes.
27 As shown in Figur~ 3, ~eal b~ad 39 ls 28 circumferentially disposed along the outer cylindrical 29 surface ~7 of cylindrical-shaped second seal me~ber 35 adjacent low~r end 49 thereo~. Cylindrical-shaped 31 second seal member 35 includes internal threads, which 32 are obscured fro~ view in ~igus~ 3, at upper end 69 2~3~ ~
1 which mate with external threads 71 of seal retainer 2 member 65.
4 Cylindrical-shaped second seal member 35 is lowered into a wellbore connected to mandrel 51.
6 Second seal member 35 is secured to mandrel 51 by split 7 ring 63 which rides in-part in split ring groove 53 on 8 exterior cylindrical surface 5S of mandrel 5~ Split 9 ring 63 is abutted on one side by lower end 73 o~ s~a~
retainer member 65, and on the other side by spacer ~1.
ll Spacer 61 is next to soft brass ring 59 which abuts 12 central bore 57 of second seal member 35. The 13 interconnection o~ these components is more clearly set 14 forth in Figure 4, which is a one-quarter lon~itudinal section o~ one embodiment of the sliding interface seal 16 of ths present invention.
18 As shown in Figure ~, sliding interface seal 19 31 is disposed within wellbore 75. Preferably, first seal member 33 is a cylindrical wellbore tubular member 21 which is disposed in a fixed position within wellbore 22 75. In the preferred embodiment, ~irst seal ~ember-33 23 comprises a cylindrical tubular member; how~ver, it 24 should be understood that the present invention i~ not limited in shape to cylindrical members, and can be 26 employed with other ~hapes. Second seal member 35 27 rides on the exterior sur~ace o~ mandrel 51, and is 28 lowered within wellbore 75. Mandrel 51 and second seal 29 member 35 are held together by 6plit ring 63 which i~
disposed in part in split ring groove 53 on the 31 exterior cylindrical sur~ace 55 o~ mandrel 51.
~3;3~ ~ 5 1 Split ring 63 is held in place from above by 2 seal retainer member C5 which is coupled to second seal 3 member 35 by external threads 7~ and internal thr~ads 4 79. From below, split ring 63 is held in place by spacer 51 and soft brass ring 59. Soft bras~ ring 59 6 is disposed at taperad region 81 of central b~re 57 of 7 second seal me~ber 35. When seal retainer member 65 8 an~ second seal member are made-up, soft brass ring is g compressed between tapered region 81 and mandrel 51 to form a static seal.
12 As shown in Figuxe ~, seal bead 39 is 13 disposed at the lower end of second seal member 35, and 14 is in sliding engagement with first seal member 33 at interface regi.on 37. In particular, seal bead 39 16 extends into seal region ~ to form a tight seal to 17 prevent the passa~e of pressurized fluid 83 from 18 pressurized region ~5 to less-pressurized region 47.
~s shown in Figure ~, second seal member 35 21 forms a containment barrier with pressurized region 45 22 on one side and less-pressurized region ~7 on the 23 opposite si~e. Boost area 85 is disposed radially 24 inward ~rom seal bead 39, and communicates with pressurized region 95. When a pressure di~erential is 26 developed between pressurized regio~ 45 and less-27 pressuxized region ~7, seal bead 39 is urged into a 28 tighter engagement with seal regiQn 41 in an amount 29 corresponding to the pressure di~erential, since boost area 85 will flex slightly radi~lly outward. Second 31 seal member 39 makes contact with first sea} member 33 3a at seal bead 39 and shoulder 87. The force o~ the 33 pressure differential developed between pressurized 2 ~
l region 45 and less-pressurized region 47 is distributed 2 between seal bead 39 and shoulder 87. As a pressure 3 differential is developed, second seal member 35 will 4 flex slightly radially outward, causing seal bead 39 to dig into seal region 41 of first seal member 33. The 6 amount of flexing of second seal member 35 will depend 7 upon t~e ratio of ~he sur~ace area of boost area 85, 8 the distance of circumferential con~act o~ bead 39, the 9 strength and dimensions of the material which comprises the boost area 85, the location o~ shoulder 87, and the 11 pressure differential. In the pre~erred embodiment, 12 boost area 85 is one inch long, and covers a total area 13 of 21.6 square inches. Shoulder 87 is disposed 2.5 14 inches from seal bead 39. ~he wall which forms boost area ~5 is comprised of 4130 steel and is 0.22 inches 16 thick. The line of contact of seal bead 39 is 23.2 17 inches. The ratio of boost area to line contact of 18 seal bead 39 is approximately one-to-one when these 19 dimensions and materials are employed.
21 In the preferred embodiment, sliding 22 interface seal 31 of the present invention is made up 23 by sliding second seal member 35 downward within 24 wellbore 75 in the direction of arrow 77~ In the preferred embodiment, in wellbore applications, ~liding 26 inter~ace seal 3~ of ths present invention includes a 27 seal region 41 which is twelve to fourteen feet in 28 length. Preferably, the cylindrical tubular me~ber of 29 first seal me~ber 31 has an inner diameter o~ seven and three-eights inches ~ 7 3/8"). Also, in the pre~erred 31 embodiment, seal bead 39 is machined to be 0.020 inches 32 larger than the bore of first seal member 33. Second 33 seal member 35 is press fit into ~irst seal member 33, 20~3~
1 putting a very high load on seal bead 39. In the 2 pre~erred embodiment, this load exceeds 3,000 pounds 3 per inch of circumference of seal bead 39. Therefore, 4 seal bead 3~ is pressed downward in sliding engagement with second seal member 35 for substantial distances, 6 up to twelve or fourteen ~eet. The sliding interface 7 seal 31 of the present invention is a "dynamic" seal in 8 that it may bs assembled, disassembled, or repositioned 9 within the wellbore numerous times without affecting the integrity of the seal.
12 Figure~ 5 and 6 show the sliding interface 13 seal 31 of the present invention in greater detail. As 14 shown in ~igure 5, second seal member 35 includes base material 89 which carries a section of hardfacing 91.
16 Hardfacing 91 has been machined to form a rounded 17 cross-section seal bead 3~. Seal bead 3g is seated in 18 seal region ~1. In one embodiment seal region 41 may 19 comprise a friction reducing plastic material such as Teflon which is sprayed onto the inner bore of *irst 21 seal member 33 and baked. For example, soft FEP Teflon, 22 manufactured by E.I. DuPont de Nemour & Company, may 23 be used to form a seal coating in seal region ~1. If a 24 FEP Teflon is employed, it is recommended that it be applied to second seal member by conventional means, in 26 a thickness of at least 0.002 inches. Alternately, as 27 shown i~ Figure S, seal region ~l may include one or 28 more layers of a malleable metallic coating.
A~ shown in F~guro 6, seal region 41 may 31 include outer coating ~3 disposed above inner coating 32 95. Both coatings are carried by tubular member g7 33 which forms the body of first ~eal memb~r 33. In the - 13 ~
2063~5 1 pre~erred embodiment, tubular member 97 is composed of 2 4140 steel, which has a yield strength of 110,000 3 pounds per square inch, and has a hardness o~ thirty 4 (30) on the Rockwell C scale.
6 In the preferred embodiment, inner coating 95 7 comprises a layer of metal which is between ten 8 thousand and fifteen thousand angstroms thicko In the 9 preferred embodiment, inner coating 95 is composed of an aluminum bronze alloy which is not as hard as, and 11 is more malleable than, the material which forms 12 tubular member 97.
1~ In the preferred embodiment, outer coating ~3 is a ten thousand to fifteen thousand angstroms thick 16 layer of material which is less hard, and more 17 malleable, than, inner coating 95. In the preferred 18 embodiment, outer coating 93 is compo~ed of a silver 19 palladium alloy.
21 In ths preferred embodiment, seal bead 39 is 22 composed of a material which is harder (and less 23 malleable) than tubular member 97, inner coating 95 and 24 outer coating 93. Preferably, seal bead 39 is formed of a nickle chrome alloy which has a hardness of 26 approximately forty (40) on the ~ock~ell C scale. In 27 the preferred embodiment, seal bead 39 is composed of 28 between thirteen to fifteen percent (13%-15~) chrome, 29 two percent (2%) Boron, and the remainder of nic~le.
31 Of course, it is possible that other 32 materials and alloys be substituted for thos~ u~ed in 33 the preferred embodiment. For examplP, it may be D ~ 4 _ 2~5~
possible to supplement gold alloys, tin, or lead tin 2 alloys for outer coating 93. It may also be pos~:~ible~
3 to substitute titanium, or chrome gold alloys for inner 4 coating 95. The present invention only requires that 5 inner and outer coatings 95, 93 have a hardness and 6 malleability which is less than that of tubular member 7 97 and seal bead 39.
9 A5 stated above, in wellbore applications, 10 tubular member 97 will have a hardness of thirty (30) 11 on the Rockwell C scale, and seal bead 39 will have a 12 hardness o~ forty ~40) on the Rockwell C scale.
13 Preferably, inner and outer coatings 93, 95 will have a 14 hardness between forty and sixty on the Rockwell B
scale, and outer coating 93 will be more malleable (and 16 le~s hard) than inner coating 95.
18 The relatively soft coatings of inner and 19 outer coatings 95, 93 serve to fill in machinin~ marks and scratches that develop durlng use. These coatings 21 also function as anti-galling coatings, and must stay 22 on during repeated use. As ~hown in Figure 6, outer 23 coating 93 will deform in regions 99, 101 around seal 24 bead 39 to form a seat 103. It is important that seal bead 39 be hard enough to withstand repeated sliding 26 engagement with first seal member 33.
28 In th~ preferred embodiment, outer and inner 29 coatings 93, 95 are ~ctually diffused into tubular member 9~ through known ionic material deposition 31 technologies, in which ions o~ metals such as silver 32 are combined with ions o~ other metals, such as 33 chromium or palladium, and e~bedded in the crystalline ~0~3~
1 matrix of the matal surface to become an integral part 2 of the surface, and not just a film coating. In ion 3 plating processes, clouds of electrons are produced in 4 very strong magnetic ~ields. Atoms o~ coating material passing through the electron clouds from the source of 6 alloy material will be ionized by electron collision.
7 The positive ions thus formed are acceleraked in the 8 intense field to an extremely high velocity and impact 9 and penetrate the negative charged surface of the metal material. The result is a diffusion of metals into and 11 below the sur~ace of the base material.
