Length compensating joint
First Claim
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1. An improved length compensating joint, comprising:
- an inner tubular member,an outer tubular member receiving said inner member in close surrounding relationship,a sealing means disposed between said inner and outer tubular members defining joint extension and retraction chambers,a means for supplying fluid under pressure to said extension and retraction chambers to permit selective relative movement between said inner and outer members,a gripping means positioned on said outer tubular member,a pressure responsive camming means cooperating with said gripping means to lock and release said gripping means to said inner member,a metal-to-metal seal for sealing between said inner and outer tubular members wherein said metal-to-metal seal is a shaped annular ring with a pair of unequal length seal legs extending therefrom which face in the direction of internal pressure from the inner member and provide an initial metal-to-metal seal between parallel surfaces on said inner and outer tubular members,said metal-to-metal seal is initially energized by an interference fit between said inner and outer tubular members, anda means for radially deenergizing said metal-to-metal seal during extension and retraction operations wherein said deenergizing means includes;
a radially directed passage providing fluid communication with the exterior and interior of said metal-to-metal seal,a porting means for supplying fluid under pressure to said passage, andan elastomeric seal means disposed on the exterior and interior of said metal-to-metal seal to allow pressurization of the interior of said metal-to-metal seal legs to disengage said interior leg from sealing engagement with said inner member during relative axial movement between said inner and outer members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved length compensating joint suitable for use in repairing pipelines includes an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member which receives the inner member in close fitting engagement, seals disposed radially and axially between the inner and outer members define annular piston areas for providing selective relative motion between the inner and outer members, a pressure responsive locking piston with a camming surface for urging gripping elements into locking engagement with the inner member, a metal-to-metal seal between the inner and outer members which can be deenergized during extension or retraction operations and a test port for verifying the integrity of the metal-to-metal seal after installation. Additionally, a second embodiment provides an alternative metal-to-metal seal configuration which can also be deenergized during extension and retraction operations.
39 Citations
5 Claims
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1. An improved length compensating joint, comprising:
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an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member receiving said inner member in close surrounding relationship, a sealing means disposed between said inner and outer tubular members defining joint extension and retraction chambers, a means for supplying fluid under pressure to said extension and retraction chambers to permit selective relative movement between said inner and outer members, a gripping means positioned on said outer tubular member, a pressure responsive camming means cooperating with said gripping means to lock and release said gripping means to said inner member, a metal-to-metal seal for sealing between said inner and outer tubular members wherein said metal-to-metal seal is a shaped annular ring with a pair of unequal length seal legs extending therefrom which face in the direction of internal pressure from the inner member and provide an initial metal-to-metal seal between parallel surfaces on said inner and outer tubular members, said metal-to-metal seal is initially energized by an interference fit between said inner and outer tubular members, and a means for radially deenergizing said metal-to-metal seal during extension and retraction operations wherein said deenergizing means includes; a radially directed passage providing fluid communication with the exterior and interior of said metal-to-metal seal, a porting means for supplying fluid under pressure to said passage, and an elastomeric seal means disposed on the exterior and interior of said metal-to-metal seal to allow pressurization of the interior of said metal-to-metal seal legs to disengage said interior leg from sealing engagement with said inner member during relative axial movement between said inner and outer members. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An improved length compensating joint, comprising:
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an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member receiving said inner member in close surrounding relationship, a sealing means disposed between said inner and outer tubular members defining joint extension and retraction chambers, a means for supplying fluid under pressure to said extension and retraction chambers to permit selective relative movement between said inner and outer members, a gripping means positioned on said outer tubular member, a pressure responsive camming means cooperating with said gripping means to lock and release said gripping means to said inner member, a metal-to-metal seal for sealing between said inner and outer tubular members wherein said metal-to-metal seal is a shaped annular ring with a triangularly shaped base portion with a pair of sealing legs which face in the direction of pressure from the inner member and includes an apex sealing against an annular surface on said outer member which is perpendicular to its axis and a lower tip on said base portion sealing against a cylindrical surface on said inner member which is parallel with its axis, said metal-to-metal seal is initially energized by an interference fit between said inner and outer tubular members, and a means for radially deenergizing said metal-to-metal seal during extension and retraction operations. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeCooper Cameron Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
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Original AssigneeCooper Industries, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
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InventorsBurton, James A.
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Primary Examiner(s)Reese, Randolph A.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Aberle, Timothy
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Application NumberUS07/536,694Time in Patent Office651 DaysField of Search285/93, 285/96, 285/101, 285/111, 285/106, 285/18, 285/31, 285/917, 277/207 A, 277/236, 277/205, 277/206 R, 277/27, 277/71, 277/72, 277/73US Class Current285/18CPC Class CodesF16L 27/12751 the threaded bolt extending...F16L 55/1608 by replacement of the damag...
