Fluid seals

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to a sealing device having greater resistance to failure when exposed to elevated temperature or pressure conditions. A number of embodiments of the invention include a sealing device having an annular seal member comprising an elastomer material and at least one cap member affixed to the seal member. In some circumstances, when the seal member is compressed in a substantially axial direction, at least a portion of the cap member deforms in a substantially radial direction.

1 . A sealing device comprising: 
 an annular seal member comprising an elastomer material, the annular seal having a first seal surface exposed on a first side and a second seal surface exposed on an inner second side; and    a cap member affixed between the first and second seal surfaces of the seal member, the cap member formed of material having substantially greater strength than the elastomer material of the seal member,    wherein when pressure is applied between the seal surfaces, the seal member is compressed in a certain direction substantially toward the cap member and causes at least a portion of the cap member to deform substantially perpendicular to the certain direction.    
   
   
       2 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second cap member affixed to the seal member opposite the first mentioned cap member and disposed between the first and second seal surfaces, at least a portion of the second cap member operable to deform substantially perpendicular to the certain direction when the seal member is compressed in the certain direction.  
   
   
       3 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap member comprises a thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       4 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap member comprises a material having a greater resistance to degradation from temperature than the elastomer material of the seal member.  
   
   
       5 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: Polyetheretherketone, Polyetherimide, Torlon™, and Teflon™.  
   
   
       6 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, Chloroprene Rubber, Polyisoprene, Styrene Butadiene Rubber, Isoprene-Isobutylene Rubber, Chlorinated Butyl, Polyacrylic, Epichlorohydrin, Thiokol Polysulfide, Silicone and Fluoro-Silicone Rubber, Hypalon™, Fluoro Elastomer, Polybutadiene, Ethylene Propylene Copolymer, Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer, and TFE Propylene.  
   
   
       7 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein when the seal member is disposed between an outer body and an inner body, the cap member is affixed to the side of the seal member proximal to a clearance space between the outer and inner bodies.  
   
   
       8 . The sealing device of  claim 7 , wherein when the seal member is compressed in the certain direction, the cap member substantially inhibits the seal member from extruding into the clearance space.  
   
   
       9 . The sealing device of  claim 7 , wherein when fluid between the outer body and inner body is at a temperature operable to deteriorate the elastomer material of the seal member, the cap member substantially inhibits the elastomer material of the seal member from passing into the clearance space.  
   
   
       10 . The sealing device of  claim 9 , wherein when fluid between the outer body and inner body is at least 350° 0  F. and at least 15,000 psi, the cap member substantially inhibits the elastomer material of the seal member from passing into the clearance space.  
   
   
       11 . The sealing device of  claim 7 , wherein when the seal member is disposed in a groove formed in the outer body and the inner body, the cap member is sized to contact the outer and inner bodies so as to substantially inhibit the seal member from blowing out of the groove.  
   
   
       12 . A device comprising: 
 a first body;    a second body having a groove; and    a seal in the groove adapted to substantially seal between the first and second bodies, the seal comprising: 
 an annular seal member having a first substantially convex surface and a second substantially convex surface; and  
 a first cap member having a first substantially concave surface affixed to the first substantially convex surface of the seal member such that deformable portions of the first cap member are positioned radially on both sides of a portion of the seal member, and  
 a second cap member having a second substantially concave surface affixed to the second substantially convex surface of the seal member such that deformable portions of the second cap member are positioned radially on both sides of a portion of the seal member.  
   
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein when the seal member is compressed in a substantially axial direction, the deformable portions of the first and second cap members deform in a substantially radial direction.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second cap members deforms to press against the first and second bodies.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second cap members substantially seals against the first and second bodies.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein when the seal member is compressed in a substantially axial direction, at least one of the first and second cap members substantially inhibits the seal member from extruding into a clearance space between the first and second bodies.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second cap members has higher resistance to degradation from temperature than the seal member.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second bodies are components of a well bore packer assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second cap members is sized to contact the outer and inner bodies so as to substantially inhibit the seal member from blowing out of the groove.  
   
   
       20 . A method of sealing between a first body and a second body, the second body including a groove, the method comprising: 
 providing a seal device in the groove having an elastomeric seal member defining a first seal surface to press against the first body and a second seal surface to press against the second body, the seal device having a cap member affixed to an axial side of the seal member and disposed radially between the first and second seal surfaces; and    in response to pressure applied to the seal between the first and second seal surfaces, deforming the cap member to press against the first and second bodies.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cap member is provided in contact with the first and second bodies and wherein deforming the cap member to press against the first and second bodies comprises deforming the cap member into further contact against the first and second bodies.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein deforming the cap member to press against the first and second bodies comprises deforming the cap member to substantially seal against the first and second bodies.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cap member is affixed to the axial side of the seal member proximal to a clearance space between the first and second bodies, further comprising substantially inhibiting the seal member from extruding into the clearance space.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cap member has a higher resistance to degradation from temperature than the elastomer material of the seal member.