Downhole sealing apparatus
In one aspect, a seal apparatus for use with a mandrel is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment contains a seal housing disposed about the mandrel, wherein the seal housing is spaced apart from the mandrel to form a seal gap, a seal member disposed between the seal housing and the mandrel, wherein the seal member is bonded to the seal housing and the seal member is formed from a first material, and a seal support disposed between the seal housing and the mandrel, wherein the seal support is formed from a second material, wherein the second material is stiffer than the first material, and the seal support extends across the seal gap in response to an energizing force applied to the seal support.
1. A seal apparatus for use with a mandrel, the seal apparatus comprising:
a seal housing disposed about the mandrel, the seal housing including a recessed portion, wherein the seal housing is spaced apart from the mandrel to form a seal gap;
a seal member disposed in the recessed portion, wherein the seal member is bonded to the seal housing and the seal member is formed from a first material; and
a seal support disposed in the recessed portion for preventing an edge of the seal member from being extruded into the seal gap, wherein the seal support is formed from a second material stiffer than the first material;
wherein the seal support is outside the seal gap in the absence of an energizing force being applied to the seal support and extends into the seal gap when the energizing force is applied.
2. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energizing force is applied by a pressure.
3. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal member and the seal support form a unitary sealing component.
4. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal member is contained between the seal support, the seal housing, and the mandrel.
5. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first material is an elastomeric material.
6. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second material is non-elastomeric.
7. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energizing force applied to the seal support is applied by the mandrel.
8. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal support is a solid member.
9. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal member includes a groove portion.
10. The seal apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the groove portion is formed in the seal member.
11. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal support includes an expanding portion that extends into the seal gap when energized.
12. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal housing is disposed around the mandrel.
13. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal housing is disposed within the mandrel.
14. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second material is stiffer than the first material.
15. The seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal support is bonded to the seal housing and the seal member.
16. A method for providing a seal against a mandrel, the method comprising:
providing a seal housing, the seal housing including a recessed portion, a seal member, and a seal support that prevents an edge of the seal member from begin extruded into the seal gap, wherein the seal member is bonded to the seal housing, the seal member is formed from a first material, the seal support is formed from a second material, and the second material is stiffer than the first material wherein the seal support is outside the seal gap in the absence of an energizing force being applied to the seal support;
disposing the mandrel against the seal housing, wherein the seal housing is spaced apart from the mandrel to form a seal gap, the seal member is disposed in the recessed portion between the seal housing and the mandrel, and the seal support is disposed in the recessed portion between the seal housing and the mandrel; and
energizing the seal support to extend the seal support into the seal gap.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the seal support is extended into the seal gap in response to disposing the mandrel against the seal housing.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the seal support is extended into the seal gap in response to an applied pressure.
19. An isolation system comprising:
a tubing;
an isolation device associated with the tubing; and
a seal apparatus associated with the tubing, the seal apparatus including:
a seal housing disposed about the tubing, the seal housing including a recessed portion, wherein the seal housing is spaced apart from the tubing to form a seal gap;
a seal member disposed in the recessed portion between the seal housing and the tubing, wherein the seal member is bonded to the seal housing and the seal member is formed from a first material; and
a seal support disposed in the recessed portion between the seal housing and the tubing for preventing an edge of the seal member from begin extruded into the seal gap, wherein the seal support is formed from a second material stiffer than the first material;
wherein the seal support remains outside the seal gap in the absence of an energizing force being applied to the seal support and extends into the seal gap when the energizing force is applied.