Eg&g Pressure Science, Inc.

Pressure Science Incorporated

Robert A Barrett

Horace P Halling

Jeffrey E Swensen

Mark E Woozley

Kevin R Felber

A fluid-tight modular joint is disclosed having various replaceable parts for refurbishing the joint after certain parts wear out. Specifically, the modular joint has a pair of sealing assemblies interconnected by a tubular sealing member which permits angular misalignment, axial movement and rotational movement between conduits. Each of the sealing assemblies includes a tubular housing with a replaceable sealing sleeve which is positively retained therein by a split retaining ring. Typically, the housings are welded to conduits, and thus, can only be removed by cutting them from their respective conduits. However, the housings are provided with access openings for inserting a camming tool therein to remove the sealing sleeves without cutting the housings away from their respective conduits. Therefore, in refurbishing the modular joint, the housings are reusable, while the sealing sleeves and tubular sealing members are replaceable. In one embodiment, the support member is provided with a sealing element, while in other embodiments a sealing element is provided on the housing.

Modular joint, with a replaceable sealing sleeve

A pressure-energized sealing ring having a bight portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion for providing a fluid-tight seal between a pair of components. The first and second leg portions include a curved section having first and second sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces are spaced from the free ends of the leg portion. The free ends of the leg portions are positioned between the bight portion and the sealing surfaces so that the ends of the seal are located in the area of low pressure. Accordingly, when sealing ring is a multi-ply seal, the free ends of the seal are positioned in the low pressure area so that the high pressure does not separate the seal. The curved sections of the leg portions and the curve of the bight portion securely couple the plies together without welding. Preferably, the plies are connected together and in intimate contact at their interfaces therebetween. In some embodiments, the leg portions include planar or crowned sections so that the sealing surfaces are faced farther from the bight portions to lower the contact force and stress level in the bight portion. In other embodiments, the bight portion has at least one convolution. Still in other embodiments, the sealing ring is arranged for an externally pressurized-type application.

Pressure-energized sealing rings

A pressure balance sealing ring having a substantially S-shaped, resilient cross section including two oppositely facing convolutions, a central leg coupling the convolutions and a pair of outer legs, each extending from one of the convolutions. The ring is advantageously formed of metal and seals against opposed axially facing but offset surfaces in an annulus between two concentric pipes or opposed axially facing surfaces at the interface formed by two aligned pipes. Each outer leg has a substantially circular sealing line, these sealing lines being radially offset from one another, adjacent the free distal edge of each leg, and spaced from the convolutions. In a modified embodiment, the sealing ring has more than two convolutions and additional legs to connect them. In another series of modified embodiments, the sealing ring has one or two restraining rings rigidly coupled to one or both of the outer legs to ensure the desired direction of torsional deflection under the action of the differential pressure. The sealing ring can also have its sealing lines axially offset as an alternative to them being radially offset.

Pressure balanced metallic S-seal

A pressure balanced sealing ring having a substantially S-shaped, resilient cross section including two oppositely facing convolutions, a central leg coupling the convolutions and a pair of outer legs, each extending from one of the convolutions. The ring is advantageously formed of metal and seals against opposed axially facing but offset surfaces in an annulus between two concentic pipes or opposed axially facing surfaces at the interface formed by two aligned pipes. Each outer leg has a substantially circular sealing line, these sealing lines being radially offset from one another, adjacent the free distal edge of each leg, and spaced from the convolutions, In a modified embodiment, the sealing ring has more than two convolutions and additional legs to connect them. In another series of modified embodiments, the sealing ring has one or two restraining rings rigidly coupled to one or both of the outer legs to ensure the desired direction of torsional deflection under the action of the differential pressure. The sealing ring can also have its sealing lines axially offset as an alternative to their being radially offset.

Pressure balanced S-seal

A torsionally flexible annular seal in the form of a metallic, resilient sealing ring for a pair of concentric, hollow annular bodies having high pressure and temperature fluid flowing therethrough and having different thermal expansion rates and/or temperatures. The sealing ring comprises a central tapering portion, a first curvilinear sealing portion at one end of the central portion, and a second curvilinear sealing portion at the other end of the central portion. In one embodiment the central tapering portion is frustoconical, and in a second it has convex and concave portions. The first and second sealing portions seal against inner and outer cylindrical surfaces defined by the pair of annular bodies, this sealing including at least two circular sealing lines in different planes.

Growing community of inventors

Crofton, MD, United States of America

Robert A Barrett