Non-elastomeric Fibrous Sealing Material for Wellbore Engagement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore sealing technologies, particularly those using elastomeric materials, face limitations in providing a reliable and durable seal, especially in environments where elastomeric materials may degrade or fail to effectively engage the wellbore surface due to lack of compression and expansion mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The use of non-elastomeric fibrous sealing materials, comprising multiple fibers arranged in woven, braided, or random patterns, which are compressed to radially expand and engage the wellbore surface, providing a seal while allowing for initial voids that reduce volume and enhance sealing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastomeric materials are used for sealing, then the sealing element can expand and seal to the wellbore, but the material may degrade over time and lack durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental material parameter from elastomeric to non-elastomeric fibrous material, eliminating the degradation issue while maintaining sealing capability through compression-induced radial expansion of the fibrous structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element uses a composite structure of non-elastomeric fibrous material combined with swellable material, where the fibrous material provides durability and the swellable material provides expansion capability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If elastomeric materials are compressed to seal the wellbore, then a seal can be formed, but the material may not effectively engage the wellbore surface due to lack of expansion mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal engagementVSAvoidcompression mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter to non-elastomeric fibrous material that radially expands when compressed axially, providing effective wellbore engagement through a simpler compression mechanism without requiring complex expansion systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element incorporates swellable material that dynamically expands when contacted by hydraulic fluid, enhancing the static compression mechanism to actively engage the wellbore surface and improve seal reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a dense fibrous material is used for sealing, then the seal may be effective, but the material cannot capture debris or facilitate fluid filtration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal effectivenessVSAvoiddebris capture and filtration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a fibrous material with controlled porosity and fiber arrangement, where the structure provides both sealing effectiveness through compression and adaptability for debris capture and filtration through controlled void spaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution offers a durable and effective sealing mechanism that can withstand various wellbore conditions, including capturing debris and facilitating fluid filtration, thereby ensuring a reliable seal for downhole operations.

Implementation Method 1

During compression, the plurality of fibers are expanded radially outward to engage the inner wall surface of the wellbore to provide a seal within the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial expansion of compressed fibrous material:

Implementation Method 2

Swellable materials disposed within the rubber casing are contacted by the hydraulic fluid. As a result, the swellable materials absorb the fluid and expand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of hydraulic fluid by swellable materials: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9429236B2Sealing devices having a non-elastomeric fibrous sealing material and methods of using same

Publication Date: 2016.08.30 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

Sealing devices such as packers comprise a sealing element having one or more non-elastomeric fibrous sealing material layers formed by a plurality of fibers. The plurality of fibers may comprise one or more of natural material, metallic material, plastic material, or other non-elastomeric sealing material. The non-elastomeric fibrous sealing material layers may be formed by weaving the plurality of fibers, braiding the plurality of fibers, or forming a fibrous mass of the plurality of fibers. During operation, the non-elastomeric fibrous sealing material layers are radially expanded causing compression of the non-elastomeric fibrous sealing material layers. As a result, at least a portion of the air volume within the non-elastomeric fibrous sealing material layers is displaced by non-elastomeric fibrous sealing material causing the sealing element to engage a sealing surface, thereby forming a seal.