Flexible alignment sealing coupling

A seal for a flexible alignment sealing coupling, the seal comprising:

• an annular member being symmetric about a longitudinal axis, the annular member having a radially inward facing surface extending an axial width between a first axial end and a second axial end thereof, in a relaxed state of the seal the radially inward facing surface having an asymmetric generally concave V-shaped cross section and defined by a first section and a second section, the first section has a first seal taper angle measured relative to a first line parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second section has a second seal taper angle measured relative to a second line parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first taper angle is less than the second taper angle, wherein each of the first taper angle and the second taper angle is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees, and
• wherein the first axial end of the annular member has a first outside diameter and a first inside diameter defining an annulus with a first cross sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second axial end of the annular member has a second outside diameter and a second inside diameter defining an annulus with a second cross sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the first cross sectional area is 105 percent to 115 percent of the second cross sectional area.

A ring holder for a flexible alignment sealing coupling, the ring holder comprising:

• a tubular body being symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and having a radially outward opening first groove formed thereon, the first groove having a first outboard wall with a backside, a first inboard wall with a front side, and a concave asymmetrical first V-shaped surface, the first V-shaped surface being defined by a first groove-segment that extends from the front side and is sloped at a first outboard taper angle measured relative to a first line parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second groove-segment that extends from the backside and is sloped at a first inboard taper angle measured relative to a second line parallel to the longitudinal axis.

A ring holder for a flexible alignment sealing coupling, the ring holder comprising:

• a tubular body being symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and having a radially outward opening first groove formed thereon, the first groove having a first outboard wall and a first inboard wall each extending circumferentially around the tubular body and a concave asymmetrical first V-shaped surface extending between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall, the first V-shaped surface being defined by a first groove-segment sloped at a first outboard taper angle measured relative to a first line parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second groove-segment sloped at a first inboard taper angle measured relative to a second line parallel to the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the first outboard wall has a first outside diameter and the first inboard wall has a second outside diameter that is greater than the first outside diameter, and
• wherein the second outside diameter is 108 percent to 112 percent of the first outside diameter.

A ring holder for a flexible alignment sealing coupling, the ring holder comprising:

• a tubular body being symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and having a radially outward opening first groove formed thereon, the first groove having a first outboard wall and a first inboard wall each extending circumferentially around the tubular body and a concave asymmetrical first V-shaped surface extending between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall, the first V-shaped surface being defined by a first groove-segment sloped at a first outboard taper angle measured relative to a first line parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second groove-segment sloped at a first inboard taper angle measured relative to a second line parallel to the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the tubular body has a body interior surface that has a chamfer formed opposite the first groove-segment, and
• wherein the chamfer is parallel to the first groove-segment.

A ring holder for a flexible alignment sealing coupling, the ring holder comprising:

• a tubular body being symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and having a radially outward opening first groove formed thereon, the first groove having a first outboard wall and a first inboard wall each extending circumferentially around the tubular body and a concave asymmetrical first V-shaped surface extending between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall, the first V-shaped surface being defined by a first groove-segment sloped at a first outboard taper angle measured relative to a first line parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second groove-segment sloped at a first inboard taper angle measured relative to a second line parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a radially outward facing second groove formed thereon, the second groove having a second outboard wall and a second inboard wall each extending circumferentially around the tubular body and a concave asymmetrical second V-shaped surface extending between the second outboard wall and the second inboard wall, the second V-shaped surface being defined by a third groove-segment sloped at a second outboard taper angle measured relative to a third line parallel to the longitudinal axis and a fourth groove-segment sloped at a second inboard taper angle measured relative to a fourth line parallel to the longitudinal axis.