Improved sealing apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a pressure control device ( 10 ) suitable to be mounted on a rigid mandrel or the like and to form a seal in an oilwell, for example, in order to deploy a zonal control system. The pressure control device comprises a flexible sealing element ( 18 ), a first support member ( 30, 32 ) and a second support member ( 34, 36 ). One of the support members ( 34, 36 ) comprises a composite material.

1 . A pressure control device for mounting on a mandrel, the device comprising:
 a flexible sealing element;   a first support member; and   a second support member comprising a composite,   wherein the pressure control device is adapted to move from a run in position to an expanded position when exposed to a source of pressure, the flexible sealing element being adapted to form a seal against a bore wall in the expanded position, the first and second support members being adapted, in the expanded position, to resist extrusion of the flexible sealing element, in use, along the bore wall away from the source of pressure, the second support member being further adapted to resist extrusion into the first support member.   
     
     
         2 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein a portion of the flexible sealing element, the first support member and/or the second support member are arranged concentrically. 
     
     
         3 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the first support member comprises a helical spring, the helical spring being biased to the run-in position. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the first support member is located at an outer portion of the flexible sealing element. 
     
     
         6 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the first support member is urged outwardly against a bore wall, in use, to help to create a seal. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the first support member comprises a circumferential first spring with a second spring in its interior. 
     
     
         10 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the first support member comprises a circumferential first spring with a second spring in its interior wherein the second spring is mounted within the first spring such that the helix of one spring is wound in the opposite direction to the spiral of the other spring in order to resist canting of the first support member under high pressure. 
     
     
         11 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the first support member is located so as to abut the second support member. 
     
     
         12 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  comprising a rigid body adapted for mounting on a mandrel or the like, the rigid body comprising an annular member, the first support member being mounted to the annular member, the rigid body definging a cammed surface adapted to be engaged by the first support member. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the first support member is bonded to the second support member. 
     
     
         19 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the first support member is located on or adjacent the second support member. 
     
     
         20 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the second support member comprises a composite of greater hardness than the flexible sealing element located at an outer portion of the flexible sealing element. 
     
     
         21 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the composite of the second support member comprises a composite matrix and a reinforcing material, the reinforcing material being more rigid than the composite material, the reinforcing material comprising a plurality of separate members, particles or fibres and a metal wire mesh. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the second support member is urged outwardly against a bore wall, in use, to help create a seal. 
     
     
         30 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the second support member is located adjacent the first support member at an outer portion of the flexible sealing element. 
     
     
         31 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the second support member extends radially inwards of the first support member. 
     
     
         32 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the second support member comprises a free end which is not bonded to the flexible sealing element. 
     
     
         33 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the second support member comprises an end which is bonded to the flexible sealing element. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein the flexible sealing element is selectively bonded to the body of the first and/or second support member. 
     
     
         36 . A pressure control device according to  claim 1  wherein a portion of the flexible sealing element is bonded to a portion of the first support member and a further portion of the flexible sealing element is bonded to a portion of the second support member.