Anti-Extrusion Device for Pressure Unloading Applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020096111-A1
Application number	US-201816140939-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 25, 2018
Priority date	Sep 25, 2018
Publication date	Mar 26, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

Sealing assemblies for use in creating a fluid seal between two affixed components include a retaining groove and a resilient, compressible sealing element. Rigid back-up members are also disposed within the retaining groove. Interaction of the back-up members with the side surfaces of the retaining groove help to retain the sealing element and back-up members within the retaining groove and prevent extrusion of the sealing element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A sealing assembly for forming a fluid seal between a first component and a second component, the sealing assembly comprising:
an annular retaining groove formed within the first component, the retaining groove having a base, an opening and two side surfaces which extend from the base to the opening; an annular resilient, compressible sealing member disposed within the retaining groove; a rigid first backup member disposed within the retaining groove, the backup member presenting a groove contacting side surface and a sealing element contact surface.

2 . The sealing assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the base of the groove is wider than the opening of the groove; and
the side surfaces form an acute angle with the base.

3 . The sealing assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the side surfaces are shaped to form a recess into which a portion of the backup member will enter when the sealing assembly is loaded; and
the groove-contacting side surface of the first backup member presents a portion which enters the recess when the sealing assembly is loaded to lock the backup member within the retaining groove.

4 . The sealing assembly of claim 3 wherein:
the recess is V-shaped; and
the portion of the groove-contacting side surface is pointed.

5 . The sealing assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
a second back-up member disposed within the retaining groove;
the sealing member is located between the first and second backup members within the retaining groove;
a sealing member capture gap is defined between the first and second backup members; and
the sealing member capture gap is smaller when the sealing assembly is unloaded.

6 . A sealing assembly for forming a fluid seal between a mandrel and a sleeve within a sliding sleeve valve, the sealing assembly comprising:
an annular retaining groove formed within the first component, the retaining groove having a base, an opening and two side surfaces which extend from the base to the opening; an annular O-ring sealing member disposed within the retaining groove; a rigid first backup member disposed within the retaining groove, the backup member presenting a groove contacting side surface and a sealing element contact surface.

7 . The sealing assembly of claim 6 wherein:
the base of the groove is wider than the opening of the groove; and
the side surfaces form an acute angle with the base.

8 . The sealing assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the side surfaces are shaped to form a recess into which a portion of the backup member will enter when the sealing assembly is loaded; and
the groove-contacting side surface of the first backup member presents a portion which enters the recess when the sealing assembly is loaded to lock the backup member within the retaining groove.

9 . The sealing assembly of claim 8 wherein:
the recess is V-shaped; and
the portion of the groove-contacting side surface is pointed.

10 . The sealing assembly of claim 6 further comprising:
a second back-up member disposed within the retaining groove;
the sealing member is located between the first and second backup members within the retaining groove;
a sealing member capture gap is defined between the first and second backup members; and
the sealing member capture gap is smaller when the sealing assembly is unloaded.

11 . A sealing assembly for forming a fluid seal between a first component and a second component, the sealing assembly comprising:
an annular retaining groove formed within the first component, the retaining groove having a base, an opening and two side surfaces which extend from the base to the opening; an annular resilient, compressible sealing member disposed within the retaining groove; first and second backup members disposed within the retaining groove, each of the first and second backup members being disposed between the sealing element and a side surface of the retaining groove, the back-up member presenting a groove-contacting side surface and a sealing element contact surface.

12 . The sealing assembly of claim 11 wherein:
the base of the groove is wider than the opening of the groove; and
the side surfaces form an acute angle with the base.

13 . The sealing assembly of claim 11 wherein:
the side surfaces are shaped to form a recess into which a portion of the back-up member will enter when the sealing assembly is loaded; and
the groove-contacting side surface of the first backup member presents a portion which enters the recess when the sealing assembly is loaded to lock the backup member within the retaining groove.

14 . The sealing assembly of claim 13 wherein:
the recess is V-shaped; and
the portion of the groove-contacting side surface is pointed.

Assignees

• Baker Hughes A Ge Co Llc

Inventors

• Smith James A
• Sosa Andres

Classifications

• F16J15/3216 Primary

  supported in a direction parallel to the surfaces · CPC title

• E21B34/06

  in wells · CPC title

• F16J15/32 Primary

  with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings · CPC title

• E21B2034/007

  Fixed Constructions · mapped topic

• E21B2200/06

  Sleeve valves · CPC title