Metal Chevron Seal

Abstract

A well tool has an elongate, metal outer tubing and an elongate, metal inner tubing received in the outer tubing to move axially with respect to the outer tubing. A metal annular seal assembly is provided between the outer and inner tubings residing in a seal chamber of the outer or inner tubing. The seal assembly has a center ring, a chevron seal ring on each side of the center ring and an end ring at each axial end of the seal assembly. The seal chamber is tight to the seal assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A well tool, comprising:
 an elongate, metal outer tubing;   an elongate, metal inner tubing received in the outer tubing to move axially with respect to the outer tubing; and   a metal annular seal assembly between the outer and inner tubings residing in a seal chamber of the outer or inner tubing and contacting the other of the outer or inner tubing, the annular seal assembly comprising a center ring, a chevron seal ring on each side of the center ring and an end ring at each axial end of the seal assembly, and the seal chamber being tight to the axial ends of the annular seal assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The well tool of  claim 1 , where there is no substantial gap between the seal chamber and the ends of the seal assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The well tool of  claim 1 , where the annular seal assembly has an assembled, uncompressed stack length and the seal chamber is no longer than the assembled, uncompressed stack length. 
     
     
         4 . The well tool of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of chevron seal rings on each side of the center ring. 
     
     
         5 . The well tool of  claim 1 , where the annular seal assembly is entirely metal. 
     
     
         6 . The well tool of  claim 1 , where the seal chamber is defined between components coupled to one of the outer tubing or inner tubing, and where the components are axially movable to clamp the seal assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The well tool of  claim 1 , where a free inner diameter of the chevron seal rings is smaller than a diameter of the inner tubing contacted by the chevron seal rings when sealing. 
     
     
         8 . The well tool of  claim 7 , where a free outer diameter of the chevron seal rings is greater than a diameter of the outer tubing contacted by the chevron seal rings when sealing. 
     
     
         9 . The well tool of  claim 8 , where the contact force of the chevron seal rings on the seal surface of the seal chamber and the seal surface the outer tubing forms an initial seal. 
     
     
         10 . The well tool of  claim 9 , where the chevron seal rings are pressure energized to increase the contact force of the chevron seal rings against the seal surface of the seal chamber and the seal surface of the outer tubing when subjected to an axial fluid pressure differential. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 supporting a metal chevron seal assembly tightly between end walls of a seal chamber of a first elongate, metal tubing in a well; and   sealing, with the metal chevron seal assembly, between first tubing and a second, elongate metal tubing nested with the first tubing, while the tubings are moving relative to one another.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , where supporting the metal chevron seal assembly comprises supporting the metal chevron seal between end walls of the seal chamber having no substantial gap between the metal chevron seal and the end walls. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , where the metal chevron seal assembly is entirely metal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , where supporting the metal chevron seal assembly comprises supporting the metal chevron seal between end walls spaced no farther apart than an assembled, uncompressed stack length of the metal chevron seal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , comprises adjusting a component defining an end wall of the seal chamber to clamp the metal chevron seal assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A well device for use in a well, comprising:
 a first and second nested metal tubing; and   an annular seal chamber associated with the first tubing and comprising an annular metal chevron seal assembly in the seal chamber, the seal chamber having no substantial gap between the axial ends of the seal assembly and the seal chamber.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , where the annular metal chevron seal assembly has an assembled, uncompressed stack length and the seal chamber is no longer than the assembled, uncompressed stack length. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , where the annular seal chamber comprises end walls that support the annular metal chevron seal against rolling. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , where the annular metal chevron seal is entirely metal. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , where the annular metal chevron seal is a two way seal to seal against pressure from two directions.