Seal rings and methods for making them

A seal ring comprising a circular ring body extending between a first end and a second end engageable with the first end, the circular ring body comprising

• an inner circumferential face;
• an outer circumferential face opposing the inner circumferential face having a first lateral edge and an opposed second lateral edge;
• a first lateral face extending between the inner circumferential face and the opposing outer circumferential face;
• and
• a second lateral face opposing the first lateral face, disposed between the inner circumferential face and the opposing outer circumferential face;
• wherein
• the first end includes a central region and two lateral regions, one on each lateral side of the central region, and the second end of the seal ring includes a central region and two lateral regions, one on each lateral side of the central region, such that when the first end is engaged with the second end to provide a circular seal ring, the central region of the first end is laterally aligned with the central region of the second end;
• the first end includes a platform in a radially inward portion of each of the lateral regions thereof, and a vertically-extending blade in a radially outward portion of the central region thereof, the blade extending circumferentially beyond the platforms, forming an extension of the blade;
• and
• the second end including two vertically extending fingers in a radially outward portion of each lateral region thereof, and a platform in a radially inward portion of the central region thereof, the platform extending circumferentially beyond the base of the fingers and being accessible from a radial outward side of the central region of the second end;
• and
• wherein when the first end is engaged with the second end,
• at least a portion of the extension of the blade of the central region of the first end that extends beyond the platforms of the lateral regions of the first end is disposed radially directly over the platform of the central region of the second end,
• at least a portion of each of the fingers of the lateral regions of the second end is disposed radially directly over a platform of a lateral region of the first end, and
• the blade of the central region of the first end is disposed between the fingers of the lateral regions of the second end, and
• wherein when the ends are engaged the extension of the blade of the central region of the first end is disposed in contact with the platform of the central region of the second end.

A seal ring comprising a circular ring body extending between a first end and a second end engageable with the first end, the circular ring body comprising

• an inner circumferential face having a first lateral edge and an opposed second lateral edge;
• an outer circumferential face opposing the inner circumferential face having a first lateral edge and an opposed second lateral edge;
• a first lateral face extending between the first lateral edge of the inner circumferential face and the first lateral edge of the opposing outer circumferential face;
• and
• a second lateral face opposing the first lateral face, extending between the second lateral edge of the inner circumferential face and the second lateral edge of the opposing outer circumferential face;
• wherein
• the first end includes
• a first platform defining a first lateral region disposed along the first lateral face, the first platform being disposed in a radially-inward portion of the first lateral region,
• a second platform defining a second lateral region disposed along the second lateral face, the second platform being disposed in a radially-inward portion of the second lateral region, and
• a blade defining a central region between the first lateral region and the second lateral region, the blade being disposed in a radially outward portion of the central region, the blade extending circumferentially beyond the platforms, forming an extension of the blade;
• and
• the second end includes
• a first finger defining a first lateral region disposed along the first lateral face, the first finger being disposed in a radially-outward portion of the first lateral region,
• a second finger defining a second lateral region disposed along the second lateral face, the second finger being disposed in a radially-outward portion of the second lateral region,
• a platform defining a central region between the first lateral region and the second lateral region, the platform being disposed in a radially inward portion of the central region, the platform extending circumferentially beyond the base of the fingers and being accessible from a radial outward side of the central region of the second end;
• wherein when the first end is engaged with the second end to provide a circular seal ring,
• the central region of the first end is laterally aligned with the central region of the second end, the first lateral region of the first end is laterally aligned with the first lateral region of the second end, and the second lateral region of the first end is laterally aligned with the second lateral region of the second end;
• at least a portion of the extension of the blade of the central region of the first end that extends beyond the platforms of the lateral regions of the first end is disposed radially directly over the platform of the central region of the second end,
• at least a portion of each of the fingers of the lateral regions of the second end is disposed radially directly over a platform of a lateral region of the first end,
• and the blade of the central region of the first end is disposed between the fingers of the lateral regions of the second end.