Expandable metal-to-metal seal

Abstract

A seal includes a seal body configured to form a teardrop shaped seal member upon axial compression of the seal body; a gauge ring in operable communication with the seal body and capable of applying an axial load on the seal body and method.

1 . A seal comprising:
 a seal body having:
 a bridge; 
 a leg extending from the bridge; and 
 a gauge ring in operable communication with the leg, the gauge ring including a support surface for the leg, the gauge ring interacting with the seal body to cause axial compression thereof, thereby forming a teardrop configuration of the bridge. 
   
   
   
       2 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the seal body is formed such that residual stress therein is minimized. 
   
   
       3 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a second leg extends from the bridge at an axially opposite end of the bridge. 
   
   
       4 . A seal as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the legs are of distinct dimensions from one another. 
   
   
       5 . A seal as claimed in  claim 4  wherein distinct dimensions are at least one of length, thickness and angle. 
   
   
       6 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support surface for the leg is at an angle relative to an orthogonal plane through the seal that is greater than about 45 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support surface for the leg is at an angle relative to an orthogonal plane through the seal that is less than about 90 degrees. 
   
   
       8 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support surface for the leg is at an angle relative to an orthogonal plane through the seal that is about 60 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . A seal as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the seal further comprises a second gauge ring having a support surface for the second leg. 
   
   
       10 . A seal as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the support surface of the gauge ring and the second gauge ring are one of angled identically to each other or angled independently of each other. 
   
   
       11 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the gauge ring further comprises a radius extending from the support surface. 
   
   
       12 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the radius is greater than about 0.13 inches. 
   
   
       13 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the radius is less than about 0.16 inches. 
   
   
       14 . A seal as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the further includes a second gauge ring having a second radius. 
   
   
       15 . A seal as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the radiuses are different from one another. 
   
   
       16 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support surface substantially prevents bending stress in the leg during setting of the seal. 
   
   
       17 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bridge further comprises a soft material at a seal interface thereof. 
   
   
       18 . A method for setting a seal in a target tubular comprising:
 axially compressing the seal claimed in  claim 1 ;   bending the bridge into a teardrop shape in sealing contact with the tubular; and   substantially preventing introduction of bending stress into the leg.   
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising retrieving the seal by:
 introducing a tensile force to the leg;   subjecting the leg to bending stress; and   substantially delaying the introduction of tensile bending stress in the bridge.   
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising substantially returning the seal to a retrievable condition prior to introducing substantial tensile bending stress into the teardrop shape. 
   
   
       21 . A seal comprising:
 a seal body configured to form a teardrop shaped seal member upon axial compression of the seal body; and   a gauge ring in operable communication with the seal body and capable of applying an axial load on the seal body.   
   
   
       22 . A downhole sealed system, comprising:
 at least one tubular member of the tubular system disposed in one of radially inwardly of or radially outwardly of another component of the system; and   a seal disposed annularly at the tubular member, the seal having a teardrop shaped cross section.