The present invention generally relates to canted coil springs and more particularly to elastomer filled canted coil springs, applications of elastomer filled canted coil springs, and related methods.
Typically, a canted coil spring is used within an elastomeric ring, also known as a seal element, to form a spring energized seal that provides maximum sealing, aided by the canted coil spring, while yielding low friction between the sealing element and the dynamic surface, such as for rotary or reciprocating applications. Canted coil springs can also be used as electrical contacts that provide efficient signal propagation. The rotary/reciprocating seals and electrical contacts can be utilized in harsh environmental conditions such as mud, water, oil, or other viscous material surroundings.
While a canted coil spring operates by a plurality of coils deflecting in a same general loading direction that is generally perpendicular to a tangent of a centerline of the coils, wherein the coils experience a relatively constant force as deflection occurs over a working range, such capability may be hindered if the plurality of coils are obstructed or interfered with by unwanted surrounding materials, such as mud, slurry, etc. trapping between the coils and limiting the coils' deflection. In addition, unwanted materials packing into the coils limit individual coils to act generally independently of adjacent coils. For example, when an unwanted material such as mud is packed within the coils, the mud may harden and greatly reduce the deflection capability of the canted coil spring. For drilling applications, such hindrance may take place in a riser drilling system and/or riser-less drilling system where the canted coil spring is used as an electrical contact or a spring energizer within a rotary/reciprocating seal in between pipe connections and/or along the pipe lines. Along with the hindrance in canted coil spring capability, the springs need to be washed each time when the pipe needs to be re-connected to another system after being exposed to harsh environmental conditions as mentioned, which can cause inefficiency in the overall drilling process.
Aspects of the present invention are directed to canted coil springs that are less susceptible to complications, such as less susceptible to being obstructed by debris and unwanted materials. In some examples, a non-metallic filler material or member, such as an O-ring, is placed within the plurality of coils of a canted coil spring in the direction of the centerline. The placement of the filler material is configured so that the filler material is fully within the coils wherein a cross-sectional outer profile of the filler material is completely within the boundaries of a cross-sectional inner profile of the plurality of coils when load is not present. Some part or parts of the filler member may protrude between gaps of two adjacent coils depending on the relative cross-sectional profiles of the filler member and the coils of the canted coil spring. Such configuration of the filler member within the coils may reduce the amount of unwanted materials being introduced or packed within the plurality of coils and may prevent the mentioned hindrance in deflection capability while maintaining the electrical signal carrying capability and energizing capability within seals. Also, due to smaller empty spacing within the coils with the presence of the filler member, unwanted materials may easily fall off or break apart as the density of the unwanted material present within the coils is greatly reduced by the presence of the filler member. Moreover, efficiency in the overall drilling process, when the filled canted coil spring is used in a downhole application, may be improved since frequent cleaning of the canted coil spring when re-connecting to another drilling system may be reduced.
An example in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a canted coil spring ring and a filler material or member that is located in the direction of a centerline that goes through the plurality of coils and is also completely within the boundaries of the cross-sectional inner profile of the coils when the coils are not loaded. The filler material may comprise an O-ring, a tube, or a conductive elastomer not limited to a generally circular cross-sectional profile. The filler material may be made from an elastomer material, a foam material, a sponge material, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or combinations thereof. Similarly, the plurality of coils of the canted coil spring ring may comprise other geometrical variations of the cross-sectional profile such as rectangular, triangular, and other more complex geometries. Regardless of different geometries of the coils and the filler member, the purpose and usage of the spring to conduct electricity within harsh environmental conditions and effectively work as a spring energizer within a seal while not hindering canted coil spring's deflection capability are described. Methods of using the filled canted coil spring to minimize, reduce, or eliminate unwanted material buildups are also described.
