Sealing apparatus and method

Abstract

A sealing apparatus ( 10 ) for use in establishing a seal in an annulus ( 12 ) between a mandrel ( 14 ) and a bore wall ( 16 ) has an annular seal element ( 18 ) which extends to sealingly engage the bore wall ( 16 ) and a back-up assembly ( 30 ) for supporting the seal element ( 18 ) and preventing or resisting extrusion of the seal element ( 18 ). The back-up assembly ( 30 ) includes a collar ( 54 ) interposed between a support member ( 40 ) of the back-up assembly ( 30 ) and the end ( 32 ) of the seal element ( 18 ) and which defines a sea-engaging surface ( 60 ), the collar ( 54 ) in use preventing or mitigating damage to the support member ( 40 ) from the seal element ( 18 ).

1 . A sealing apparatus for use in establishing a seal in an annulus between a mandrel and a bore wall, the apparatus comprising:
 a seal element for providing sealing engagement with a bore wall; and   a back-up assembly comprising:
 a ring member; 
 a support member arranged to extend over at least an end of the seal element; and 
 a collar having a seal-engaging surface arranged to engage the end of the seal element, the collar interposed between the end of the seal element and the support member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the apparatus is configurable to define a first, retracted, configuration and a second, expanded, configuration;   the collar is configured to assist in supporting the end of the seal element;   the collar is configured to support the end of the seal element when the apparatus is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration.   
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the collar is annular. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the collar is mounted on, or secured to, the mandrel;   the collar is mounted on, or secured to, the mandrel by at least one of a bonded connection, thread connection, interference connection or snap-fit connection.   
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the collar is mounted on, or secured to, the ring member;   wherein the collar is mounted on, or secured to, the ring member by at least one of a bonded connection, thread connection, interference connection or snap-fit connection.   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the collar is mounted on, or secured to, the seal element;   the collar is mounted on, or secured to, the seal element by at least one of a bonded connection, thread connection, interference connection or snap-fit connection.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the collar comprises a first portion defining a first outer diameter and a second portion defining a second outer diameter;   the second outer diameter portion is of greater diameter than the first outer diameter portion;   the collar defines a continuous outer surface between the first and second portions;   the collar comprises a curved outer surface between the first and second portions;   the collar defines a stepped profile between the first and second portions.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein one of:
 the collar further comprises a third portion defining a third outer diameter;   the collar further comprises a third portion defining a third outer diameter and the third portion is of the same outer diameter as the first or second portions;   the collar further comprises a third portion defining a third outer diameter and the third portion is of a different diameter to the first and/or second portions.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the collar is constructed from at least one of: a plastic material; a metallic material or alloy; a composite material; and a ceramic material;   the collar is constructed from PTFE.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the collar is configured or arranged to seal against the mandrel;   the collar is configured to provide a seal between the collar and the support member;   the collar is configured to provide a seal between the collar and the ring member.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises a recess for receiving a seal element. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the collar is configured to engage the support member;   the collar is configured to retain the support member.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the seal-engaging surface is provided on an end surface of the collar;   the seal-engaging surface is offset from an end face of the ring member;   the seal-engaging surface is provided on an axially directed surface of the collar;   the collar comprises a first portion defining a first outer diameter and a second portion defining a second outer diameter and the seal-engaging surface is provided on the second portion;   the collar comprises a first portion defining a first outer diameter and a second portion defining a second outer diameter and the seal-engaging surface is provided on an axially directed surface of the second portion.   
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the support member is mounted on, or secured to, the collar;   the support member is mounted on, or secured to, the collar by at least one of a bonded connection, thread connection, interference connection or snap-fit connection.   
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the support member is mounted on, or secured to, the ring member;   the support member is mounted on, or secured to, the ring member by at least one of a bonded connection, thread connection, interference connection or snap-fit connection;   at least part of the support member is interposed between the collar and the ring member; in the first configuration the maximum diameter defined by the support member is less than or equal to the maximum diameter defined by the ring member.   
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of:
 the support member is mounted on, or secured to, the seal element;   the support member is mounted on, or secured to, the seal element at least one of a bonded connection, thread connection, interference connection or snap-fit connection.   
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a first back-up element. 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of:
 the support member comprises a plurality of first back up elements;   the first back-up element comprises a slotted portion;   the first back-up element defines discrete petals;   the first back-up element is annular;   the first back-up element comprises a non-slotted portion;   the first back-up element at least partially comprises a deformable and/or ductile material;   the first back-up element is configured to engage the bore wall;   the first back-up element comprises or defines a bore engaging surface;   the first back-up element deforms under the action of the sealing element;   the first back-up element comprises spring steel;   a lower portion of the first back-up element is received within the ring member.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein at least one of:
 the support member comprises the first back-up element and a second back-up element;   the apparatus is configured so that the second back-up element is provided between the sealing element and the first back-up element;   the second back-up element is configured or arranged to cover and/or deform into the gaps between the petals of the first back-up element;   the second back-up element is annular;   the second back-up element is of thinner construction than the first back-up element;   the second back-up element comprises a ductile material;   the ductile material comprises stainless steel;   the second back-up element comprises a slotted portion;   the second back-up element comprises a sealing element engaging surface;   the second back-up element deforms under the action of the sealing element, the deformation being elastic or plastic;   the second back-up element is connected to the ring member.   
     
     
         45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the ring member defines a profiled surface;   the ring member defines a profiled outer surface.   
     
     
         67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of:
 the apparatus comprises a single back-up assembly;   the apparatus comprises two back-up assemblies.   
     
     
         69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the seal element comprises at least one of: an elastomeric seal element; a compression seal element; a packing element; a cup; an expandable element; a swellable element; and an inflatable element. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the seal element is configured to expand in the presence of an activation medium;   the seal element is configured to expand in the presence of oil;   the seal element is configured to expand in the presence of water.   
     
     
         72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the seal element comprises a unitary component. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the seal element comprises a plurality of components;   the seal element comprises a first seal member and a second member;   the seal element comprises a first seal member and a second member and the first and second seal members are of different construction;   the seal element comprises a first seal member and a second member and the second seal member comprises a material of greater hardness than the first seal member;   the seal element comprises a first seal member and a second member and the second seal member is provided between the first seal member and the support member.   
     
     
         76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . (canceled) 
     
     
         79 . (canceled) 
     
     
         80 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the seal element comprises a recess configured to permit relative movement with the support member. 
     
     
         81 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one:
 the apparatus is configured or arranged for location on the mandrel;   the apparatus is mounted on the mandrel;   the apparatus comprises end rings for use in securing the apparatus to the mandrel.   
     
     
         82 . (canceled) 
     
     
         83 . (canceled) 
     
     
         84 . A method comprising:
 locating a sealing apparatus according to any preceding claim in a bore;   activating the apparatus from a first configuration to a second expanded configuration to engage the bore wall.   
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84 , further comprising at least one of:
 de-activating the apparatus; and   retrieving the apparatus from the bore.   
     
     
         86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . A back-up assembly for use with a sealing apparatus used to establish a seal in an annulus between a mandrel and a bore wall, the back-up assembly comprising:
 a ring member;   a support member arranged to extend over at least an end of a seal element of the sealing apparatus; and   a collar having a seal-engaging surface arranged to engage the end of the seal element, the collar interposable between the end of the seal element and the support member.   
     
     
         88 . An assembly comprising a plurality of the apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         89 . (canceled) 
     
     
         90 . (canceled) 
     
     
         91 . (canceled) 
     
     
         92 . (canceled)