Patent 7401788 was granted and assigned to Baker Hughes on July, 2008 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A seal for use in temperature and pressure extremes is disclosed. It features springs internal to the sealing members and the ability to seal against pressure differentials from opposed directions. A spacer ring prevents contact from oppositely oriented seal components and at the same time prevents spring and seal collapse under extreme loading conditions. The seal assembly is self-centering in a downhole seal bore and can be used on tools delivered on wireline, where the insertion forces available are at a minimum. The seal can withstand pressure differentials in excess of 13,500 PSI and temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit.