Axial face seal system
AssigneeOneSubsea IP UK Limited
InventorJens R. Oedegaard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique facilitates enhanced sealing capability in a space saving format when utilizing a plurality of uniquely constructed seals. As a result, the seals are useful in swivels and other types of structures to provide secure sealing between seal surfaces while reducing the overall seal area. Each seal comprises a body having a seal base combined with lips which may be activated when the activation fluid is supplied under pressure. In swivel applications, the seals may be constructed in a vertical orientation as axial face seals. The vertical orientation of the seals enables construction of the swivel with a reduced cross-section and thus a reduced hydraulic loading.
Claims20
A system for coupling operational lines employed in a subsea application, comprising:
- a swivel having a geostationary portion and a plurality of rings rotatably mounted about the geostationary portion, each ring comprising a pair of ring seal surfaces which are movable relative to a pair of corresponding seal surfaces of the geostationary portion, the swivel further comprising a plurality of seals disposed along each ring seal surface, each seal comprising:
- a body having a base and lips extending from the base, the base being positioned against one of the corresponding seal surfaces and the lips extending away from the corresponding seal surface, the body being exposed to an activation fluid which may be pressurized to bias the base against the corresponding seal surface.
A system, comprising:
- a swivel base;
- a ring rotatably mounted on the swivel base, the ring having a recess in communication with an activation fluid passage;
- and
- a seal comprising a body having a seal base and lips extending from the seal base, the seal being disposed between a ring seal surface of the ring and a base seal surface of the swivel base, the seal being captured in the recess of the ring such that the seal base is adjacent the base seal surface and the lips extend to into the recess.
A method, comprising:
- providing a swivel with a vertical swivel base and a plurality of rings rotatably mounted about the swivel base;
- coupling fluid flow lines to the swivel base and to the plurality of rings to enable flow of process fluids through the swivel;
- positioning a plurality of vertical, activated face seals between horizontal seal surfaces of each ring and corresponding surfaces of the vertical swivel base to prevent escape of process fluids;
- and
- to activating the plurality of vertical, activated face seals via an activation fluid supplied through each ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.