SEALING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR THE HERMETIC ISOLATION OF TWO AREAS WITH DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERES

Abstract

An isolating seal assembly and method for hermetically isolating two areas with different atmospheres, wherein the isolation is total or partial in order to allow for the passage of circular elements, such as energy cables, data or pipes that carry fluids, or to simply isolate the areas without any element passing through the device. Said assembly comprises: A plug seal, a sliding jacket, a receiver bushing, a closing cap, a pusher, an upper retainer, a lower retainer, and sealing rings, such as O-rings.

Claims

1. An isolating seal assembly for hermetically isolating two areas with different atmospheres, in which the isolation is total or partial to allow for the passage of circular cross-sectional elements, such as energy cables or tubes, said assembly comprising a plug seal having at least one through-hole to be traversed by said at least one cable, or at least one tubing, a sliding jacket, a receiver bushing, a closing cap, an upper retainer having as many through-holes as the number of through-holes in the sealing cap, a lower retainer having as many through-holes as the number of through-holes in the plug seal, sealing O-rings arranged on the outer surface of the sliding jacket, as well as on the outer surface of the receiver bushing, and a pusher that is temporarily part of the assembly in a compression phase. Said isolating seal assembly characterized in that the seal plug is introduced into the receiver bushing after the lower retainer has been inserted, then the sliding jacket is pushed by the closing cap by means of the pusher towards the plug seal thus compressing it towards it own center and after the total closure of the cap in the receiver bushing, the pusher is removed and the upper retainer is positioned at the location that had been occupied by the pusher, and, consecutively on the upper retainer, the closing cup achieves a closure by means of a relative movement in relation to the receiver bushing.

2. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the closing action between the closing cap and the receiver bushing is by threading.

3. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the closing action between the closing cap and the receiver bushing is made by press fit and then by means of side securing mechanisms that prevent their movement in relation to each other.

4. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug seal is made of resilient material.

5. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug seal, the lower retainer and the upper retainer are completely solid bodies; that is to say that they do not have holes for passing cables or tubes through them, in order to form an absolute and total seal assembly unit.

6. The isolating seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receiver bushing makes it possible to assemble both in downward and upward directions in such a way that the receiver bushing is dual.

7. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiver bushing makes it possible to assemble in one direction while in the other one, it connects to a first connector coupling.

8. The isolating seal assembly of claim 7, wherein said first connector coupling couples at its free end with a connector.

9. The isolating seal assembly of claim 8, wherein said connector is straight.

10. The seal assembly according to claim 8, wherein said connector is an angled elbow.

11. The isolating seal assembly of claim 7, wherein said connector couples with a second connector coupling.

12. The isolating seal assembly of claim 11, wherein said second connector coupling is coupled with the free end of a closing cap corresponding to at least one isolating seal assembly unit.

13. The isolating seal assembly according to claim 11, wherein said second connector coupling is coupled with the free end of a closing cap, wherein, in turn, said closing cap is the terminal end of a plurality of contiguously arranged seal assemblies.

14. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug seal is made of elastomer material.

15. The isolating seal assembly of claim 14, wherein the plug seal is made of rubber.

16. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiver bushing is made of metal material.

17. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower retainer is made of metal material.

18. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the sliding jacket is made of metal material.

19. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the pusher is made of polymer material.

20. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper retainer is made of polymer material.

21. The isolating seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the closing cap is made of metal material.

22. A method for assembling an isolating seal from two different atmospheres, comprising: a) Providing a receiver bushing with sealing O-rings on its outer surface in relation to the base element on which the seal assembly shall be attached. b) Inserting a lower retainer into the receiver bushing ensuring that it is positioned on the corresponding seat. c) Providing a previously lubricated plug seal, which is fixed to the line of at least one cable or at least a tubing according to the case, sliding it by means of at least the arranged cable or tubing until it is positioned within an adapter provided for said purpose and then positioned on the lower retainer, the plug seal shall have as many through-holes as cables or tubes are required to pass through it. d) Ensuring that the lower retainer has as many holes as the number of holes of the plug seal. e) Lubricating and having a sliding jacket and positioning it with an internal coupling in relation to the receiver bushing in such a way that it houses in its interior the plug seal exerting posterior compression on it. f) Having a pusher on the sliding jacket ensuring that both fit in. g) Having a closing cap to be joined by means of a threaded coupling to the receiver bushing and ensuring that it exerts longitudinal pressure on the pusher. h) Tightening by threading up to a stop provided for said purpose. j) Unscrewing the closing cap and removing the pusher. k) Having an upper retainer to be positioned at the location that had been occupied by the pusher before, said upper retainer having as many through-holes as the number of holes of the plug seal and the lower retainer. I) Inserting again the closing cap up to a stop provided for said purpose.

