U.S. patent application number 09/898735 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for ribbed sealing element and method of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to Thru-Tubing Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gazewood, Michael J..
Application Number | 20020030325 09/898735 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23170979 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020030325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gazewood, Michael J. |
March 14, 2002 |
Ribbed sealing element and method of use
Abstract
A device for sealing and anchoring within a tubular member. The
device comprises a top swage member disposed within the tubular
member, with the top swage member having a longitudinal center of
axis. Also included is a first sealing member disposed about the
top swage member, with the first sealing member containing a first
plurality of circumferential ribs disposed about the first sealing
member. The device may also include a second sealing member that is
attached to the first sealing member, with the second sealing
member containing a second plurality of circumferential ribs
disposed about the second sealing member. A bottom swage member is
disposed within the second sealing member, with the bottom swage
member having a longitudinal center of axis. The device further
comprises a setting apparatus for driving the top swage
longitudinally downward relative to the top swage's longitudinal
center axis and for driving the bottom swage longitudinally upward
relative to the bottom swage's center axis. In the preferred
embodiment, the top swage member has a first cylindrical surface
that extends to a second conical surface, and wherein the first
cylindrical surface is disposed within the first sealing member.
Additionally, the bottom swage member will have a first cylindrical
surface that extends to a second conical surface, with the first
cylindrical surface being disposed within the second sealing
member. A method of anchoring and sealing a device within a tubular
member is also included.
Inventors: |
Gazewood, Michael J.; (Fort
Worth, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
C. Dean Domingue
Domingue & Waddell, PLC
FNB Towers
600 Jefferson Street, Ste. 515
Lafayette
LA
70501
US
|
Assignee: |
Thru-Tubing Technology,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
23170979 |
Appl. No.: |
09/898735 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09898735 |
Jul 3, 2001 |
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09303201 |
Apr 30, 1999 |
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6276690 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
277/336 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 33/1293 20130101;
E21B 43/103 20130101; F16L 2101/70 20130101; F16L 55/1657 20130101;
E21B 33/1212 20130101; E21B 23/01 20130101; E21B 29/10 20130101;
E21B 43/106 20130101; E21B 33/13 20130101; E21B 33/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
277/336 |
International
Class: |
E21B 033/10 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A sealing and anchoring apparatus for use in a tubular member,
the apparatus comprising: a top swage member disposed within said
tubular member, said top swage member having a longitudinal center
of axis; a first sealing member disposed about said top swage
member, said first sealing member containing a first plurality of
circumferential ribs disposed about said first sealing member, and
wherein said first sealing member has a top end and a bottom end; a
second sealing member attached to said first sealing member, said
second sealing member containing a second plurality of
circumferential ribs disposed about said second sealing member, and
wherein said second sealing member has a top end and a bottom end;
a bottom swage member disposed within said second sealing member,
said bottom swage member having a longitudinal center of axis; a
setting means for driving said top swage longitudinally downward
relative to said top swage's longitudinal center axis and for
driving said bottom swage longitudinally upward relative to said
bottom swage member's center of axis.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an extension member
disposed between said first sealing member and said second sealing
member, said extension member having a first end connected to the
bottom end of said first sealing member and a second end connected
to the top end of said second sealing member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said top swage member has a
first cylindrical surface that extends to a second conical surface,
and wherein said first cylindrical surface is concentrically
disposed within said first sealing member.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said bottom swage member has a
first cylindrical surface that extends to a second conical surface,
and wherein said first cylindrical surface is concentrically
disposed within said second sealing member.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said ribs of said first sealing
member is a series of grooves, said grooves having a radius of
curvature of approximately 0.0470 inches, and wherein said grooves
have a height of approximately 0.033 inches.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ribs of said second
sealing member is a series of grooves, said grooves having a radius
of curvature of approximately 0.0470 inches, and wherein said
grooves have a height of approximately 0.033 inches.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first sealing member
further comprises an elastomeric seal.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second sealing member
further comprises an elastomeric seal.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first sealing member and
said second sealing member is comprised of a metal having a
hardness of 105 or less on the Rockwell B scale.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said top swage member and said
bottom swage member is comprised of a metal having a hardness of
108 or higher on the Rockwell B scale.
