High pressure and temperature seal for downhole use

Abstract

A seal for use in temperature and pressure extremes is disclosed. It features springs internal to the sealing members and the ability to seal against pressure differentials from opposed directions. A spacer ring prevents contact from oppositely oriented seal components and at the same time prevents spring and seal collapse under extreme loading conditions. The seal assembly is self-centering in a downhole seal bore and can be used on tools delivered on wireline, where the insertion forces available are at a minimum. The seal can withstand pressure differentials in excess of 13,500 PSI and temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A downhole tool seal insertable into a downhole seal bore for sealing therewith, comprising: 
 a tool body having an exterior surface and uphole and downhole ends;    at least one seal member mounted to said body and comprising opposed legs defining an annularly shaped gap having an outlet oriented toward one of said uphole and downhole ends of said tool body, said legs spanning the gap between said exterior surface of said tool body and the seal bore when inserted therein; and    at least one spring in said gap.    
     
     
         2 . The seal of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a spring support member extending into said gap and into contact with said spring.    
     
     
         3 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said spring support member further comprises an extending member toward said exterior surface to position said spring support member in alignment with said gap.    
     
     
         4 . The seal of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one notch on a portion of at least one of said legs that contacts one of said exterior surface and the seal bore.    
     
     
         5 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said spring is defined by opposed spring legs that push on said legs of said seal.    
     
     
         6 . The seal of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said spring comprises a plurality of stacked springs.    
     
     
         7 . The seal of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a spring support member extending into said gap and into contact with at least one of said springs, said seal movable with respect to said spring support to force at least two of said springs toward nesting within each other.    
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said spring support member is forced between said spring legs of at least one said spring responsive to pressure applied to said seal member.    
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 said spring support member further comprises an extending member toward said exterior surface to position said spring support member in alignment with said gap.    
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said at least one seal member comprises at least two seal members having a gap outlets oriented facing each other and at least one said spring in each said gap.    
     
     
         11 . The seal of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a support member extending into said gaps to allow oppositely oriented seal members to move toward each other while preventing said legs of one of said seal members from coming into contact with said legs of another oppositely oriented seal member.    
     
     
         12 . The seal of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said springs are defined by opposed spring legs that push on said legs of said seal;    said support member extending between at least one opposed pair of said spring legs.    
     
     
         13 . The seal of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said springs comprise a plurality of stacked springs in each said gap;    said support member forcing said stacked springs in each said gap to move toward being farther nested in response to movement of said oppositely oriented seals toward each other.    
     
     
         14 . The seal of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said support member further comprises an extending member toward said exterior surface to position said support member in alignment with said oppositely oriented gaps.    
     
     
         15 . A downhole tool seal insertable into a downhole seal bore for sealing therewith, comprising: 
 a tool body having an exterior surface and uphole and downhole ends;    at least one seal member mounted to said body and comprising opposed legs defining an annularly shaped gap having an outlet oriented toward one of said uphole and downhole ends of said tool body, said legs spanning the gap between said exterior surface of said tool body and the seal bore when inserted therein; and    a support member extending between said legs, said support member guiding movement of said seal member along said exterior surface and entering further into said gap in response to applied pressure on said legs.    
     
     
         16 . The seal of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said support member further comprises an extending member toward said exterior surface to position said support member in alignment with said gap.    
     
     
         17 . The seal of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of stacked springs in said gap.    
     
     
         18 . The seal of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said at least one seal member comprises at least two seal members having a gap outlets oriented facing each other;    said support member extending into said gaps to allow oppositely oriented seal members to move toward each other while preventing said legs of one of said seal members from coming into contact with said legs of another oppositely oriented seal member.    
     
     
         19 . The seal of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said support member further comprises an extending member toward said exterior surface to position said support member in alignment with said gap.    
     
     
         20 . The seal of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of stacked springs in each said gap;    said springs are defined by opposed spring legs that push on said legs of said seal;    said support member extending between at least one opposed pair of said spring legs;    said support member forcing said stacked springs in each said gap to move toward being further nested in response to movement of said oppositely, oriented seals toward each other.