Protective Seal for High Differential Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oilfield tools, such as sliding sleeves and circulating valves, face challenges with sealing elements that are prone to damage from high differential pressures and jetting actions, leading to wear and failure, while non-elastomer seals are expensive and prone to leakage.

Innovation Solution

A sealing device with a protective member and a biasing member that engages the flow control element to restrict fluid communication, using a resilient protective seal to prevent damage to the static seal, which is formed from a deformable material like an elastomer, by forming a protective seal before engaging or disengaging the static seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastomer sealing elements are used to create sufficient sealing surface, then sealing capability is improved, but durability and reliability deteriorate due to wear and failure from jetting action

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidseal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is engaged with the flow control element before the static seal is subjected to high differential pressure and jetting action. This preliminary engagement creates a protective barrier that prevents direct exposure of the elastomer sealing elements to damaging forces, thereby maintaining both sealing capability and durability throughout the operational cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective member acts as an intermediary between the high-pressure fluid and the elastomer sealing elements. It intercepts the jetting action and differential pressure, transferring these forces away from the vulnerable static seal while allowing the elastomer to maintain its sealing function without direct exposure to damaging conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If non-elastomer seals are used to resist jetting action, then durability is improved, but cost increases and leakage susceptibility worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal durabilityVSAvoidleakage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is engaged before the flow control element is subjected to high differential pressure, creating a barrier that prevents jetting action from reaching the elastomer seal. This preliminary protective engagement allows the use of elastomer seals with their superior leakage resistance while avoiding the durability problems that would otherwise require expensive non-elastomer alternatives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective member serves as an intermediary that absorbs and redirects jetting action away from the sealing elements. This intermediary structure protects the cost-effective elastomer seal from wear and failure, eliminating the need to use expensive non-elastomer seals while maintaining both durability and leakage resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If flow control element moves across high differential pressures, then flow control capability is improved, but sealing element damage from jetting action worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control capabilityVSAvoidjetting action damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is engaged with the flow control element before it moves across high differential pressures. This preliminary engagement establishes a protective relationship that remains in effect during the entire flow control operation, shielding the sealing elements from jetting action damage while allowing full flow control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective member acts as an intermediary barrier between the high-pressure fluid flow and the sealing elements on the flow control element. It intercepts and redirects jetting action away from the elastomer seals, enabling the flow control element to move freely across pressure differentials without suffering sealing element damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 damage to the sealing elements from high differential pressures and jetting actions, enhancing seal durability and reliability while minimizing leakage through the use of a protective seal that is resistant to wear and failure.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member arranged to bias the relative positions of the flow control element and the protective member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9580992B2Sealing device having high differential pressure opening capability

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A sealing device is used in a flow control apparatus, the sealing device including a static seal and a protective seal or fluid restriction. The protective seal is formed between two members formed from resilient materials being substantially resistant to wear or failure when exposed to large pressure differentials and associated jetting action. The static seal is formed using a sealing element that includes a material that is at least partially deformable, such as an elastomer or the like. The protective seal is engaged prior to engaging or disengaging the static seal in order to prevent damage to the deformable material of the static seal.