Dissolvable Bridge Plug Sealing Assembly Radial Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing assemblies for dissolvable bridge plugs in oil and gas wells face issues with poor sealing durability and temperature adaptability, leading to leakage and reduced performance over time.
Innovation Solution
A sealing assembly comprising a support ring with stronger stiffness than the seal ring, featuring sliding supporting parts that expand radially to prevent axial deformation and leakage, made from dissolvable or degradable materials, which can exert axial thrust on the seal ring to maintain sealing effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If variable-diameter support rings with forked branches are used to seal the gap between the bridge plug and casing, then the bridge plug can be set in the casing and seal the gap, but the sealing durability deteriorates over time as the support rings degrade and shrink
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring is divided into multiple supporting parts (first supporting part, second supporting part, third supporting part) that can slide relative to each other in the radial direction. This segmentation allows the support ring to expand and contract while maintaining sealing contact with the casing over an extended period, resolving the contradiction between initial sealing capability and long-term durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ring is designed as a dynamic structure where supporting parts can slide radially relative to each other, enabling the support ring to adapt its diameter over time. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the support ring to compensate for degradation and shrinkage, maintaining reliable sealing contact with the casing throughout the service life.
2Reliability
If the support ring structure is designed with multiple sliding supporting parts, then the sealing durability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple supporting parts that can slide radially are integrated into a single unified support ring structure. This merging approach combines the functionality of multiple components into one element, achieving improved sealing durability through radial sliding capability while avoiding the complexity of assembling and coordinating separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides radial support, enables sealing contact with the casing, and allows radial sliding of supporting parts to adapt to degradation over time. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
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 solution enhances sealing durability and temperature adaptability, reducing the likelihood of leakage and allowing for a smaller axial size of the bridge plug, while maintaining effective sealing until the support ring dissolves.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting parts of the support ring are capable of sliding in a radial direction to expansion state
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing assembly for a dissolvable bridge plug, a dissolvable bridge plug and a sealing method for a gap are disclosed. The sealing assembly for dissolvable bridge plug includes a seal ring and a support ring. The support ring includes at least two supporting parts capable of sliding in the radial direction relative to each other. An axial end face of the support ring is butted with an axial end face of the seal ring. Respective central holes of the support ring and the seal ring are capable of being sleeved outside a component of dissolvable bridge plug. The supporting parts of the support ring in an expansion state are capable of exerting an axial thrust on the seal ring to prevent the seal ring from deforming in the axial direction.