23. A method for assembling an isolating seal that makes it possible to isolate two atmospheres with an absolute and total isolation comprising: a) Providing a receiver bushing with sealing O-rings on its outer surface in relation to the base element on which the seal assembly is to be attached. b) Inserting a lower retainer consisting in a solid disc body into the receiver bushing ensuring that it is positioned on the corresponding seat. c) Providing a previously lubricated solid body plug seal until it is positioned on a lower retainer provided for said purpose. d) Lubricating and having a sliding jacket and positioning it with an inner coupling in relation to the receiver bushing so that it houses in its interior the plug seal to exert posterior compression on it. e) Having a pusher on the sliding jacket ensuring that the pusher fits in the edge free surface of the sliding jacket. f) Having a closing cap to be joined by threading to the receiver bushing ensuring that it exerts longitudinal pressure on the pusher and the pusher exerts pressure onto the sliding jacket. g) Tightening by threading up to a stop provided for said purpose. h) Unscrewing the closing cap and removing the pusher. i) Having an upper retainer consisting in a solid disc body to be positioned at the location that had been occupied by the. j) Inserting again the closing cap up to a stop provided for said purpose.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] FIG. 1 is an axonometric projection and partial cutaway view in relation to certain elements thereof, which shows an exploded view of the components of the seal assembly according to this invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows detailed sectional view of the receiver bushing with its main functional elements according to this invention.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows an axonometric projection view of the lower retainer according to this invention.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an axonometric projection view of the plug seal according this invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a sectional view that shows the sliding jacket with its main functional elements that form the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an axonometric projection view of the pusher according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 7 is an axonometric projection view of the upper retainer comprised in the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view of the closing cap according to the invention.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a sectional view that represents the seal assembly with its main components.

[0039] FIG. 10 is an exploded view with some details in sectional view that shows an alternative embodiment of the solution corresponding to the invention.

[0040] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view corresponding to the application of the present invention in an oil well for an artificial lift system with electrical-submersible pumping (ESP).

[0041] The figures are not scale drawings and do not have dimensional ratios among them; instead, their purpose is to support the description and understanding of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0042] In FIG. 1, a seal assembly 1 according to the present invention is detailed, said seal assembly 1 comprising: a receiver bushing 2, a lower retainer 3, a plug seal 4, a sliding jacket 5, a pusher 6, an upper retainer 7, and a closing cap 8. Said components are the main elements of the seal assembly 1, wherein the pusher 6 has the role of sliding the sliding jacket around the plug seal, both of which are arranged within the receiver bushing in order to compress the plug seal 4 into its enclosure in the sliding jacket 5 and to be replaced then by the upper retainer 7, and the pusher 6 and the upper retainer 7 had been actuated at the time by the closing cap 8.

[0043] Each of the main elements of the seal assembly 1 with each of their functional parts may be appreciated from FIGS. 2 to 8.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a receiver bushing 2 that consists of an upper tubular section 9a, a lower tubular section 9b, a central tubular portion 10, a solid enclosing body 11 extending from the lower tubular portion 9b, then along the central tubular portion 10, to the upper tubular portion 9a, thus externally enclosing each of said portions 9a y 9b. On its outer surface, the solid enclosing body 11 is uneven and, preferably, it comprises at least one O-ring 12a, with the possibility of comprising at least an additional O-ring 12b, in order to ensure the assembly localized tightness.

[0045] Additionally, the upper tubular portion 9a and the lower tubular portion 9b have an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the central tubular portion 10, thus defining seats, that is to say an upper seat 13a, corresponding to the diameter change between the upper tubular portion 9a and the central tubular portion 10 of a part, and of another part, a lower seat 13b derived from the diameter change between the lower tubular portion 9b and the central tubular portion 10. These seats are essential for forming the coupling with the other components of the seal assembly I.

