Vector International Limited

Freudenberg Oil & Gas, LLC

Freudenberg Oil & Gas Technologies Limited

John Stobbart

Michael Sheehan

A pipeline misalignment flange includes a socket member having a first smaller spherical internal surface, the socket member having a first face surrounding the first substantially spherical internal surface, the first face having a recessed channel. A retainer member includes a second larger spherical internal surface, the socket member and the retainer member being fastened together. A ball member includes a first smaller spherical external surface for engaging the socket member and a second larger spherical external surface for engaging the retainer member. The second larger spherical external surface includes an axially protruding portion with an undercut, the ball member being pivotable relative to the socket member such that the axially protruding portion of the second larger spherical external surface is received in the recessed channel.

Misalignment flange for pipeline installations

A seal ring and connection joint for conduits, pressure vessels or the like. A conduit joint can have an annular seal ring with an inner integrally formed sealing portions, an outer integrally formed sealing portion, and an interconnecting web portion, the inner sealing portions comprising a pair of inner annular seal lips facing the outer sealing portion and extending in a transverse direction to the web portion, the outer seal portion including a pair of outer annular seal lips facing the inner seal portion and extending in a transverse direction to the web portion, which web portion extends radially between the pair of seal lips on the inner seal portion and the pair of seal lips on the outer seal portion, the seal ring being interposed at an interface between a pair of conduit or vessel defining members, the conduit or vessel defining members being each provided at the interface with an annular ridge portion, wherein upon initial seating of the ridge portion with the seal ring prior to tightening the joint, one of either the inner or outer annular seal lips contacts a the ridge portion, whereas the other of the inner or outer annular seal lips is offset from the ridge portion by a clearance gap.

Seal ring and joint

An all metal ball and socket joint for connecting two misaligned conduits in fluid-tight communication utilizes a metal seal ring having a substantially conical bore which provides a relatively flush bore profile to fluid flowing through the seal ring. The cone angle of the conical bore is chosen in accordance with the maximum misalignment expected. The seal ring is attached to the nose of the ball member preferably by bolts. Seals are pressure energized by fluid flow. An annular o-ring groove and a pressure port can be provided to allow a back seal test to be carried out during installation.

Conduit joint and seal ring

A system for sealing an access port of a pressurized container or conduit comprises a metallic caphaving a sealing surfacewhich forms a seal with a corresponding sealing surfaceof a metallic access port assembly, when the surfaces are pushed against each other by a clamping meanswhich is preferably separate from the cap. As shown the metal to metal sealing surfaces are frustro-conical in shape. The cap comprises a shoulderwhich engages the rim of the access port if the cap is over tightened preventing deformation of the sealing surfaces. The cap may comprise a further frustro-conical sealing surfacewhich co acts with a corresponding surfaceon an insertwhich fits within and rests upon an internal shoulderof the access port assemblywhich may be welded onto a container.

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Swansea, United Kingdom

John Stobbart