Pressure compensated slide joint
AssigneePressure Science Incorporated
InventorsHorace P. Halling, Bernard J. Sadoff, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pressure compensated slide joint for sealing first and second tubes having high pressure fluid flowing therethrough comprising a metallic, resilient sealing element extending from the first tube into an interference fit with the interior surface of the second tube, and an annular chamber, variable lengthwise in the axial direction, formed from two parts, each coupled to one of the tubes and in a slidable, sealing relationship with the other, and which has a vent communicating with the interior of the second tube. The sealing element is formed of a frustoconical portion and a ring portion having a curved outer surface contacting the interior surface of the second tube.
Claims10
A pressure compensated slide joint for sealing first and second tubes having high pressure fluid flowing therethrough, the combination comprising;
- a metallic, resilient sealing element having a free diameter greater than the interior diameter of the second tube and extending from the first tube into an interference fit with the interior surface tube sufficient to cause elastic deformation of the sealing element and thereby forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween;
- means defining an annular chamber which is variable lengthwise in the axial direction, said means comprising
- an annular outer wall coupled to the first tube and having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the second tube,
- a first end wall extending inwardly from said outer wall to a position adjacent the second tube,
- an annular inner wall formed by the outer surface of the second tube, and
- a second end wall extending outwardly from the outer surface of the second tube to a position adjacent said outer wall;
- first fluid-tight sealing means for sealing said first end wall and said inner wall during relative sliding movement thereof;
- second fluid-tight sealing means for sealing said second end wall and said outer wall during relative sliding movement thereof;
- said end walls having equal surface areas, each of which is equal to the cross-sectional area of the tubes, and
- vent means in said second tube for venting the high pressure fluid therein into said chamber, said vent means being located between said end walls,
- said first sealing means comprising a first metallic, resilient sealing member,
- said second sealing means comprising a second metallic, resilient sealing member, coupled to said second end wall adjacent said outer wall and having a curved surface with a maximum free diameter greater than the interior diameter of said outer wall, said curved surface being in an interference fit with the interior surface of said outer wall sufficient to cause elastic deformation of said second sealing member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.