Expandable Annular Seal with Anti-Extrusion Bands

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Downhole tools, such as liner hangers and packers, face issues with seal members extruding out of grooves due to expansion and pressure differentials, leading to a need for extrusion-resistant seals in expandable tubular assemblies.

Innovation Solution

An anchoring seal assembly with an expandable annular member and anti-extrusion spring bands is used, where the annular member has a groove with a seal member embedded in it, and an expander sleeve radially expands the annular member to create a seal and anchor portion between tubulars, preventing extrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal member is disposed in a groove formed in an expandable tubular assembly, then the seal member can create a seal with the surrounding casing, but the seal member may extrude out of the groove during expansion due to the characteristics of the seal member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidseal member position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member is divided into multiple segments or coils (bellows structure) that can expand radially while maintaining containment within the groove. This segmentation allows the seal to create effective contact with the casing while preventing extrusion during expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member with bellows structure is nested within the groove of the expandable tubular assembly. The grooves provide containment boundaries that prevent the seal segments from extruding outward during expansion, while still allowing radial movement for sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidpressure differential effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows structure of the seal member provides inherent resistance to pressure differentials before expansion occurs. The coiled or segmented structure acts as a mechanical barrier that prevents pressure-driven extrusion, cushioning the seal against harmful pressure effects both during and after expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the annular member is radially expanded into contact with the inner wall of the second tubular, then a seal and anchor portion are created, but the seal member is subjected to high differential pressures that could cause extrusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal and anchor functionVSAvoiddifferential pressure on seal member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member utilizes a flexible bellows structure composed of thin-walled segments that can deform radially to contact the casing wall for sealing, while the segmented nature provides structural resistance to high differential pressures. The flexibility allows sealing contact, while the segmented geometry prevents extrusion under pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively prevents seal member extrusion during and after expansion, maintaining a high-pressure seal and resisting erosion, capable of sealing a range of inner diameters and withstanding high differential pressures.

Implementation Method 1

the expander sleeve is configured to radially expand the expandable annular member into contact with an inner wall of the second tubular

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial expansion: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

The seal member has one or more anti-extrusion spring bands embedded within the seal member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic resistance: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The outer surface of the expandable annular member adjacent the groove includes a rough surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11215021B2Anchoring and sealing tool

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

The present invention generally relates to an anchoring and sealing tool. In one aspect, downhole tool for use in a wellbore is provided. The tool includes a tubular having a tapered outer surface. The tool further includes an expandable annular member disposed on the tubular. The expandable member has an anchor portion. The tool further includes a seal member disposed in a groove of the expandable annular member. The seal member has one or more anti-extrusion bands, wherein the seal member and the anchor portion are configured to be expandable radially outward into contact with the wellbore as the expandable annular member moves along the tapered outer surface of the tubular.