Patent Application
20170022779
In many industries, elements that are intended to extend from a central mandrel and interact with an opposing surface are used for holding a differential pressure across the element. These elements need to be maintained in position in order to be effective. Unfortunately, differential pressures tend to extrude a portion of the element or swab the entire element. Extrusion or swabbing of an element is obviously problematic since where such occurs, the point of the structure, which was to hold a differential pressure, may be reduced or lost. These conditions also may result in a reduction in lifespan of the element. In any case, cost is most certainly increased and other detrimental effects may be incurred. Sometimes, extrusion is addressed with anti-extrusion devices disposed at either end of the element but these are expensive, cumbersome, extend overall length of a seal making tool, etc.
In all industries, expenses need to be minimized while effective constructions are produced. In view hereof, relevant arts are always receptive to new developments and configurations that promote product reliability and function.
A seal for an annular space includes a mandrel; and an element having a surface treatment to increase the coefficient of friction thereof at least on a surface of the element configured to interact with the mandrel.
A material for use as an element to seal an annular space, the material including a surface treatment to increase lateral coefficient of friction.
A method for producing a seal for an annular space includes surface treating a material configured to act as an element; adhesively attaching the element to a mandrel incorporating at least some of the surface treatment into an interface between the element and the mandrel.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
In connection with the disclosure hereof, it has been determined that applying surface treatments that increase the coefficient of friction of an element of a seal for an annular space that in some embodiments may be a downhole seal such as a packer, has the beneficial effect of increasing the resistance of the element to swabbing and extruding. Those of skill in the art will understand swabbing to be the sliding of a seal on a mandrel to which the seal is supposed to be attached and immovable. Those of skill in the art will understand extrusion to be the forcing of a portion of an element of a seal out of position due to pressure differential across the seal. Extrusion of an element may result in failure of the element to hold pressure if the degree of extrusion is sufficient.
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In each case, the patterning and/or texturing provides for an increase in the lateral coefficient of friction between the material 10 and a contact surface against which the material 10 is intended to bear. For example, contact surfaces for the material when configured as an element are, referring to
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.
