Pressure-energized sealing rings

• US 5,630,593 A
• Filed: 09/12/1994
• Issued: 05/20/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
• Inventors: Barrett, Robert A., Swensen, Jeffrey E.
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Application Number:
  US08/302,467
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 277/206 R, 277/206 A, 277/236, 277/207 A, 277/205, 277/213, 277/209, 277/199, 277/198, 277/140, 277/180, 277/200, 277/208, 277/210, 277/27
• US Class Current: 277/626
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/0887 the sealing effect being obtained by elastic deformation of the packing

Abstract

A pressure-energized sealing ring having a bight portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion for providing a fluid-tight seal between a pair of components. The first and second leg portions include a curved section having first and second sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces are spaced from the free ends of the leg portion. The free ends of the leg portions are positioned between the bight portion and the sealing surfaces so that the ends of the seal are located in the area of low pressure. Accordingly, when sealing ring is a multi-ply seal, the free ends of the seal are positioned in the low pressure area so that the high pressure does not separate the seal. The curved sections of the leg portions and the curve of the bight portion securely couple the plies together without welding. Preferably, the plies are connected together and in intimate contact at their interfaces therebetween. In some embodiments, the leg portions include planar or crowned sections so that the sealing surfaces are faced farther from the bight portions to lower the contact force and stress level in the bight portion. In other embodiments, the bight portion has at least one convolution. Still in other embodiments, the sealing ring is arranged for an externally pressurized-type application.

Claims

1. A pressure-energized sealing ring in its unstressed state, comprising:

an annular bight portion having at least one curved section extending through an arc with a first substantially smooth concave surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a first high pressure fluid and a second convex surface adapted to be fluid contact with a second low pressure fluid of a lower pressure than the first fluid;

a first annular leg portion extending from one end of said bight portion to a first free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion, and a second surface extending from said second surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion said first leg portion having a first substantially u-shaped bent section reversing direction of said first leg portion and a first annular sealing surface formed on said first surface of said first leg portion with said first free end of said first leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid; and

a second annular leg portion extending from the other end of said bight portion to a second free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said second free end of said second leg portion, and a second surface extending from said second surface of said bight portion to said second free end of said second leg portion, said second leg portion having a second substantially u-shaped bent section reversing direction of said second leg portion and a second annular sealing surface on said first surface of said second leg portion with said second free end of said second leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid,

said first and second sealing surface forming an annular sealing line therebetween for dividing said first surface into a pair of low pressure sections and a high pressure section,

said curved section of said bight portion being located on a first side of said sealing together with said first and second free ends of said first and second leg portions, said first and second bent sections of said first and second leg portions being located on a second side of said sealing line which is opposite from said first side of said sealing line,

said high pressure section of said first surface lying on said fist side of said sealing line being greater in area than said high pressure section of said first surface lying on said second side of said sealing line,

each of said first and second leg portions including a substantially planar portion extending between said bight portion and said bent sections respectively,

said bight portion being shaped as a partial circle when viewed in longitudinal cross-section and extending approximately 180°

,

said bent sections of said first and second leg portions being shaped as partial circles when viewed in longitudinal cross-section, and extending approximately 180°

,

said planar sections of said first and second leg portions converge towards each other as they extend away from said bight portion in their unstressed state.

2. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 1, wherein

said bight portion, said first leg portion and said second leg portion are formed of outer and inner annular plies nested together such that said outer ply forms said second surfaces of said bight portion and said leg portions and said inner ply forms said first surfaces of said bight portion and said leg portions.

3. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 2, wherein

said outer and inner annular plies are in intimate surface contact at an interface therebetween.

4. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 2, wherein

said outer ply has a plurality of cutouts along said bent sections.

5. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 4, wherein

said cutouts extend from said bent sections to said planar sections of said leg portions.

