Canted Torus Spring Seal Insert for High-Pressure Extrusion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extrusion preventing devices in well tool sealing elements, such as coiled springs, fail to maintain structural integrity under high pressure and temperature conditions, leading to material extrusion and reduced pressure and temperature ratings.
Innovation Solution
A torus-shaped coiled spring with canted turns is integrated into the sealing element, ensuring consistent canting direction across all windings in both the retracted and expanded states, preventing material extrusion and enhancing pressure and temperature resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coiled spring is used as an extrusion preventing device, then it provides flexibility and allows radial expansion from run state to set state, but under high pressure and temperature the spring deforms and fails to prevent material extrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by canticg the turns of the coiled spring relative to the radial direction. This asymmetric configuration creates a geometric structure that resists radial deformation more effectively while maintaining the necessary flexibility for expansion from run state to set state. The canting angle introduces a structural bias that prevents uniform radial collapse under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature modifications by canticg the circular turns of the spring. Instead of perfect circular loops, the turns follow a canted path that creates a more complex three-dimensional curvature pattern. This modified curvature distribution enhances the spring's ability to distribute stress uniformly and maintain structural integrity under high pressure and temperature conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If the coiled spring turns are straight and perpendicular to the radial direction, then the spring structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it allows material extrusion under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry by canticg the spring turns relative to the radial direction. This asymmetric geometry creates a more complex manufacturing process but effectively prevents material extrusion under high pressure. The canted configuration ensures that the spring windings interlock more effectively, blocking extrusion paths that would exist in a straight-perpendicular configuration.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the coiled spring allows turns to move relative to each other during expansion, then it provides flexibility for state transition, but this movement creates gaps that allow material extrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The canted turn configuration creates an asymmetric interlocking pattern between adjacent windings. As the spring expands from run state to set state, the canted geometry ensures that the windings maintain consistent engagement without creating gaps. The asymmetric shape of the turns relative to the radial direction provides mechanical interlocking that prevents material extrusion while allowing the necessary expansion movement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The canted torus-shaped coiled spring effectively prevents material extrusion under high pressure and temperature conditions, improving the pressure and temperature ratings of well tool devices and facilitating easier retrieval by maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a wire wound with a plurality of turns to form a torus-shaped coiled spring
Data Source
AI summary
An extrusion preventing device for incorporation into a sealing element of a well tool device includes a wire wound with a plurality of turns to form a torus-shaped coiled spring. Each turn of the torus-shaped coiled spring is canted. A method for manufacturing a sealing element for a well tool device includes providing a mould shaped as the sealing element; inserting an extrusion preventing device including a wire wound with a plurality of turns to form a torus-shaped coiled spring into the mould; filling molten elastomeric material into the mould, thereby incorporating the torus-shaped coiled spring into the molten elastomeric material; curing the elastomeric material; and retrieving the sealing element from the mould.