S-seal

Abstract

An S-seal for sealing an annulus between and mandrel outer surface and a tube inner surface. In one embodiment, the S-seal includes a ring comprising a seal face, a gland face, opposing side faces. The gland face is opposite the seal face. The side faces extend between the seal face and the gland face. A spring is embedded in the ring at an intersection of each side face with the seal face. Each side face comprises a groove disposed between the spring and an intersection of the gland face and the side face.

1 . An S-seal, comprising:
 a ring, comprising:
 a seal face; 
 a gland face opposite the seal face; 
 opposing side faces extending between the seal face and the gland face; 
 a spring embedded in the ring at an intersection of each side face with the seal face; 
 wherein each side face comprises a groove disposed between the spring and an intersection of the gland face and the side face. 
   
     
     
         2 . The S-seal of  claim 1 , wherein the side faces are normal to at least one of the seal face and the gland face. 
     
     
         3 . The S-seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal face comprises a surface projecting from a central portion of the seal face. 
     
     
         4 . The S-seal of  claim 1 , wherein the side faces are sealing faces, the seal face is a sealing face, and the gland face is a non-sealing face. 
     
     
         5 . The S-seal of  claim 1 , wherein the ring comprises an elastomer selected from a group consisting of nitrile, hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber, polyether ether ketone, thermoplastic, fluroelastomer, perfluroelastomer, and perflurosilicon. 
     
     
         6 . The S-seal of  claim 1 , wherein the spring comprises one of a nickel-chromium alloy and stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . The S-seal of  claim 1 , wherein the gland face is grooveless. 
     
     
         8 . The S-seal of  claim 1 , wherein the groove increases surface energy of a portion of the side face positioned between the groove and the seal face while the S-seal is compressed. 
     
     
         9 . The S-seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal face comprises a groove, the groove configured to increase surface energy of portions of the seal face while the S-seal is compressed. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 a mandrel;   a tube disposed about the mandrel; and   an S-seal, the S-seal comprising a sealing face and side faces;   wherein one of the mandrel and the tube comprises a circumferential channel for retaining the S-seal, and the S-seal is disposed in the channel for sealing an annulus between the mandrel and the tube;
 wherein the sealing face seals against one of the tube and the mandrel, and the side faces seal against the side walls of the channel. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the S-seal comprises a non-sealing face opposite the sealing face, and the non-sealing face is disposed against one of the tube and the mandrel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the S-seal comprises:
 a spring embedded along each intersection of the sealing face and one of the side faces; and   a groove disposed along each side face between the spring and an intersection of the side face and the non-sealing face.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the groove increases the surface energy of a portion of the side face positioned between the groove and the sealing face while the S-seal is compressed between the mandrel and the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mandrel is a tubing hanger and the tube is a tubing spool. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the system is a hydrocarbon extraction system. 
     
     
         16 . A seal, comprising:
 an elastomeric body;   metal springs embedded in corners of the elastomeric body;   a seal face extending between the outer corners having the embedded springs;   a gland face opposite the seal face; and   side faces extending between the seal face and the gland face;   wherein each side face is configured to seal to a gland wall along a radius of the spring.   
     
     
         17 . The seal of  claim 16 , each of the side faces comprise a groove disposed between the spring and a corner of the elastomeric body. 
     
     
         18 . The seal of  claim 17 , wherein each groove increases the surface energy of the side face along the radius of the spring while the seal is compressed. 
     
     
         19 . The seal of  claim 16 , wherein the gland face is a non-sealing face and the seal face is a sealing face. 
     
     
         20 . The seal of  claim 16 , wherein the seal face comprises a groove, the groove configured to increase the surface energy of a protruding portion of the seal face while the seal is compressed.