Pipe joints or couplings – Particular interface – Tapered
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-02
2004-10-12
Hewitt, James M. (Department: 3679)
Pipe joints or couplings
Particular interface
Tapered
C285S334100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06802541
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ultrahigh pressure fluid containment systems, and in particular, to components, systems and methods for sealing ultrahigh pressure fluids between components.
2. Description of the Related Art
Systems for containing fluids at ultrahigh pressures, such as those in excess of 15,000 psi, can be extremely complicated and subject to failure after an unacceptably short life span. One example of an ultrahigh pressure system is illustrated in
FIG. 1
, wherein a cylinder
10
is compressed by tie-rods
12
between a check valve
14
and a plug
16
. A fluid at an ultrahigh pressure is contained within a cavity
18
(
FIG. 1
a
) that is sealed between the cylinder
10
, the check valve
14
and the plug
16
. Although various methods have been used to provide a seal for such a configuration, as discussed below, the methods have shown to be insufficient.
As best illustrated in
FIG. 1
a
, an annular seal
20
fabricated from a sacrificial material of lower strength than the cylinder
10
and the check valve
14
is positioned between the two bodies to provide a seal. It has been found, however, that the lower strength seal
20
requires frequent replacement, and that the stresses exerted by the seal result in early failure of the primary complements of the system. Such failures include cracks
22
formed in the bodies adjacent the annular seal
20
.
In addition, because materials subjected to extremely high pressures expand, relative motion between the parts results in failure through spalling, galling, or fretting. As best illustrated in
FIG. 1
b
, as the pressure within the cylinder
10
cycles between atmospheric pressure and ultrahigh pressures, the cylinder and the plug
16
expand and contract. It has been discovered that, in the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 1
b
, the cylinder
10
moves at a different rate as compared to plug
16
. As a result, during each cycle there is relative movement between the parts. Relative movement between parts of like materials in compression results in spalling, galling and fretting, each of which can damage one or both of the abutting components and shorten the life of the system.
Although this example is illustrated with a drawing of a plug, a cylinder and a check valve, it has been experienced in the industry that similar failures occur at other locations throughout an ultrahigh pressure fluid containment system. Accordingly, the invention discussed below is intended to solve such problems throughout the system.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward components, systems and methods for sealing between components in ultrahigh pressure fluid containment systems. Embodiments of the invention allow a complete seal to be formed without a gasket between components of a like material. In addition, embodiments of the invention allow adjacent components to expand and contract without significant relative motion between the components, reducing damage and extending the useful life of the components.
One embodiment of the invention incorporates a pair of adjacent components, one having a tapered female mouth integrally formed thereon for engagement with a complementary tapered male mouth integrally formed on the adjacent component. Each of the mouths has a mating portion. One of the mating portions has a substantially linear cross-sectional profile that is angled between 40 and 68 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the coupling. The other of the mating portions has a convex, curved cross-sectional profile that engages the linear profile of the other component at a substantially circular seal. The system allows components of like materials to be sealingly engaged with each other without the need of a gasket between the components.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a body having a tapered mouth configured to mate with a complementary mouth on a pressure vessel to form a circular seal therebetween. A contact angle between the adjoining components is tangential to at least one of the components, the tangent measuring between 40 and 60 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the component.
The present invention is also directed toward methods of manufacturing such components.
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patent: 4817962 (1989-04-01), Mott et al.
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patent: 5120084 (1992-06-01), Hashimoto
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patent: 5172939 (1992-12-01), Hashimoto
patent: 5350200 (1994-09-01), Peterson et al.
patent: 5489127 (1996-02-01), Anglin et al.
patent: 5667255 (1997-09-01), Kato
patent: 5725259 (1998-03-01), Dials
patent: 6045162 (2000-04-01), Haibara
patent: 6045165 (2000-04-01), Sugino et al.
patent: 6279965 (2001-08-01), Kida
patent: 6312022 (2001-11-01), Brophy et al.
patent: 801602 (1951-01-01), None
patent: 1 344 894 (1974-01-01), None
Hopinks Jordan J.
Pearson Larry G.
Tremoulet, Jr. Olivier L.
Flow International Corporation
Hewitt James M.
Seed IP Law Group PLLC
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