Annular sealing in a rotating control device

Abstract

An annular seal having a sealing member and method for use is provided for sealing an item of oilfield equipment. The annular seal has an inner diameter for receiving the item of oilfield equipment and a frame. The seal member is contiguous with the frame. The annular seal is configured for durability, in that it resists wear, inversion, increases lubricity, enables tightness, and/or otherwise generally increases endurance, toughness, and/or permanence.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An annular seal for sealing an item of oilfield equipment, the annular seal having an inner diameter for receiving the item of oilfield equipment, comprising:
 a frame;   a seal member contiguous with the frame; and   wherein the annular seal is configured for durability.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface;
 wherein the seal member includes a seal area surrounding the seal surface; and 
 wherein the seal area includes at least one additive. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said additive is made of a volume of wear resistant material selected from the group of wear resistant materials consisting of ceramic, nylon, beryllium slivers, molybdenum, aramid fiber and hydraulic fracturing proppants. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said additive has a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of spherical, irregular shaped, globular, fiber-like, crystalline shaped and rough surfaced BB. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said additive has a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of spherical, irregular shaped, globular, fiber-like, crystalline shaped and rough surfaced BB. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member includes at least one additive integral with the seal member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, a seal surface, and a nose proximate the substantially frusto-conical outer surface and the seal surface; and
 wherein said additive is integral only to the nose. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said additive comprises no greater than two percent of the volume of the nose. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said additive comprises a pelletized aramid pulp material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said additive is phenolic bonded to the seal member. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said additive has a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of spherical, irregular shaped, globular, fiber-like, crystalline shaped and rough surfaced BB. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said additive includes a means for adding elasticity to the seal member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support structure mounted on the inner diameter of the seal member.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said support structure comprises:
 a top, an upper seal portion, and a lower seal portion; and 
 wherein the top is configured for holding said support structure on the frame. 
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said support structure further comprises a mounting ring integral with the top. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  further comprising a mounting ring coupled between said support structure and the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the mounting ring has a plurality of profiles; and wherein the frame has a plurality of matching profiles configured to allow relative rotation between said support structure and the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the upper seal portion of said support structure extends into the seal member parallel to a longitudinal axis of the seal member. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the upper seal portion together with the lower seal portion comprises a tube. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the upper seal portion together with the lower seal portion comprises a plurality of leaf spring leaves. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein said plurality of leaf spring leaves are about 1.27 centimeters wide. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the upper seal portion comprises a tube, and the lower seal portion comprises a plurality of leaf spring leaves. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface;
 wherein the upper seal portion of said support structure extends into the seal member parallel to a longitudinal axis of the seal member; and 
 wherein the lower seal portion of said support structure extends along the substantially frusto-conical inner surface. 
 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the upper seal portion together with the lower seal portion comprises a plurality of leaf spring leaves. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the lower seal portion terminates intermediate a length of the substantially frusto-conical inner surface and defining an intermediate inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the annular seal. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, a seal surface, and a nose proximate the substantially frusto-conical outer surface and the seal surface;   at least one tension bar mounted to the seal member; and   wherein said at least one tension bar extends from the nose of the seal member to proximate the frame.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a tension ring coupled to a lower end of said at least one tension bar proximate the nose.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein said at least one tension bar comprises as least six tension bars. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 28  wherein said tension bar is made of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of metal and ceramic. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein said tension ring is made of an elastic material. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, a seal surface, and a nose proximate the substantially frusto-conical outer surface and the seal surface;   a plurality of tension bars mounted to the seal member; and   wherein said tension bars extends from the nose of the seal member to proximate the frame.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a tension ring coupled to a lower end of said tension bars proximate the nose.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32  wherein said support structure comprises:
 a top, an upper seal portion, and a lower seal portion; and 
 wherein the top is configured for holding said support structure on the frame; 
 wherein the upper seal portion of said support structure extends into the seal member parallel to a longitudinal axis of the seal member; and 
 wherein the lower seal portion of said support structure extends along the substantially frusto-conical inner surface. 
 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein the upper seal portion together with the lower seal portion comprises a plurality of leaf spring leaves. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cartridge mounted to the frame;   a plurality of seal surfaces contained within the cartridge;   wherein the plurality of seal surfaces comprise at least one packer; and   wherein the plurality of seal surfaces define at least one annular space.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 35  wherein the plurality of seal surfaces define a shaped seal member; and
 wherein the shaped seal member includes a shaped nose configured to match a shape of the packer. 
 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , further comprising at least one fitting mounted outside the packer to an end of each of the at least one space. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 37 , further comprising a volume of a packing material inserted into each of the at least one space via the fitting. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 37  further comprising a check valve mounted proximate the frame in a channel defined between the frame and the cartridge. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 39  further comprising a filter mounted proximate the check valve and the channel. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spring coupled at an upper end to the frame;   a lower frame coupled to a lower end of the spring; and   wherein the spring, the frame and the lower frame are cured into the sealing member   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 41  wherein the spring is configured for rotational tension prior to curing into the sealing member. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 42  wherein the spring comprises a plurality of springs. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 43  wherein the plurality of springs are leaf springs. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal member further comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface; and
 an inner skeleton extending from the frame to the seal surface across the substantially frusto-conical inner surface.   
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to  claim 45  wherein the inner skeleton includes a material selected from the group of materials consisting of an aramid rope, a rope, a metallic material, a ceramic, a polymer, and an elastic material. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface;
 wherein the seal member includes a seal area surrounding the seal surface; and 
 wherein the seal area includes at least one insert adjacent the seal surface projecting into the inner diameter. 
 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus according to  claim 47  wherein the at least one insert comprises a plurality of spiral shaped inserts. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus according to  claim 47  wherein the at least one insert comprises a plurality of vertically arranged inserts. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member is treated with a volume of a chemical treatment selected from the group of chemical treatments consisting of SULFRON, TWARON aramid, and PROAID LCF. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface;
 wherein the frame and the seal member define at least one lubrication cavity entering above the frame and exiting through a port defined in the seal surface; and 
 wherein the lubrication cavity is filled with a volume of a lubricant. 
 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 51 , further comprising a grease fitting mounted over the lubrication cavity at the frame. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an annular reservoir surrounding an outer surface of the seal member; and   wherein the seal member has a port running from said annular reservoir through the seal member to the inner diameter through a seal surface of the seal member.   
     
