Compliant Seal for Irregular Casing

摘要

A setting assembly for a packer seal features a series of peripherally mounted rod pistons that abut the seal to be set by advancing the seal relative to a tapered surface. When parts of the seal engage an inner tubular wall before other parts of the seal the continuation of application of hydraulic pressure to the pistons moves parts of the seal that have yet to make contact with the tubular wall further relative to the ramp so that plastic deformation of the seal assembly can occur to allow portions thereof to move radially further outwardly to seal in the region where the radius of the tubular is enlarged. When hydraulic pressure is applied to the pistons in an opposite direction a lock mechanism is defeated and the c-ring or scroll reverts to a smaller shape optionally aided by a garter spring so that the packer can be selectively retrieved.

主权项

1. A seal assembly and setting mechanism for selective sealing contact with an out of round surrounding tubular wall at a subterranean location, comprising:
a ramp supported by a mandrel; a compliant force applier mounted to said mandrel and operably connected to a seal assembly for uneven axial displacement of circumferential positions around said seal assembly with respect to said ramp.