Split ring sealing device for high pressure service

A split ring sealing device for high pressure sealing service around a cylindrical member, said device comprising:

• (a) a deformable primary torus-shaped seal element having a single radial cut and being placed around a cylindrical member;
• (b) a back-up seal ring element positioned around said cylindrical member and having a single radial cut located at about 90.degree.-180.degree. away from the radial cut in said primary seal element;
• (c) a split retainer ring having a recess fitting over said back-up seal ring element;
• (d) a conduit having an inner annular surface for mating with said primary seal element;
• (e) a coupling having an external threaded portion and having a radial slot sized for positioning the coupling around said cylindrical member;
• (f) a ring nut having an internal thread sized for engaging onto the threaded portion of said coupling to clamp said primary seal element between said cylindrical member and the angled sealing surface of said conduit;
• and
• (g) a split ring for clamping around the cylindrical member and the outer end of said coupling, for rigidly connecting the coupling to said cylindrical member.

A method for providing pressure sealing around a cylindrical member using deformable ring element, comprising:

• (a) placing around a cylindrical member a deformable primary torus-shaped seal element having a single radial cut;
• (b) positioning around said cylindrical member a relatively rigid back-up ring element having a single radial cut located 90.degree.-180.degree. away from the radial cut in said primary seal element;
• (c) providing adjacent to said back-up ring, a rigid split seal retainer ring having an annular recess enclosing said back-up ring so that the split surfaces are located about 90.degree. away from the single cut in the back-up ring;
• (d) placing said primary seal ring against an annular angled surface of a conduit member;
• (e) placing around said cylindrical member a first clamping means having a radial slot therein sized for fitting over the cylindrical member and clamping said rigid retainer ring tightly to said conduit member using first and second mating clamping means;
• and
• (f) clamping said first clamping means to the cylindrical member.