Push/pull belleville stack for use with zertech MTM seal

1. A settable and unsettable seal arrangement comprising:

a metal-to-metal seal element;

a setting/releasing sleeve in operable communication with the seal element;

a retraction ring fixedly attached to the setting/releasing sleeve;

a load preservation and unsetting sleeve fixedly attached to the seal element; and

a resilient member operably disposed at the setting/releasing sleeve and the load preservation and unsetting sleeve.

2. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seal element includes a pair of end housings and a bulbous seal member.

3. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seal element is radially expandable upon application of axial compressive load.

4. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retraction ring is integrally formed with the setting/releasing sleeve.

5. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retraction ring is mechanically fastened to the setting/releasing sleeve.

6. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the load preservation sleeve is integral with an end housing of the seal element.

7. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient member comprises at least one resilient element.

8. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient member comprises a plurality of resilient elements.

9. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient member comprises at least one spring washer.

10. A settable and unsettable tool as claimed in claim 9 wherein the at least one spring washer is one or more spring washers.

11. A method for setting and maintaining a compressive load on a metal-to-metal seal element comprising:

urging a setting/releasing sleeve in a direction to axially compress a metal-to-metal seal element;

compressing a resilient member during the urging; and

retaining the setting/releasing sleeve in an actuated position.

12. A method for setting and maintaining a compressive load as claimed in claim 11 wherein the method for setting further comprises a method for releasing a set metal-to-metal seal element including:

drawing the setting/releasing sleeve away from the metal-to-metal seal elements;

moving a load preservation and unsetting sleeve in a direction opposite that of actuation of the metal-to-metal seal element;

placing an axial tensile load on the metal-to-metal seal element; and

drawing the seal element to an unset position.