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A valve for use in a wellbore, the valve having a compensating secondary sealing system for misalignments that inevitably occur in sealing subsurface valves, particularly subsurface safety valves. A sealing system can include a dynamic sealing system and a static sealing system, where the static sea

A valve for use in a wellbore, the valve having a compensating secondary sealing system for misalignments that inevitably occur in sealing subsurface valves, particularly subsurface safety valves. A sealing system can include a dynamic sealing system and a static sealing system, where the static sealing system establishes one or more line contact surfaces. The line contact surfaces can be leading, in that the forward edge of the seal faces a corresponding engagement portion of the actuator. The actuator can include at least two spherical engagement portions where one of the spherical engagement portions engages resilient and non-resilient seals with line contact surfaces on a downstroke and the other spherical engagement portion engages resilient and non-resilient seals with line contact surfaces on an upstroke. Further, a bearing disposed above seals on a piston of the actuator assists in keeping contaminants out of the seal area of the piston.

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1. A subsurface safety valve system, comprising:a) a tubular body having a borehole formed therethrough; b) a valve member pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole of the subsurface safety valve; c) a tubular member at least partially disposed in the borehole and slida

1. A subsurface safety valve system, comprising:a) a tubular body having a borehole formed therethrough; b) a valve member pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole of the subsurface safety valve; c) a tubular member at least partially disposed in the borehole and slidably coupled with the tubular body, the tubular member adapted to selectively displace the valve member in the borehole; d) the safety valve further having a chamber formed therein with at least one chamber wall, the chamber coupled to the borehole; e) an actuator slidably mounted within the chamber to establish a stroke and coupled to the tubular member in the borehole, the actuator having at least one spherical engagement portion; and f) a leading, annular, line contact surface disposed in the chamber, the line contact surface facing the at least one spherical actuator engagement portion and adapted to seat against the at least one spherical engagement portion at a selected portion of the actuator stroke. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one spherical engagement portion is formed from a first diameter of the actuator to a second diameter of the actuator.3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a resilient line contact surface and a non-resilient line contact surface, wherein at least one of the line contact surfaces comprises the leading annular line contact surface.4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a stop seal cartridge comprising the resilient and non-resilient line contact surfaces, the cartridge being mounted in the chamber.5. The system of claim 3, wherein the actuator comprises two spherical engagement portions and further comprising at least one set of resilient and non-resilient line contact surfaces disposed in the chamber, each spherical engagement portion adapted to engage at least one of the line contact surfaces.6. The system of claim 5, wherein each spherical engagement portion is adapted to engage both a resilient and non-resilient line contact surface.7. The system of claim 3, further comprising a stop seal cartridge having at least one set of resilient and non-resilient line contact surfaces, the stop seal cartridge being removably coupled in the chamber.8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a centralizer bushing mounted in the chamber and annularly disposed about the actuator.9. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator further comprises a piston and a seal annularly disposed about the piston.10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a thrust ring annularly disposed about the piston.11. A subsurface safety valve system, comprising:a) tubular body having a borehole formed therethrough; b) valve member pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole of the subsurface safety valve; c) tubular member at least partially disposed in the borehole and slidably coupled with the tubular body, the tubular member adapted to selectively displace the valve member in the borehole; d) the safety valve further having a chamber formed therein with at least one chamber wall, the chamber coupled to the borehole; e) an annular line contact surface disposed in the chamber; and f) an actuator slidably mounted within the chamber to establish a stroke and coupled to the tubular member in the borehole, the actuator having a spherical engagement portion adapted to seat against the annular line contact surface at a predetermined position of the stroke. