Tube sealing device and a sealing element for such a device

Abstract

Device for sealing a leakage in a well tube, comprising a sealing ring and elements for forcing the sealing ring into sealing engagement with the wall of the tube. A power device being operatively connected to the elements. The sealing ring having beveled ends which are juxtaposed with a pair of mating conical rings. A cylinder-piston device engages the conical rings to force them into expanding engagement with the sealing ring.

1 . Device for sealing a leakage ( 12 ) in a well tube ( 11 ), comprising a sealing ring ( 14 ) and elements ( 22 - 25 ) for forcing the sealing ring into sealing engagement with the wall ( 20 ) of the tube ( 11 ), a power device ( 35 ;  38 ) being operatively connected to said elements ( 22 - 25 ), wherein the sealing ring ( 14 ) has beveled inner ends ( 18 ,  19 ) which are juxtaposed with a pair of mating conical rings ( 24 ,  25 ), and that a cylinder-piston-device ( 36 ) is engaging the conical rings ( 24 ,  25 ) for forcing them into substantially non-elastic engagement with the sealing ring ( 14 ). 
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the conical rings ( 24 ,  25 ) engaging the ends ( 18 ,  19 ) of the sealing ring ( 14 ) are connected by a mating pair of sleeves ( ) which are engaging in a beveled area for providing a locking mesh. 
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the conical rings ( 24 ,  25 ) are engaged by a centrally arranged cylinder-piston arrangement ( 35 ), to be pressed axially to an expanding engagement with the sealing ring ( 14 ), 
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 , wherein it comprises an annular piston ( 38 ) sliding on a central, tubular core ( 37 ), the piston and the core being connected to a pair of cooperating rings ( 39 A,  43 ) provided to press against the ends of the conical rings ( 24 ,  25 ) for expanding the sealing ring ( 14 ). 
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein the engagement against one of the conical rings ( 24 ,  25 ) is provided by a rupturable ring ( 31 ) of a material having a defined shear strength, preferably copper. 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cylinder-piston arrangement ( 36 ) is included in a sealing ring setting assembly ( 35 ) with a central connection ( 50 ,  51 ,  52 ) to an external hydraulic system. 
     
     
         7 . Sealing element ( 14 ) for sealing a leakage in a tube ( 11 ), with an annular outer face provided to engage the inner wall of a tube to be sealed, wherein the outer face of the sealing ring has two annular beads ( 18 ,  19 ) in the core material of the sealing ring. 
     
     
         8 . Sealing element according to  claim 7 , wherein the height of the annular beads ( 18 ,  19 ) is ca. 0.8-2 mm. 
     
     
         9 . Sealing ring according to  claim 7 , wherein at least the outer surface of the beads ( 18 ,  19 ) is covered with a layer of a ductile material, as silver, gold, lead, or plastic, preferably the outer face of the sealing ring, is covered by the sealing layer.