Deployable Control Band Sealing Assembly for Open-Hole Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealing elements in sealing assemblies face challenges in open-hole conditions with significant expansion gaps, leading to buckling, loss of axial stiffness, and inadequate load transfer, resulting in insufficient deployment and extrusion, especially in multi-piece designs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a deployable spacer between sealing element portions to control deployment and enhance axial stiffness, ensuring proper load transfer and preventing extrusion by using flanges that deploy sequentially to maintain stability during expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sealing elements are used in open-hole conditions with significant expansion gaps, then sealing capability is improved, but buckling and loss of axial stiffness occur
Solution Approach 1:
A deployable control band is introduced as an intermediary element between the sealing element and the external environment. This control band provides lateral support to the sealing element during expansion, preventing buckling while allowing the sealing element to adapt to open-hole conditions with significant expansion gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The control band transitions from a compressed state during conveyance to an expanded state during setting. This dynamic transformation allows the system to maintain axial stiffness only when needed (during expansion in open-hole conditions), while remaining compact during transport.
2Reliability
If sealing elements radially expand to seal against casing and wellbore, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but inadequate load transfer and extrusion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control band acts as a mediator that distributes lateral forces uniformly across the sealing element during radial expansion. This prevents concentration of stresses that would lead to extrusion, while still allowing effective sealing against the wellbore or casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The control band's stiffness parameters are specifically designed to provide support during expansion while allowing controlled deformation. This enables the sealing element to achieve full radial expansion for effective sealing without exceeding the stress thresholds that would cause extrusion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-piece sealing element designs are used, then adaptability is improved, but deployment control and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing element portions are merged into a single integrated assembly with the control band. This unified structure maintains the adaptability benefits of multi-piece designs while providing centralized control over deployment, preventing uncontrolled buckling and ensuring stable expansion sequences.
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 deployable spacer ensures full deployment of backup shoes with minimal risk of extrusion, maintaining axial stiffness and effective load transfer, thereby ensuring a reliable seal.
Implementation Method 1
a deployable control band positioned radially inside a radial inner surface of the sealing element... configured to deploy from an undeployed state to a deployed state as the sealing element moves from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing assembly, a well system, and a method are disclosed. The sealing assembly, in one aspect, includes a mandrel and a sealing element positioned about the mandrel, the sealing element having a radial inner and outer surface. The sealing assembly, according to this aspect, further includes a deployable control band positioned radially outside the radial inside surface, a first collar sleeve coupled proximate a first end of the sealing element, and a second collar sleeve coupled proximate a second end of the sealing element, wherein the first and second collar sleeves are configured to axially translate relative to one another along to move the sealing element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state, and further wherein the deployable control band is configured to deploy from an undeployed state to a deployed state as the sealing element moves from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state.