Packer with non-extrusion ring
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a packer for use within a conduit, such as casing, having a non-extrusion ring. The non-extrusion ring is comprised of hard segments and an elastic matrix.
1. A non-extrusion ring for sealing against the inner diameter of a casing, the non-extrusion ring comprising:
a plurality of segments arranged in a vertically overlapping manner, each segment having an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper surface and slanted end surfaces, the outer surfaces of the segments having a curvature that approximates the inner diameter of the casing; and
a flexible matrix substantially fully surrounding the segments and maintaining the segments in the vertically overlapping manner while in a relaxed state, but allowing the segments to move radially when force is exerted on the non-extrusion ring.
2. The non-extrusion ring of claim 1 , wherein the upper surfaces of the segments are slanted.
3. The non-extrusion ring of claim 1 , further comprising a slanted upper surface of the non-extrusion ring.
4. The non-extrusion ring of claim 1 , wherein the flexible matrix is vulcanized rubber.
5. The non-extrusion ring of claim 1 , wherein the segments move radially under force to form a near solid ring of segments within the flexible matrix and against the inner diameter of the casing.
6. The non-extrusion ring of claim 1 , wherein the segments are metal.
7. The non-extrusion ring of claim 6 , wherein the metal is steel, aluminum, bronze, cast iron, or brass.
8. The non-extrusion ring of claim 6 , wherein the segments are formed by slicing a rigid ring of metal.
9. The non-extrusion ring of claim 8 , wherein the segments are sliced to have slanted ends such that a first end of one segment overlaps a second end of an adjacent segment.
10. A sealing system comprising the non-extrusion ring of claim 1 .
11. The sealing system of claim 10 , further comprising a support ring engaging the non-extrusion ring; and an inner ring engaging the support ring;
wherein the non-extrusion ring stacks substantially flat onto the support ring and the support ring stacks substantially flat onto the inner ring.
12. The sealing system of claim 11 , wherein the support ring and the inner ring are metal.
13. The sealing system of claim 12 , wherein the metal is steel, aluminum, bronze, cast iron, or brass.
14. A method of forming a seal using the sealing system of claim 11 , the method comprising:
exerting a force on the non-extrusion ring;
expanding the segments radially outward within the flexible matrix; and
sealing the non-extrusion ring against the inner diameter of the casing.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the sealed non-extrusion ring prevents extrusion of a packing element between the casing and the non-extrusion ring.
16. A method of forming a seal using a sealing system comprising a non-extrusion ring for sealing against the inner diameter of a casing, the non-extrusion ring comprising:
a plurality of segments arranged in a vertically overlapping manner, each segment having an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper surface and slanted end surfaces, the outer surfaces of the segments having a curvature that approximates the inner diameter of the casing;
a flexible matrix surrounding the segments and maintaining the segments in the vertically overlapping manner while in a relaxed state, but allowing the segments to move radially when force is exerted on the non-extrusion ring; and
a support ring engaging the non-extrusion ring; and an inner ring engaging the support ring,
the method comprising:
exerting a force on the non-extrusion ring;
expanding the segments radially outward within the flexible matrix;
sealing the non-extrusion ring against the inner diameter of the casing; and
sliding the inner ring within the support ring in response to a pressure on the packing element;
wherein the sealed non-extrusion ring prevents extrusion of a packing element between the casing and the non-extrusion ring.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising sealing the inner ring and the support ring against an inner mandrel.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the sealed inner ring and the support ring prevents extrusion of the packing element between the inner mandrel and the sealing system.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the sealing system forming a seal to prevent extrusion of the packing element between the inner mandrel and the casing.