A further aspect of the present disclosure includes a spring assembly comprising a canted coil spring comprising a plurality of coils, a centerline formed through said coils, and a loading direction that is generally perpendicular to a tangent of said centerline; wherein at least a coil of said plurality of coils comprises a cross-sectional inner profile when viewed in a direction of said centerline; wherein at least a coil of said plurality of coils is deflectable generally independently of an adjacent coil of said plurality of coils when a load is applied in said loading direction; a filler member disposed within said plurality of coils in the direction of said centerline; wherein said filler member comprises a cross-sectional outer profile when viewed in the direction of said centerline; and wherein said cross-sectional outer profile of said filler member is within said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils when the canted coil spring is not loaded.
The spring assembly wherein said plurality of coils each can be deflectable generally independently when loaded.
The spring assembly wherein said filler member can prevent unwanted material to be filled or packed within said plurality of coils that may hinder the performance of the spring assembly when loaded while allowing for minimal effect on the generally independent deflection characteristic of said plurality of coils when loaded.
The spring assembly can further comprise a seal member having a body with an open channel encompassing a cross-sectional outer profile of the canted coil spring.
The spring assembly wherein the seal member can include a sealing lip for sealing against a moving shaft.
The spring assembly wherein the seal member is usable as an axial seal.
The spring assembly wherein the filler member can be hollow.
The spring assembly wherein the filler member can comprise a cross-sectional outer profile that is not round.
The spring assembly wherein the filler member can be an O-ring.
The spring assembly wherein the filler member can be conductive.
The spring assembly wherein the plurality of coils each can comprise a cross-sectional inner profile that is other than round or elliptical.
The spring assembly wherein the filler member can be made from a sponge material or a foam material.
The spring assembly can be used as an electrical contact.
A yet further aspect of the present disclosure is a method for limiting material build up in a spring energized seal. The method can comprise providing a seal body comprising an outer flange and an inner flange connected to a center channel section, said seal body further comprising an open channel and a spring holding space; providing a canted coil spring comprising a plurality of coils with a filler member through the open channel of the seal body and into the spring holding space; wherein at least a coil of said plurality of coils comprises a cross-sectional inner profile when viewed in a direction of said centerline; wherein at least a coil of said plurality of coils is deflectable generally independently of an adjacent coil of said plurality of coils when a load is applied in said loading direction; and wherein said filler member comprises a cross-sectional outer profile when viewed in the direction of said centerline; and wherein said cross-sectional outer profile of said filler member is within said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils when the canted coil spring is not loaded.
More broadly, the method is for limiting material build up in a filled canted coil spring by providing a canted coil spring comprising a plurality of coils with a filler member through the open channel of the seal body and into the spring holding space; wherein at least a coil of said plurality of coils comprises a cross-sectional inner profile when viewed in a direction of said centerline; wherein at least a coil of said plurality of coils is deflectable generally independently of an adjacent coil of said plurality of coils when a load is applied in said loading direction; and wherein said filler member comprises a cross-sectional outer profile when viewed in the direction of said centerline; and wherein said cross-sectional outer profile of said filler member is within said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils when the canted coil spring is not loaded.
The method wherein said filler member can contact said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils.
The method wherein filler member can fill in gaps between two adjacent coils of said plurality of coils.
The method can further comprise a gland and wherein the method can further comprise the step of placing the seal body with said canted coil spring and said filler member in said gland.
The method wherein the filler member can be hollow.
The method wherein the filler member can be an O-ring, a foam, or a sponge.
The present disclosure further includes a spring assembly comprising a canted coil spring comprising a plurality of coils, a centerline going through said coils, and a loading direction that is generally perpendicular to a tangent of said centerline; wherein a coil of said plurality of coils comprises a cross-sectional inner profile when viewed in a direction of said centerline; wherein a coil of said plurality of coils may deflect generally independently of an adjacent coil of said plurality of coils when a load is applied in said loading direction; an elastomeric member disposed within said plurality of coils in the direction of said centerline; wherein said elastomeric member comprises a cross-sectional outer profile when viewed in the direction of said centerline; wherein said cross-sectional outer profile of said elastomeric member is within the boundaries of said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils when not loaded; and wherein the cross-sectional outer profile of said elastomeric member being within the boundaries of said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils when not loaded allows for minimal effect on the generally independent deflection characteristic of said plurality of coils when loaded.