11. A method of sealing and anchoring a device within a tubular
member comprising: positioning the device in an internal diameter
wall of the tubular member, the device comprising: a top swage
member disposed within the tubular member, said top swage member
having a longitudinal center of axis; a first sealing member
disposed partially about said top swage member, said first sealing
member containing a first plurality of circumferential ribs
disposed about said first sealing member, and wherein said first
sealing member has a top end and a bottom end; driving said top
swage longitudinally downward relative to said top swage's
longitudinal center of axis with a setting tool member, said
setting tool member being selectively attached to the device;
expanding the first sealing member radially outward; embedding at
least one of said first plurality of circumferential ribs into the
inner diameter wall; sealing the device within the internal
diameter wall with at least one of said first plurality of
circumferential ribs; anchoring the device within the internal
diameter wall with at least one of said first plurality of
circumferential ribs.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said device further comprises: a
second sealing member attached to said first sealing member, said
second sealing member containing a second plurality of
circumferential ribs disposed about said second sealing member, and
wherein said second sealing member has a top end and a bottom end;
a bottom swage member disposed partially within said second sealing
member, said bottom swage member having a longitudinal center of
axis; and wherein the method further comprises: driving said bottom
swage longitudinally upward relative to said bottom swage's
longitudinal center of axis; expanding the second sealing member
radially outward; embedding at least one of said second plurality
of circumferential ribs into the inner diameter wall; sealing the
device within the internal diameter wall with at least one of said
second plurality of circumferential ribs; anchoring the device
within the internal diameter wall with at least one of said second
plurality of circumferential ribs.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first sealing member further
comprises a first elastomeric member circumferentially disposed
thereon and wherein the step of expanding the first sealing member
radially outward includes: forcing the first elastomeric member
against the internal diameter wall; providing a secondary seal for
the device within the internal diameter wall.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the second sealing member
further comprises a second elastomeric member circumferentially
disposed thereon and wherein the step of expanding the second
sealing member radially outward includes: forcing the elastomeric
member against the internal diameter wall; providing a tertiary
seal for the device within the internal diameter wall; and wherein
the step of driving said top and bottom swage upward and downward
includes: pumping a hydraulic fluid; forcing a power piston in the
tool in an upward direction so that said lower swage is moved
upward; forcing an outer sleeve in the tool in a downward direction
so that the upper swage is moved downward.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: shearing a shear
ring operatively attaching the device to the setting tool means;
retrieving the setting tool means from the tubular member.
16. An apparatus for sealing and anchoring within a tubular member,
the apparatus comprising: a top swage member disposed within said
tubular member, said top swage member having a longitudinal center
of axis and having a first end and a second end; a first sleeve
being at least partially disposed within the first end of said top
swage, said first sleeve containing a first plurality of
circumferential ribs disposed thereon, and wherein said first
sleeve has a top end and a bottom end.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: a second sleeve
attached to said first sleeve, said second sealing member
containing a second plurality of circumferential ribs disposed
thereon, and wherein said second sleeve has a top end and a bottom
end; a bottom swage member disposed within said second sealing
member, said bottom swage member having a longitudinal center of
axis and having a first end and a second end, and wherein said
first end is disposed within said bottom swage member.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising: a setting means
for driving said top swage longitudinally downward relative to said
top swage's longitudinal center axis and for driving said bottom
swage longitudinally upward relative to said bottom swage's center
axis.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said ribs of said first
sealing member is a series of grooves, said grooves having a radius
of curvature of between 0.030 inches to 0.060 inches, and wherein
said ribs of said second sealing member is a series of grooves,
said grooves having a radius of curvature of between 0.030 inches
to 0.060 inches.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said first sleeve has
disposed thereon a first elastomeric seal and wherein said second
sleeve has disposed thereon a second elastomeric seal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a ribbed sealing element for use
in a well bore. More particularly, but not by way of limitation,
this invention relates to a ribbed sealing element and method for
using the ribbed sealing element in a well bore.