[0046] Furthermore, both in the upper tubular section 9a and the lower tubular section 9b, as far as their external surfaces are concerned, coupling or closing, means are provided in relation to another element that is detailed below, so as to ensure the seal assembly I closure. Preferably, although not exclusively, said closing mean is threaded for a threaded coupling with said element that is detailed below.

[0047] The receiver bushing 2, preferably but not exclusively, is made of metal material.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a lower retainer 3, which is a disc having thickness 16 less than its diameter, said lower retainer 3 having a flat bottom surface 15, and a flat top surface 14, and it may have at least one through-hole 17.

[0049] The lower retainer 3 is, preferably but not exclusively, made of metal material.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a plug seal 4, which is a cylinder having a flat bottom surface 19 and a flat top surface 18, and it may have at least one through-hole 20.

[0051] The plug seal 4 is preferably made of resilient material and, even more preferably but not exclusively, it is made of rubber.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a sliding jacket 5, which is a hollow cylinder consisting of an inner surface 21 and an outer surface 22, both with different diameters, wherein the outer surface 22 diameter is slightly greater than the inner surface 21 diameter thus defining between them the thickness 23 of the sliding jacket 5, and on and around the outer surface 22 there is at least one O-ring 24a, with the possibility of at least a second O-ring 24b.

[0053] The sliding jacket 5 is preferably although not exclusively made of metal material.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a pusher 6, which is an irregular hollow cylinder defined by a through-hole 30, which diameter is slightly less than the diameters of the outer surface, said diameters of the outer surface being defined by a section change from a top surface 27 to a central surface 25, which diameter is greater than said top surface 27 as well as greater than the bottom surface 26 diameter, the free edge of the top surface defines an upper seat 28 of a certain thickness and the free edge of the bottom surface defines a lower seat 29 having a certain thickness.

[0055] The pusher 6 is preferably but not exclusively made of polymer material.

[0056] FIG. 7 corresponds to an upper retainer 7, which is a cylinder comprising three sections on its outer surface, to wit: an upper section 33, which has a diameter less than a central surface 31, where the diameter of said central surface 31 is also greater than a lower surface 32.

[0057] Additionally, the upper retainer 7 comprises a flat top surface 35, which serves as a seat, and a flat bottom surface 34, which also serves as a seat.

[0058] The upper retainer 7 is preferably but not exclusively made of polymer material.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a closing cap 8, which has an irregular hollow cylinder shape consisting of an external body 39 extending externally from its lower part to an upper section 40, wherein the diameter of said upper section 40 is lower than the external body 39 diameter.

[0060] Additionally, on its internal surface from its lower section to approximately the upper section 40 level, the closing cap 8 has an internal closing section 37 with the purpose of ensuring a closure with any of the upper section 9a or the lower section 9b of the receiver bushing 2, at the upper end of said internal closing surface there is a flat stop 38 limiting the closing travel defined by the internal closing section 37, between the flat stop 38 and the upper section 40, an internal smooth upper surface 41 is defined, and the diameter difference between said internal smooth upper surface 41 and the diameter of the upper section 40 defines an upper wall thickness 42.

[0061] The closing cap is preferably but not exclusively made of metal material.

[0062] In FIG. 9, the seal assembly 1 may be seen with all of its main elements assembled and forming a unit. Said sequential assembly is understood when FIG. 9 is seen together with each of the above-described FIGS. 2 to 8 and it is achieved by firstly positioning the lower retainer 3 in such a way that any of the flat top surface 14 or the flat bottom surface 15, depending on how the surface is oriented, seats on the upper seat 13a, or on the lower seat 13b, respectively, of the receiver bushing 2, to form a flat seat coupling between both surfaces in contact.

[0063] Then, there is provided the plug seal 4, which flat lower surface 19, or flat upper surface 20, respectively, rests on the flat top surface 14 or the flat bottom surface 15 of the lower retainer 3, depending on how it is oriented. Here, there is also a flat seat between the surfaces with the particularity that the diameter of said lower retainer is greater than the plug seal diameter. The plug seal is made of a resilient material so that its diameter is reduced by compression thereon.

[0064] Then, there is provided the sliding jacket 5, which inner surface diameter is less than the initial cross-sectional section of the plug seal 4, said sliding jacket previously having on its outer surface 22 at least one O-ring 24a, and it may have at least one additional O-ring 24b; that is to say that more additional O-rings may be provided for according to the specific dimensional and functional configuration of the particular application.