Another feature of the present disclosure is a spring assembly comprising a canted coil spring comprising a plurality of coils, a centerline going through said coils, and a loading direction that is generally perpendicular to a tangent of said centerline; wherein a coil of said plurality of coils comprises a cross-sectional inner profile when viewed in a direction of said centerline; wherein a coil of said plurality of coils may deflect generally independently of an adjacent coil of said plurality of coils when a load is applied in said loading direction; an elastomeric member disposed within said plurality of coils in the direction of said centerline;
wherein said elastomeric member comprises a cross-sectional outer profile when viewed in the direction of said centerline; wherein said cross-sectional outer profile of said elastomeric member is within the boundaries of said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils when not loaded; and wherein the cross-sectional outer profile of said elastomeric member being within the boundaries of said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils when not loaded prevents unwanted material to be filled or packed within said plurality of coils that may hinder the performance of the spring assembly when loaded, while allowing for minimal effect on the generally independent deflection characteristic of said plurality of coils when loaded.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a seal assembly comprising a canted coil spring comprising a plurality of coils, a centerline going through said coils, and a loading direction that is generally perpendicular to a tangent of said centerline; wherein a coil of said plurality of coils comprises a cross-sectional inner profile when viewed in a direction of said centerline; wherein a coil of said plurality of coils may deflect generally independently of an adjacent coil of said plurality of coils when a load is applied in said loading direction; an elastomeric member disposed within said plurality of coils in the direction of said centerline; wherein said elastomeric member comprises a cross-sectional outer profile when viewed in the direction of said centerline; wherein said cross-sectional outer profile of said elastomeric member is within the boundaries of said cross-sectional inner profile of said plurality of coils when not loaded; and a seal generally encompassing a cross-sectional outer profile of the canted coil spring.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred devices, systems, and methods related to filled canted coil springs and applications thereof and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present devices, systems, and methods may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the features and the steps for constructing and using the embodiments of the present devices, systems, and methods in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As denoted elsewhere herein, like element numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements or features.
In an example, the filler material 104 and the canted coil spring 102 can both start as lengths witch each comprising two free ends. The two lengths can then be connected end to end with the two ends of the filler material 104 bonded and the two ends of the canted coil spring 102 welded to form a filled canted coil spring ring 100.
The reduction of materials building up within the coils 106 can have the added benefit of self-cleaning. That is, by minimizing free space within the coils and consequently how much materials can build up, materials that do form cannot cake around and/or within the coils 106. Thus, the canted coil spring ring 102 is able to clean itself by rubbing against the pipe or pin that the filled spring ring 100 is positioned in, easily knocking off some of the accumulated materials within the coils when the pipes undergo disconnection.
The coils 106 each comprises an inside perimeter IP and an outside perimeter OP. In some examples, due to relative sizes, the coils squeeze the outside surface of the filler material 104 such that some of the filler material protrudes into the gaps between adjacent coils but the filler material does not extend outwardly passed the outside perimeter OP of the coils. In other examples, the filler material 104 is located within the coils but the coils do not squeeze the exterior surface of the filler material. In still other examples, as further discussed below, some or all of the surfaces of the filler material 104 within the filled spring 100 are spaced from the coils while in some examples only part of the filler material is spaced from the coils.
In some embodiments, parts of the filler material 104 can protrude between gaps of two adjacent coils.
Method of use and of manufacturing filled canted coil springs and seal assemblies and their components are within the scope of the present disclosure.
Although limited embodiments of filled canted coil spring assemblies, seal assemblies with filled canted coil springs and their components have been specifically described and illustrated herein, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the filled canted coil spring assemblies and their components constructed according to principles of the disclosed devices, systems, and methods may be embodied other than as specifically described herein. The disclosure is also defined in the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62038500 | Aug 2014 | US |