6. A pressure-energized sealing ring in its unstressed state, comprising:

an annular bight portion at least one curved section extending through an arc with arc with a first substantially smooth concave surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a first high pressure fluid, and a second convex surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a second low pressure fluid of a lower pressure than the first fluid;

a first annular leg portion extending from one end of said bight portion to a first free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion, and a second surface extending from said second surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion, said first leg portion having a first substantially u-shaped bent section reversing direction of said first leg portion and first annular sealing surface formed on said first surface of said first leg portion with said first free end of said first leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid; and

a second annular leg portion extending from the other end of said bight portion to a second free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion of said second free end of said second leg, portion, and a second surface of extending from said second surface of said bight portion to said second free end of said second leg portion said second leg portion having a second substantially u-shaped bent section reversing direction of said second leg portion and a second annular sealing surface on said first surface of said second leg portion with said second free end of said second leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid,

said first and second sealing surfaces forming an annular sealing line therebetween for dividing said first surface into a pair of low pressure sections and a high pressure section,

said curved section of said bight portion being located on a first side of said sealing line together with said first and second free ends of said first and second leg portions, said first and second bent sections of said first and second leg portions being located on a second side of said sealing line which is opposite from said first side of said sealing line,

said high pressure section of said first surface lying on said first side of said sealing line being greater in area than said high pressure section of said first surface lying on said second side of said sealing line,

said bight portion, said first leg portion and said second leg portion being formed of outer and inner annular plies nested together such that said outer ply forms said second surfaces of said bight portion and said leg portions and said inner ply forms said first surfaces of said bight portion and said leg portions.

7. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 6, wherein

said outer and inner annular plies are constructed from metallic materials having different properties from each other.

8. A pressure-energized sealing ring in its unstressed state, comprising:

an annular bight portion having at least one curved section extending through an arc with a first substantially smooth concave surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a first high pressure fluid, and a second convex surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a second low pressure fluid of a lower pressure than the first fluid;

a first annular leg portion extending from one end of said bight portion a first free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion, and a second surface extending from said second surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion, said first leg portion having a first substantially u-shaped bent section reversing direction of said first leg portion and a first annular sealing surface formed on said first surface of said first leg portion with said first free end of said first leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid; and

a second annular leg portion extending from the other end of said bight portion to a second free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said second free end of said second leg portion, and a second Surface extending from said second surface of said bight portion to second free end of said second leg portion, said second leg portion having a second substantially u-shaped bent section reversing direction of said second leg portion and a second annular sealing surface on said first surface of said second leg portion with said second free end of said second leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid,

said first and second sealing surfaces forming an annular sealing line therebetween for dividing said first surface into a pair of low pressure sections and a high pressure section,

said curved section of said bight portion being located on a first side of said sealing line together with said first and second free ends of said first and second portion leg portions, said first and second bent sections of said first and second leg portions being located on a second side of said sealing line which is opposite from said first side of said sealing line,

said high pressure section of said first surface lying on said first side of said sealing line being greater in area than said high pressure section of said first surface lying on said second side of said sealing line,

at least said first and second sealing surfaces being coated with a smearable plating material.

9. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring, comprising:

an inner annular ply having an inner bight portion with at least one curved section extending through an arc of approximately at least 180°

, a first inner leg portion extending from one end of said inner bight portion to a first free end thereof, and a second inner leg portion extending from the other end of said inner bight portion to a second free end thereof, said first and second inner leg portions having first and second bent sections and first and second curved annular sealing surfaces, respectively, each of said first and second bent sections extending through a curved arc for orienting said first and second sealing surfaces in opposite outwardly facing directions; and

an outer annular ply overlying and nested with said inner annular ply, and having an outer bight portion with at least one curved section extending through an arc of at least approximately 180°

, a first outer leg portion extending from one end of said outer bight portion to a third free end thereof, and a second outer leg portion extending from the other end of said outer bight portion to a fourth free end thereof, said first and second outer leg portions having first and second bent sections in intimate contact with said first and second bent sections of said inner leg portions to securely and weldlessly couple said inner and outer annular plies together,

said first and second sealing surfaces forming an annular sealing line therebetween, said first and second free ends of said inner annular ply being positioned by said bent sections between said annular sealing line and a line tangent with said outer annular bight portion and parallel to said annular sealing line so that said free ends are exposed to a low pressure fluid engaging said outer ply.

10. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 9, wherein

each of said leg portions includes a substantially planar portion extending between their corresponding said bight portions and said bent sections, respectively.

11. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 10, wherein

said outer ply has a plurality of cutouts along said bent sections of said outer ply.

12. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 9, wherein

said outer bight portion is exposed towards the center of said sealing ring.

13. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 9, wherein

said inner bight portion is exposed towards the center of said sealing ring.

14. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 9, wherein

said bight portions are further defined by each having at least one convolution with a pair of said curved sections extending between their corresponding said first and second leg portions.

15. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 9, wherein

each of said leg portions includes a substantially planar portion extending between their corresponding said bight portions and said bent sections, respectively.

16. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 9, wherein

each of said first and second annular sealing surfaces is curved outwardly to form an annular convex sealing surface, and

each of said leg portions includes an inwardly curved section between corresponding said bent sections and corresponding said bight portions.

17. A pressure-energized sealing ring, comprising:

an annular curved bight portion having at least one curved section extending through an arc of at least approximately 180°

with a first radius, said bight portion having a first substantially smooth concave surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a first high pressure fluid, and a second convex surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a second low pressure fluid of a lower pressure than the first fluid;

a first annular leg portion extending from one end of said bight portion to a first free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion, and a second surface extending from said second surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion, said first leg portion having a first bent section extending through an arc of at least one 180°

with a second radius and a first annular sealing surface on said first surface of said first leg portion with said first free end of said first leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid; and

a second annular leg portion extending from the other end of said bight portion to a second free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said second free end of said second leg portion, said second leg portion having a second bent section extending through an arc of at least one 180°

with a third radius and a second annular sealing surface on said first surface of said second leg portion with said second free end of said second leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid,

said first and second sealing surface forming an annular sealing line therebetween for dividing said first surface into a pair of low pressure section and a high pressure section,

said curved bight portion being located on a first side of said sealing line together with said first and second free ends of said first and second leg portions, said first and second bent sections of said first and second leg portions being located on a second side of said sealing line which is opposite from and first side of said sealing line,

said first radius of said bight portion being larger than said second radius of said first bent section as well as larger than said third radius of said second bent section,

each of said first and second leg portions including a substantially planar portion extending between said bight portion and said bent sections respectively,

said planar sections of said first and second leg portions converge towards each other as they extend away from said bight portion.

18. A pressure-energized sealing ring, comprising:

an annular curved bight portion having at least one curved section extending through an arc of at least approximately 180°

with a first radius, said bight portion having a first substantially smooth concave surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a first high pressure fluid, and a second convex surface adapted to be in fluid contact with a second low pressure fluid of a lower pressure than the first fluid;

a first annular leg portion extending from one end of said bight portion to a first free end thereof; and

having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion and a second surface extending from said second surface of said bight portion to said first free end of said first leg portion, said first leg portion having a first bent section extending through an arc of at least one 180°

with a second radius and a first annular sealing surface on said first surface of said first leg portion with said first free end of said first leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid; and

a second annular leg portion extending from the other end of said bight portion to a second free end thereof, and having a first substantially smooth surface extending coextensively from said first surface of said bight portion to said second free end of said second leg portion, said second leg portion having a second bent section extending through an arc of at least one 180°

with a third radius and a second annular sealing surface on said first surface of said second leg portion with said second free end of said second leg portion being in fluid contact with the second low pressure fluid,

said first and second sealing surfaces forming an annular sealing line therebetween for dividing said first surface into a pair of low pressure sections and a high pressure section,

said curved bight portion being located on a first side of said sealing line together with said first and second free ends of said first and second leg portions, said first and second bent sections of said first and second leg portions being located on a second side of said sealing line which is opposite from said first side of said sealing line,

said first radius of said bight portion being larger than said second than said second radius of said first bent section as well as larger than said third radius of said second bent section,

said bight portion, said first leg portion and said second leg portion being formed of outer and inner annular plies nested together such that said outer ply forms said second surfaces of said bight portion and said leg portions and said inner ply forms said first surface of said bight portion and said leg portions.

19. A pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 18, wherein

said outer and inner annular plies are in intimate surface contact at an interface therebetween.

20. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring in its unstressed state, comprising:

an inner annular ply having an inner bight portion with at least one curved section extending through an arc of 180°

, a first inner leg portion extending from one end of said inner bight portion to a first free end thereof, and a second inner leg portion extending from the other end of said inner bight portion to a second free end thereof, said first and second inner leg portions having first and second curved annular sealing surfaces and first and second bent sections extending through arcs of at least approximately 180°

to orient said first and second curved annular sealing surfaces in opposite outwardly facing directions, respectively; and

an outer annular ply overlying and nested with said inner annular ply for exposure to a low pressure fluid, and having an outer bight portion with at least one curved section extending through an arc of approximately 180°

, a first outer leg portion extending from one end of said outer bight portion to a third free end thereof, and a second outer leg portion extending from the other end of said outer bight portion to a fourth free end thereof,

said outer and inner bight portions being in intimate contact with each other to securely and weldlessly couple said inner and outer annular plies together,

said first and second free ends of said inner annular ply being positioned by said bent sections between said annular bight portions and said annular sealing surfaces, respectively, so that said first, second, third and fourth free ends are exposed to the low pressure fluid engaging said outer ply.

21. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 20, wherein

said first and second curved sealing surfaces are formed by said arcs of said first and second bent sections.

22. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 20, wherein

each of said leg portions includes a substantially planar portion extending between their corresponding said bight portions and their corresponding said bent sections, respectively.

23. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 20, wherein

said first and second outer leg portions include third and fourth bent sections, respectively, which are in intimate surface contact with said first and second bent sections, respectively, at an interface therebetween.

24. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 20, wherein

said outer bight portion is exposed towards the center of said sealing ring.

25. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 20, wherein

said inner bight portion is exposed towards the center of said sealing ring.

26. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 20, wherein

said bight portions are further defined by each having a pair of said curved sections extending between their corresponding said first and second leg portions and at least one convolution positioned between said curved sections of each of said bight portions.

27. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 20, wherein

each of said leg portions includes a substantially planar portion extending between their corresponding said bight portions and their corresponding said bent sections, respectively.

28. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring, comprising:

an inner annular ply having an inner curved bight portion with at least one curved section extending through an arc of at least approximately 180°

with a first radius, a first inner leg portion extending from one end of said inner bight portion to a first free end thereof, and a second inner leg portion extending from the other end of said inner bight portion to a second free end thereof, said first and second inner leg portions having first and second bent sections with second radii to form first and second annular sealing surfaces, respectively, and to orient said first and second sealing surfaces in opposite outwardly facing directions; and

an outer annular ply overlying and nested with said inner annular ply, and having at least an outer curved bight portion with at least one curved section, a first outer leg portion extending from one end of said outer bight portion to a third free end thereof, and a second outer leg portion extending from the other end of said outer bight portion to a fourth free end thereof,

said outer bight portion and said inner leg portions being in intimate contact with said inner bight portions and said inner leg portions, respectively, to securely and weldlessly couple said inner and outer annular plies together,

said first and second sealing surfaces forming an annular sealing line therebetween with said first and second free ends of said inner annular ply being positioned by said bent sections between said annular sealing line and a line tangent with said annular outer bight portion and parallel to said annular sealing line so that said first, second, third and fourth free ends are exposed to a low pressure fluid engaging said outer ply,

said first radius of said inner bight portion being larger than said second radii of said first and second bent sections.

29. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 28, wherein

said annular inner and outer bight portions extend through an arc of approximately 180°

.

30. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 28, wherein

each of said bent sections are curved and extend through an arc of at least approximately 180°

with said first and second sealing surfaces formed thereon.

31. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 28, wherein

each of said leg portions includes a substantially planar portion extending between their corresponding said bight portions and their corresponding said bent sections, respectively.

32. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 28, wherein

said first and second outer leg portions include third and fourth bent sections, respectively, which are in intimate surface contact with said first and second bent sections, respectively, at an interface therebetween.

33. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 28, wherein

said outer bight portion is exposed towards the center of said sealing ring.

34. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 28, wherein

said inner bight portion is exposed towards the center of said sealing ring.

35. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 28, wherein

said bight portions are further defined by each having at least one convolution with a pair of said curved sections extending between their corresponding said first and second leg portions.

36. A non-welded pressure-energized sealing ring according to claim 35, wherein

each of said leg portions includes a substantially planar portion extending between their corresponding said bight portions and their corresponding said bent sections, respectively.