Patents Assigned to EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6015152
    Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer including a substantially flat body portion lying in a plane and with at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed with said body portion as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging the seal(s) to retain the seal(s) thereto. The seal retainer has an indicator formed on its body portion to indicate if the seal retainer has been used. In the preferred embodiment the indicator is a raised protrusion which normally extends outwardly from the plane of body portion of the seal retainer. Once the seal retainer is used, the raised protrusion of the indicator is deformed inwardly into the plane of the body portion of the seal retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Swensen, Terence J. Nolan, J. Loyd Spence, Edward P. Rhyne
  • Patent number: 5873611
    Abstract: A clamping device is disclosed for coupling peripheral flanges of a pair of tubular members together. The clamping device has a retaining member for coupling the peripheral flanges of the tubular member together, with first and second coupling ends being releasably coupled together by a latch assembly from an open position to a closed position. The latch assembly has a connecting member with a pivoting end and an anchoring end. The pivoting end of the connecting member is pivotally coupled to the first coupling end about a pivot axis between an unengaged position where the anchoring end is spaced from the second coupling end and an engaged position where the anchoring end is removably coupled to the second coupling end. The latch assembly further has a retention member coupled to the pivoting end of the connecting member for retaining the connecting member to the first coupling end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Munley, Jeffrey E. Swensen, H. Steve Graham
  • Patent number: 5799954
    Abstract: A sealing ring is disclosed for radially sealing two coaxial surfaces. The sealing ring has an annular convolution with a first radially facing sealing surface and a pair of annular leg portions forming second and third radially facing sealing surfaces. Each of the leg portions are provided with an annular bend to increase the radial resiliency of the seal. In an alternate embodiment, each of the leg portions of the sealing ring has a pair of annular bends. In yet another embodiment, the sealing ring is constructed of a pair of plies or layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey F. Layer
  • Patent number: 5772254
    Abstract: A fluid-tight modular joint is disclosed having various replaceable parts for refurbishing the joint after certain parts wear out. Specifically, the modular joint has a pair of sealing assemblies interconnected by a tubular sealing member which permits angular misalignment, axial movement and rotational movement between conduits. Each of the sealing assemblies includes a tubular housing with a replaceable sealing sleeve which is positively retained therein by a split retaining ring. Typically, the housings are welded to conduits, and thus, can only be removed by cutting them from their respective conduits. However, the housings are provided with access openings for inserting a camming tool therein to remove the sealing sleeves without cutting the housings away from their respective conduits. Therefore, in refurbishing the modular joint, the housings are reusable, while the sealing sleeves and tubular sealing members are replaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Felber, Robert A. Barrett, Jeffrey E. Swensen
  • Patent number: 5735532
    Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer includes a body portion constructed of three layers. The inner layer is designed to retain the seal or seals thereto, while the outer layers or plates are designed to limit the amount of seal compression. The inner layer has at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed therewith as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging and retaining the seal or seals to retain the seal or seals thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence J. Nolan, Jeffrey E. Swensen, J. Loyd Spence
  • Patent number: 5735533
    Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer including a substantially flat body portion lying in a plane and with at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed with the body portion as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging the seal or seals to retain the seal or seals thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the seal retainer is folded to form three layers. In particular, the body portion of the seal retainer has a main supporting layer with four tabs foldably coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence J. Nolan, Jeffrey E. Swensen, J. Loyd Spence
  • Patent number: 5730448
    Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer plate with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer plate includes a substantially flat rigid body portion with at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed therewith as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging and retaining the seal or seals thereto. Preferably, the seal retainer plate is constructed of a non-metallic material. The body portion of the retainer plate has a thickness relative to the axial dimension of the seal or seals for limiting axial compression of the seal or seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Swensen, Terence J. Nolan, J. Loyd Spence, John L. Beales, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5730445
