# US 2018/0320805 A1 · Tubular joint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0320805 A1 - Document ID: US20180320805A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/781,413 - Filed: 2016-12-07 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-08 - Assignees: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS - Applicants: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS - Inventors: Odd Marius ROSVOLD - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180320805A1 ## CPC - F16L 23/18: the sealing means being rings - F16J 15/028: {the packing being mechanically expanded against the sealing surface} - F16L 23/04: the flanges being connected by members tensioned in the radial plane (F16L23/12 takes precedence) - 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 ## Abstract A tubular joint comprising first and second tubular members, an annular sealing element positioned between the tubular members and a clamping device for clamping the tubular members to each other with an end face of the first tubular member in contact with an end face of the second tubular member. The sealing element comprises an annular metallic body. Two sealing surfaces on the metallic body are designed to mate with tapered sealing surfaces on the tubular members. A first spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted to the metallic body and configured to be in sealing contact with a radially extending sealing surface on the first tubular member. A second spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted to the metallic body and configured to be in sealing contact with a radially extending sealing surface on the second tubular member. Seal members are prestressed upon clamping of the tubular members to each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tubular joint comprising: a first tubular member and a second tubular member, the first tubular member having an end face configured to face a corresponding end face of the second tubular member; a clamping device for clamping the tubular members to each other with the end face of the first tubular member in contact with the end face of the second tubular member; and an annular sealing element to be received in an annular groove formed by a first annular recess in the end face of the first tubular member and an opposite second annular recess in the end face of the second tubular member, wherein the sealing element comprises an annular metallic body which has a first outer sealing surface designed to mate with a first tapered sealing surface provided in said first annular recess and a second outer sealing surface designed to mate with a second tapered sealing surface provided in said second annular recess upon clamping of the tubular members to each other, wherein: that the sealing element comprises an annular first spring-energized seal member mounted to the metallic body and configured to be in sealing contact with a first radially extending sealing surface provided in said first annular recess radially inwardly of the first tapered sealing surface when the tubular members are clamped to each other; that the sealing element comprises an annular second spring-energized seal member mounted to the metallic body and configured to be in sealing contact with a second radially extending sealing surface provided in said second annular recess radially inwardly of the second tapered sealing surface when the tubular members are clamped to each other; and that the spring-energized seal members are configured to be prestressed upon clamping of the tubular members to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A tubular joint according to claim 1, wherein that the seal members are made in a polymeric or metallic material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A tubular joint according to claim 1, wherein: that the metallic body has a central base part, a flexible first flange and a flexible second flange, wherein the first and second flanges are located opposite each other and connected to the base part at opposite ends thereof and wherein said first and second outer sealing surfaces of the metallic body are provided on the base part; that first spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted to the first flange of the metallic body; that second spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted to the second flange of the metallic body; and that the flanges of the metallic body are configured to be prestressed upon clamping of the tubular members to each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A tubular joint according to claim 3, wherein in that the first spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted in an annular recess provided in the first flange of the metallic body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A tubular joint according to claim 3, wherein that the second spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted in an annular recess provided in the second flange of the metallic body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) A tubular joint according to claim 3, wherein: that the first flange of the metallic body comprises a first contact surface configured to be pressed against the first radially extending sealing surface upon clamping of the tubular members to each other; that the second flange of the metallic body comprises a second contact surface which is located opposite said first contact surface and configured to be pressed against the second radially extending sealing surface upon clamping of the tubular members to each other; that the first spring-energized polymeric seal member comprises an annular polymeric body which is configured to project beyond said first contact surface when the sealing element is in an unloaded state; and that the second spring-energized polymeric seal member comprises an annular polymeric body which is configured to project beyond said second contact surface when the sealing element is in an unloaded state. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A tubular joint according to claim 1, wherein that each spring-energized polymeric seal member comprises an annular polymeric body and an annular spring, wherein the polymeric body comprises an inner sealing lip and an opposite outer sealing lip, and wherein the annular spring is disposed in a channel provided in the polymeric body between the inner and outer sealing lips. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A tubular joint according to claim 7, wherein that said annular spring is a metallic spring or a rubber spring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A tubular joint according to claim 1, wherein that first seal members are arranged in annular recesses provided in lateral surfaces on the sealing element, second seal members being arranged in the same annular recesses, thereby locking the first seal members in the annular recesses. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A tubular joint according to claim 9, wherein that the second seal members are provided with annular grooves into which third seal members are provided.