[0065] Afterwards, the pusher 6 is positioned on the free portion of the sliding jacket 5, and, in turn, on the free portion of the pusher 6, the closing cap 8 is positioned, said closing cap is applied a force that is transmitted onto the pusher 6 and, in turn, to the free portion of the sliding jacket 5, thus causing the sliding jacket to slide on either the inner surface of the upper tubular section 9a or the inner surface o the lower tubular section 9b, corresponding to the receiver bushing 2 according to what is selected in the assembling process.

[0066] The closing action is performed until the pusher central surface 25, which serves as a stop, limits the relative movement of the closing cap 8 in relation to the receiver bushing 2, more specifically in relation to the upper tubular section 9a, or in relation to the lower tubular section 9b, of said receiver bushing, according to what is selected in the assembling process.

[0067] The pusher 6 is symmetrical between the top surface 27 and the bottom surface 26, which eases the task of the assembler of positioning this element in the assembly irrespective of its location direction of said pusher 6.

[0068] Upon achieving the effect of stopping the closing action between the closing cap 8 and the receiver bushing 2, the closing cap 8 is removed with a relative reverse movement with regard to the initial closing action related to the receiver bushing 2, that is to say that the pusher 6 is decoupled and removed from the set and it is replaced by the upper retainer 7 in a proceeding analogous to the proceeding carried out by means of the pusher 6 action.

[0069] The final closing movement by means of the closing cap 8 transmits force to the upper retainer 7 and causes a final closure between said closing cap and the receiver bushing, enclosing between them the sliding jacket 5 which, in turns, encloses the plug seal 4, both the sliding jacket 5 and the plug seal 4 rest on the lower retainer 3 on one of their flat surfaces, either the flat bottom surface 15 or the flat top surface 14, according to what is selected in the assembling process. In this way, the assembly unit corresponding to the seal assembly 1 according to the present invention is obtained.

[0070] The closing action between the closing cap 8 and the receiver bushing 2 is preferably carried out by threading by having complementary threads on each of them in order to be threaded and achieve the closing action in this way.

[0071] Alternatively, the closing action between the closing cap 8 and the receiver bushing 2 may be made by means of press fit between them and then by means of side security mechanisms that prevent the movement of one element in relation to the other element, one element is attached the other.

[0072] The above-described elements, the at least one hole 17 of the lower retainer, the at least one hole 20 of the plug seal and the at least one hole 36 corresponding to the upper retainer must match at the end of the assembling process, and, consequently, when the number of holes is at least a pair of holes, the radial arrangement in the holes of the plug seal is radially more distant in order to achieve said match. In any case, the number of holes beyond this particular detail is always the same between the lower retainer 3, the plug seal 4 and the upper retainer 7.

[0073] Now, for certain applications, it is necessary not to have holes in order to achieve an absolute and total sealing. This is the case when it is intended that no cables or tubes pass through the seal assembly 1. This option is also considered as an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Furthermore, by the phrase “according to what is selected in the assembling process” that has been repeatedly stated along the above-described configuration, it is meant that one of the particularities is that the assembly may be oriented downwards or upwards according to the direction decided for the assembling process; however, it is also possible to build the assembly both downwards and upwards; that is to say, in both directions inclusive, thus permitting to employ several seal assembly units 1 in series, connected by means of a common dual receiver bushing 2a as shown in FIG. 10.

[0075] In a general way, a configuration of several assembly units built by means of couplings in series is shown in FIG. 10. There may be seen in said figure an assembly of multiple sealing units 100 consecutively arranged by means of arrangements based on the configuration described and shown hereinabove and supported by FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0076] In said embodiment, it may be appreciated that the dual receiver bushing 2a may be used to assemble the other components both downwards and upwards and then develop the arrangement continuity therefrom, as well as that said receiver bushing may have a relative length significantly greater than the above-described receiver bushing 2. In said FIG. 10, it is also seen that a receiver bushing 2, wherein the assembly of its components is developed at one of its ends and, at its opposite end, a connector coupling 45 may be provided for, which, in turn, may be coupled with a connector 44, that may be at an angle according to direction change requirements or straight, wherein said connector 44, at its free end, may be connected to a second connector coupling 43, which, in turn, at its free end, may be similarly connected to a terminal closing cap 8 of some other assembled section of said assembly of multiple sealing units 100.