[0002] In the oil and gas industry, a well is drilled to a
subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir. A casing string is then run
into the well and the casing string is cemented into place. The
casing string can then be perforated and the well completed to the
reservoir. A production string may be concentrically placed within
the casing string and production of the hydrocarbons may begin, as
is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0003] During the drilling, completion, and production phase,
operators find it necessary to perform various remedial work,
repair and maintenance to the well, casing string, and production
string. For instance, holes may be created in the tubular member
accidentally or intentionally. Alternatively, operators may find it
beneficial to isolate certain zones. Regardless of the specific
application, it is necessary to place certain down hole assemblies
such as a liner patch within the tubular member, and in turn,
anchor and seal the down hole assemblies within the tubular
member.
[0004] Numerous devices have been attempted to create a seal and
anchor for these down hole assemblies. For instance, in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,948,321 entitled "LINER AND REINFORCING SWAGE FOR CONDUIT IN
A WELLBORE AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING SAME" to Owen et
al, a method and apparatus for emplacing a liner in a conduit with
the use of swage means and a setting tool is disclosed. The Owen et
al invention anchors and seals the liner within the wellbore.
[0005] Despite these advances, the prior art suffers from the
ability to properly anchor the down hole assembly into the tubular
member. Also, the prior art devices do not properly seal within the
tubular members. Therefore, there is a need for a device that will
properly set, anchor and seal within a tubular member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A device for sealing and anchoring within a tubular member
is disclosed. The device comprises a top swage member disposed
within the tubular member, with the top swage member having a
longitudinal center of axis. Also included is a first sealing
member disposed about the top swage member, with the first sealing
member containing a first plurality of circumferential ribs
disposed about the first sealing member. The device also includes a
second sealing member that is attached to the first sealing member,
with the second sealing member containing a second plurality of
circumferential ribs disposed about the second sealing member.
[0007] A bottom swage member is disposed within the second sealing
member, with the bottom swage member having a longitudinal center
of axis. The device further comprises a setting means for driving
the top swage longitudinally downward relative to the top swage's
longitudinal center axis and for driving the bottom swage
longitudinally upward relative to the bottom swage's center
axis.
[0008] The device may further comprise an extension member disposed
between the first sealing member and the second sealing member. The
extension member will have a first end connected to the first
sealing member and a second end connected to the second sealing
member. In the preferred embodiment, the top swage member has a
first cylindrical surface that extends to a second conical surface,
and wherein the first cylindrical surface is disposed within the
first sealing member. Additionally, the bottom swage member will
have a first cylindrical surface that extends to a second conical
surface, with the first cylindrical surface being disposed within
the second sealing member.
[0009] In one of the embodiments, the ribs of the first and second
sealing member is a series of grooves, with the grooves having a
radius of curvature of between 0.030 inches to 0.060 inches, and
wherein the outer diameter of the series of grooves is essentially
equal to the outer diameter of the first sealing member.
Additionally, the first and second sealing member may have disposed
thereon an elastomeric seal such as an o-ring.
[0010] In the preferred embodiment, the first and second sealing
member is comprised of a metal having a hardness that is equal to
or less than 105 on the Rockwell B scale, and wherein the metal is
medium to high ductility and medium to low hardness; moreover, the
preferred micro structure of the metal is to be spheroidized but
some pearlitic micro structures are acceptable. Further, the top
swage member and the bottom swage member, in the preferred
embodiment, is comprised of a high tensile steel, that has a
hardness generally higher than 108 on the Rockwell B scale.
[0011] A method of sealing and anchoring a device within a tubular
member is also disclosed. The method includes positioning the
device in an internal diameter wall of the tubular member and
driving the top swage longitudinally downward relative to the top
swage's longitudinal center of axis with a setting tool member. The
setting tool member is selectively attached to the device. The
method further includes expanding the first sealing member radially
outward and embedding at least one of the first plurality of
circumferential ribs into the inner diameter wall which in turn
seals and anchors the device within the internal diameter wall. The
embedding of the ribs produces a slight circumferential indentation
profile in the internal diameter wall.
