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US 6,663,144 B1Granted
Seal retainer for undersea hydraulic coupling
AssigneeNational Coupling Company, Inc.
InventorRobert E. Smith, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An undersea hydraulic coupling has a male member and a female member with two ring-shaped hollow seals that engage the male member when it is inserted into the female member bore. A seal retainer restrains implosion or radial movement of one of the hollow metal seals into the female member bore, with a projection extending longitudinally into the hollow portion of the seal. The projection extends circumferentially around the end of the seal retainer adjacent its inner circumference.
Claims8
A sealing apparatus for an undersea hydraulic coupling member comprising:
- a sleeve-shaped seal retainer retaining a first hollow pressure-energized seal and a second hollow pressure-energized seal in an undersea hydraulic coupling member;
- the retainer having a first end abutting the first hollow pressure-energized seal, the first hollow pressure-energized seal having a sealing interfit between the undersea hydraulic coupling member and the first end of the retainer;
- the retainer having a second end with an annular projection extending therefrom, the second hollow pressure-energized seal having a tight interfit with the annular projection and having an outer circumference that sealingly engages the retainer;
- and
- a retainer locking member engaging the undersea hydraulic coupling member and having an interfit with the second hollow pressure-energized seal to seal against leakage of hydraulic fluid between the retainer and retainer locking member.
2 more elements
An undersea hydraulic coupling member comprising:
- a coupling body having a bore and an internal shoulder in the bore;
- a first hollow pressure-energized seal positioned on the internal shoulder;
- a seal retainer having a first end abutting the first hollow pressure-energized seal and retaining the first seal in sealing engagement with the internal shoulder and with the seal retainer;
- an annular projection extending from the second end of the seal retainer;
- a second hollow pressure-energized seal having a tight interfit with the annular projection and having an outer circumference in sealing engagement with the seal retainer;
- and
- a retainer locking member engaging the coupling body and having an interfit with the second hollow pressure-energized seal to seal against leakage of hydraulic fluid between the seal retainer and retainer locking member.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.