    Abstract: A sealing ring for sealing axially facing annular surfaces having an annular bight portion and annular first and second leg portions. The annular bight portion having a first end and a second end, with an arcuate concave surface and an arcuate convex surface. The annular first leg portion having a first curved section extending from the first end of the bight portion and a second curved section extending from the first curved section to a first free end, the first and second curved sections each having an arcuate concave surface and an arcuate convex surface. The convex surface of the second curved section forms a first annular sealing surface. An annular second leg portion having a third curved section extending from the second end of the bight portion and a fourth curved section extending from the end of the third curved section to a second free end. The third and fourth curved sections each having an arcuate concave surface and an arcuate convex surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Swensen, Mark A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5716052
    Abstract: A pressure-energized sealing ring having a bight portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion for providing a fluid-tight seal between a pair of components. The first and second leg portions include a curved section having first and second sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces are spaced from the free ends of the leg portion. The free ends of the leg portions are positioned between the bight portion and the sealing surfaces so that the ends of the seal are located in the area of low pressure. Accordingly, when sealing ring is a multi-ply seal, the free ends of the seal are positioned in the low pressure area so that the high pressure does not separate the seal. The curved sections of the leg portions and the curve of the bight portion securely couple the plies together without welding. Preferably, the plies are connected together and in intimate contact at their interfaces therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Swensen, Robert A. Barrett
  • Patent number: 5713582
    Abstract: A sealing assembly is disclosed for creating a seal between first and second mating members or components. The sealing assembly basically includes a seal retainer with one or more annular seals coupled thereto. The seal retainer including a substantially flat body portion lying in a plane and with at least one resilient retaining element integrally formed with said body portion as a one-piece, unitary member for engaging the seal(s) to retain the seal(s) thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Swensen, Terence J. Nolan, J. Loyd Spence
  • Patent number: 5645303
    Abstract: A pipe coupling device for coupling the peripheral flanges of a pair of pipes together, including a pair of retainers with gripping grooves therein for receiving portions of the peripheral flanges of the pipes. The gripping grooves of the retainers have a unique inner surface with a pair of slanted gripping surfaces and a pair of non-gripping surfaces that are located within the outer envelope of the peripheral flanges. This provides for lightweight, compact retainers. The retainers are pivotally coupled at one of their ends by a hinge assembly and releasably coupled at their opposite ends by a latch mechanism. The hinge assembly has at least two links pivotally coupled at one of their ends to one of the retainers by a first pivot pin being received in a pivot slot formed in the retainer and pivotally coupled at their other end to the other retainer by a second pivot pin being received in a pivot slot formed in the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Warehime, Daniel T. Munley, Thomas S. Oh, Jeffrey E. Swensen
  • Patent number: 5630593
    Abstract: A pressure-energized sealing ring having a bight portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion for providing a fluid-tight seal between a pair of components. The first and second leg portions include a curved section having first and second sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces are spaced from the free ends of the leg portion. The free ends of the leg portions are positioned between the bight portion and the sealing surfaces so that the ends of the seal are located in the area of low pressure. Accordingly, when sealing ring is a multi-ply seal, the free ends of the seal are positioned in the low pressure area so that the high pressure does not separate the seal. The curved sections of the leg portions and the curve of the bight portion securely couple the plies together without welding. Preferably, the plies are connected together and in intimate contact at their interfaces therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Swensen, Robert A. Barrett
  • Patent number: 5509702
    Abstract: A pipe coupling device for coupling the peripheral flanges of a pair of pipes together, including a pair of retainers with a V-shaped groove therein for receiving portions of the peripheral flanges of the pipes. The retainers are pivotally coupled at one of their ends by a hinge assembly and releasably coupled at their opposite ends by a latch mechanism. The hinge assembly has at least two links pivotally coupled at one of their ends to one of the retainers by a first pivot pin and pivotally coupled at their other ends to the other retainer by a second pivot pin. The pivot pins are separated from each other such that the links of the hinge assembly straddle the peripheral flanges of the pipes. This arrangement provides more uniform pressure at the ends of the retainers since the moment resulting from the offset of the hinge assembly is moved closer to the circumferential loading line between the retainers and the flanges of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Warehime, Daniel T. Munley
