US 2006/0131883 A1 · Externally pressurized connection

Abstract

Systems and methods for coupling conduits such as pipe sections, where the resulting conduit (e.g., pipeline) will be externally pressurized. One embodiment comprises first and second flanges and a seal ring. The flanges have male and female mating surfaces, respectively. The mating surfaces form a tapered space in which the seal ring is positioned. The space between the mating surfaces is tapered so that it is wider at an end which is exposed to pressure external to the connection and narrower at an end which is exposed to pressure internal to the connection. The mating surfaces of the flanges and inner and outer surfaces of the seal ring may be conic sections, where the male mating surface and inner seal ring surface form a smaller angle with the axis of the connection and the female mating surface and outer seal ring surface form a larger angle with the axis.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A connection comprising:

a first coupling member having a male mating surface;
a second coupling member having a female mating surface;
and
a seal ring positioned between the male mating surface and the female mating surface to provide a seal between the male mating surface and the female mating surface;
wherein the male mating surface and the female mating surface are configured to form a tapered space in which the seal ring is positioned and wherein the tapered space between the male mating surface and the female mating surface is wider at an end which is exposed to pressure external to the connection and narrower at an end which is exposed to pressure internal to the connection.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Externally pressurized connection

Life of this patent

Externally pressurized connection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19