US 7,740,248 B2 · Annular seal

Abstract

A seal assembly capable of low temperature service is disclosed. It features upper and lower metallic backup rings that are specially shaped to act as a spring to keep the sidewalls of such rings in contact with the inside and outside surfaces to be sealed to prevent extrusion of the seal material even in low temperature situations. Inner and outer grooves are provided. O-ring seals, used for the ID of the seal, are manufactured to have a slightly greater diameter than the groove into which they will be installed. The greater length provides stored energy to promote sealing functionality in cold temperature situations. The O-rings used for the OD of the seal are manufactured to have a slightly smaller diameter than the groove into which they will be installed. The shorter length provides stored energy to promote sealing functionality in cold temperature situations.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A seal assembly for closing off an annular space between a first and second body and supported by at least one of said first and second bodies, comprising:

an annularly shaped body having an upper and a lower end and a longitudinal axis;
and
at least one backup ring mounted on one of said ends of said body and having a relaxed dimension greater than the annular space between said first and second bodies so that opposed ends on said backup ring must be compressed to be inserted in the annular space, said backup ring further comprising a bend between said opposed ends to store a force created by insertion of said backup ring into the annular space and apply said force on said opposed ends against said first and second bodies;
said body comprises at least one first ring in a first groove, said first groove having a bottom and a first circumference at said bottom;
the circumference of said first ring at a location nearest said first circumference of said first groove differs before mounting from said first circumference of said first groove so as to apply a net radial force to said body in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Annular seal

Life of this patent

Annular seal

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19