MULTI-LAYERED TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE PRESSURE ISOLATION DEVICE

摘要

A sealing element comprises two distinct materials of different melting points. An outer shell material has a higher melting point than an inner core material. The core material can be a relatively low melting point metal, plastic or polymer. The seal is positioned in the wellbore and, in response to heating to a selected temperature, such as a bottom hole static temperature, the core material melts or softens. Upon melting or softening of the inner material, the outer shell's elastic modulus decreases, allowing longitudinal compression and radial expansion of the sealing element. The inner material can also thermally expand and thereby assist or cause radial expansion of the outer shell. The sealing element can provide a metal-to-metal seal with a casing or tubing. The cross-sectional shape of the outer shell can take various shapes to promote controlled compression, expansion and sealing.

主权项

1. A sealing assembly for use on a tool in a wellbore, comprising:
a deformable outer shell portion; and an inner core comprising a material with a lower melting point than the outer shell and substantially enclosed within the outer shell, the deformable outer shell portion to be deformed into sealing contact with at least one adjacent surface within said wellbore, and wherein the inner core, in response to heating to a predetermined temperature, acts to effect radial expansion of the deformable outer shell portion.