Self-boosting Wedge Tubular Seal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing and anchoring arrangements in the hydrocarbon recovery industry face challenges in adapting to varying environmental conditions and pressure differentials, leading to potential leaks and instability.
Innovation Solution
A seal and anchoring arrangement comprising perimetrically closed wedges and a frustoconical surface, actuated to expand and create a fluid-tight seal by contacting the inner and outer dimensions of a tubular structure, utilizing materials like soft metals and elastomers to ensure deformation and enhance sealing, with surface features for increased friction when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional seals and anchoring arrangements are used, then they work well for their intended purposes under specific conditions, but they fail to adapt to varying environmental conditions and pressure differentials
Solution Approach 1:
The seal arrangement uses expandable wedges that can dynamically adjust their size and shape in response to varying pressure differentials and environmental conditions. The wedges transition from a collapsed state during installation to an expanded state when sealing, allowing the system to adapt to different well conditions while maintaining reliable sealing through active adjustment rather than static design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the seal components by expanding the wedges from a compact transport configuration to an expanded sealing configuration. This parameter change allows the same component to function effectively across varying pressure differentials and environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
2Reliability
If expandable wedge structures are used to create seals, then they can adapt to pressure differentials, but they require complex actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge structure is designed to be self-actuating through the application of differential pressure. The pressure differential itself serves as the actuation force, eliminating the need for complex external actuators. The wedge geometry converts the pressure differential directly into the expanding force needed to create the seal, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the actuation function from separate complex mechanical actuators and integrates it into the wedge structure itself. By using the pressure differential as the direct actuating force and designing the wedge geometry to convert this force into expansion, the system removes unnecessary complexity while achieving reliable sealing
3Reliability
If soft metals and elastomers are used for wedge materials, then they can deform to ensure sealing, but they may have limited strength under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs composite material construction where soft metals and elastomers are combined with stronger structural materials. The soft materials provide the necessary deformation capability for effective sealing, while the composite structure with stronger materials maintains structural integrity under extreme conditions, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and structural strength
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 provides a reliable, leak-proof seal that withstands changing pressure differentials and environmental conditions, ensuring a secure fit and effective anchoring, even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
with surface features for increased friction when needed
Implementation Method 2
utilizing materials like soft metals and elastomers to ensure deformation and enhance sealing
Data Source
AI summary
A seal and/or anchoring arrangement includes a first perimetrically closed wedge, a second perimetrically closed wedge. An actuator is in operable communication with one of the first and second wedges. A frustoconical surface is present at a radially inwardly most located surface of the first and second wedges. A and method is included.