[0012] The method further comprises driving the bottom swage
longitudinally upward relative to the bottom swage's longitudinal
center of axis and expanding the second sealing member radially
outward. This expansion will embed at least one of the second
plurality of circumferential ribs into the inner diameter wall
which in turn seals and anchors the device within the internal
diameter wall. The embedding of the ribs produces a slight
circumferential indentation profile in the internal diameter
wall.
[0013] In one of the embodiments, the first sealing member further
comprises a first elastomeric member circumferentially disposed
thereon and wherein the step of expanding the first sealing member
radially outward includes forcing the first elastomeric member
against the internal diameter wall so that a secondary seal is
provided for the device within the internal diameter wall.
Additionally, the second sealing member may further comprise a
second elastomeric member circumferentially disposed thereon and
wherein the step of expanding the second sealing member radially
outward includes forcing the elastomeric member against the
internal diameter wall so that a tertiary seal is provided for the
device within the internal diameter wall.
[0014] In one of the embodiments, the step of driving the top and
bottom swage upward and downward includes pumping a fluid down the
inner bore and forcing a power piston in the tool in an upward
direction so that the lower swage is moved upward thereby forcing
an outer sleeve in the tool in a downward direction so that the
upper swage is moved downward. The continued pumping will result in
the shearing of a shear ring selectively attaching the device to
the setting tool means. Next, the setting tool means may be
retrieved from the tubular member.
[0015] An advantage of the present invention includes having a seal
element creating a metal-to-metal seal within the tubular member.
Another advantage is that a series of ribbed seal elements are
created. Each of the individual circumferential ribs may create a
seal so that multiple seals may be created with the ribbed
elements. Yet another advantage is that the ribbed seal elements
are harder to damage than elastomeric types currently used.
[0016] Still yet another advantage is that since the individual
rows of sealing elements are actually embedded, the device
functions as an anchor to the device that is set in a tubular
member. The embedded annular rings affix the device within the
tubular string so that the device remains stationary during
subsequent operations.
[0017] Still yet another advantage is that a polymeric seal may
also be included with the novel sealing element. Another advantage
is that the inner diameter wall of the tubular member that the
device is set within does not require the degree of cleanliness as
is the case with polymeric seals. Yet another advantage is that the
novel seal element may be employed with tubing patches, casing
patches, gravel pack assemblies, and other down hole assemblies
that are required to be hung-off within the tubular string.
[0018] A feature of the present invention includes the ribbed
sealing elements having a radius of curvature which form individual
rings. The individual rings are not spirally interconnected such as
thread means. Another feature is that the sealing mechanism may
have a series of ribbed sealing elements followed by a polymeric
seal followed by another series of ribbed sealing elements. Yet
another feature is that the design can be used in highly deviated
and horizontal tubular members, as well as in subterranean well
bores and surface pipe lines that may destroy an elastomeric seal
during conveyance into the desired position in the well bore.
[0019] Prior art slips set into a tubular member tend to cause a
stress concentration at the point of engagement with the tubular
member. This point of stress concentration can cause problems
including causing a weak point in the tubular member. Accordingly,
another feature of the present invention is that the individual
rows of sealing elements that are embedded into the tubular member
produce a slight circumferential indentation profile in the
production tubing wall that creates a substantially lower stress
concentration in the production tubing as opposed to the sharp
indentations of a prior art slip for anchoring strength. These and
many other uses of the present novel invention will be apparent
from a reading of the detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the novel device before
the engagement of the sealing mechanisms.
[0021] FIGS. 2A-2B are a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG.
1 along with the setting tool means for setting the device within a
tubular member.
[0022] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along
line I-I of FIG. 2A.
[0023] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along
line II-II of FIG. 2B.
[0024] FIGS. 3A-3B are a cross-sectional view of the device of
FIGS. 2A-2B illustrating the device in the set position.
[0025] FIGS. 4A-4B are a cross-sectional view of the device of
FIGS. 2A-2B illustrating the setting tool being retrieved from the
device.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 in
the set position.
