Fmc Corporation

Fmc Technologies, Inc.

Sergio A Castillo

Tep Ungchusri

Ralph Taeuber, Jr

Robert H Ash, Jr

Rick Wei-Shou Pang

A swivel joint comprises a tubular male member having at least first and second outer annular grooves formed on an outer surface, a tubular female member having at least first and second inner annular grooves formed on an inner recess, and a plurality of balls disposed in at least first and second annular races which are formed by the alignment of the first and second outer grooves with the first and second inner grooves when a first end of the male member is received within the recess of the female member. In addition, the radius of the first race is greater than the radius of an adjacent race closer to the first end of the male member, and the number of balls in the first race is just one more than the number of balls in the adjacent race closer to the first end.

Swivel joint with stepped bearing races

The invention is directed to a plug valve comprising a body which includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a cavity that is connected between the inlet and outlet ports; first and second seal segments which are mounted in the cavity and which each comprise a through bore that is coaxial with the inlet and outlet ports; the through bores and the inlet and outlet ports defining a flow passage through the body; a plug member which is rotatably positioned between the first and second seal segments and which includes a hole that extends transversely therethrough; the plug member being rotatable between an open position in which the hole is aligned with the flow passage and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the flow passage; and at least a first booster spring which is positioned between the first seal segment and the body to bias the first seal segment against the plug member.

Plug valve having seal segments with booster springs

The present invention is directed to a swivel joint for fluid conduits which comprises a central axis; a tubular male member having an outer annular surface, a first end and at least first and second outer annular grooves formed on the outer surface coaxial with the central axis; a tubular female member having an inner annular recess, an annular shoulder formed at an inner end of the recess and at least first and second inner annular grooves formed on the recess coaxial with the central axis; wherein the outer surface of the male member is adapted to be received in the recess of the female member such that the first end is disposed proximate the shoulder and each outer groove is aligned with a corresponding inner groove to thereby define at least first and second annular races; a plurality of balls disposed in each race to secure said male and female members together and to facilitate relative rotation of the male and female members about the central axis; wherein the radius of each race as measured from the central axis is greater than the radius of each adjacent race closer to the first end of the male member; and wherein the number of balls in each race is one more than the number of balls in each adjacent race closer to the first end.

A fluid-carrying swivel joint has a stepped bearing race arrangement on interconnecting hubs having an improved bore seal capability. The stepped arrangement allows more ball bearings per adjacent race which allows equal distribution of hydrostatic end loading to each bearing race, thereby enabling maximum total end loading while minimizing load concentration on a particular bearing race section due to increased total ball and race contact area. A straight bore type seal is used to reduce surface area subject to axial pressure and to minimize rotational friction.

Step bearing race swivel joint assembly

A bore seal assembly for sealing between first and second adjoining tubular members which comprises a cylindrical seal sleeve having a bore and two radially outwardly extending sealing lips for engaging a seal pocket formed in the adjoining ends of the first and second tubular members, a cylindrical wear sleeve mounted within the bore for supporting the seal sleeve within the seal pocket, and an elongated erosion sleeve extending longitudinally from the wear sleeve into at least the first tubular member, whereby the erosion sleeve protects the first tubular member against erosion.

Seal with extended wear sleeve

A bore seal assembly for sealing between adjoining tubular members having a seal pocket formed in the adjacent ends thereof which comprises a cylindrical seal sleeve having a bore and two radially outwardly extending sealing lips for engaging the seal pocket, a cylindrical finger spring mounted within the bore of the seal sleeve and having an annular central section and a plurality of fingers extending axially outwardly therefrom for urging the sealing lips against the seal pocket, and a cylindrical wear sleeve having a curvilinear outer diameter for supporting the fingers and transferring the contact point between the fingers and the wear sleeve toward the ends of the fingers to thereby increase the stiffness of the fingers and maintain a spring force sufficient to overcome the force caused by contraction of the seal sleeve in low temperatures.

Bore seal assembly with wear ring having curvilinear spring support

A load segment assembly for use in pipe swivel joints or pipe connectors locks male and female hubs of a joint together while providing an axial bearing therebetween. The load assembly includes arcuate segments each having a dove-tail groove on the face of the convex side of the arcuate segment, requiring a flexible joining member to be threaded therethrough, providing maximum shear and bearing strength.

Load segment assembly with wire rope

A pipe swivel joint with male and female hubs and an improved bore seal assembly having an anti-extrusion ring that axially energizes the swivel joint hubs toward their operational position as the joint is assembled.

Growing community of inventors

Spring, TX, United States of America

Sergio A Castillo