     
         54 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame defines a lubricant reservoir; and
 wherein the seal member has a port running from the lubricant reservoir through the seal member to the inner diameter through a seal surface of the seal member.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface; and
 further comprising at least one wear-resistant button secured within the seal member proximate the seal surface. 
 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface; and
 further comprising at least one wear-resistant nail penetrating radially through the seal member and protruding into the inner diameter proximate the seal surface. 
 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus according to  claim 56  wherein said wear-resistant nail includes a nail head; and wherein the seal member has a nail cavity proximate the nail head and proximate the outer periphery of the substantially frusto-conical outer surface of the seal member. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus according to  claim 57  further comprising a tension ring mounted around the seal member and configured to engage the nail head and bias said wear-resistant nail toward the item of oilfield equipment. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface;
 wherein the seal member has an annular cavity around the outer periphery of the substantially frusto-conical outer surface of the seal member; and 
 further comprising at least one O-ring inserted into the annular cavity. 
 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus according to  claim 59  wherein the O-ring is made of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus according to  claim 60  wherein the seal member has two annular cavities, and the at least one O-ring comprises two O-rings, one each, inserted into the respective two annular cavities. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface;
 wherein the seal member defines at least one support cavity entering through the substantially frusto-conical inner surface; and 
 wherein the support cavity is filled with a volume of a semi-solid curing substance. 
 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, a seal surface and an outer surface comprising a plurality of seal segments; and
 wherein the plurality of seal segments bulge outward to form a unitary bulging outer surface. 
 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus according to  claim 63  wherein said unitary bulging outer surface is a pumpkin-like surface initiating radially approximately intermediate the seal surface. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the seal member comprises a substantially frusto-conical outer surface, a substantially frusto-conical inner surface, and a seal surface;
 wherein the seal member has a seal profile formed around the seal surface; and 
 further comprising at least one sealing insert fixed into the seal profile. 
 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus according to  claim 65  wherein the seal profile protrudes into the inner diameter. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seal adaptor mounted on top of the frame wherein the seal adaptor defines an adaptor cavity;   a second frame housed within the adapter cavity; and   a second seal member contiguous with the second frame and housed within the adaptor cavity.   
     
     
         68 . The apparatus according to  claim 67  further comprising a relief valve mounted proximate the second frame in a channel defined through the second frame; and
 a filter mounted proximate the relief valve and the channel. 
 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seal housing connected to the frame;   wherein the seal member is housed in the seal housing;   a biasing system mounted in the seal housing;   wherein the biasing system is configured to bias the seal member radially toward the item of oilfield equipment.   
     
     
         70 . The apparatus according to  claim 69  wherein the biasing system comprises as O-ring surrounding the seal member. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inner barrel coupled to the annular seal;   a motor juxtaposed with the inner barrel;   a gear coupled to the inner barrel and to the motor;   wherein the motor is configured to rotate the inner barrel; and   wherein the inner barrel is configured to rotate the annular seal.   
     
     
         72 . The apparatus according to  claim 71  wherein the motor comprises a variable speed motor. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inner barrel coupled to the annular seal;   a power transmission vane coupled to the inner barrel;   wherein the power transmission vane is configured to rotate the inner barrel; and   wherein the inner barrel is configured to rotate the annular seal.   
     
     
         74 . The apparatus according to  claim 73 , further comprising:
 a hydraulic power unit connected to the power transmission vane; and   wherein the hydraulic power unit is configured to supply a volume of hydraulic fluid to rotate the power transmission vane.   
     
     
         75 . A method for sealing an item of oilfield equipment including providing an annular seal having an inner diameter for receiving the item of oilfield equipment, comprising the steps of:
 providing a frame;   providing a seal member contiguous with the frame; and   providing the annular seal with durability to increase the longevity of the annular seal.   
     
     
         76 . The method according to  claim 75 , wherein said step of providing the annular seal with durability comprises providing support to the inner diameter of the seal member. 
     
     
         77 . The method according to  claim 75 , wherein said step of providing the annular seal with durability comprises providing at least one additive to a specifically targeted region of the seal member. 
     
     
         78 . The method according to  claim 75 , wherein said step of providing the annular seal with durability comprises adding resistance to the seal member. 
     
     
         79 . The method according to  claim 75 , wherein said step of providing the seal member comprises providing a plurality of seal surfaces defining a plurality of annular spaces within the seal member; and
 wherein said step of providing the annular seal with durability comprises controlling a differential pressure via the plurality of seal surfaces and the plurality of annular spaces.   
     
     
         80 . The method according to  claim 75 , further comprising the steps of:
 driving the item of oilfield equipment with a top drive;   directly rotating the annular seal independently from the step of driving the item of oilfield equipment and at a rotational speed matching the top drive.