[0077] This configuration of continuous sections wherein several seal assemblies 1 are replicated in series to form an assembly of multiple sealing units 100 is useful when the technical implementation so requires.

[0078] For the purpose of the assembly, what is applicable to the receiver bushing 2 is also applicable to the dual receiver bushing 2a.

[0079] The thick arrows denote the assembly direction of each sealing unit.

[0080] In this regard, in FIG. 11, the use of multiple sealing assembly units la, Ib, Ic, Id, 1e, some of which are contiguous and others are separated in an oil well for an artificial lift system with electrical-submersible pumping (ESP) is to be noted.

[0081] Evidently, the number of units shall vary according to the practical case as well as the configuration and combination of separated and combined configurations.

[0082] Other practical applications may arise from the need of isolating two atmospheres and it is required to pass cables or tubes through seal units 1, use multiple sealing units 100 in technically complex sections or perform absolute and total sealings, that is to say the use of plug seals, lower retainer, and upper retainer, with solid bodies, that is to say without through-holes.

[0083] Likewise and in relation to the same inventive unit, a method is disclosed for carrying out the seal assembly according to the present invention. Said method consists in:

[0084] a) Providing a receiver bushing with sealing O-rings on its outer surface in relation to the base element on which the seal assembly shall be attached.

[0085] b) Inserting a lower retainer into the receiver bushing ensuring that it is positioned on the corresponding seat.

[0086] c) Providing a previously lubricated plug seal, which is fixed to the line of at least one cable or at least a tubing according to the case, sliding it by means of at least the arranged cable or tubing until it is positioned within an adapter provided for said purpose and then positioned on the lower retainer, the plug seal shall have as many through-holes as cables or tubes are required to pass through it.

[0087] d) Ensuring that the lower retainer has as many holes as the number of holes of the plug seal.

[0088] e) Lubricating and having a sliding jacket and positioning it with an internal coupling in relation to the receiver bushing in such a way that it houses in its interior the plug seal exerting posterior compression on it.

[0089] f) Having a pusher on the sliding jacket ensuring that both fit in.

[0090] g) Having a closing cap to be joined by means of a threaded coupling to the receiver bushing and ensuring that it exerts longitudinal pressure on the pusher.

[0091] h) Tightening by threading up to a stop provided for said purpose.

[0092] j) Unscrewing the closing cap and removing the pusher.

[0093] k) Having an upper retainer to be positioned at the location that had been occupied by the pusher before, said upper retainer having as many through-holes as the number of holes of the plug seal and the lower retainer.

[0094] l) Inserting again the closing cap up to a stop provided for such purpose.

[0095] The above-described method is applicable in the same way to the case in which the passage of pass-through cables or tubes is not provided for so as to achieve an absolute and total sealing, wherein the process is as follows:

[0096] A method for assembling an isolating seal that makes it possible to isolate two atmospheres with absolute and total isolation, which comprises:

[0097] a) Providing a receiver bushing with sealing O-rings on its outer surface in relation to the base element on which the seal assembly is to be attached.

[0098] b) Inserting a lower retainer consisting in a solid disc body into the receiver bushing ensuring that it is positioned on the corresponding seat.

[0099] c) Providing a previously lubricated solid body plug seal until it is positioned on a lower retainer provided for said purpose.

[0100] d) Lubricating and having a sliding jacket and positioning it with an inner coupling in relation to the receiver bushing so that it houses in its interior the plug seal to exert posterior compression on it.

[0101] e) Having a pusher on the sliding jacket ensuring that the pusher fits in the edge free surface of the sliding jacket.

[0102] f) Having a closing cap to be joined by threading to the receiver bushing and ensuring that it exerts longitudinal pressure on the pusher and the pusher exerts pressure onto the sliding jacket.

[0103] g) Tightening by threading up to a stop provided for said purpose.

[0104] h) Unscrewing the closing cap and removing the pusher.

[0105] i) Having an upper retainer consisting in a solid disc body to be positioned at the location that had been occupied by the pusher.

[0106] j) Inserting again the closing cap up to a stop provided for said purpose.

[0107] It should be clear and evident that multiple variants may and must be considered from the described inventive concept of the isolating seal assembly 1, multiple sealing units 100, and method to be carried out as well without implying that they are distinctive embodiments, as a consequence of which they are to be deemed as extensions of what is herein described and should be protected under the same sought right.