Torque Shoulder Seal Structure to Limit Deflection Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing technologies in resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries face challenges in achieving reliability while simplifying designs and using robust materials.

Innovation Solution

A seal design featuring a torque shoulder and a seal support concavity with an arcuately shaped seal member, where the torque shoulder limits the deflection of the seal member to prevent plastic deformation, ensuring reliable sealing under varying pressures and torques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the seal member is allowed to deflect freely to achieve sealing, then sealing contact is improved, but plastic deformation occurs reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidseal member resistance to plastic deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The torque shoulder is pre-positioned at a predetermined location along the longitudinal axis of the seal member. When assembly forces are applied, the torque shoulder contacts the seal member first, establishing a stop that limits the maximum deflection distance before the seal member contacts the sealing surface. This preliminary positioning prevents excessive deflection that would cause plastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The torque shoulder acts as an intermediary element between the assembly forces and the seal member. It mediates the force transmission by providing a controlled stopping point, allowing the seal member to deflect just enough to contact the sealing surface without over-deflecting into the plastic deformation regime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the seal member is made more robust to prevent deformation, then reliability improves, but the ability to adapt to sealing surfaces decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal durabilityVSAvoidseal member adaptability to sealing surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member exhibits different mechanical properties at different locations along its longitudinal axis. The portion near the torque shoulder is constrained and experiences limited deflection, while the distal portion is free to deflect and adapt to the sealing surface. This local differentiation allows the seal to be both durable and adaptive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member is effectively segmented into two functional zones: a proximal zone constrained by the torque shoulder that provides structural stability and prevents plastic deformation, and a distal zone that is free to deflect and conform to the sealing surface. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple sealing operations are performed, then productivity increases, but accumulation of deformation reduces reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of sealing operationsVSAvoidseal performance after repeated operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The torque shoulder provides a predetermined stop that cushions against excessive deflection during each sealing operation. By limiting the maximum deflection distance before contact with the sealing surface, the torque shoulder prevents accumulation of plastic deformation that would otherwise occur with repeated sealing cycles, thereby maintaining reliability across multiple operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 seal design provides durable and repeatable sealing performance, protecting the seal member from plastic deformation and enabling multiple sealing and unsealing operations, while allowing controlled rupture at a predetermined pressure for specific applications.

Implementation Method 1

elastically deflecting the seal member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deflection: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

contacting the torque shoulder with the same first or second component and limiting deflection of the seal member by preventing further movement of the first component and second component toward one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12410673B2Seal, method, and system

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A seal includes a torque shoulder and a seal member complimentary to a concavity in the torque shoulder. A method for sealing a connection includes elastically deflecting a seal member, and contacting a torque shoulder with the seal member. The method further includes preventing further movement of a first component and a second component toward one another after contacting of the torque shoulder. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a downhole tool in the borehole, the tool including the seal described above.