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US 4,471,965 AGranted
High-pressure fire-resistant metal seal
AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorsCharles E. Jennings, Thomas N. Treue, Bashir M. Koleilat
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-purpose metal-to-metal seal system providing fluid-tight integrity at the area of contact between the seal element and the surface against which it bears, throughout wide variations in pressure and temperature, and especially during and following exposure to a fire atmosphere.
Claims12
In a wellhead assembly for an oil or gas well, a fire-resistant metal-to-metal fluid seal system for isolating fluids subjected to cyclic variations in temperature and/or pressure, said system comprising:
- a. a pipe suspension element with an end portion functional as an annular metal seal element having
- (1) a base,
- (2) a sealing lip with a sealing face of curved cross-sectional configuration, and
- (3) an intermediate lip-supporting portion extending between the base and the sealing lip;
- and
- b. a wellhead element surrounding said pipe suspension element and having a metallic cylindrical surface against which said sealing lip presses in an interference fit relationship when in functional position therewith, said cylindrical surface having an axial dimension sufficient to assure continuous contact thereof with said sealing lip regardless of the magnitude of expansion and contraction experienced by the seal system in response to temperature and/or pressure fluctuations.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.