Downhole sealing tool assembly and associated methods

Abstract

A Downhole Sealing Tool is disclosed. The tool includes a tubular section with multiple rings mounted on a cylindrical mounting surface. The multiple rings include alternating deflection and deformable rings. Each deflection ring and each deformable ring have complementary angled sides. In response to the multiple rings being axially compressed, each expandable ring is pushed away from the mounting surface by the complementary angled sides to form a seal.

1 . A Downhole Sealing Tool comprising:
 a tubular section forming an enclosed channel, the tubular section comprising a cylindrical mounting surface extending at least partially along the length of the channel;   a set of multiple rings mounted on the cylindrical mounting surface, wherein the set of multiple rings comprise alternating deflection and deformable rings,   wherein each deflection ring has angled sides such that the deflection ring is wider towards the cylindrical mounting surface,   wherein each deformable ring has angled sides complementary to the angled sides of the deflection rings such that the deformable ring is wider away from the cylindrical mounting surface; and   wherein, in response to the multiple rings being axially compressed from a non-compressed configuration to a compressed configuration, each expandable ring is pushed away from the cylindrical mounting surface by the complementary angled sides.   
     
     
         2 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the deformable rings is formed from metal. 
     
     
         3 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the Downhole Sealing Tool comprises multiple deformable rings, wherein the multiple deformable rings comprise at least one elastically deformable ring and at least one plastically deformable ring. 
     
     
         4 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein a said cylindrical mounting surface faces outwards away from the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein a said cylindrical mounting surface faces inwards towards the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical mounting is recessed from an outer diameter of the tubular section. 
     
     
         7 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical mounting surface is recessed from an inner diameter of the tubular section. 
     
     
         8 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein, in a non-compressed configuration, the outer surface of the set of multiple rings is aligned with a surface of the tubular section. 
     
     
         9 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the deformable rings is a cut ring. 
     
     
         10 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring is circularly symmetric. 
     
     
         11 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the Downhole Sealing Tool is a liner hanger. 
     
     
         12 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the Downhole Sealing Tool comprises a ratchet ring housing having an inner core and an outer core connected by a ratchet ring, which allows the inner core to be moved axially in only one permitted direction with respect to the outer core, and wherein one of the cores is aligned with the set of multiple rings, and the other core is connected to the tubular housing such that, when the ratchet ring is activated in the permitted direction, the multiple rings are compressed. 
     
     
         13 . The Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , wherein Downhole Sealing Tool comprises a tubular sub section which has a threaded connected for connecting to the tubular section, such that when the threaded connection between the tubular section and the sub section is tightened, the multiple rings are axially compressed. 
     
     
         14 . The Downhole Sealing Tool to  claim 1 , wherein the Downhole Sealing Tool comprises a spring bed positioned between the threaded connection and the multiple rings. 
     
     
         15 . A method of activating a Downhole Sealing Tool according to  claim 1 , the method comprising: axially compressed the multiple rings from a non-compressed configuration to a compressed configuration, thereby pushing each expandable ring away from the cylindrical mounting surface. 
     
     
         16 . An Entry Guide Assembly comprising:
 a pipe section;   an entry guide section connected to one end of the pipe section, wherein the entry guide section and connected pipe section form a continuous closed channel,   wherein the entry guide section has a larger outer diameter than the pipe section, and   wherein entry guide comprises an inner flared surface at an end away from the pipe section; and   wherein the entry guide comprises axial access channels positioned between the outer diameter of the pipe, and the outer diameter of the entry guide, the access channels being configured to allow push rods to pass through the entry guide to control mechanisms mounted on the pipe.   
     
     
         17 . The Entry Guide Assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the access channels comprise axial elongate channels. 
     
     
         18 . The Entry Guide Assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the access channels comprise slots. 
     
     
         19 . The Entry Guide Assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the entry guide comprises torque lugs, the torque lugs comprising a circularly asymmetric section which can be engaged by a running tool such that the rotation of the Entry Guide about the tubular axis can be controlled. 
     
     
         20 . The Entry Guide Assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the entry guide comprises an annular recess configured to engage with a running tool so that the axial position of the running tool with respect to the Entry Guide is fixed.