Downhole seal element formed from a nanocomposite material
US8283402B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
78References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B33/10
- WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A seal element (70) for providing a static or dynamic seal between two components (74, 78) in a downhole tool includes a polymer host material (212) and a plurality of nanostructures (220) forming a nanocomposite material (210). The polymer host material (212) has a plurality of regions of free volume (222) that receive the nanostructures (220). The nanostructures (220) and the polymer host material (212) form interfacial interactions that improve the useful life of the seal element (70) by minimizing seal failures associated with explosive decompression, extrusion, spiral failure, abrasion, temperature degradation and the like.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.