Seal extraction tool

A tool for extracting an annular carbon face seal from a bore of equipment in which the seal is installed, the tool having:

• an extraction tube for insertion into the bore at an entrance thereof such that, when the extraction tube is fully inserted into the bore, a multi-legged collet formed at a distal end of the extraction tube is located within the seal and a proximal end of the extraction tube is accessible at the entrance of the bore;
• an elongate member which extends along the central passage of the extraction tube, a wedge element provided at a distal end of the elongate member being located at a mouth of the collet, and a proximal end of the elongate member being accessible at the proximal end of the extraction tube;
• a support arrangement for reacting an axial extraction force applied to the extraction tube to the equipment;
• a rotatable first actuator located at the proximal end of the elongate member, the tool being configured such that actuation of the first actuator causes the wedge element to be pulled into collet, thereby expanding the collet and causing it to grip an inner surface of the seal;
• and
• a second actuator which operatively connects the extraction tube and the support arrangement such that actuation of the second actuator causes the axial extraction force to be applied to the extraction tube, whereby the extraction force, reacted to the equipment, extracts the seal from the bore when the seal is gripped by the collet;
• wherein each leg of the collet has a radially outwardly projecting portion which, when the collet is expanded, grips a recessed inner surface of the seal;
• wherein the tool is configured to have a threaded connection between the elongate member and the extraction tube such that rotation of the first actuator causes the wedge element to be pulled into collet, thereby expanding the collet and causing it to grip an inner surface of the seal, the elongate member pulling out of the extraction tube and the wedge element rotating in the collet when the first actuator is rotated.