Self-Energized Stripper Head Seal for High-Pressure Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for holding back pressure in well environments are limited to 2500 psi, which is insufficient for many applications, and they require compression to create a seal, making them inefficient for high-pressure operations.
Innovation Solution
A stripper head assembly comprising a stripper head, insert, rubber, retention bushing assemblies, and retention pins, which uses a self-energized seal that becomes reinforced under increased pressure, allowing for multi-stage loading zones to enhance sealing efficiency without the need for external compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If existing seal systems are used, then they can create a seal through compression, but they are limited to 2500 psi and require external compression making them inefficient for high-pressure operations
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system uses the applied pressure itself to activate the sealing mechanism. The pressure from the work-string directly engages the conical surface of the insert, which in turn compresses the rubber element to create the seal. This eliminates the need for external compression devices while achieving superior pressure ratings exceeding 2500 psi
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and distribution of pressure through the conical geometry of the insert. The conical surface transforms the axial pressure into radial compression force on the rubber element, optimizing the pressure parameters for effective sealing without requiring additional compression mechanisms
2Reliability
If compression is used to create a seal, then a seal can be formed, but it requires external compression devices making the system complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is self-activating through the pressure applied during normal operation. The work-string pressure directly engages the conical insert, which automatically compresses the rubber element to form the seal. This eliminates complex external compression devices while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the external compression device from the system. By using the work-string pressure itself to activate the sealing mechanism through the conical insert, the design removes unnecessary components while maintaining sealing 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 stripper head assembly effectively holds back pressure beyond 2500 psi, providing a reliable seal without the need for compression, thus improving operational efficiency in high-pressure well environments.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of said stripper insert is configured to fit within a portion of said stripper rubber
Implementation Method 2
Said multi-stage loading zones can be configured to directing pressures to enhance the seal of said stripper rubber within said stripper head assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A stripper head assembly for holding back pressure while stripping a work-string in and out of a pressurized well environment. The stripper head assembly comprises a stripper head, a stripper insert, a stripper rubber, one or more retention bushing assemblies, one or more retention pins, and one or more retention apertures. The stripper head comprises an outer portion of the stripper head assembly. The stripper head comprises, from top to bottom, a top portion, a body portion, a lower neck portion and a flange base. A portion of the stripper insert fits within a portion of the stripper rubber. A portion of the stripper rubber fits within a portion of the stripper head. A portion of the stripper insert is configured to fit within a portion of the stripper rubber.