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the annular line contact surface comprises a leading, annular, line contact surface facing the spherical engagement portion.13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a resilient line contact surface and a non-resilient line contact surface.14. The system of claim 13, wherein the spherical line contact surface is dimensioned to engage both the resilient and the non-resilient line contact surfaces.15. The system of claim 14, further comprising two spherical engagement portions and two annular line contact surfaces, wherein one spherical contact surface is adapted to contact one of the line contact surfaces on a downstroke of the actuator and the other spherical contact surface is adapted to contact the other of the line contact surfaces on an upstroke of the actuator.16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a set of resilient and non-resilient seals for each of the spherical engagement portions.17. The system of claim 16, wherein both sets of seals are mounted in a stop seal cartridge removably disposed in the chamber.18. The system of claim 11, wherein the actuator further comprises a piston and a seal disposed annularly around the piston.19. A subsurface safety valve system, comprising:a) a tubular body having a borehole formed therethrough; b) a valve member pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole of the subsurface safety valve; c) a tubular member at least partially disposed in the borehole and slidably coupled with the tubular body, the tubular member adapted to selectively displace the valve member in the borehole; d) the safety valve further having a chamber formed therein with at least one chamber wall, the chamber coupled to the borehole; e) a two annular line contact surfaces disposed in the chamber; and f) an actuator slidably mounted within the chamber to establish a stroke and coupled to the tubular member in the borehole, the actuator having an at least one spherical engagement portion adapted to seat against both of the annular line contact surfaces at a predetermined position of the stroke. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein one of the annular line contact surfaces comprises a resilient line contact surface and the other contact surface comprises a non-resilient line contact surface.21. The system of claim 19, wherein at least one of the annular line contact surfaces comprises a leading line contact surface facing in the direction of the engagement portion that is adapted to engage the surfaces.22. The system of claim 19, wherein the actuator comprises two spherical engagement portions and further comprising two sets of annular line contact surfaces disposed in the chamber, each having at least two line contact surfaces, each spherical engagement portion engaging at least one of the line contact surfaces of the respective set.23. The system of claim 21, wherein each spherical engagement portions engages both line contact surfaces of the respective set.24. The system of claim 19, wherein the line contact surfaces are disposed in a stop seal cartridge removably coupled to the chamber.25. A subsurface safety valve system, comprising:a) a tubular body having a borehole formed therethrough; b) a valve member pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole of the subsurface safety valve; c) a tubular member at least partially disposed in the borehole and slidably coupled with the tubular body, the tubular member adapted to selectively displace the valve member in the borehole; d) the safety valve further having a chamber formed therein with at least one chamber wall, the chamber coupled to the borehole; e) two annular line contact surfaces disposed in the chamber; and f) an actuator slidably mounted within the chamber to establish a stroke and coupled to the tubular member in the borehole, the actuator having a spherical engagement portion adapted to seat against both of the annular line contact surfaces at a predetermined position of the stroke. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the line contact surfaces comprises a leading line contact surface facing the spherical engagement portion that is adapted to engage the leading line contact surface.27. The system of claim 25, wherein one of the annular line contact surfaces comprises a resilient line contact surface and the other contact surface comprises a non-resilient line contact surface.28. The system of claim 25, wherein the actuator comprises two spherical engagement portions, each engaging a set of annular line contact surfaces.29. The system of claim 25, wherein the line contact surfaces are disposed in a stop seal cartridge removably coupled to the chamber.30. A subsurface safety valve system, comprising:a) a tubular body having a borehole formed therethrough; b) a valve member pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole of the subsurface safety valve; c) a tubular member at least partially disposed in the borehole and slidably coupled with the tubular body, the tubular member adapted to selectively displace the valve member in the borehole; d) the safety valve further having a chamber formed therein with at least one chamber wall, the chamber coupled to the borehole; e) an actuator slidably mounted within the chamber to establish a stroke and coupled to the tubular member in the borehole, the actuator having an at least one spherical engagement portion; and f) an annular stop seal cartridge removably coupled to the chamber, the stop seal cartridge comprising a resilient seal establishing an annular line contact surface and a non-resilient seal establishing a second annular line contact surface, the actuator being adapted to engage at least one of the line contact surfaces. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the cartridge comprises a down-stop seal assembly and an up-stop seal assembly, wherein at least one of the assemblies comprises the resilient and non-resilient seals.32. The system of claim 31, wherein each seal assembly comprises a resilient and non-resilient seal.33. The system of claim 30, wherein at least one of the line contact surfaces comprises a leading line contact surface facing the engagement portion that is adapted to engage the leading line contact surface.34. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one spherical engagement portion is formed between a first cross sectional area of the actuator to a reduced second cross sectional area of the actuator and adapted to engage both line contact surfaces.35. The system of claim 34, wherein the resilient seal and non-resilient seal are disposed relative to each other so that the spherical engagement portion first contacts the resilient seal.36. The system of claim 31, wherein the actuator comprises two spherical engagement portions, each spherical engagement portion being formed from a first cross sectional area of the actuator to a reduced second cross sectional area of the actuator and the spherical engagement portions being spaced about a distance corresponding to the stroke of the actuator.37. The system of claim 36, wherein one spherical engagement portion is adapted to engage the down-stop seal assembly at one position of the stroke and the other spherical engagement portion is adapted to engage the up-stop seal assembly at another position of the stroke.38. A method of sealing a subsurface safety valve system, comprising:a) providing a subsurface safety valve having a tubular body with a borehole formed therethrough and a valve element pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole; b) allowing the valve element to be pivoted open by actuating a tubular member coupled to the valve element with an actuator slidably mounted in an adjacent chamber, the actuator comprising at least one spherical engagement portion; and c) statically sealing the actuator against a leading, annular, line contact surface facing the actuator engagement portion. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein statically sealing the actuator comprises engaging the at least one spherical engagement portion against the leading, annular, line contact surface.40. The method of claim 39, wherein statically sealing the actuator further comprises sealing against a resilient seal and a non-resilient seal with the at least one spherical engagement portion, wherein at least one of the seals comprises the leading, annular, line contact surface.41. The method of claim 38, wherein statically sealing the actuator further comprises sealing at a downward stroke of the actuator against the leading, annular, line contact surface and sealing at an upward stroke of the actuator against another leading, annular, line contact surface.42. The method of claim 41, wherein the actuator comprises two spherical engagement portions and wherein statically sealing the actuator further comprises sealing the actuator on a downstroke of the actuator with one of the spherical engagement portions engaging both a resilient seal and a non-resilient seal wherein at least one of the seals establishes a first leading annular line contact surface and further sealing the actuator on an upstroke of the actuator with the other spherical engagement portion engaging both a second resilient seal and a second non-resilient seal wherein at least one of the second seals establishes a second leading line contact surface.43. A method of sealing a subsurface safety valve, comprising:a) providing a subsurface safety valve having a tubular body with a borehole formed therethrough and a valve element pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole; b) allowing the valve element to be pivoted open by actuating a tubular member coupled to the valve element with an actuator slidably mounted in an adjacent chamber; and c) statically sealing the actuator with a spherical engagement portion against an annular line contact surface. 