13 The following U.S. patents and published 14 articles describe generally the ion plating processes which can be used to deposit outer and inner coatingc 16 93, 95, and are incorporated herein by reference fully 17 as if set forth herein:
19 (1) U.S. Patent No. 4,468,309, entitled "~ethod of Resisting ~alling", issued to White on August 28, 21 1984;
23 (2) U.S. Patent No. 4,420,386, entitled "Method 24 of Pure Ion Plating Using Magnetic ~ields", issued to White on December 13, 1983;
27 (3) U.S. Patent No. 4,342,631, entitled "Gasless 28 Ion Plating Process and Apparatus", issued to White e~
29 al. on August 3, 1982;
31 ~4) U.S~ Patent No. RE 39,401, entitled "Gasless 32 Ion Plating", issued to White on 5eptember 9, 19~0;
2~3~
1 (5) SPE Paper No. 12209, entitled "Eliminating 2 Galling in High-Alloy Tubular Threads by High Energy 3 Ion Deposition Process", by G.W. White;
(~) "Fundamental Parameters of Ion Plating", 6 published in the March 1974 issue of ~etal ~inishing, 7 pages 41 through 45, authored by Lewis Beebe Leder;
9 (7) I'Fundamentals of Ion Plating" published in the January/February 1973 issue o~ Journal of Vacuum 11 Science ~ Technology, authored by D. M . Mattox;
13 (8) "Frictional and Morpholoqical Characteristics 14 of Ion-Plated Soft Metallic Films", published in the October lS, 1981 issue of Thin Solid Films, pages 267 16 through 272, authored by Talivaldis Spalvins and Bruno 17 Buzek;
19 (9) "Commercial Applications of Overlay Coat1ng Techniques", published in the October 16, 1981 issue of 21 Thin Solid Films, pages 361 through 365, authored by 22 D.M. Mattox; and 24 (10) "Coating~ for Wear and Lubrication", published in the September 15, 1978 issue of Thin ~ol.id 26 Films, pages 285 through 300, authored by Talivaldiq 27 Spalvins.
29 Put simply, tha ion-platin~ technigue reguires that the material to be deposited on the 31 substrate be evaporated via re~istance heating, 32 electron-beam impingement, or induction heating, then ~ o ~
~ ionized and accelerated through the discharge, and 2 finally deposited on the substrate.
4 While ion plating is the preferred mean~ of depositing the coating materials on the substrate, a 6 variety of alternative technigues are available. The 7 October, 1981 article in thin solid films entitled 8 "Commercial Applications of Overlay Coating 9 Techniques", by D.M. Mattox sets forth on page 362 in tabular form a number of competing techniques for ll fabricating coatings. These techniques are grouped 12 together in four broad categories: atomistic 13 deposition; particulate deposition; bulk coatings: and 14 surface modification. It i~ possible that one or more of these competing technigues may also serve to deposit 16 seal coatings on first seal member 33 in a satisfactory 17 manner.
19 In the area of ion plating, great potential in the plating of soft metallic forms has been 21 reported, including the use of gold, ~ilver/ lead, 22 indium, tin, and cadnium (see generally the article 23 entitled "Coatings for Wear and Lubrication," page ~96, 24 and the references cited therein). As set forth in SPE
Paper No. 12209, entitled "Eliminating Galliny in High-26 Alloy Tubular Threads By High-Energy Ion Deposition 27 Process" anti-galling layers have been deposited on 28 threaded wellbore tubular members with favorable 29 re~ults.
31 Several c~mmercially-available ion-deposition 32 processes are available, including the Bakertro~
33 process which is offered by Bakex Packers, a division - lfi -2063~1~
1 o~ Baker Oil Tools, Inc., an operating division of 2 Baker Hughes Incorporated, assignee of this patent, 3 loca~ed at 6023 Navigation Boulevard, Houston, Texas 4 77011. Test results have demonstrated thicker coatings than possible under the Bakertron process produce a 6 better seal coating. The Bakertron process allows for 7 coatings of two thousand to three thousand angstroms 8 thick. In the preferred em~odiment, for best results, 9 the metal ¢oating should each be approximately t~n thousand tv fifteen thousand angstroms thick.
12 In the Bakertron process, ions of noble 13 metals, such as gold or silver, are combined with ions 14 of chromium or palladium, and are embedded into the crystalline matrix of the metal surface to become an 16 integral part of the surfac~. In the Bakertron 17 process, ~louds of electrons are produced in a very 18 strong magnetic field. Any atom passing through these 19 electron clouds from the source of the alloy material will be ionized by electronic collision. The positive 21 ions thus formed are accelerated in the intense field 22 to an extremely high velocity and impact and penetrate 23 the negatively charged sur~ace of the coupling threads 24 or other wellbore tubular member. The result is a diffusion of the coating metals into and below the 26 surface of the alloy. When used on tubular members, 27 under makeup the noble metals shear or slip, reducing 28 friction and most importantly staying e~bedded in the 29 metal matrix, preventing contact of the Aigh alloy surfacas, cold welding, and subsequent galling.
32 In the preferred embodiment, the ion .
33 deposition process is used to first deposit aluminum-2 ~
1 bronze on first seal member 330 The pre~erred 2 composition of aluminum-bronze con~orms to ths 3 following percentages by weight in accordance with ASTM
4 E54 or ~478 (that i~, the Philadelphia-based American Society for Testing of Materials Publication No~. E54 6 or E478~
7 Minimum Haximum 8 Element Percent Percent 9 1. Copper and other elements listed 99.5 ---10 ~. Aluminum 6.3 7.6 11 3. Iron 0.0 0.3 12 4. Nickel 0.0 0.25 13 5. Manganese 0.0 0.10 14 6. Sili~one ~.5 2.2 7. Tin 0.0 0.2 16 8. Zino 0.0 0.5 17 9. Lead 0.0 0.05 18 10. Arsenic 0.0 0.15 In the preferred embodiment, the ion 21 deposition process is used to deposit silver-palladium 22 which is evaporated in the ion deposition chamber.
23 Preferably, the material to be evaporated comprises 24 eighty perc~nt by weight silver and twenty peroent by weight palladium, plus or minus two percent for each 26 element.
28 An alternative embodi~ent for the liding 29 interface seal 31 of the present invention is depicted in Figure~ 7 through 10. ~gur~ 7 depicts in 31 longitudinal section an alternative second qeal member 32 105. Second seal memb2r 105 is composed of tubular 33 body 107 which has internal threads ~11 at upper end 34 10~ and shoulder ~15 disposed at a position 2063~ ~
1 intermediate of upper end 109 and lower end 113. Seal 2 bead 39 is disposed near lower end 113, and radially 3 outward from boost slot 117. In this embodiment, seal 4 bead 39 is composed of a hardfacing material, like seal bead 39 of the e~bodiment of F~qure~ 3 and 4.
7 In the embodiment of ~igure 7, tubular body 8 107 defines boosk slot 117 between inner wail ~19, and 9 outer wall 121. In the preferred embodiment boost slot 117 is machined into tubular body 107 and is onP and 11 one-half (1 1/2) inches deep. Wellbore ~luid within 12 boost slot 117 exerts pressure radially outward against 13 outer wall 121, which is in the preferred embodiment 14 one-~uarter (1/4) inch thick, causing seal bead 39 to embed in a seal coating. Boost slot 117 is designed to 16 provide three-quarters (3/4) of a square inch of area 17 along the inner surface of outer wall 121 per one (1) 18 inch of line contact of seal bead 39.
Figure ~ is a one-quarter longitudinal 21 section of altexnative second seal member 105 of F~ur~3 22 7. As shown in Figure 8, inner wall 119 extends 23 downward beyond outer wall 121, and termina~s at lip 24 123 which extends radially outward from inner wall 119.
25 The region . 25 from the lower end of outer wall 121 ~nd 26 lip 123 of inner wall ll~ defines a region adapted fox 27 receipt of a mandrel clamp which serves to clamp inner 28 wall 119 aga~nst a mandrel, and in particular causing ~S mandrel bead ~27 to engage the mandrel.
31 ~igur~ 9 is an exploded ~iew of alternative 32 second seal me~ber lOS and the assembly which holds 33 second seal member ~05 in position within a wellbore.
2063~1~
1 As shown, mandrel 131 includ~s split ring groove 133 on 2 exterior cylindrical surface 145. Mandrel is 3 positioned in interior 1~7 of second seal member 105, 4 and receives split ring 137 in split ring groove 133.
Seal retainer member 139 is mated within internal 6 threads at upper end 1~ of second seal member 105 7 (i~ternal threads are not shown in Figure 9, but are 8 shown in Figure 10). Lower end 143 of seal retainer 9 member 139 serves to abut split ring 137 and hold it in position. Full-ring mandrel clamp 135 is heated to 11 expand the metallic material from which it is composed 12 and is raised upward along the length of mandrel 13~, 13 and positioned ,over inner wall 119 in region 125 14 between the lower end of outer wall 121 and 123 of inner wall 119. As full-ring mandrel clamp 135 shrinks 16 due to cooling, it will exert force on inner wall 119, 17 and cause mandrel bead 127 to grip the exterior 18 cylindrical surface 1~5 of mandrel 131.
This assembly is further depicted in Figure 21 10, which is a one-quarter longitudinal section of ~2 sliding interface seal 31 of the present invention 23 disposed within wellbor2 75. As in the other 24 embodiment, first seal member 33 comprises a cylindrical tubular member with seal region 41 disposed 26 on its inner bore. Alternative second seal member 105 27 is carried downward within wellbore 75 in the direction 28 o~ arrow 77 by mandrel a31 which includes split ring 29 groove 133 on its outer cylindrical surface 145. Split ring 137 is disposed within split ring groove 133, and 31 held in place by lower end ~43 o~ sealing retainer 32 member 139 which treadably engages internal threads 15 33 of second seal member 105 with external thraads a~l.
2 ~
1 Split ring 137 is held in position ~rom below by 2 shoulder 153 which is formed in second seal member 105.
4 As shown in Figu~a ~o, shoulder 115 on the exterior cylindrical surface 129 of second seal member 6 105 abuts first seal member 133, as does hard-faced 7 seal bead 39. Inner wall al9 and outer wall 121 are 8 separated by a cylindrical-shaped boost slot 117 which 9 is disposed radially inward from seal bead 139.
