SEAL ELEMENT
A seal element ( 120, 126 ) for sealing a conduit is described. The seal element comprises a frusto conical portion ( 28 ) and a first lip ( 30 ) extending from an external edge of the frusto conical portion, the lip being adapted to be pivoted into engagement with a conduit surface. In a described embodiment, two seal elements are provided on a plug ( 10 ) for sealing a conduit ( 16 ), the seal elements facing in opposite directions to seal from above and below.
1 . A seal element for sealing a conduit, the seal element comprising: a frusto conical portion; and a first lip extending from an external edge of the frusto conical portion; wherein the first lip is adapted to be pivoted outwardly into engagement with a conduit surface.
2 . The seal element of claim 1 , wherein the seal element is, in use, pivoted into engagement with the conduit surface by a setting force, the setting force moving the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration.
3 . (canceled)
4 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein, in use, in the set configuration, the frusto-conical portion is biased towards the run-in configuration.
5 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein, in use, in the set configuration, the first lip is biased towards a conduit wall.
6 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein the frusto conical portion is arranged, in use, to be biased against the direction of the setting force.
7 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein in use, the first lip is biased against a resistance applied by engagement with the conduit wall.
8 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein in use, the setting force bends at least a portion of the seal element from the run-in configuration to the set configuration.
9 . (canceled)
10 . (canceled)
11 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein in moving from the run-in to the set configuration, an outer edge of the frusto-conical portion is displaced radially outwards and upon removal of the setting force, an outer edge of the frusto conical portion moves radially inwardly.
12 . (canceled)
13 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein for at least part of the radially inward movement of the outer edge of the frusto conical portion, the first lip is adapted to remain in contact with a conduit surface.
14 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein upon removal of the setting force, in moving from the set configuration to the run-in configuration, the angle between the frusto conical portion and the first lip increases.
15 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein the setting force is applied to the frusto conical portion.
16 . The seal element of claim 2 , wherein there is no setting force applied to the first lip.
17 . The seal element of claim 5 , wherein in use, the first lip is energised into engagement with the conduit wall by an applied pressure.
18 . The seal element of claim 1 , wherein the first lip comprises a ridge for engaging a conduit wall.
19 . (canceled)
20 . (canceled)
21 . The seal element of claim 1 , wherein the seal element comprises a metal.
22 . (canceled)
23 . The seal element of claim 1 , wherein the seal element comprises a polymeric material.
24 . The seal element of claim 1 , wherein the seal element is adapted to be formed in a stack with other seal elements.
25 . The seal element of claim 1 , wherein the seal element comprises a second lip extending from an internal edge of the frusto conical portion, the second lip extending in the same direction as the first lip.
26 . (canceled)
27 . The seal element of claim 25 , wherein the second lip is adapted to engage and form a seal with an apparatus surface.
28 . (canceled)
29 . (canceled)
30 . The seal element of claim 27 , wherein, in use in the set configuration, the second lip is biased towards the apparatus surface.
31 . The seal element of claim 30 , wherein, in use, the second lip is biased against a resistance applied by engagement with the apparatus surface.
32 . The seal element of claim 27 , wherein during the setting of the seal element, the seal element pivots, in use, around a contact point between the second lip and the apparatus surface.
33 . (canceled)
34 . The seal element of claim 25 , wherein, in use, the second lip is energised into engagement with the apparatus surface by an applied pressure, such as a downhole or well pressure.
35 . The seal element of claim 25 , wherein, the second lip comprises a ridge for engaging a plug surface.
36 . (canceled)
37 . (canceled)
38 . The seal element of claim 35 , wherein the seal element is adapted to pivot about the second lip ridge.
39 . The seal element of claim 35 , wherein the second lip ridge slides with respect to the apparatus surface.
40 . An apparatus for sealing a conduit, the apparatus comprising: a body; a setting device; and a seal element, the seal element comprising a frusto conical portion and a first lip extending from an edge of said frusto conical portion; wherein relative movement of the setting device with respect of the body applies a setting force to the seal element, pivoting, in use, the first lip into engagement with a conduit surface.
41 . The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of seal elements arranged in a stack.
42 . (canceled)
43 . The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein some of the seal elements are facing the opposite direction to some other seal elements.
44 . The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the seal element comprises a second lip adapted to engage the body.
45 . The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the setting device is movable axially with respect to the body to set the/each seal element.
46 . The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the setting device is pivoted with respect to the body.
47 . (canceled)
48 . A seal element for sealing a conduit comprising a first portion biased away from forming a seal with the conduit and a second portion biased towards forming a seal with the conduit.
49 . A method of setting a plug and a conduit, the method comprising the steps of: applying a setting force to seal an element having a frusto conical portion and a first lip extending from an external edge of the frusto conical portion; and pivoting the first lip into engagement with a conduit surface.
50 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the step of pivoting the first lip into engagement with the conduit surface comprises pivoting the element about a second lip extending from an internal edge of the frusto conical portion.
51 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the step of pivoting the first lip into engagement with the conduit surface comprises bending at least one portion of the element.
52 . (canceled)