# US 11,994,244 B2 · Highly elastic metal seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,244 B2 - Document ID: US11994244B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/625,728 - Filed: 2020-07-07 - Published: 2022-09-08 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-08 - Assignees: SPM Oil & Gas PC LLC - Applicants: SPM Oil & Gas PC LLC - Inventors: Michael L. Mann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994244B2 ## CPC - F16L 23/20: made exclusively of metal - F16J 15/0887: {the sealing effect being obtained by elastic deformation of the packing} - E21B 33/03: Well heads; Setting-up thereof - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A highly elastic annular seal assembly includes a metal stabilator having inner and outer spaced-apart and projecting annular plates coupled to a common base and forming a U-shaped geometry, and a metal seal ring having inner and outer spaced-apart and projecting annular plates coupled to a common base and having a U-shaped geometry with a central groove. The stabilator plates are configured to be disposed within the central groove between the seal ring plates, and the stabilator plates being configured to gradually urge the seal ring plates outward as the seal ring and stabilator are brought together until a portion of the first seal ring plate contacts and forms a seal against a mating body disposed within the first seal ring plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A highly elastic annular seal assembly comprising: a metal stabilator having inner and outer spaced-apart and projecting annular plates coupled to a common base and forming a U-shaped geometry; and a metal seal ring having inner and outer spaced-apart and projecting annular plates coupled to a common base and having a U-shaped geometry with a central groove; wherein the stabilator plates are configured to be disposed within the central groove between the seal ring plates, and the stabilator plates being configured to gradually urge the seal ring plates outward as the seal ring and stabilator are brought together until a portion of a first seal ring plate of the inner and outer seal ring plates contacts and forms a seal against a mating body disposed within the first seal ring plate, wherein the annular seal assembly does not include a spacer disposed within the U-shaped geometry of the metal seal ring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the inner seal ring plate comprises at least one bump protruding inwardly to form a sealing surface with the mating body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein an exterior profile of the stabilator plates form a graduated tapered surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein a distal end of an interior profile of the seal ring plates from a graduated tapered surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the inner stabilator plate includes a relief cut. ### Claim 6 A highly elastic annular seal assembly configured for encircling a pipe, the seal assembly comprising: a metal stabilator having inner and outer projecting annular plates coupled to a common base, the first and second stabilator plates being spaced apart by a length of d; and a metal seal ring having inner and outer projecting annular plates coupled to a common base, the first and second seal ring plates being spaced apart by a length of D; wherein the seal ring plates and the stabilator plates are configured to fit together, and wherein the seal assembly does not include a spacer positioned between the first and second stabilator plates. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The seal assembly of claim 6, wherein D>d and the stabilator plates are disposed within a groove formed by the seal ring plates. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The seal assembly of claim 6, wherein a distal end of the inner seal ring plate comprises at least one bump protruding inwardly to form a sealing surface with the mating body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The seal assembly of claim 6, wherein an exterior profile of the stabilator plates form a graduated tapered surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The seal assembly of claim 6, wherein a distal end of an interior profile of the seal ring plates from a graduated tapered surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The seal assembly of claim 6, wherein an inner surface of the inner stabilator plate includes a relief cut. ### Claim 12 A highly elastic annular seal assembly comprising: a stabilator having first and second spaced-apart and projecting annular plates coupled to a base and defining a central groove therebetween; and a seal ring having first and second spaced-apart projecting annular plates coupled at a base and defining a central groove therebetween; wherein the projecting stabilator plates are configured to be disposed within the central groove between the projecting seal ring plates and to gradually urge the first seal ring plate inward as the seal ring plates and stabilator plates come together until a portion of the first seal ring plate contacts and forms a seal against a mating body, wherein the seal assembly does not include a spacer within the stabilator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The seal assembly of claim 12, wherein a distal end of the first seal ring plate comprises at least one bump protruding inwardly to form the seal against the mating body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The seal assembly of claim 12, wherein an exterior profile of the stabilator plates form a graduated tapered surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The seal assembly of claim 12, wherein a distal end of an interior profile of the first and second seal ring plates from a graduated tapered surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The seal assembly of claim 12, wherein an inner surface of the first stabilator plate includes a relief cut. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The seal assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one of the seal ring and stabilator is constructed of a metal.