Radially supported seal and method

Abstract

A seal includes a mandrel having a plurality of radially directed openings therethrough; a plurality of members disposed within the openings and radially displacable therein; and an element disposed about the mandrel and radially displacable by the plurality of members and method.

1 . A seal comprising;
 a mandrel having a plurality of radially directed openings therethrough;   a plurality of members disposed within the openings and radially displacable therein; and   an element disposed about the mandrel and radially displacable by the plurality of members.   
   
   
       2 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a force spreading arrangement located as a point of contact between at least one of the plurality of members and the element. 
   
   
       3 . The seal as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the force spreading arrangement is a plurality of packer ribs. 
   
   
       4 . The seal as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the force spreading arrangement is a mesh. 
   
   
       5 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the element comprises a material that is at least partially nonelastic. 
   
   
       6 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the element comprises a material that is at least partially an elastic material. 
   
   
       7 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the element comprises a swellable material. 
   
   
       8 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of members are evenly distributed about the mandrel and over a length thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of members are distributed about the mandrel and restricted to at least one axial region of the mandrel adjacent the element. 
   
   
       10 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of members are distributed about the mandrel and restricted to two axial regions of the mandrel, one adjacent each axial end of the element. 
   
   
       11 . The seal as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the axial regions bound a region of the mandrel supporting a primary element. 
   
   
       12 . The seal as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the primary element is a swellable material. 
   
   
       13 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of members are responsive to a pressure change inside the mandrel to radially extend into contact with the element. 
   
   
       14 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of members are responsive to a ramped structure passed into the mandrel to radially extend into contact with the element. 
   
   
       15 . The seal as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of members are actuated via solenoid. 
   
   
       16 . A method for creating a seal comprising:
 running the seal of  claim 1  into a downhole environment;   causing the plurality of members to radially displace thereby contacting the element; and   urging the element into loaded contact with a separate structure.   
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the causing is by pressuring up on an inside dimension of the mandrel. 
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the causing is by running a cone through an inside dimension of the mandrel. 
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the causing is by actuating a solenoid. 
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the contacting the element includes spreading a contact force of at least one of the plurality of members over a surface area of the element greater than a surface area of that member.