Seal system and method

Abstract

A system includes a bridge seal assembly configured to form a seal within mineral extraction equipment. The bridge seal assembly includes an annular bridge seal having an accordion-shaped body portion with a plurality of folded portions. Each of the plurality of folded portions extends circumferentially about the annular bridge seal, and the plurality of folded portions are configured to enable the annular bridge seal to expand and contract with the mineral extraction equipment to maintain the seal. The bridge seal assembly also includes a reaction ring and one or more wedge rings configured to be inserted between the annular bridge seal and the reaction ring to actuate the annular bridge seal.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a bridge seal assembly configured to form a seal within mineral extraction equipment, comprising:
 an annular bridge seal comprising an accordion-shaped body portion comprising a plurality of folded portions, wherein each of the plurality of folded portions extends circumferentially about the annular bridge seal, and the plurality of folded portions are configured to enable the annular bridge seal to expand and contract with the mineral extraction equipment to maintain the seal; 
 a reaction ring; and 
 one or more wedge rings configured to be inserted between the annular bridge seal and the reaction ring to actuate the annular bridge seal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the annular bridge seal is coupled to the reaction ring via engagement between a radially-inwardly extending protrusion of the annular bridge seal and a corresponding groove of the reaction ring. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge seal assembly comprises an annular gasket positioned between radially-outwardly extending protrusions of the annular bridge seal along an axial axis of the annular bridge seal. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the annular bridge seal comprises a first radially-outwardly extending protrusion supporting a first annular gasket and a second radially-outwardly protrusion supporting a second annular gasket. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first gasket is configured to contact a first component of the mineral extraction equipment and the second gasket is configured to contact a second component of the mineral extraction equipment when the annular bridge seal forms the seal across an interface between the first component and the second component. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a piston assembly configured to support the bridge seal assembly and to drive the one or more wedge rings between the annular bridge seal and the reaction ring to actuate the annular bridge seal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the piston assembly comprises:
 a piston;   a head portion coupled to the piston; and   a first cylinder circumferentially surrounding a portion of the piston, wherein the head portion contacts a first wedge ring of the one or more wedge rings, and the first cylinder contacts a second wedge ring of the one or more wedge rings.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the head portion and the first cylinder are configured to move toward one another to drive the first wedge ring and the second wedge ring between the annular bridge seal and the reaction ring to actuate the annular bridge seal. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 a bridge seal assembly configured to form a seal within mineral extraction equipment, comprising:
 an annular bridge seal; 
 a reaction ring; and 
 a first wedge ring and a second wedge ring configured to be inserted between the annular bridge seal and the reaction ring; and 
   a piston assembly configured to support the bridge seal assembly and to drive the first wedge ring and the second wedge ring in opposite directions toward one another to actuate the annular bridge seal.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the piston assembly is coupled to a mandrel and is configured to move from a contracted position to an extended position relative to the mandrel to deliver the bridge seal assembly to a seal region within a bore of the mineral extraction equipment. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the piston assembly comprises:
 a piston;   a head portion coupled to the piston; and   a first cylinder circumferentially surrounding a portion of the piston, wherein the head portion contacts the first wedge ring and the first cylinder contacts the second wedge ring.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the head portion is coupled to the first wedge ring via engagement between a protrusion and a corresponding groove. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the head portion and the first cylinder are configured to move toward one another to drive the first wedge ring and the second wedge ring between the annular bridge seal and the reaction ring to actuate the annular bridge seal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the piston assembly comprises:
 a second cylinder circumferentially surrounding another portion of the piston; and   a seal block, wherein the bridge seal assembly is positioned proximate to a first end of the piston and the seal block is positioned proximate to a second end of the piston, and a fluid within an annular chamber defined radially between the second cylinder and the piston is configured to block extension of the piston relative to the second cylinder.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein withdrawal of the fluid from the annular chamber enables another fluid to drive the piston to extend relative to the second cylinder to deliver the bridge seal assembly to a seal region within a bore of the mineral extraction system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the another fluid comprises seawater. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the piston comprises a passageway configured to receive a fluid and to deliver the fluid to annular chambers defined radially between the piston and the first cylinder to drive the head portion and the first cylinder toward one another to actuate the annular bridge seal. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the head portion comprises a groove that is configured to facilitate cracking along a shear joint as the piston is withdrawn from the mineral extraction equipment. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the annular bridge seal comprises an accordion-shaped body portion comprising a plurality of folded portions that extend circumferentially about the annular bridge seal. 
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a seal tool into a component of a mineral extraction system;   extending a piston assembly coupled to the seal tool to move a bridge seal assembly into a seal region within a bore of the component; and   energizing the bridge seal assembly in the seal region by actuating the piston assembly.