  • Patent number: 5505498
    Abstract: A fluid-tight coupling and sealing arrangement including a flexible joint for coupling a tube with pressurized fluid flowing therethrough to another tube or a fluid device. The flexible joint basically includes a first tubular member with an outer restraining member coupled thereto, a second tubular member, and a pressure-energized seal positioned between the first and second tubular members. The first tubular member has a first fluid passageway and a first annular sealing surface. The second tubular member has a second fluid passageway, a second annular sealing surface, and an outwardly facing bearing surface. The outer restraining member carries an inwardly facing bearing surface for engaging the outwardly facing bearing surface of the second tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Horace P. Halling, Mark Simon
  • Patent number: 5433370
    Abstract: A multi-ply sealing ring and method of manufacturing same. Two annular members are nested one within the other and then welded together at equi-distant intervals to form a plurality of annular weld zones. The two annular members are then cut along the weld zones to form a plurality of multi-ply cylindrical bands having weld-sealed opposite axial ends. Each cylindrical band is then formed to include a sealing profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Horace P. Halling
  • Patent number: 5368069
    Abstract: A conduit joint assembly having a pair of tubular flange members for rigidly coupling a pair of conduits together and for supporting a fluid engaging device. One of the tubular flange members has a pair of headed retaining pins for engaging a pair of retaining slots or cutouts formed in the fluid engaging device. In particular, the fluid engaging device has a radially extending flange with the retaining slots or cutouts spaced 180.degree. apart along its periphery for engaging complementing pins of one of the tubular flange members. Specifically, the fluid engaging device is coupled to one of the tubular flange member by passing the pins through a notched portion of slot and then axially rotating the fluid engaging device relative to the tubular flange member to a locked position. A second tubular flange member is then aligned with the fluid engaging device and coupled together by the coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Felber
  • Patent number: 5249814
    Abstract: A multi-ply sealing ring and method of manufacturing same. Two annular members are nested one within the other and then welded together at equi-distant intervals to form a plurality of annular weld zones. The two annular members are then cut along the weld zones to form a plurality of multi-ply cylindrical bands having weld-sealed opposite axial ends. Each cylindrical band is then formed to include a sealing profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Horace P. Halling
  • Patent number: 5158305
    Abstract: A sealing ring including first and second annular elements, each being substantially J-shaped in cross section. Each element includes a leg portion and an arcuate portion, the arcuate portion of the first and second annular elements being coaxially interfitted to form a pivotal connection between the first and second annular elements. The leg portions of the first and second annular elements are acutely angled with respect to each other to form a V-shaped diverging annular enclosure opening towards a source of relatively high fluid pressure when the sealing ring is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Horace P. Halling
  • Patent number: 4919453
    Abstract: A device for coupling the peripheral flanges of a pair of pipes comprising a pair of retaining members, each having a V-shaped groove for receiving a portion of the peripheral flanges of the pipes. The retaining members are pivotally coupled at one of their ends by a single hinge and releasably coupled at their opposite ends by an over-center latch mechanism. The over-center latch mechanism employs a compression bolt and nut to maintain a low profile. The over-center latch mechanism also has primary and secondary link members, the latter preventing the coupling from completely separating should the primary link members fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Horace P. Halling, Thomas S. Oh
  • Patent number: 4854600
    Abstract: A pressure balance sealing ring having a substantially S-shaped, resilient cross section including two oppositely facing convolutions, a central leg coupling the convolutions and a pair of outer legs, each extending from one of the convolutions. The ring is advantageously formed of metal and seals against opposed axially facing but offset surfaces in an annulus between two concentric pipes or opposed axially facing surfaces at the interface formed by two aligned pipes. Each outer leg has a substantially circular sealing line, these sealing lines being radially offset from one another, adjacent the free distal edge of each leg, and spaced from the convolutions. In a modified embodiment, the sealing ring has more than two convolutions and additional legs to connect them. In another series of modified embodiments, the sealing ring has one or two restraining rings rigidly coupled to one or both of the outer legs to ensure the desired direction of torsional deflection under the action of the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: EG&G Pressure Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Horace P. Halling, Robert A. Barrett, Mark E. Woozley