Pressure control device with composite annular seal assembly

Abstract

A pressure control device can include a housing assembly, a releasable assembly releasably secured relative to the housing assembly, the releasable assembly being configured to seal against a tubular string extending through the pressure control device, and an annular seal assembly that prevents flow through an annular gap formed radially between the housing assembly and the releasable assembly, the annular seal assembly comprising a resilient seal element bonded to a rigid support element. A method of securing a releasable assembly in a housing assembly of a pressure control device can include attaching an annular seal assembly to the releasable assembly, the annular seal assembly comprising a rigid support element bonded to a resilient seal element, and receiving the releasable assembly at least partially in the housing assembly, thereby sealingly engaging the resilient seal element with a seal bore in the housing assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressure control device for use with a subterranean well, the pressure control device comprising:
 a housing assembly;   a releasable assembly releasably secured relative to the housing assembly, the releasable assembly being configured to seal against a tubular string extending through the pressure control device; and   an annular seal assembly that prevents flow through an annular gap formed radially between the housing assembly and the releasable assembly, the annular seal assembly comprising a resilient seal element bonded to a rigid support element.   
     
     
         2 . The pressure control device of  claim 1 , in which the resilient seal element comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         3 . The pressure control device of  claim 1 , in which the resilient seal element sealingly engages each of the housing assembly and the releasable assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure control device of  claim 1 , in which the rigid support element comprises at least two components, and the resilient seal element is bonded to each of the components. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure control device of  claim 1 , in which the rigid support element comprises at least two components, and the resilient seal element is bonded between the components. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure control device of  claim 1 , in which the resilient seal element is annular shaped and comprises radially inward and radially outward sealing surfaces, and axially opposite bonding surfaces, and
 in which the radially inward sealing surface sealingly engages the releasable assembly, the radially outward sealing surface sealingly engages the housing assembly, and the axially opposite bonding surfaces are bonded to at least one component of the rigid support element.   
     
     
         7 . The pressure control device of  claim 1 , in which the releasable assembly comprises an outer barrel, at least one seal configured to sealingly engage the tubular string, and bearings that rotatably support the seal relative to the outer barrel. 
     
     
         8 . A method of securing a releasable assembly in a housing assembly of a pressure control device, the method comprising:
 attaching an annular seal assembly to the releasable assembly, the annular seal assembly comprising a rigid support element bonded to a resilient seal element; and   receiving the releasable assembly at least partially in the housing assembly, thereby sealingly engaging the resilient seal element with a seal bore in the housing assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , in which the attaching comprises sealingly engaging the resilient seal element with the releasable assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , in which the receiving comprises sealing off an annular gap between the releasable assembly and the housing assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , in which the rigid support element restricts displacement of the resilient seal element radially relative to the releasable assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , in which the resilient seal element is bonded between at least two components of the rigid support element. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , in which the rigid support element comprises at least two components, and in which the resilient seal element is bonded to each of the components. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , in which the releasable assembly comprises an outer barrel, at least one seal configured to sealingly engage the tubular string, and bearings that rotatably support the seal relative to the outer barrel. 
     
     
         15 . A system for use with a subterranean well, the system comprising:
 a housing assembly configured for connection as part of a riser string;   a releasable assembly releasably secured relative to the housing assembly; and   an annular seal assembly that prevents flow through an annular gap between the releasable assembly and the housing assembly, the annular seal assembly comprising an annular seal element adhered to a rigid support element, the annular seal element extending farther radially outward than the rigid support element.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , in which the annular seal element comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , in which the annular seal element sealingly engages a seal bore in the housing assembly, the seal bore being formed in a latch housing for a latch that releasably latches the releasable assembly with the housing assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , in which the annular seal element sealingly engages the releasable assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , in which the rigid support element comprises multiple components, and in which the annular seal element is bonded to each of the components. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , in which the rigid support element comprises at least two components, and in which the annular seal element is bonded between the components.