}O
11 Full-ring mandrel clamp 135 extends over lip 12 ~23, and includes mandrel slot ~55 for accommodating 13 lip 123. One-half of full-ring mandrel clamp 135 rides 14 in region 125 of Figur~ ~, and it urges mandrel bead 127 into sealing engagement with exterior cylindrical 16 surface 1~5 of mandxel- 131. In a further alternative 17 o~ the present invention, it may be possible t~ form 18 mandrel bead 127 from hard-facing material, and apply a 19 seal coating to exterior surface 1~5 of mandrel 13~.
21 In operation, pressurized fluid 15~ (either 22 gaseous, liquid, or a combination of gaseous and liquid 23 fluids~ in pressurized region 157 communicates with 24 boost slot 117. As a prèssure different~al is developed between pressurized region ~s7 and less-26 pressurized regions ~61, ~63, outer wall 112 is urged 27 radially outward, and inner wall 119 i8 urged radially 28 inward. As outer wall 121 is urged radially outward, 29 seal bead 39 is caused to sealingly engage seal region ~1. As the pressure differential increases, inner wall 31 119 is caused to expand 61ightly radially inward, 32 causing ~andrel bead 127 to sealingly engag~ mandrel 33 131. As the pressure di~ferential increases, the 2~3~ ~ ~
1 sealing engagement between ~eal bead 39 and seal 2 coating 41 is enhanced. Likewise, as the pressure 3 differential increases the sealing engagement between 4 mandrel bead 127 and mandrel 131 is enhanced.
Ther~fore, the seal of the present invention is one 6 which increases and decreases in sealing engagement 7 depending upon the pressure differential developed 8 between the pre~surized region 157 and less-pressurized 9 regions 161, lC3.
11 Of course, as with the other embodiment, seal 12 region ~1 may include one or more plastic or metallic 13 layers of sealing coatings, deposited in the manner 14 described above.
16 Under tha several embodiments of the present 17 invention, it is one primary ob;ective to provide a 18 seal which is ~unctional at a sliding interface between 19 first and second seal members. Such a seal would allow for the assembly, disassembly, and readjustment of the 21 seal on numerous occasions, without degradation or 22 destru~tion of the sealing ability.
24 Experiments reveal tha~ the use of plastic coatings on ~irst seal member 33, such as soft FEP
26 Teflon, provided a seal which could be made up several 27 times without impairment of the seal integrity.
28 Further experiments revealed ~hat use of an aluminum-29 bronze and silver-palladium coating~ applied through the Bakertron process provided a good, but not bubble-31 tight, seal which csuld be ~ade up and broken in excess 32 o~ a dozen times without impairment of the sealing 33 ability. Still further test~ revealed that - 2~ -2 0 ~
1 combination of thicker aluminum-bronz~ and silver 2 palladium c~atings deposited, each having a thickness 3 in the range of ten thousand to ~ifteen thousand 4 angstroms, allowed for a tighter (bubble-tight) seal which could be made up and broken in excess of a dozen 6 times without impairment of the sea}ing ability.
8 It is possible that other seal coatings will 9 be equally or more effective than those discussed abo~e. For example, it may be possibl that epoxy 11 coatings, polyurethane coatings, Tefzel brand coating 12 from DuPont, or Ryton coatings from Phillips Petroleum 13 will be equally or more effective than Teflon or metal 14 coatings.
16 Tests have revealed that the sliding 17 interface seal 31 of the embodiment of Flgur~ 3 and ~
18 provide a good seal at 8,000 psi nitrogen and 10,000 19 psi water. The boost area 85 can withstand up to lOQ,000 psi, but the mandrel seal formed by split rinq 21 63, spacer 61, and soft brass ring 59 can only 22 withstand 8,000 to 10,000 psi. Experiments further 23 reveal that second seal member 35 of the e~bodiment 24 depicted in Fi~useo 3 and 4 begins effective sealing in a pressure range o~ approximately 1 to 1.5 thousand 26 pounds per square inch. Experiments reveal that second 27 seal member 35 of this embodiment will accommodate 28 increases in pxessure and continue sealing up to the 29 lim~ts in strength of mandrel 5~ and the tubular ~ember of fir~t ~eal m~mber 33. Furthar tests reveal ~ha~ the 31 mandr~l seal of the embodim~nt of ~i~ur~s 9 and 10 ~an ~2 withstand pre~sures up to 8,000 psi, whi~h is the yield 33 strength of outer wall 121.
20~3~
2 Experiments also reveal that, for both 3 embodiments, if the pressure differential between the 4 pressurized region and the less-pressurized region is less than 1,000 psi, the sliding interface seal 31 of 6 the present invention may repositioned within a 7 wellbore by sliding one or both o~ first and second 8 seal members 33, 35, relative to the other. Therefore, g the first and second seal members are repositionable relative to each other while maintaining a sealing 11 engagement, at low pressure differentials.
13 In summary, the sliding interface seal o~ the 14 present invention provides a seal in which the seal components may be slidably engaging ona another at a 16 sliding interface. The sliding interface seal o~ the 17 present invention also provides a seal which increases 18 and decreases in sealing engagement in response to 19 changes in pressure of the contained fluid. The ~0 sliding interface seal o~ the present invention also 21 provides a seal which is especially adapted for use in 22 wellbores. ~he sliding interfa~e seal of the present 23 invention allows for a seal which may be assembl~d, 24 disassembled, or adjusted by sliding one seal member relative to another seal member under low pressure 26 differential conditions.
