Dynamic Flange Seal and Sealing System

• US 20080143059A1
• Filed: 10/10/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation (Curtiss-Wright Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation (Curtiss-Wright Corporation)
• Inventors: Lah, Ruben F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,530,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 277/653
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 25/10 for ovens with vertical chambers
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 25/16 Sealing; Means for sealing
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/0887 the sealing effect being obtained by elastic deformation of the packing
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/20 made exclusively of metal

Abstract

The present invention features a flange to flange dynamic seal and sealing system, particularly suited for use within high temperature, high pressure environments, such as a delayed coking process. The dynamic flange seal and sealing system comprises two primary elements or seals, each of which are capable of independently forming a flange seal between two flanged components or combining to create a flange seal. Specifically, these primary seals are an iconel bellows seal and a bi-material gasket, each of which surround a flange opening along a sealing surface. The flange seal created by the dynamic flange seal and sealing system is capable of being maintained in light of, or rather the sealing system adapts to, any structural or environmental changes within the connected flanges. As such, the flange seal may be a dynamic flange seal or a static flange seal or both.

Claims

1-58. -58. (canceled)

59. A method for sealing flanged components within a high temperature, high pressure environment, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first component having a flange;

obtaining a second component having a flange, each of said flanges being complimentary to each other;

providing a dynamic flange sealing system within at least one of said flanges of said first and second components, said dynamic flange sealing system comprising;

an iconel bellows seal supported in one of said flanges of said first and second components and extending to and received by said complimentary flange upon their connection, said iconel bellows seal providing a dynamic seal between said first and second components;

a bi-material gasket supported within one of said flanges of said first and second components, said bi-material gasket comprising a flexor and a flexible sealant partially connected to said flexor; and

securing said first component to said second component via their respective said flanges, said step of securing causes said flexor to contract, wherein said flexible sealant displaces and seals against respective sealing surfaces on said flanges of said first and second components relative to the amount said flexor contracts, said dynamic flange sealing system providing a flange seal between said first and second components.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said first and second components are selected from a group consisting of a coke drum, a transitional spool, a de-header valve, a header, an inlet feed, a bonnet, and any other similar component utilized and existing within a high temperature and pressure environment.

61. A method for modifying an existing flange connection to enhance the seal between a first and second flange, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first component having a flange and at least one sealing surface thereon;

obtaining a second component having a flange and at least one sealing surface thereon, each of said flanges are complimentary to each other;

retro-fitting at least one of said flanges of said first and second components with a dynamic flange sealing system supported within said respective sealing surface, said dynamic flange sealing system comprising;

a bi-material gasket supported within one of said flanges of said first and second components, said bi-material gasket comprising a flexor and a flexible sealant partially connected to said flexor; and

securing said first component to said second component via their respective said flanges, thus causing said flexor to contract, wherein said flexible sealant displaces and seals against respective sealing surfaces on said flanges of said first and second components relative to the amount said flexor contracts, said dynamic flange sealing system providing a flange seal between said first and second components.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein said dynamic flange sealing system further comprises an iconel bellows seal supported in one of said flanges of said first and second components and extending to and received by said complimentary flange upon their connection, said iconel bellows seal providing a dynamic seal between said first and second components.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein said step of retro-fitting comprises cutting a recess in said sealing surface to support said bi-material gasket.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein said first and second components are selected from a group consisting of a coke drum, a transitional spool, a de-header valve, a header, an inlet feed, a bonnet, and any other similar component utilized and existing within a high temperature and pressure environment.