Harsh environment line swivel
OwnerHeiko Epkensinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A harsh environment swivel is disclosed. The swivel is of the type having first and second swivel heads located at opposite ends of a generally hollow swivel body. A swivel shaft is attached to the first swivel head and secured within the hollow body by a locking nut. The swivel shaft rotates about tapered roller bearings which transmit tensile loading from the swivel shaft to the hollow body. A plurality of progressively more restrictive seals restrict the passage of debris into the interior of the hollow body. In a further embodiment, a swivel having independently rotating swivel heads at either end is disclosed. A method of flushing debris from the interior of a swivel is also disclosed.
Claims10
A harsh environment line swivel comprising:
- (a) first and second swivel heads situated at opposite ends of a swivel body, said first and second swivel heads in rotational engagement with said swivel body;
- (b) a pair of swivel shafts attached to said swivel body, said swivel shafts being received within said first and said second swivel heads, respectively;
- (c) retaining means securing said swivel shafts within said swivel heads, said retaining means permitting rotational movement of said swivel heads about said swivel shafts and said swivel body;
- (d) bearing means for reduced frictional rotation of said swivel heads about said swivel shafts;
- and,
- (e) a plurality of sealing means between said swivel heads and said swivel body, said sealing means progressively more restrictive to the passage of particulate and liquid debris into said swivel body and said swivel heads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.