[0027] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5
illustrating the device in the set position in a tubular
member.
[0028] FIG. 6B is a close-up view the ribbed sealing elements taken
from FIG. 6A.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the ribbed sealing
element of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 8B is a close-up view of the ribs of FIG. 8A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of the novel
device 2 before engagement of the sealing mechanisms will now be
described. The device 2 generally contains a top swag 4. The top
swage 4 contains a first tapered outer cylindrical surface 6 that
extends to a conically tapered surface 8 which in turn extends to
the second outer cylindrical surface 10. The top swage 4 has a top
end 10 that extends radially inward to the inner bore surface 12
that terminates at the end 14. In the preferred embodiment, the top
swage 4 is made of high tensile steel, having a 108 or higher on
the Rockwell B scale.
[0033] The top sealing member 16 consist of an outer cylindrical
surface 17 having a series of ribbed sealing elements denoted by
the numeral 18. The ribbed sealing elements 18 comprises an annular
groove formed in the outer cylindrical surface 17, with the groove
having (in one of the embodiments) a radius of curvature that will
be described in greater detail later in the application. In the
preferred embodiment, the circumferential ribbed sealing elements
18 will generally have an outer diameter that is equal to the outer
diameter of the outer cylindrical surface 17.
[0034] The outer cylindrical surface also has contained thereon an
elastomeric seal 20, also referred to as an o-ring or polymeric
seal, that is also utilized in providing a seal with an inner wall
of a concentric tubular member, as will be described later in the
application. The sealing member 16 has a first end 22 that extends
radially inward to an inner bore 24, shoulder 26, and internal
thread means 28. The sealing member 16 is a metal material having a
hardness of 105 or less on the Rockwell B scale, in the preferred
embodiment.
[0035] The sealing member 16 is threadedly attached to the
extension member 30. The extension member 30 has external thread
means 32 that advances to the outer cylindrical surface 34.
Extending radially inward is the internal thread means 36 that in
turn extends to the inner bore 38.
[0036] The internal thread means 36 is threadedly mated to the
lower sealing member 40 via the external thread means 42. The lower
sealing member 40 contains the outer cylindrical surface 44 that
has a series of ribbed sealing elements denoted by the numeral 46.
The ribbed sealing elements 46 comprises an annular groove formed
in the outer cylindrical surface 44. In the preferred embodiment,
the circumferential ribbed sealing elements 46 will generally have
an outer diameter that is equal to the outer diameter of the outer
cylindrical surface 44.
[0037] The outer cylindrical surface also has contained thereon an
elastomeric seal 48 also referred to as an o-ring, that is also
utilized in providing a seal with an inner wall of a concentric
tubular member, as will be described later in the application. The
sealing member 40 has a first end 50 that extends radially inward
to an inner bore 52 and shoulder 54. In the preferred embodiment,
the sealing member 40 is also a metal member, with the metal having
a hardness of 105 or lower on the Rockwell B scale. The device 2
will also contain a bottom swage 56. The bottom swage 56 contains a
first tapered outer cylindrical surface 58 that extends to a
conically tapered surface 60 which in turn extends to the second
outer cylindrical surface 62. The bottom swage 56 has a bottom end
64 that contains a chamfered surface 66 which in turn extends
radially inward to the inner bore surface 68 that contains the
annular groove 70. The bottom swage 56 is also made of metal and in
the preferred embodiment is a high tensile steel that has a
hardness of 108 or higher on the Rockwell B scale.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2B, a cross-sectional view of the
device 2 of FIG. 1 along with the setting tool means for setting
the device within a tubular member will now be described. It should
be noted that like numbers appearing in the various figures refer
to like components. The setting tool means consist of a first sub
74 that is attached to a second cylindrical member 76 that is in
turn connected to the bushing 78. The bushing 78 extends to the
third cylindrical member 80 that is threadedly attached to the
fourth cylindrical member 82. The member 82 abuts the device 2 at
the end 10.
