Seal With Soft Material Inlay
a soft material and seal technology, applied in the direction of drilling casings, drilling pipes, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of increased time and cost associated with the retrieval process, low fatigue capability, and short seal operation life, so as to improve fatigue life, wicker penetration and lockdown capability, the effect of high strength
Inactive Publication Date: 2016-03-17
VETCO GRAY
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- Description
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- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The patent describes a seal member that is made with a soft inlay and high strength metal material. This design allows for better penetration and lockdown of the wicker, as well as higher fatigue life and retrieval force capability. In simple terms, this seal member is designed to be stronger and more durable while still being flexible and easy to use.
Problems solved by technology
An annular seal made of a soft metal, however, has a low retrieval load capability and a low fatigue capability, meaning that the seal can have a shorter operating life and be difficult to retrieve.
The use of a soft metal to form the entire seal assembly can cause the seal to deform and break during retrieval of the seal assembly, causing increased time and costs associated with the retrieval process.
In addition, the use of a soft metal for the entire seal can result in a low fatigue life of the seal assembly.
Method used
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[0018]The foregoing aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. In describing the preferred embodiments of the technology illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the technology is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
[0019]Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the disclosure shows a portion of a wellhead assembly 1, which has an axis Ax and includes outer wellhead member 2. Outer wellhead member 2 of this example is shown as a high-pressure wellhead located at the upper end of a well (not shown), such as a subsea hydrocarbon well or a surface hydrocarbon we...
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A wellhead assembly includes an inner wellhead member with wickers extending outwardly therefrom and an outer wellhead member with wickers extending inwardly therefrom. A seal assembly having an inner leg and an outer leg is inserted between the wellhead members. An energizing ring forces the legs radially apart from each other. An inlay is located along at least one of an inner diameter of the inner leg and an outer diameter of the outer leg, positioned to sealingly engage the wickers. The inlay is located in a single groove configured so that no part of the seal member body contacts an exterior wall of the inner wellhead member or an interior wall of the outer wellhead member. The inlay has a smooth outer surface flush with the diameter and is made of a material softer than the inner wellhead member, the outer wellhead member, and the seal member body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 879,810, filed Sep. 19, 2013, titled “Seal With Soft Material Inlay,” the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]1. Field of the Disclosure[0003]The disclosure relates to wellhead assemblies. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for sealing between inner and outer wellhead members.[0004]2. Brief Description of Related Art[0005]Seals are used between inner and outer wellhead tubular members to contain internal well pressure. The inner wellhead member may be a casing hanger, and the outer wellhead member may be a wellhead housing. Typically, the casing hanger sits inside the housing bore, and an annular seal is positioned between the casing hanger and the housing. Alternatively, the inner wellhead member may be a t...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): E21B33/03
CPCE21B33/03
Inventor GADRE, ANIRUDDHA D.FORD, DAVID LAWRENCE
Owner VETCO GRAY