W-K-M Wellhead Systems, Inc.

Henry O Tohill

A sealing connection for the passage of a fluid control line through adjoining members. The connection comprises a metallic tubular sealing element (10) provided with tapered end portions, each end having internal frusto-conical surfaces (32, 33) and external frusto-conical surfaces (41,43) in coaxial alignment with the bore (31) through the element (10). The external frusto-conical surfaces (41, 43) provide metal-to-metal sealing with aligned frusto-conical seating surfaces (62, 54) in opposed pockets (51, 61) formed in aligned portions (28a, 29) of the control line at their respective openings at the adjoining surfaces of the adjoined member (13, 12). The tubular sealing element (10) is subjected to axial compression between the frusto-conical pocket seating surfaces (62, 54) when the adjoined members (13, 12) are bolted tightly together which results in deformation of its tapered end portions to provide metal-to-metal sealing with the adjoined members (13, 12) which is effective to seal against both internal and external fluid pressurization of the control line and without internally obstructing or restricting the control line. Secondary sealing is provided by elastomeric O-ring seals (36, 39) mounted in circumferential annular grooves formed in the exterior of the tubular sealing element (10).

Control line sealing connection

A metallic sealing ring assembly (10) for sealing an annulus between metallic surfaces of concentric tubular members. The assembly comprises a central metallic sealing ring (11) having flared upper and lower annular flanges (14, 15, 16, 17) at both its inner and outer peripheries. The sealing ring 11 is sandwiched between upper and lower adapter rings (12, 13) disposed concentric therewith and formed with bevelled annular edges (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) which contact flared surfaces (14a, 15a, 16a, 17a) of the sealing ring flanges (14, 15, 16, 17) at a mating angle of five degrees. When axially compressed, the annular flanges of the metal sealing ring (11) are deflected radially and at their tips are deformed and extruded against the surfaces of the members (18, 19) defining the annulus to establish metal-to-metal seals therewith. The flanges are truncated at their free ends whereby initial engagement of the adapter rings (12, 13) with the metallic sealing ring (11) and annulus defining members (18, 19) is along the annular edges (14c-17c, 14d-17d) of the flange tips and the compression force is concentrated thereat. Axial loading is applied by holddown screws (50) with tips (51) in camming engagement with a camming surface (52) on the upper adapter ring (18).

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Bossier City, LA, United States of America

Henry O Tohill