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the annular line contact surface comprises a leading, annular, line contact surface facing the spherical engagement portion and wherein statically sealing the actuator comprises engaging the spherical engagement portion against the leading, annular, line contact surface.45. The method of claim 43, wherein statically sealing the actuator comprises sealing against a resilient seal and a non-resilient seal, wherein each of the seals establishes an annular line contact surface.46. The method of claim 45, wherein sealing against the resilient seal and the non-resilient seal comprises sealing against at least one leading, annular, line contact surface.47. The method of claim 43, wherein sealing the actuator comprises sealing at a downward stroke of the actuator and sealing at an upward stroke of the actuator in the chamber.48. The method of claim 47, wherein the actuator comprises two spherical engagement portions and wherein statically sealing the actuator further comprises sealing the actuator on a downstroke of the actuator with one of the spherical engagement portions engaging both a resilient seal and a non-resilient seal wherein at least one of the seals establishes a first leading annular line contact surface and further sealing the actuator on an upstroke of the actuator with the other spherical engagement portion engaging both a second resilient seal and a second non-resilient seal wherein at least one of the second seals establishes a second leading line contact surface.49. A method of sealing a subsurface safety valve, comprising:a) providing a subsurface safety valve having a tubular body with a borehole formed therethrough and a valve element pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole; b) allowing the valve element to be pivoted open by actuating a tubular member coupled to the valve element with an actuator slidably mounted in an adjacent chamber; and c) statically sealing a spherical engagement portion on the actuator against two annular line contact surfaces. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein statically sealing the actuator comprises sealing with the spherical engagement portion against both annular line contact surfaces at a portion of a stroke of the actuator.51. The method of claim 50, wherein statically sealing the actuator comprises sealing against a resilient seal establishing one of the line contact surfaces and sealing against a non-resilient seal establishing another of the annular line contact surfaces.52. The method of claim 49, wherein statically sealing the actuator comprises sealing against a leading, annular, line contact surface facing an engagement portion of the actuator.53. The method of claim 49, wherein statically sealing the actuator comprises sealing against the two line contact surfaces on a downstroke of the actuator.54. The method of claim 49, wherein statically sealing the actuator comprises sealing against the two line contact surfaces on an upstroke of the actuator.55. The method of claim 49, wherein the actuator comprises two spherical engagement portions and wherein statically sealing the actuator further comprises sealing the actuator on a downstroke of the actuator with one of the spherical engagement portions engaging both a resilient seal and a non-resilient seal wherein at least one of the seals establishes one of the annular line contact surfaces and further sealing the actuator on an upstroke of the actuator with the other spherical engagement portion engaging both a second resilient seal and a second non-resilient seal wherein at least one of the second seals establishes another of the annular line contact surfaces.56. A subsurface safety valve system, comprising:a) a tubular body having a borehole formed therethrough; b) a valve member pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole of the subsurface safety valve; c) a tubular member at least partially disposed in the borehole and slidably coupled with the tubular body, the tubular member adapted to selectively displace the valve member in the borehole; d) the safety valve further having a chamber formed therein with at least one chamber wall, the chamber coupled to the borehole, the chamber having at least one fluid port for coupling to a fluid source; e) an annular line contact surface disposed in the chamber; f) an actuator slidably mounted within the chamber to establish a stroke and coupled to the tubular member in the borehole, the actuator having a spherical engagement portion adapted to seat against the annular line contact surface at a predetermined position of the stroke and a piston; g) one or more seals coupled to the piston and disposed at least partially between the piston and the chamber wall; and h) a bearing coupled to the actuator and slidable with the actuator in the chamber, the bearing disposed at least partially between the actuator and the chamber wall and between one or more of the seals and the fluid port to at least partially protect the one or more of the seals from contaminants. 57. The system of claim 56, further comprising a seal retainer disposed adjacent one or more of the seals and coupled to the actuator.58. The system of claim 57, wherein the bearing is at least partially disposed between the seal retainer and the chamber wall.59. The system of claim 56, further comprising an annular stop seal cartridge removably coupled to the chamber, the stop seal cartridge comprising a resilient seal establishing an annular line contact surface and a non-resilient seal establishing a second annular line contact surface, the actuator being adapted to engage at least one of the line contact surfaces.60. The system of claim 59, wherein the cartridge comprises a down-stop seal assembly and an up-stop seal assembly, wherein at least one of the assemblies comprises the resilient and non-resilient seals.61. A subsurface valve sealing system, the subsurface valve including a tubular body with a borehole formed therethrough, a tubular member slidably coupled with the tubular body, a chamber formed in the tubular body and having at least one chamber wall, the chamber coupled to the borehole and having at least one fluid port for connecting to a fluid source, and an actuator slidably mounted within the chamber to establish a stroke and coupled to the tubular member in the borehole, the actuator having an engagement portion, the system comprising:an annular stop seal cartridge removably coupled to the chamber, the stop seal cartridge comprising a resilient seal establishing an annular line contact surface and a non-resilient seal establishing a second annular line contact surface, the stop seal cartridge adapted to be engaged with the actuator spherical engagement portion at least one of the line contact surfaces. 62. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the line contact surfaces comprises a leading line contact surface facing the actuator engagement portion.63. The system of claim 61, wherein the adaptor engagement portion has a spherically shaped surface and wherein both line contact surfaces are adapted to be engaged by the spherical engagement portion.64. The system of claim 63, wherein the resilient seal and non-resilient seal are disposed relative to each other so that the spherical engagement portion first contacts the resilient seal.65. The system of claim 61, wherein the cartridge comprises a down-stop seal assembly and an up-stop seal assembly, wherein at least one of the assemblies comprises the resilient and non-resilient seals.66. The system of claim 65, wherein each seal assembly comprises a resilient and a non-resilient seal.67. The system of claim 65, wherein the actuator includes two spherical engagement portions spaced about a distance corresponding to the stroke of the actuator and wherein the down-stop assembly is adapted to be engaged by one of the spherical engagement portions and the up-stop assembly is adapted to be engaged by another of the spherical engagement portions.68. The system of claim 61, wherein the further comprising one or more seals coupled to the piston and disposed at least partially between the piston and the chamber wall and a bearing coupled to the actuator and slidable with the actuator and disposed at least partially between the actuator and the chamber wall and between one or more of the seals and the fluid port.69. The system of claim 61, further comprising a seal retainer disposed adjacent one or more of the seals and coupled to the actuator.70. The system of claim 69, wherein a bearing is disposed at least partially between the seal retainer and the chamber wall.71. A method of sealing a subsurface safety valve, comprising:a) providing a subsurface safety valve having a tubular body with a borehole formed therethrough and a valve element pivotably coupled to the tubular body to selectively close the borehole; b) allowing the valve element to be pivoted open by actuating a tubular member coupled to the valve element with an actuator slidably mounted in an adjacent chamber and having an engagement portion; c) at least partially sealing a portion of the actuator against a chamber wall with one or more seals coupled to the actuator and disposed around the actuator; and d) restricting a flow of contaminants from a fluid source to one or more of the seals as the actuator moves in the chamber by providing a bearing slidably coupled with the actuator in the chamber and disposed between the fluid source and one or more of the seals to at least partially protect the one or more of the seals from contaminants. 72. The method of claim 71, further comprising sealing the actuator in at least one position in the stroke with an annular stop seal cartridge removably coupled to the chamber, the cartridge having one or more annular line contact surfaces.73. The method of claim 72, wherein sealing the actuator comprises sealing with one or more leading line contact surfaces facing the engagement portion of the actuator.74. A seal system for use with an actuator of a downhole tool, the actuator having at least one spherical engagement surface formed thereon, the seal system comprising:a) a first sealing member having an annular line contact surface formed thereon, the annular line contact surface adapted to mate with the at least one spherical engagement surface at a predetermined point during the stroke of the actuator; and b) a second sealing member having an annular line contact surface formed thereon, the annular line contact surface adapted to mate with the at least one spherical engagement surface at a second predetermined point during the stroke of the actuator. 75. A safety valve for use in a wellbore, the safety valve comprising:a) a body having a bore formed therethrough; b) a member pivotably coupled to the body to selectively close the bore; c) a tubular slidably coupled with the body, the tubular adapted to selectively displace the member in the bore; d) a chamber coupled to the bore, the chamber having an annular line contact surface; and f) an actuator slidably mounted within the chamber to establish a stroke, the actuator having at least one spherical engagement surface adapted to seat against the annular line contact surface at a predetermined position of the stroke, the actuator coupled to the tubular in the bore.