Metal end cap seal with o-ring

Abstract

The present invention relates to a metal end cap seal for a well sealing assembly for sealing the annulus between two tubular members that has improved sealing abilities at an increased range of temperatures. The metal end cap seal generally comprises a resilient ring with a metal end caps on either end. The inner diameter of the resilient ring has one or more grooves that enable the installation of a one or more o-rings. The o-rings are sized so as to provide an increased stored energy within the resilient ring so that the sealing engagement is increased.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . seal assembly comprising: 
 a resilient ring having a generally flat first side surface, a convex second side surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface;    one or more circumferential grooves on the first side surface of ring;    one or more o-rings disposed within said grooves;    a first annular end cap bonded to the upper surface of said resilient ring and having a first leg along a portion of the first side surface and second leg along a portion of the second side surface; and    a second annular end cap bonded to the lower surface of said resilient ring and having a first leg along a portion of the first side surface and second leg along a portion of the second side surface.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  where the first side surface is the outer surface of said resilient ring.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein having two grooves with one o-ring disposed in each groove.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein said one or more grooves are dovetail shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  where the first side surface is the inner surface of said resilient ring.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein having two grooves with one o-ring disposed in each groove.  
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein said one or more grooves are dovetail shaped  
     
     
         8 . A method of increasing the available energy stored within a metal end cap seal having a resilient ring and metal end caps, when the metal end cap seal is compressed between and inner surface and an outer surface, by: 
 forming the resilient ring with one or more circumferential grooves on a first side surface and a convex second side surface;    disposing one or more o-rings within the grooves.    
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein having two grooves with one o-ring disposed in each groove.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said one or more grooves are dovetail shaped  
     
     
         11 . A seal assembly for sealing the annulus between an inner tubular and an outer tubular comprising: 
 a resilient ring with upper and lower flat surfaces, a convex interior surface, and an outer surface; wherein the interior surface has a circumferential groove;    annular end caps having flat portions bonded to the upper and lower flat surfaces of said resilient ring and having inner legs along a portion of the convex surface and outer legs along a portion of the outer surface; and    a sealing member disposed within the circumferential groove on said resilient ring.    
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said sealing member is an o-ring.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein said sealing member is constructed from nitrile having a durometer of 70 or less.  
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the circumferential groove is a dovetail groove.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said sealing member has between a 12% and 15% larger circumference than the circumferential groove.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said sealing member has at least 0.015″ of radial interference with the inner tubular when the annulus is sealed.