28 Although the in~ention has b~en described 29 with reference to a specifiG embodiment, this description is not meant to be conætrued in a limiting 31 sense. Various modi~ication~ of the disclosed 3~ e~bodim~nt as well as alternative embodiments of the 33 inv~ntion will become apparent to persons skilled in 20~3~
1 the art upon reference to the description of tha 2 invention. It is therefore contemplated that the 3 appended claims will cover any such modifications or 4 embodiments that fall within the true ~cope of the invention.
Claims (24)
1. A seal apparatus for containing fluid under variable pressure in a pressurized region to prevent leakage into a less-pressurized region comprising:
first and second interfacing seal members adapted to slidably engage one another at an interface region during makeup of said seal apparatus;
a seal region carried by said first seal member at said interface region and composed of a deformable material;
a seal bead carried at said interface region by said second seal member and protruding therefrom, said seal bead being composed of a material less malleable than said seal region for seating in said seal region;
wherein at least a portion of said second seal member adjacent said seal bead forms a containment barrier with said pressurized region on one side and said less-pressurized region on the opposite side; and wherein a pressure differential developed between said pressurized region and said less-pressurized region urges said seal bead into tighter engagement with said seal region in an amount corresponding to said pressure differential.
first and second interfacing seal members adapted to slidably engage one another at an interface region during makeup of said seal apparatus;
a seal region carried by said first seal member at said interface region and composed of a deformable material;
a seal bead carried at said interface region by said second seal member and protruding therefrom, said seal bead being composed of a material less malleable than said seal region for seating in said seal region;
wherein at least a portion of said second seal member adjacent said seal bead forms a containment barrier with said pressurized region on one side and said less-pressurized region on the opposite side; and wherein a pressure differential developed between said pressurized region and said less-pressurized region urges said seal bead into tighter engagement with said seal region in an amount corresponding to said pressure differential.
2. A seal apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said first and second seal members comprise concentrically interlocking tubular members.
3. A seal apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said seal bead is semi circular in cross-section.
4. A seal apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said seal region comprises a plurality of coatings of differing malleability.
5. A seal apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said seal region comprises at least one metallic layer bonded directly to said first seal member.
6. A seal apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said seal region comprises at least one metallic layer bonded directly to said first seal member by an ion deposition process.
7. A seal apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said seal bead comprises a region of metal hardfacing.
8. A seal apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein during an adjustment mode of operation with said pressure differential below an adjustment pressure threshold said first and second seal members may be repositioned relative to each other while maintaining a sealing engagement between said seal region and said seal bead.
9. A seal apparatus for containing fluid under pressure in a pressurized region, comprising:
a first seal member defining at least in-part said pressurized region and having a seal bore of a selected shape disposed along a longitudinal axis, said seal bore having a selected inner dimension and coated at least in-part in a sealing region with a seal coating composed of a malleable layer which is bonded directly to said seal bore:
a second seal member having an outer surface which is disposed about a longitudinal axis and which has a selected shape corresponding to said selected shape of said seal bore of said first seal member, said second seal member having an outer dimension larger than said selected inner dimension of said seal bore of said first seal member;
a seal bead peripherally disposed on said outer surface of said second seal member, raised a selected distance above said outer surface, and composed of a material less malleable than said seal coating of said first seal member;
said second seal member also having a boost area disposed radially inward from said seal bead which communicates with said pressurized region;
wherein during a makeup mode said second seal member is aligned said seal bore of said first seal member and said first and second seal members are fitted together by force, causing said seal bead to become embedded in said seal coating of said sealing region of said seal bore; and wherein during a sealing mode said pressurized fluid exerts force radially outward on said boost area to urge at least a portion of said second seal member radially outward to press said seal bead into sealing engagement with said seal coating of said seal bore.
a first seal member defining at least in-part said pressurized region and having a seal bore of a selected shape disposed along a longitudinal axis, said seal bore having a selected inner dimension and coated at least in-part in a sealing region with a seal coating composed of a malleable layer which is bonded directly to said seal bore:
a second seal member having an outer surface which is disposed about a longitudinal axis and which has a selected shape corresponding to said selected shape of said seal bore of said first seal member, said second seal member having an outer dimension larger than said selected inner dimension of said seal bore of said first seal member;
a seal bead peripherally disposed on said outer surface of said second seal member, raised a selected distance above said outer surface, and composed of a material less malleable than said seal coating of said first seal member;
said second seal member also having a boost area disposed radially inward from said seal bead which communicates with said pressurized region;
wherein during a makeup mode said second seal member is aligned said seal bore of said first seal member and said first and second seal members are fitted together by force, causing said seal bead to become embedded in said seal coating of said sealing region of said seal bore; and wherein during a sealing mode said pressurized fluid exerts force radially outward on said boost area to urge at least a portion of said second seal member radially outward to press said seal bead into sealing engagement with said seal coating of said seal bore.
10. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said first and second seal members comprise tubular members.
11. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said seal bore of said first seal member is cylindrical in shape, and wherein said outer surface of said second seal member is also cylindrical in shape.
12. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said seal coating comprises a malleable metallic layer which is bonded directly to said seal bore.
13. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said seal bead comprises a peripherally disposed bead which is rounded in cross-section, and which is composed of a metallic material which is less malleable than said seal coating of said first seal member.
14. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein during said sealing mode said sealing engagement between said seal bead and said seal bore is proportional in strength to said pressure of said pressurized fluid.
15. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said malleable layer of said seal coating conforms in shape to accommodate said seal bead.
16. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein during a removal mode said first and second seal members are repositionable relative to each other while maintaining a sealing engagement.
17. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said seal coating is bonded directly to said seal bore by an ion metallizing process.
18. A seal apparatus according to Claim g, wherein said seal coating comprises two layers with an upper coating disposed over a lower coating, and wherein said upper coating is more malleable that said lower coating.
19. A seal apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein during said makeup mode said seal bead slidingly engages said seal bore as said first and second seal members are forced together.
20. A seal apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said seal bead and said seal coating cooperate to form a bubble-tight seal.
21. A method of sealing to prevent passage of pressurized fluid from a pressurized region to a less-pressurized region, comprising:
providing first and second interlocking seal members;
providing a deformable seal coating on said first seal member;
providing a protruding seal bead on said second seal member:
sliding said first and second interlocking seal members together, with said seal bead extending into said deformable layer;
forcing said seal bead into tighter contact with said seal coating in an amount corresponding to a pressure differential between said pressurized region and said less-pressurized region.
providing first and second interlocking seal members;
providing a deformable seal coating on said first seal member;
providing a protruding seal bead on said second seal member:
sliding said first and second interlocking seal members together, with said seal bead extending into said deformable layer;
forcing said seal bead into tighter contact with said seal coating in an amount corresponding to a pressure differential between said pressurized region and said less-pressurized region.
22. A method of sealing to prevent passage of pressurized fluid from a pressurized region to a less-pressurized region, comprising:
providing first and second interlocking seal members:
providing a metallic deformable seal coating on said first seal member;
providing a protruding seal bead on said second seal member;
sliding said first and second interlocking seal members together with said seal bead extending into said deformable layer; and forcing said seal bead into tighter contact with said seal coating in an amount corresponding to a pressure differential between said pressurized region and said less-pressurized region.
providing first and second interlocking seal members:
providing a metallic deformable seal coating on said first seal member;
providing a protruding seal bead on said second seal member;
sliding said first and second interlocking seal members together with said seal bead extending into said deformable layer; and forcing said seal bead into tighter contact with said seal coating in an amount corresponding to a pressure differential between said pressurized region and said less-pressurized region.
23. A method of sealing in a wellbore to prevent passage of pressurized fluid from a pressurized region to a less-pressurized region, comprising:
providing a first tubular member with a seal bore disposed therethrough, said seal bore coated at least in-part in a sealing region with a seal coating of malleable and deformable material;
providing a second tubular member having an outer cylindrical surface adapted in size for force fitting into said seal bore of said first tubular member;
providing a seal bead on said outer cylindrical surface of said second tubular member, raised a selected distance above said outer cylindrical surface, and composed of a material less malleable than said seal coating;
providing a boost region radially inward from said seal bead which is subject to pressurized fluid from said pressurized region;
disposing said first tubular member in said wellbore for bounding in-part said pressurized region with said seal bore;
aligning said second tubular member in said wellbore with said first tubular member;
force-fitting said second tubular into said seal bore of said first tubular member, wherein said seal bead extends into said seal coating; and allowing pressurized fluid from said pressurized region to act in said boost region to urge said seal bead into tighter engagement with said seal coating.
providing a first tubular member with a seal bore disposed therethrough, said seal bore coated at least in-part in a sealing region with a seal coating of malleable and deformable material;
providing a second tubular member having an outer cylindrical surface adapted in size for force fitting into said seal bore of said first tubular member;
providing a seal bead on said outer cylindrical surface of said second tubular member, raised a selected distance above said outer cylindrical surface, and composed of a material less malleable than said seal coating;
providing a boost region radially inward from said seal bead which is subject to pressurized fluid from said pressurized region;
disposing said first tubular member in said wellbore for bounding in-part said pressurized region with said seal bore;
aligning said second tubular member in said wellbore with said first tubular member;
force-fitting said second tubular into said seal bore of said first tubular member, wherein said seal bead extends into said seal coating; and allowing pressurized fluid from said pressurized region to act in said boost region to urge said seal bead into tighter engagement with said seal coating.
