Surface texturing to increase lateral coefficient of friction

Abstract

A seal for an annular space includes a mandrel; and an element having a surface treatment to increase the coefficient of friction thereof at least on a surface of the element configured to interact with the mandrel. A material for use as an element to seal an annular space, the material including a surface treatment to increase lateral coefficient of friction. A method for producing a seal for an annular space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seal for an annular space comprising:
 a mandrel; and   an element having a surface treatment to increase the coefficient of friction thereof at least on a surface of the element configured to interact with the mandrel.   
     
     
         2 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an adhesive between the element and the mandrel. 
     
     
         3 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the surface treatment on a surface of the element configured to interact with one or more backups of the seal. 
     
     
         4 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the surface treatment on a surface of the element configured to interact with an opposing structure against which the seal is intended to create a seal. 
     
     
         5 . A material for use as an element to seal an annular space, the material including a surface treatment to increase lateral coefficient of friction. 
     
     
         6 . The material as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the surface treatment is a patterning. 
     
     
         7 . The material as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the surface treatment is a micro texturing. 
     
     
         8 . The material as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the surface treatment is a nanotexturing. 
     
     
         9 . The material as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the surface treatment is a patterning and one or both of a micro texturing and a nanotexturing. 
     
     
         10 . A method for reducing swabbing of an element comprising surface treating the element to increase a lateral coefficient of friction with a mandrel upon which the element is mounted. 
     
     
         11 . A method for producing a seal for an annular space comprising:
 surface treating a material configured to act as an element;   adhesively attaching the element to a mandrel incorporating at least some of the surface treatment into an interface between the element and the mandrel.   
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the surface treatment is disposed to interact with at least one backup of the seal for an annular space. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the surface treatment is disposed to interact with a surface against which the element is intended to seal during use.