Granted Patent B2

US 12,186,974 · App. 17/356,124 · Granted Jan 7, 2025

Inventors: Michael L. Fripp (Carrollton, TX); Kejia Yang (Dallas, TX); Radu Reit (Plano, TX); Benjamin Lund (Wylie, TX); Walter Voit (Dallas, TX)

Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System

B29C61/08B29C71/02E21B33/12E21B33/127B29C35/02B29C35/08B29C2035/085B29C2035/0877B29C55/24B29C71/04B29K2021/003B29K2033/08B29K2033/26B29K2075/00B29K2995/0049B29L2031/26B29L2031/265C08J3/24C08J3/247

Abstract

Claims (18)

1. A method of using a heat-shrink elastomeric element comprising:

providing the heat-shrink elastomeric element; wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element has a first shape; wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element comprises a thermoset polymer having a polymer backbone comprising a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylate, acrylamide, and any combination thereof; wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is produced from an amorphous thermoplastic polymer irradiated with a radiation dose of about 5 to about 300 kilogray to produce the heat-shrink elastomeric element; wherein at least one portion of the amorphous thermoplastic polymer was irradiated with a different radiation dose than another portion of the amorphous thermoplastic polymer;

then heating the heat-shrink elastomeric element above its glass transition temperature prior to fitting the heat-shrink elastomeric element over at least a portion of a downhole tool or a surface equipment;

then physically altering the shape of the heat-shrink elastomeric element after heating the heat-shrink elastomeric element above its glass transition temperature to a second shape larger than the first shape;

then cooling the heat-shrink elastomeric element to a temperature below its glass transition temperature after physically altering the shape of the heat-shrink elastomeric element and before fitting the heat-shrink elastomeric element over at least the portion of the downhole tool or the surface equipment;

then fitting the heat-shrink elastomeric element over at least the portion of the downhole tool or the surface equipment;

then positioning the heat-shrink elastomeric element on an area of the downhole tool or the surface equipment;

then heating the heat-shrink elastomeric element above its glass transition temperature to shrink the heat-shrink elastomeric element to its first shape while around the downhole tool or the surface equipment; and

then using the downhole tool or the surface equipment.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fitting the heat-shrink elastomeric element over at least a portion of the downhole tool or the surface equipment comprises fitting the heat-shrink elastomeric element over a variance in the profile of the outer diameter of the downhole tool or the surface equipment.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the variance in the profile of the outer diameter is caused by a joint, inflow control device, a collar, a shoe, or any combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is a heat-shrink elastomeric swellable packer.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is a component of a cable clamp.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is an o-ring.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is a component of a centralizer.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the heat-shrink elastomeric element as a sealing element, a clamping element, or as a heat-activated actuating element.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the radiation dose is applied to at least one localized area of the amorphous thermoplastic polymer.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the amorphous thermoplastic polymer comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylate, acrylamide, and any combination thereof.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (14)