[0039] The setting tool means also includes the power piston 84
that is threadedly attached to the adapter rod 86 which in turn
extends to the first adapter rod extension 88, with first extension
being connected to the second adapter rod extension 90 via the
connector sub 92. The second rod extension 90 is made up to the
shear ring bushing 94, with the bushing 94 having a shear ring 96.
The shear ring 96 is selected for separation at a preselected
tensile pull force, as is recognized by those of ordinary skill in
the art. The shear ring 96 is in turn made up to the collet 98,
with the collet 98 extending to the latch member 100.
[0040] The latch member 100 engages the annular groove 70.
Threadedly attached to the bottom end of the rod is the collet
support nut 102, with the support nut containing the angled
shoulder 104 that engages the collet 98 to seat the latch member
100 into the annular groove 70. Other types of setting tool means
are commercially available. For instance, one type is available
from Owen Oil Tools, Inc. of Fort Worth, Tex. under the names
Casing Patch and Tubing Patch. The Catalog Entry for the Casing
Patch and Tubing Patch from Owen Oil Tools, Inc. was made a part of
the Information Disclosure Statement and is herein incorporated by
reference. Further, the U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,321 to Owens et al
(referenced earlier) also discloses the setting means and is
incorporated herein by reference. It should be noted that other
types of setting means are commercially available such as
explosively actuated means from Owen Oil Tools, Inc.
[0041] Reference is now made to FIG. 2C which is a cross-sectional
view of the device 2 taken along line I-I of FIG. 2A. Thus, the
power piston 84 is shown disposed within the second cylindrical
member 76. The power piston 84 will have the inner bore 106 that
stretches to the lateral passage 108. FIG. 2D depicts a
cross-sectional view of the device 2 taken along line II-II of FIG.
2B. This figure illustrates the rod 90 along with the angled
shoulder 104 of the collet support nut 102. The collet latch member
100 is also depicted.
[0042] In operation, the setting tool means will work to
operatively move the top swage 4 and the bottom swage 56 relative
to the top sealing member 16 and the bottom sealing member 56
thereby expanding the top sealing member 16 and bottom sealing
member 56 in accordance to the teachings of the present invention.
In FIGS. 3A-3B, the cross-sectional view of the device 2 in the set
position is illustrated.
[0043] Thus, an operator would pump, in the preferred embodiment, a
fluid down the inner 106 which is transmitted to the passage 108.
The fluid would then enter the chamber 110 causing the power piston
84 to move longitudinally upward relative to the center of the
device's 2 axis. During this pumping cycle, and as the power piston
84 is being moved upward, the fluid also acts on the setting tool's
cylindrical member 80 which in turn forces the surface 82 against
the top swage 6, forcing the top swage 6 into the top sealing
member 16.
[0044] As the conical surface 8 continues to expand the top swage
6, the ribbed sealing elements 18 will be forced into engagement
with the tubular member. At the bottom swage 56, the collet member
98 is being forced longitudinally upward relative to the center of
axis of the device 2, with the latch members 100 engaging the
annular groove 70 thereby forcing the bottom swage 56
longitudinally upward into the lower sealing member 40. As the
conical surface 60 is forced into the lower sealing member 40, the
lower sealing member 40 will expand outward so that the ribbed
sealing elements 46 engage the inner walls of the concentric
tubular member providing a metal-to-metal seal. As a secondary
seal, the elastomeric seals 20 and 48 will also engage the inner
walls of the concentric tubular member.
[0045] An advantage of the present invention is that while there
may be 15 rows of ribbed elements (i.e. 15 rows of ribbed elements
comprising the top sealing element 18), not all of the rows need
provide a seal with the inner diameter wall. This is also the case
with the lower seal elements. Further, the stress concentration of
prior art slips can cause damage to the inner tubular walls which
can lead to weak points and failure of the tubular which is now
obviated by the present invention. In the present invention, the
individual rows of sealing elements that are embedded into the
tubular member produce a slight circumferential indentation profile
in the inner tubular wall that creates a substantially lower stress
concentration in the tubular as opposed to the sharp indentations
of a prior art slip for anchoring strength.
