US 4,354,698 AGranted

Swivel joint construction for pressure containing conduit

AssigneeQuality Valve and Machine Works, Inc.

InventorsMorris B. Linder, John J. Beffano

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Abstract

A swivel joint for pressure containing conduits such as movable flow lines may comprise a pair of hub elements each having means establishing interconnection with a section of flow line, the hub elements being abutted in such a manner as to define a flow passage through the swivel joint construction. A thrust flange is formed on each of the hub elements, the flanges being retained within a split housing structure that serves to retain the swivel joint in assembly. Rotatable relationship between the hub elements and the body structure is established by a thrust bearing that is interposed between an internal shoulder of the housing and a segmented bearing retainer that also forms a part of one of the thrust flanges. A low friction spacer element may be disposed between the thrust flanges of the hubs to prevent the development of friction retardation of swivel movement. The hubs interfit to define a sealed recess within which is received a seal sleeve that is of sufficient length to transition the joint between the abutted hubs. The split bearing retainer enables the thrust bearing to be easily removed and replaced by means of field repair.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A swivel joint construction for movable flow lines, said swivel joint construction comprising:

a pair of hub elements each defining openings that cooperate to define a flow passage through said swivel joint construction, one of said hub elements defining first annular planar thrust transmitting shoulder means oriented in substantially normal relation with the axis of rotation of said swivel joint and the other of said pair of hub elements defining second annular planar thrust transmitting shoulder means of larger diameter as compared to said first thrust transmitting shoulder means and being in substantially parallel relation with said first thrust transmitting shoulder means;
a roller thrust bearing assembly of circular form defining an inner peripheral dimension of larger diameter as compared to the outer peripheral diameter of said first thrust transmitting shoulder means allowing said bearing assembly to pass over said first thrust transmitting shoulder means and adapted to be received in encircling spaced relation about said one of said hub elements;
segmented bearing retainer means adapted to be assembled at least partially about said one of said hub elements and cooperating with said first thrust transmitting shoulder means to define bearing thrust shoulder means of substantially the same dimension as said second thrust transmitting shoulder means;
and
split housing means adapted to be positioned about said hub elements and enclosing said bearing assembly and bearing retainer means, said housing means defining opposed spaced thrust support surface means said bearing assembly engaging one of said thrust support surface means and developing a rotatable relation between said one of said hub elements and said housing means, said second thrust transmitting shoulder means engaging the other of said thrust support surface means.

2 more elements

A swivel joint construction for movable flow lines, said swivel joint construction comprising:

a pair of hub elements each having an opening formed therein, said elements cooperating to define flow passage means through said swivel joint and to define seal recess means;
means for interconnecting said hub elements with a flow line;
thrust transmitting flange means being provided on each of said hub elements, one of said flange means being of smaller diameter than the other flange means;
thrust bearing means being received about one of said hubs and being of sufficient internal dimension to pass over said one thrust transmitting flange means;
segmented bearing retainer means being interposed between said bearing means and said thrust transmitting flange means and being in thrust force transmitting relation therebetween, said bearing retainer means being received in mating engagement about said one of said flange means and cooperating therewith to define a thrust transmitting flange assembly of substantially the same outer peripheral dimension as said other of said flange means, said bearing means encircling said segmented bearing retainer means;
split means enclosing said thrust transmitting flange means, bearing means and bearing retainer means, said housing means defining spaced thrust support means, said bearing means being in engagement within one of said thrust support means and providing for rotation of said hub means relative to said housing means, the other of said thrust transmitting flange means being in engagement with the other of said spaced thrust support means;
and
seal means being disposed within said seal recess and establishing seals with respect to each of said hub elements.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.