Wellbore seal with spring and elastomer sealing element

摘要

Apparatus usable in a wellbore of a subterranean well, the wellbore having a minimum open hole inner diameter, comprises a base pipe, a spring 54 mounted to the base pipe, and an outer sealing element 84 at least partially surrounding the spring. The sealing element in a relaxed stale of the spring has an outer diameter larger than the minimum open hole inner diameter. The profile of the tubular member may be varied along the length of the spring and the spring may comprise a tubular member having a helical groove. The thickness of the tubular member may be reduced at the midpoint of the spring and the angle of the helical groove may vary along the length of the spring.