Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between relatively movable parts – Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
Patent
1993-01-06
1995-07-11
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between relatively movable parts
Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
2771675, 277171, F16J 1506
Patent
active
054314178
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a seal ring for conduit flanges and -joints which have to withstand high pressure and possibly thermal and mechanical loads. A special field of application for this kind of seals is found in risers in the oil industry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In high pressure technology there are several known types of seal rings for conduit joints. Common to all of these is the fact that they are made of compact and non-compressible material like metal and metal alloys since other types of material will not be as strong as required in high pressure technology.
The disadvantage of using such conventional seal rings and gaskets, is the fact that the joints in the pipeline typically are exposed to thermal work in the material as well as mechanical stress forces resulting in a joint which after some time will start leaking. Furthermore, when using this kind of joints and gaskets it has so far not been possible to check the seal capacity of such conduit joints, especially not during assembly, without resorting to test methods which are both demanding and expensive. Another disadvantage of conventional types of gaskets is the fact that they provide flexibility in one direction only, which is insufficient in order to ensure proper seal capacity.
A purpose of the present invention is thus to provide a seal ring avoiding the aforementioned problems in connection with work in the material in the area around the conduit joints, whilst testing of the conduit joints in joined pipelines is enabled, the testing being carried out with full pressure in the pipeline.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the following the invention will be explained referring to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a view of a conventional conduit joint with a flange,
FIG. 2 is a view of an embodiment of a seal ring according to the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a view of one half of such a flange with a marked entrance for a pressure probe for the testing of the seal performances of the flange and the conduit joint when exposed to high pressure.
FIG. 4 is a section of a groove in a seal ring according to the invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates another type of flange assembled with a seal according to the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a third type of flange assembled with a seal according to the invention.
FIG. 7 and 8 illustrate in section two types of flanges assembled around a conduit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Today it is both common and necessary to incorporate a seal in conduit joining flanges to ensure a leakage proof joint. As explained above it is however typical that such seals are shaped so as to achieve an accurate fitting in the corresponding groove in the flange, and further that they are made of compact material, causing the seal to start leaking after some time because of mechanical and thermal wear and tear as well as work from the material surrounding the joint.
In addition it has earlier been necessary to carry out pressure tests on such joints and gaskets after complete assembly of the pipelines, and it has not been possible to do these tests with a pressure below or above operation pressure.
According to the invention it has been found to be advantageous to shape a seal like this so as to enable an individual fitting in the flange groove, and particularly with flexibility in at least two directions.
In order to have the flange seal according to the invention function accordingly, the seal is shaped so as to include at least two confronting seal halves 1,2, which is distanced by a web 3 between the halves 1,2. Because of the web 3 the seal will have a certain resilient characteristic in that the halves 1,2 are forced against each other when mounted in a seal groove 31,41. Because of this it is very important that the seal flange is fitted relative to the groove 31,41 so that the halves 1,2 are forced against each other when mounted, e.g. that the seal will rest against the material of the groove 31,41 when the seal is half way down in the groove. By giving
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Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition .COPYRGT.1988, pp. 37 and 286, in part.
Beres John L.
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Steelproducts Offshore AS
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