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Rotating control device radial seal protection
PATENTS bers that rotate relative to each other. The unit described consists of a seal element (30) that is mounted on the outer member and is composed of a flinger element (20), which is mountable on the inner member. The seal element has an elastomeric seal body (35), with a radial seal lip (36) that bears against a counterface on a cylindrical portion (25) of the flinger element. The latter further comprises a flange portion that has a first section (26), which extends in a purely radial direction from the cylindrical portion (25) and further includes a second section (27), which extends from the first section (26) in an axially inward direction at an angle of between 10° and 80° relative to the rotation axis of the unit. The elastomeric seal body further consists of a noncontact seal portion (38), which has a first surface (41) and a second surface (42) that respectively face the first and second sections (26 & 27) of the flange portion, and which present an essentially constant gap (G) of less than 1 mm. Patent number: WO/2015/180928 Inventors: P. Baart and M. Organisciak Publication date: 3 December 2015
Rotating control device radial seal protection Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc, USA The exemplary embodiments of this patent relate to apparatus and methods for increasing the longevity of a rotating control device (RCD) at a wellbore, including a bearing assembly configured for operating in the RCD. The assembly is configured to reduce pressure proximate to the bearing assembly, including reducing pressure in a radial seal. Top and bottom seals are mounted against a wear sleeve adjacent to an inner member that is housed within the bearing assembly. The wear sleeve is structured to be sealed by the top and the bottom seals, as the inner member rotates in the RCD. A pressure-reduction system mounted with the RCD applies pressure via wellbore pressure between the top seal and the bottom seal, which is lower relative to the pressure above the top seal, and is higher relative to the pressure below the bottom seal. Patent number: WO/2015/184345 Inventor: J.W. Chambers Publication date: 3 December 2015
Fluid line exit block with dual metal-to-metal sealing Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control Lp, USA This invention relates, in general, to a wellhead system, but in particular to a fluid-line exit 14
Sealing Technology
block seal arrangement of such a system. The methods and systems of embodiments of this disclosure aim to enable multiple fluid lines to pass into a pressure-containing portion of the wellhead assembly. The embodiments provide control-line exit blocks for mounting to a hydrocarbon production device that is suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure applications, such as those involving temperatures up to 177°C (350°F) and pressures up to 103 MPa (15 000 psi). Dual metal-to-metal seals prevent pressure and fluids from escaping from the pressure-containing portion and into the atmosphere, between the control-line exit block and hydrocarbon production device. The integrity of the metal-to-metal seals can be verified before installation of the control-line exit block is completed. In one embodiment, a termination block assembly, for fluidly coupling a fluid line at the hydrocarbon production device, includes a fluid-line block with an inner surface selectively mated to a corresponding surface of the device. The fluid-line block has a protruding member extending from the inner surface. A primary seal, located at an end of the protruding member, has an inner diameter selectively circumscribing the fluid line extending from the hydrocarbon production device, and an outer diameter selectively engaging a sidewall passage surface of the device, and sealing between the fluid-line block and the device. A secondary seal circumscribes the protruding member, engaging both the inner surface of the fluid-line block and the corresponding surface of the hydrocarbon production device, and sealing between the fluid-line block and the device. Patent number: WO/2015/183562 Inventors: A.P. Christie, M. Coutts, J.A. Sinnott and C.S. Walker Publication date: 3 December 2015
Method for forming a V-ring seal Applicants: Aktiebolaget SKF, Y. Epshetsky and G.G. Gildea – USA A method has been developed for forming an assembly that seals the space between a first member, which has a central axis and an outer surface, and a second member that has a radiallyextending axial surface. It involves a series of steps. First, an elongated elastomeric body and a biasing member is provided that has opposing ends, and a V-shaped groove is formed generally along the length of the body between the two ends. The elongated body bends circumferentially about the outer surface of the first member. The ends of the elongated body are coupled to form an annular seal body. A biasing member is positioned within the groove such that it exerts a force – directed radially inwards – on the annu-
lar seal body so as to substantially prevent relative angular displacement between the seal body and the first member. Patent number: WO/2015/188078 Inventors: Y. Epshetsky, G.G. Gildea and M.C. Martin Publication date: 10 December 2015
Retaining seal material Applicant: Ibiden Co Ltd, Japan The purpose of this invention is to provide a retaining seal material that is capable of generating a sufficient retaining force, under conditions involving temperatures equal to or below 600°C. The material is formed from an inorganic fibre to which has been added an organic binder. The retaining seal material, which does not contain an expanding composition, uses an organic binder that has a tensile strength which is 4–80% lower than that of the organic binder, having been heat-treated at 105°C. The tensile strength is measured by means of a method conforming to JIS-K 6251. Patent number: WO/2015/186528 Inventor: Y. Kitamura Publication date: 10 December 2015
Mechanical face seal Applicant: Thermo King Corp, USA A mechanical face seal and a method for using it form the subject of this patent. The design includes a plurality of groove sets that are etched into a stationary seal and/or a rotating seal ring. Each of these sets includes feed, collection and distribution grooves, and a collector, retention cavities and discharge grooves. The face seal can be used to reduce the friction that is generated by the stationary seal and the rotating seal ring during operation. In addition, the groove sets work cooperatively to introduce, circulate and expel lubricant at the seal interface to help cool the seal. Patent number: WO/2015/187657 Inventor: R.M. Lattin Publication date: 10 December 2015
