Gasketless high pressure connection

A sealing system for a high pressure pump, the pump having a vessel defining a vessel bore and having an end portion, the vessel bore having a first engagement face and defining a central longitudinal axis, the pump further including a plunger cooperative with the vessel to increase the pressure of a fluid within the bore, the sealing system comprising:

• a seal member at least partially received within the bore and defining a second engagement face;
• and
• a retaining member in operative contact with the seal member to mate the first engagement face with the second engagement face to inhibit fluid leakage from the bore, wherein the first engagement face includes a first contacting surface having a non-linear cross-section that is convex or concave, and wherein the second engagement face includes a second contacting surface having a non-linear cross-section that is the other of convex or concave in contact with the first contacting surface, wherein the non-linear cross-section of the first contacting surface is concave and the non-linear cross-section of the second contacting surface is convex, and wherein the non-linear cross-section of the first contacting surface includes an innermost portion having a first radius and an outermost portion having a second radius different from the first radius, and wherein the radius between the innermost portion and the outermost portion is continuously variable between the first radius and the second radius.

A high pressure pumping system for fluid in excess of 15,000 psi, the pumping system defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:

• a first component including a first engagement face having a first contacting surface with a first non-linear cross-section that is convex;
• a second component including a second engagement face having a second contacting surface with a second non-linear cross section that is concave;
• and
• a retaining member coupled to one of the first component and the second component to sealingly connect the first engagement face to the second engagement face to inhibit fluid leakage therebetween,
• wherein the first non-linear cross-section includes an innermost portion having a first radius and an outermost portion having a second radius different from the first radius, and wherein the radius between the innermost portion and the outermost portion is continuously variable between the first radius and the second radius.

A high pressure pump for producing fluid pressure in excess of 15,000 psi, the pump comprising:

• a vessel including an end portion having a first engagement face, the vessel including a vessel bore that defines a central longitudinal axis and is in communication with a source of fluid;
• a plunger cooperative with the vessel to increase the pressure of a fluid within the bore;
• a seal member at least partially received within the bore and defining a second engagement face;
• and
• a retaining member in operative contact with the seal member and with the vessel to mate the first engagement face with the second engagement face to inhibit fluid leakage from the bore, wherein the first engagement face includes a convex contacting surface with a variable radius continuously increasing with increasing distance from the longitudinal axis.