[0046] FIGS. 4A-4B are a cross-sectional view of the device of
FIGS. 2A-2B illustrating the setting tool being retrieved from the
device. Once a predetermined amount of force has been applied via
the pumping, the shear ring 96 will shear. This occurs when the
upward force of the adapter rod 90 exceeds the shear strength of
the shear ring 96. The first sub 74 is operatively connected to an
apparatus such a wireline, electric line, work string, coiled
tubing string etc. Therefore, the operator may exert an upward pull
on the first sub 74 via, for instance, the work string. The power
piston 84 along with the entire setting tool means can then be
extracted from the device 2. As depicted, the power piston 84,
bushing 84, adapter rods 88, 90, collet 98 and angled shoulder 104
are attached and will be retrieved. Note that the shear ring 96 has
separated into 96a and 96b.
[0047] Once the setting tool means has been retrieved, only the
device 2 will remain, with the device 2 being in the set position
as shown in the cross-section view of FIG. 5. The conically tapered
surface 8 of the top swage 4 has caused the top sealing member 16
to expand radially outward which in turn has caused the series of
ribbed sealing elements 18 to expand outward into engagement with
the inner diameter walls of the tubular member. The elastomeric
seal 20 has also been expanded radially outward into engagement
with the inner diameter wall. Similarly, the bottom swage 56 has
been driven longitudinally upward relative to the device's center
of axis so that the conically tapered surface 60 forces the lower
sealing member 40, and in particularly, the ribbed sealing elements
46 radially outward into engagement with the inner walls of the
tubular member. The elastomeric seal 48 will have also been
expanded radially outward into engagement with the inner wall.
Thus, the device 2 is set and anchored as shown in FIG. 5.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 6A, a cross-sectional view of the set
device 2 within a tubular member 120 will now be described. The
tubular member 120 will generally be a cylindrical member having an
outer diameter surface 122 that extends radially inward to an inner
diameter surface 124. In one embodiment, the tubular 120 may be a
highly deviated well (angle of 45 degrees or greater) or horizontal
well. The portion of the top sealing member 16 abutting the conical
surface 8 has been radially expanded outward causing at least some
of the series of ribbed sealing elements 18 as well as the
elastomeric element 20 to sealingly engaged inner diameter surface
124. Likewise, that portion of the lower sealing member 40 abutting
the conical surface 8 has been radially expanded outward causing at
least some of the series of ribbed sealing elements 46 as well as
the elastomeric element 48 to sealingly engaged inner diameter
surface 124.
[0049] FIG. 6A also depicts that the tubular member 120 contains a
hole or perforation 126 therethrough. Thus, it can be seen that the
novel device herein disclosed will effectively isolate the
perforation 126 from the inner portion of the tubular member by
providing an upper seal and a lower seal. Notice that the device 2
contains a large inner bore therethrough so that other down hole
tools and equipment may be lowered and/or raised therethrough. The
embodiment of FIG. 6A depicts the mule shoe configuration 66 that
allows for easy entry of, for instance, wireline tools that are
required to be conveyed either into the tubular member 120 or out
of the tubular member 120 as will be well understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0050] An exploded view of the sealing faces of the device 2 is
seen in FIG. 6B. Thus, the series of ribbed sealing elements are
separated into two groups, 18a, b, c and 18d, e, f, g. As seen, the
upper rows 18a, 18b, 18c are embedded into the inner wall surface
124 of the tubular member 120. As will be understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art, this is because the cylindrical surface
6 and conical surface 8 has caused the greatest amount of radial
expansion. The lower rows 18d, 18e, 18f, 18g do not have as many
individual rows actually embedded into the inner wall surface 124
since the cylindrical surface 6 and conical member 8 has not caused
as much radial expansion. In other words, individual row 18d may be
slightly embedded whereas rows 18e, 18f, 18g have not been radially
expanded enough to sealingly engage the inner wall 124.