Sealing device that prevents the ingress of muddy water Applicant: NOK Corp, Japan The aim of this invention is to create a device that seals between rotating and stationary members in order to prevent foreign matter from entering the device and which enables a non-rotational seal lip to slide in contact with a rotational seal flange. To achieve this objective the seal lip is made from hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber. Grease that has a low wash-
October 2016
Rotating control device radial seal protection Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc, USA The exemplary embodiments of this patent relate to apparatus and methods for increasing the longevity of a rotating control device (RCD) at a wellbore, including a bearing assembly configured for operating in the RCD. The assembly is configured to reduce pressure proximate to the bearing assembly, including reducing pressure in a radial seal. Top and bottom seals are mounted against a wear sleeve adjacent to an inner member that is housed within the bearing assembly. The wear sleeve is structured to be sealed by the top and the bottom seals, as the inner member rotates in the RCD. A pressure-reduction system mounted with the RCD applies pressure via wellbore pressure between the top seal and the bottom seal, which is lower relative to the pressure above the top seal, and is higher relative to the pressure below the bottom seal. Patent number: WO/2015/184345 Inventor: J.W. Chambers Publication date: 3 December 2015
Fluid line exit block with dual metal-to-metal sealing Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control Lp, USA This invention relates, in general, to a wellhead system, but in particular to a fluid-line exit 14
Sealing Technology
block seal arrangement of such a system. The methods and systems of embodiments of this disclosure aim to enable multiple fluid lines to pass into a pressure-containing portion of the wellhead assembly. The embodiments provide control-line exit blocks for mounting to a hydrocarbon production device that is suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure applications, such as those involving temperatures up to 177°C (350°F) and pressures up to 103 MPa (15 000 psi). Dual metal-to-metal seals prevent pressure and fluids from escaping from the pressure-containing portion and into the atmosphere, between the control-line exit block and hydrocarbon production device. The integrity of the metal-to-metal seals can be verified before installation of the control-line exit block is completed. In one embodiment, a termination block assembly, for fluidly coupling a fluid line at the hydrocarbon production device, includes a fluid-line block with an inner surface selectively mated to a corresponding surface of the device. The fluid-line block has a protruding member extending from the inner surface. A primary seal, located at an end of the protruding member, has an inner diameter selectively circumscribing the fluid line extending from the hydrocarbon production device, and an outer diameter selectively engaging a sidewall passage surface of the device, and sealing between the fluid-line block and the device. A secondary seal circumscribes the protruding member, engaging both the inner surface of the fluid-line block and the corresponding surface of the hydrocarbon production device, and sealing between the fluid-line block and the device. Patent number: WO/2015/183562 Inventors: A.P. Christie, M. Coutts, J.A. Sinnott and C.S. Walker Publication date: 3 December 2015
Method for forming a V-ring seal Applicants: Aktiebolaget SKF, Y. Epshetsky and G.G. Gildea – USA A method has been developed for forming an assembly that seals the space between a first member, which has a central axis and an outer surface, and a second member that has a radiallyextending axial surface. It involves a series of steps. First, an elongated elastomeric body and a biasing member is provided that has opposing ends, and a V-shaped groove is formed generally along the length of the body between the two ends. The elongated body bends circumferentially about the outer surface of the first member. The ends of the elongated body are coupled to form an annular seal body. A biasing member is positioned within the groove such that it exerts a force – directed radially inwards – on the annu-
lar seal body so as to substantially prevent relative angular displacement between the seal body and the first member. Patent number: WO/2015/188078 Inventors: Y. Epshetsky, G.G. Gildea and M.C. Martin Publication date: 10 December 2015
Retaining seal material Applicant: Ibiden Co Ltd, Japan The purpose of this invention is to provide a retaining seal material that is capable of generating a sufficient retaining force, under conditions involving temperatures equal to or below 600°C. The material is formed from an inorganic fibre to which has been added an organic binder. The retaining seal material, which does not contain an expanding composition, uses an organic binder that has a tensile strength which is 4–80% lower than that of the organic binder, having been heat-treated at 105°C. The tensile strength is measured by means of a method conforming to JIS-K 6251. Patent number: WO/2015/186528 Inventor: Y. Kitamura Publication date: 10 December 2015
Mechanical face seal Applicant: Thermo King Corp, USA A mechanical face seal and a method for using it form the subject of this patent. The design includes a plurality of groove sets that are etched into a stationary seal and/or a rotating seal ring. Each of these sets includes feed, collection and distribution grooves, and a collector, retention cavities and discharge grooves. The face seal can be used to reduce the friction that is generated by the stationary seal and the rotating seal ring during operation. In addition, the groove sets work cooperatively to introduce, circulate and expel lubricant at the seal interface to help cool the seal. Patent number: WO/2015/187657 Inventor: R.M. Lattin Publication date: 10 December 2015
Sealing device that prevents the ingress of muddy water Applicant: NOK Corp, Japan The aim of this invention is to create a device that seals between rotating and stationary members in order to prevent foreign matter from entering the device and which enables a non-rotational seal lip to slide in contact with a rotational seal flange. To achieve this objective the seal lip is made from hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber. Grease that has a low wash-
October 2016