Abstract: A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.

Abstract: A probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has both internal and external pressure-energized seals. The outer wall or opposing ends of the seal have one or more pressure-energized seals for sealing between the body of the probe seal and the body of a coupling member in which the probe seal is installed. Annular, L-shaped, T-shaped or angled grooves in the inner wall of the seal form cavities and sealing projections that can be urged in an inward, radial direction by fluid pressure within an associated cavity to increase the sealing effectiveness between the body of the seal and the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber of the female coupling member.

Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: A sliding metal seal valve comprises one or more non-circular (oblate) metal seals. Use of non-circular (oblate) sliding metal seals, permits the rotor of a rotary sliding metal seal valve to have a smaller diameter which permits a smaller overall valve size. Reduced rotor diameter also reduces the torque required to turn the rotor, permitting smaller actuator motors to be used. Axially sliding valves such as bar valves may also employ such non-circular sliding metal seals to permit a reduction in the width of such valve.

Abstract: A female hydraulic coupling member has a pressure-energized C-seal having an internal cavity that is positioned to seal between the body of the coupling and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber. A metal sleeve lines at least a portion of the receiving chamber to resist galling. The main portion of the sleeve has an inside diameter (i.d.) and an outside diameter (o.d.) with a first end of the sleeve abutting a shoulder in the central axial bore of the coupling member. An opposing second end of the sleeve has an annular, axial extension with a larger i.d. and a smaller o.d. than the main portion of the sleeve. At least a portion of the extension projects into the internal cavity of the pressure-energized C-seal so as to retain and position it.

Abstract: A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: A probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has both internal and external pressure-energized seals. The outer wall or opposing ends of the seal have one or more pressure-energized seals for sealing between the body of the probe seal and the body of a coupling member in which the probe seal is installed. Annular, L-shaped, T-shaped or angled grooves in the inner wall of the seal form cavities and sealing projections that can be urged in an inward, radial direction by fluid pressure within an associated cavity to increase the sealing effectiveness between the body of the seal and the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber of the female coupling member.

Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has both internal and external pressure-energized seals. The outer wall or opposing ends of the seal have one or more pressure-energized seals for sealing between the body of the probe seal and the body of a coupling member in which the probe seal is installed. Annular, L-shaped, T-shaped or angled grooves in the inner wall of the seal form cavities and sealing projections that can be urged in an inward, radial direction by fluid pressure within an associated cavity to increase the sealing effectiveness between the body of the seal and the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber of the female coupling member.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A crown seal for sealing between the body of a female hydraulic coupling member and the probe section of male hydraulic coupling member has sealing projections on or near its outer diameter to provide enhanced sealing effectiveness between the crown seal and the body of the female member and obviate the need for circumferential O-ring seals. In a first embodiment, the sealing projections have a substantially circular cross section and project both axially and radially from the body of the crown seal. In a second embodiment, the sealing projections have a semicircular cross section and project in an axial direction from certain outside edges of the crown seal. Crown seals according to the invention may be retrofitted to female hydraulic couplings of the prior art. Alternatively, the body of the female coupling or a seal retainer or seal cartridge fitted therein may be provided with grooves or contoured surfaces to fit the sealing projections on the crown seal.