[0051] An advantage of the present invention is that some
individual rows (for instance rows 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d) may form
a metal-to-metal seal while other individual rows (for instance
rows 18e, 18f, 18g) do not form a seal. Thus, there are numerous
back-up seals employed with each sealing mechanism. Also, the
elastomeric seal means 20 is engaging the inner surface 124 thereby
creating yet another tertiary seal. Still yet another advantage is
that since the individual rows 18a-18d are actually embedded, the
device functions as an anchor to the device that is set in a
tubular member 120. The embedded annular rings affix the device
within the tubular string. Further, an individual row does not
necessarily have to create a seal face with the inner wall in order
to aid in the anchoring. Thus, the elements serve a dual purpose so
as to seal and anchor the device 2 within the tubular member.
[0052] According to the teachings of the present invention, the
novel device 2 has many other applications. For instance, the novel
device 2 may be used in order to set within a well bore a down hole
gravel pack assembly wherein the gravel pack assembly is attached
to the bottom of the device 2. The device may also be employed to
act as a bridge plug within the well bore. Such an example may be
seen in FIG. 7 which is a cross-sectional view of the second
embodiment of the present invention. In this case, only the top
swage 4 and the top sealing member 16 are employed.
[0053] The embodiment of FIG. 7 includes the setting tool means
that was previously described, which includes the power piston 84,
adapter rods 88, 90, bushing 94 and collet 98. The mode of
operation remains generally the same in that the hydraulic fluid is
pumped down into the inner bore 106 and wherein the hydraulic force
will be transferred to the chamber which in turn will force the
housing 80 downward and the collet 98 upward, forcing the swage 4
downward in order to radially expand the sealing member 16 as
previously described.
[0054] This embodiment includes a plank plug 128 that contains the
external thread means 130 that will threadedly attach to the
internal thread means 132 of the sleeve extension member 30. The
setting tool means will shear at the predetermined force via the
shear ring 96, and thereafter, the setting tool means can be pulled
from the tubular member as previously described. Once the device 2
is set, the embodiment of FIG. 7 will act as a plug since the
sealing elements 18 and the o-ring means 20 will sealingly engage
the inner tubular member and the inner bore contains the plank plug
128
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 8A, a cross sectional view of the
ribbed sealing elements will now be described. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 8A, the individual rows are approximately 0.143
inches apart. This distance may vary considerably depending on the
application. The distance is measured from the peak of one row to
the peak of the subsequent row. The number of rows will vary
depending on the application, size of the tubular member, depth of
the well, anticipated pressures, etc. In the preferred embodiment,
at least four rows are included on an individual sealing member. It
is possible to use triangularly shaped ribs to form a plurality of
circumferential ribs and/or a combination of triangularly shaped
ribs with a more rounded shaped rib as seen in FIGS. 1 through
8.
[0056] Two individual rib rows (i.e. 18d & 18e) form a grooved
portion. In the preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature of
the groove is 0.0470 inches as shown in the exploded view of FIG.
8b. The FIG. 8b depicts the actual distance from the peak of 18d to
the peak of 18e as being 0.14286 inches. FIG. 8b also illustrates
that in the preferred embodiment, the distance from the peak to the
groove bottom is approximately 0.033 inches. The elastomeric seal
means 20 is also included. It should be noted that the actual
dimensions provided for the distance of one peak to another peak,
as well as the radius of curvature, are exemplary. The actual
physical dimensions that are employed will vary on the specific
application.
[0057] The metal that the first and second sealing member is made
of can vary. The metal must be malleable so that it can be deformed
properly i.e. radially expanded by the swage. On the other hand,
the metal must be hard enough to be able to embed within the inner
walls of the tubular member in order to form a proper seal and to
anchor. The ribbed sealing elements will also be coated with a
Teflon type of coating which is commercially available from Great
Lakes Chemical Group, Inc. under the registered trademark Everlube.
Teflon is a trademark of DuPont Corporation.
[0058] Additionally, the swage members will usually have to be a
harder metal as compared to the sealing members. A metal, as
previously described, is used for the swages. The metal is then
coated with a low-temperature, multi-state metal finishing process,
based from chrome-plating technology with a process that is
commercially available from Armoloy Company under the registered
trademark Armoloy.
[0059] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope of
the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of
the appended claims.
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