Modular seal system

Abstract

A ring seal system includes a first segment having a first support member formed from a first support material, and a first seal portion mounted to the first support. The first seal portion is formed from a first seal material. A second segment includes a second support member formed from a second support material that is distinct from the first support material, and a second seal portion mounted to the second support. The second seal portion is formed from a second seal material distinct from the first seal material. The second segment is operatively connected to the first segment.

1 . A ring seal system comprising:
 a first segment including a first support member formed from a first support material, and a first seal portion mounted to the first support, the first seal portion being formed from a first seal material; and   a second segment including a second support member formed from a second support material that is distinct from the first support material, and a second seal portion mounted to the second support, the second seal portion being formed from a second seal material distinct from the first seal material, the second segment being operatively connected to the first segment.   
     
     
         2 . The ring seal system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a third segment including a third support member formed from a third support material that is distinct from at least one of the first support material and the second support material, and a third seal portion mounted to the third support, the third seal material being formed from a third seal material that is distinct from at least one of the first seal material and the second seal material, the third segment being operatively connected to at least one of the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         3 . The ring seal system according to  claim 2 , wherein the third support material is distinct from each of the first support material and the second support material. 
     
     
         4 . The ring seal system according to  claim 2 , wherein the third seal material is distinct from each of the first seal material and the second seal material. 
     
     
         5 . The ring seal system according to  claim 2 , wherein the second segment directly abuts the first segment and the third segment directly abuts the second segment. 
     
     
         6 . The ring seal system according to  claim 5 , further comprising: a fourth segment including a fourth support member formed from a fourth support material that is similar to the second support material, and a fourth seal portion mounted to the fourth support, the fourth seal portion being formed from a fourth seal material that is similar to the second seal material, the fourth segment directly abutting the third segment. 
     
     
         7 . The ring seal system according to  claim 6 , further comprising: a fifth segment including a fifth support member formed from a fifth support material that is similar to the first support material, and a fifth seal portion mounted to the fifth support, the fifth seal portion being formed from a fifth seal material that is similar to the first seal material, the fifth segment directly abutting the fourth segment. 
     
     
         8 . The ring seal system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second segment is mechanically linked to the first segment. 
     
     
         9 . A resource exploration system comprising:
 a surface system; and   a downhole system operatively connected to the surface system through a system of tubulars, at least one of the system of tubulars supporting a ring seal system comprising:
 a first segment including a first support member formed from a first support material, and a first seal portion mounted to the first support, the first seal portion being formed from a first seal material; and 
 a second segment including a second support member formed from a second support material that is distinct from the first support material, and a second seal portion mounted to the second support, the second seal portion being formed from a second seal material distinct from the first seal material, the second segment being operatively connected to the first segment. 
   
     
     
         10 . The resource exploration system according to  claim 9 , further comprising: a third segment including a third support member formed from a third support material that is distinct from at least one of the first support material and the second support material, and a third seal portion mounted to the third support, the third seal material being formed from a third seal material that is distinct from at least one of the first seal material and the second seal material, the third segment being operatively connected to at least one of the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         11 . The resource exploration system according to  claim 10 , wherein the third support material is distinct from each of the first support material and the second support material. 
     
     
         12 . The resource exploration system according to  claim 10 , wherein the third seal material is distinct from each of the first seal material and the second seal material. 
     
     
         13 . The resource exploration system according to  claim 10 , wherein the second segment directly abuts the first segment and the third segment directly abuts the second segment. 
     
     
         14 . The resource exploration system according to  claim 13 , further comprising: a fourth segment including a fourth support member formed from a fourth support material that is similar to the second support material, and a fourth seal portion mounted to the fourth support, the fourth seal portion being formed from a fourth seal material that is similar to the second seal material, the fourth segment directly abutting the third segment. 
     
     
         15 . The resource exploration system according to  claim 14 , further comprising: a fifth segment including a fifth support member formed from a fifth support material that is similar to the first support material, and a fifth seal portion mounted to the fifth support, the fifth seal portion being formed from a fifth seal material that is similar to the first seal material, the fifth segment directly abutting the fourth segment.