# US 10,309,562 B2 · Metal to metal wedge ring seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,562 B2 - Document ID: US10309562B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/653,075 - Filed: 2017-07-18 - Published: 2019-01-24 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-18 - Assignees: Freudenberg Oil & Gas, LLC - Applicants: Freudenberg Oil & Gas, LLC - Inventors: Michael LoGiudice - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309562B2 ## CPC - F16L 17/02: with sealing rings arranged between outer surface of pipe and inner surface of sleeve or socket - E21B 33/1212: {including a metal-to-metal seal element} - F16J 15/0887: {the sealing effect being obtained by elastic deformation of the packing} - F16J 15/10: with non-metallic packing - F16J 15/164: {the sealing action depending on movements; pressure difference, temperature or presence of leaking fluid} - F16J 15/28: with sealing rings made of metal - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS ## Abstract A seal assembly includes an outer member defining a bore and an inner member received in the bore of the outer member and one of the outer member and the inner member defining a shoulder portion. An inner circular cross-section metallic ring member and an outer circular cross-section metallic ring member are disposed between the outer member and inner member and against the shoulder portion. A wedge member engages the inner circular cross-section metallic ring member and the outer circular cross-section metallic ring member for applying an axial force against each of the inner and outer circular cross-section metallic ring members in a direction toward the shoulder portion and for applying a radially outer force against the outer circular cross-section metallic ring member and for applying a radially inner force against the inner circular cross-section metallic ring member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seal assembly, comprising: an outer member defining a bore; an inner member received in the bore of the outer member and one of the outer member and the inner member defining a shoulder portion; a first circular cross section metallic ring member having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter, the first circular cross section metallic ring member being disposed between the inner member and the outer member and directly against the inner member; a second circular cross section metallic ring member having a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter that are larger than the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter, respectively, the second circular cross section metallic ring member being disposed between the outer member and the first circular cross section metallic ring member and directly against the outer member; and a wedge member engaging the first circular cross section metallic ring member and the second circular cross section metallic ring member for applying an axial force against each of the first and second circular cross section metallic ring members in a direction toward the shoulder portion and for applying a radially outer force against the second circular cross section metallic ring member and for applying a radially inner force against the first circular cross section metallic ring member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wedge member includes a third circular cross section metallic ring member having a third inner diameter and the third outer diameter wherein the third inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter and smaller than the second inner diameter and the third outer diameter is larger than the first outer diameter and smaller than the second outer diameter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wedge member is made from metal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wedge member includes an annular member having an axially protruding rib engaging the first and second circular cross section metallic ring members. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seal assembly according to claim 4, wherein the axially protruding rib includes angled radially inner and radially outer surfaces. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The seal assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an annular backing member disposed axially between the shoulder portion and the first and second circular cross section metallic ring members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer circular cross section metallic ring members are coated with a second material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seal assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an annular pressing member disposed against the wedge member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The seal assembly according to claim 8, wherein the annular pressing member includes a wedge-shaped recess engaging the wedge member. ### Claim 10 A seal assembly, comprising: an outer member defining a bore; an inner member received in the bore of the outer member and one of the outer member and the inner member defining a shoulder portion; a first circular cross section ring member having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter, the first circular cross section ring member being disposed between the inner member and the outer member and directly against the inner member; a second circular cross section ring member having a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter that are larger than the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter, respectively, the second circular cross section ring member being disposed between the outer member and the first circular cross section ring member and directly against the outer member; and a wedge member engaging the first circular cross section ring member and the second circular cross section ring member for applying an axial force against each of the first and second circular cross section ring members in a direction toward the shoulder portion and for applying a radially outer force against the second circular cross section ring member and for applying a radially inner force against the first circular cross section ring member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The seal assembly according to claim 10, wherein the wedge member includes a third circular cross section ring member having a third inner diameter and the third outer diameter wherein the third inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter and smaller than the second inner diameter and the third outer diameter is larger than the first outer diameter and smaller than the second outer diameter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The seal assembly according to claim 10, wherein the wedge member includes an annular member having an axially protruding rib engaging the first and second circular cross section ring members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The seal assembly according to claim 12, wherein the axially protruding rib includes angled radially inner and radially outer surfaces. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The seal assembly according to claim 10, further comprising an annular member disposed axially between the shoulder portion and the first and second circular cross section ring members. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The seal assembly according to claim 10, wherein the inner and outer circular cross section metallic ring members are coated with a second material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The seal assembly according to claim 10, wherein the inner and outer circular cross section metallic ring members are made from one of a thermoplastic, composite and elastomer material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The seal assembly according to claim 10, further comprising an annular pressing member disposed against the wedge member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The seal assembly according to claim 17, wherein the annular pressing member includes a wedge-shaped recess engaging the wedge member. ### Claim 19 A seal assembly, comprising: an outer member defining a bore; an inner member received in the bore of the outer member and one of the outer member and the inner member defining a shoulder portion; a first metallic ring member having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter, the first metallic ring member being disposed between the inner member and the outer member and directly against the inner member; a second metallic ring member having a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter that are larger than the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter, respectively, the second metallic ring member being disposed between the outer member and the first metallic ring member and directly against the outer member; and a wedge member engaging the first metallic ring member and the second metallic ring member for applying an axial force against each of the first and second metallic ring members in a direction toward the shoulder portion and for applying a radially outer force against the second metallic ring member and for applying a radially inner force against the first metallic ring member.