Method for patching or sealing leaks in fluid systems
US8015998B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2005 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K3/12
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for patching or sealing leaks in fluid systems and, in an exemplary application, to a method of patching or sealing leaks in sub-sea hydraulic control lines, leaks in sub-surface or sub-sea safety valves, O-ring leaks of any type, leaks in hydraulic line fittings, tubing thread connection leaks, casing thread connection leaks, glycol hydraulic system leaks, well-head and sub-sea well-head leaks, hanger leaks, and leaks in other types of related down-hole equipment. A pressure- or shear-fibrillatable substance, such as an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion, a fluoropolymer fine powder, or any other fluoropolymer which is derived from a dispersion polymerization process, is added to a fluid system such as a hydraulic control line, and pressure is then applied to the system. In one embodiment, an aqueous dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) particles having a particle size between 0.01 and 10 microns is used. Under the applied pressure and, in one embodiment, under cycling of the pressure, the fluororpolymer particles in the dispersion are forced through the leak site with resulting shear force, causing fibrillation of the individual fluororpolymer particles with resu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.