RESIN IMPREGNATED CONTINUOUS FIBER PLUG WITH NON-METALLIC ELEMENT SYSTEM
A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
1 . A method for making at least one composite component for a downhole tool, comprising:
winding a first layer of fibers at a first angle of from about 30 degrees to about 70 degrees relative to a center line of the tool;
applying a first matrix of epoxy resin to the first layer;
winding a second layer of fibers at a second angle of from about 30 degrees to about 70 degrees relative to the center line of the tool over at least a portion of the first layer;
applying a second matrix of epoxy resin to the second layer;
winding one or more additional layers of fibers, each additional layer wound at an angle of from about 30 degrees to about 70 degrees relative to a center line of the tool; and
applying an additional matrix of epoxy resin between each additional layer.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one composite component comprises a ring member having two or more tapered wedges.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one composite component comprises an annular member having at least one outwardly extending serration disposed on an outer diameter thereof to engage a surrounding tubular.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one composite component comprises an annular member having at least one tapered end for engaging a surrounding component.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating the arrangement of additional layers of fibers until a desired strength is achieved.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating the arrangement of additional layers of fibers until a desired stiffness is achieved.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise glass.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise carbon.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise one or more aramids.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the epoxy resin comprises bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the epoxy resin is a blend comprising one or more cycloaliphatic epoxy resins.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the epoxy resin is a blend comprising bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin, and one or more cycloaliphatic epoxy resins.
13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising curing the layers.
14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising curing the layers using thermal energy.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising curing the layers using ultraviolet light.
16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising curing the layers using a high energy electron beam.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool is a frac-plug.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool is a packer.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool is a bridge plug.
20 . A method for making a composite downhole tool, comprising:
winding a first set of one or more fibers at an angle of from about 30 degrees to about 70 degrees relative to a center line of the tool in the presence of an epoxy resin to provide a first plurality of helically oriented plies;
forming at least one composite component from the first plurality of helically oriented plies;
winding a second set of one or more fibers at an angle of from about 30 degrees to about 55 degrees relative to a center line of the tool in the presence of the epoxy resin to form a second plurality of helically oriented plies;
forming a mandrel body from the second plurality of helically oriented plies; and
disposing the at least one composite component about an outer surface of the mandrel body to provide at least a portion of the downhole tool.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the at least one composite component comprises a ring member having two or more tapered wedges.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the at least one composite component comprises an annular member having at least one outwardly extending serration disposed on an outer diameter thereof to engage a surrounding tubular.
23 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the at least one composite component comprises an annular member having at least one tapered end for engaging a surrounding component.
24 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising adding additional layers of fibers to the first or second plurality of helically oriented plies until a desired strength is achieved.
25 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising adding additional layers of fibers to the first or second plurality of helically oriented plies until a desired stiffness is achieved.
26 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the fibers comprise glass.
27 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the fibers comprise carbon.
28 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the fibers comprise one or more aramids.
29 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the epoxy resin comprises bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin.
30 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the epoxy resin is a blend comprising one or more cycloaliphatic epoxy resins.
31 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the epoxy resin is a blend comprising bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin, and one or more cycloaliphatic epoxy resins.
32 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising curing the first and second plurality of helically oriented plies.
33 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising curing the first and second plurality of helically oriented plies using thermal energy.
34 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising curing the first and second plurality of helically oriented plies using ultraviolet light.
35 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising curing the first and second plurality of helically oriented plies using a high energy electron beam.
36 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the downhole tool is a frac-plug.
37 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the downhole tool is a packer.
38 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the downhole tool is a bridge plug.