24. A method of sealing according to Claim 23, further comprising:
automatically varying said engagement between said seal coating and said seal bead in response to increased pressure within said pressurized region.
automatically varying said engagement between said seal coating and said seal bead in response to increased pressure within said pressurized region.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/672,400 US5105879A (en) | 1991-03-20 | 1991-03-20 | Method and apparatus for sealing at a sliding interface |
| US672,400 | 1991-03-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2063515A1 true CA2063515A1 (en) | 1992-09-21 |
Family
ID=24698393
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002063515A Abandoned CA2063515A1 (en) | 1991-03-20 | 1992-03-19 | Method and apparatus for sealing at a sliding interface |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5105879A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0513494A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2063515A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9201221A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO921099L (en) |
Families Citing this family (21)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5667010A (en) * | 1995-03-21 | 1997-09-16 | Steelhead Reclamation Ltd. | Process and plug for well abandonment |
| US5992522A (en) * | 1997-08-12 | 1999-11-30 | Steelhead Reclamation Ltd. | Process and seal for minimizing interzonal migration in boreholes |
| AU3487699A (en) * | 1998-04-09 | 1999-11-01 | Camco International, Inc. | Coated downhole tools |
| GB2357529A (en) * | 1998-04-09 | 2001-06-27 | Camco Int | Coated downhole tools |
| DE19947196A1 (en) * | 1999-10-01 | 2001-04-05 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Fuel injection device for diesel engine has control valve for regulating fuel feed from high pressure space to injection valve |
| CA2328190C (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2006-02-07 | Trent Michael Victor Kaiser | External casing anchor |
| US7338265B2 (en) * | 2005-03-04 | 2008-03-04 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Scroll machine with single plate floating seal |
| US7445047B2 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2008-11-04 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Metal-to-metal non-elastomeric seal stack |
| US8932036B2 (en) | 2010-10-28 | 2015-01-13 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor seal assembly |
| US8905149B2 (en) * | 2011-06-08 | 2014-12-09 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Expandable seal with conforming ribs |
| US9404334B2 (en) * | 2012-08-31 | 2016-08-02 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Downhole elastomeric components including barrier coatings |
| US10024119B2 (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2018-07-17 | Tejas Tubular Products, Inc. | Threaded connection |
| US9732580B2 (en) | 2014-07-29 | 2017-08-15 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Self-boosting expandable seal with cantilevered seal arm |
| WO2016080956A1 (en) * | 2014-11-18 | 2016-05-26 | Schlumberger Canada Limited | Barrier surface for downhole elastomeric components |
| NO341088B1 (en) * | 2015-05-08 | 2017-08-21 | Aker Solutions As | Oilfield tubular with metal c-ring seal |
| US10202818B2 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-02-12 | Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc | Expandable sealing assembly and downhole system |
| US10975868B2 (en) | 2017-07-07 | 2021-04-13 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor with floating seal |
| US11692548B2 (en) | 2020-05-01 | 2023-07-04 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor having floating seal assembly |
| US11578725B2 (en) | 2020-05-13 | 2023-02-14 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor having muffler plate |
| US11655818B2 (en) | 2020-05-26 | 2023-05-23 | Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. | Compressor with compliant seal |
| US11767846B2 (en) | 2021-01-21 | 2023-09-26 | Copeland Lp | Compressor having seal assembly |
Family Cites Families (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US248784A (en) * | 1881-10-25 | Joint for oast iron pipes | ||
| US1336738A (en) * | 1920-04-13 | Well-packer | ||
| US2826254A (en) * | 1955-04-07 | 1958-03-11 | Johnston Testers Inc | Packing for mandrel of testing tool |
| US3595588A (en) * | 1969-07-14 | 1971-07-27 | Temper Corp | Static seal with foil laminate |
| US3690685A (en) * | 1970-04-03 | 1972-09-12 | Siemens Ag | Sealing ring |
| FR2286990A1 (en) * | 1974-10-04 | 1976-04-30 | Anvar | WATERPROOFING DEVICE |
| US4224987A (en) * | 1978-02-13 | 1980-09-30 | Brown Oil Tools, Inc. | Well tool |
| USRE30401E (en) * | 1978-07-07 | 1980-09-09 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Gasless ion plating |
| DE3007665C2 (en) * | 1980-02-29 | 1982-08-19 | Rainer Dipl.-Ing. 6234 Hattersheim Schlegel | Secondary seal for axial mechanical seals |
| US4342631A (en) * | 1980-06-16 | 1982-08-03 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Gasless ion plating process and apparatus |
| US4420386A (en) * | 1983-04-22 | 1983-12-13 | White Engineering Corporation | Method for pure ion plating using magnetic fields |
| US4468309A (en) * | 1983-04-22 | 1984-08-28 | White Engineering Corporation | Method for resisting galling |
| US4641841A (en) * | 1985-08-26 | 1987-02-10 | Hughes Tool Company | Metal seal for a tubular connection |
| DE3545281A1 (en) * | 1985-12-20 | 1987-07-02 | Mtu Muenchen Gmbh | MECHANICAL SEAL |
| DE3709320A1 (en) * | 1987-03-21 | 1988-09-29 | Danfoss As | HYDRAULIC SEALING DEVICE FOR SEALING A RING GAP |
-
1991
- 1991-03-20 US US07/672,400 patent/US5105879A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-03-17 EP EP19920104606 patent/EP0513494A3/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-03-19 MX MX9201221A patent/MX9201221A/en unknown
- 1992-03-19 CA CA002063515A patent/CA2063515A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-03-19 NO NO92921099A patent/NO921099L/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0513494A2 (en) | 1992-11-19 |
| EP0513494A3 (en) | 1993-04-21 |
| NO921099D0 (en) | 1992-03-19 |
| MX9201221A (en) | 1992-10-30 |
| NO921099L (en) | 1992-09-21 |
| US5105879A (en) | 1992-04-21 |
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