Self energizing seal element
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorMartin P. Coronado
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-energizing seal element includes at least one inside interference surface having a dimension smaller than an inside dimension of an annulus in which the seal is to be disposed in use, at least one outside interference surface having a dimension larger than an outside dimension of the annulus in which the seal is to be disposed in use, the at least one inside interference surface being axially offset from the at least one outside interference surface and at least one angular flange extending between the at least one outside interference surface and the at least one inside interference surface and method for sealing.
Claims17
A self-energizing seal element comprising:
- at least one inside interference surface having a dimension smaller than an inside dimension of an annulus in which the seal is to be disposed in use;
- at least one outside interference surface having a dimension larger than an outside dimension of the annulus in which the seal is to be disposed in use, the at least one inside interference surface being axially offset from the at least one outside interference surface;
- and
- at least one angular flange extending between the at least one outside interference surface and the at least one inside interference surface.
A method for creating a metal to metal seal between at least a seal element and a component at an outside dimension of a seal element, the method comprising:
- urging the element axially into contact with the component;
- interferingly engaging at least a maximum annular dimension of the element with the component;
- and
- inducing axial extension of the element to produce sealing stress in the element.
A method for creating a metal to metal seal comprising:
- urging a first tubular member into a second tubular member, one of the first or second tubular members carrying a metal seal element;
- elongating the seal element through interference with the other of the first or second tubular members;
- and
- inducing a radial expansion stress in the element against the tubular interfering with the element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.