Double-tapered Internal Sleeve Patents (Class 285/334.2)
  • Patent number: 11158522
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system may include a substrate block having an upper surface; a first substrate port in the upper surface; a second substrate port in the upper surface; a substrate fluid passageway extending between the first substrate port and the second substrate port; a substrate ring defining the second substrate port; and a substrate seal channel formed in the upper surface and surrounding the substrate ring. An outer surface of the substrate ring may form an inner surface of the substrate seal channel. An active component may be selected from a flow controller, a pressure transducer, a flow measurement sensor, a pressure regulator, a valve, and a flow meter. The active component may comprise a lower surface; a first component port in the lower surface; a component fluid passageway; a component ring; and a component seal channel formed in the lower surface and surrounding the component ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Chris Melcer, Philip Ryan Barros, Haruyuki Kubota, Randolph Treur, Todd Cushman
  • Patent number: 11158521
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system may include a substrate block having an upper surface; a first substrate port in the upper surface; a second substrate port in the upper surface; a substrate fluid passageway extending between the first substrate port and the second substrate port; a substrate ring defining the second substrate port; and a substrate seal channel formed in the upper surface and surrounding the substrate ring. An outer surface of the substrate ring may form an inner surface of the substrate seal channel. An active component may be selected from a flow controller, a pressure transducer, a flow measurement sensor, a pressure regulator, a valve, and a flow meter. The active component may comprise a lower surface; a first component port in the lower surface; a component fluid passageway; a component ring; and a component seal channel formed in the lower surface and surrounding the component ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Chris Melcer, Phillip Ryan Barros, Haruyuki Kubota, Randolph Treur, Todd Cushman
  • Patent number: 11073209
    Abstract: In a connected-part seal structure configured to couple a first connected part and a second connected part through a seal member, the taper angles of first and second inner pressure-contact tapered parts provided in the seal member are smaller than the taper angles of first and second inner tapered parts provided in the first and second connected parts. Thus, a pressure-contact force of first and second inside tapered pressure-contact allowances are larger as the inside tapered pressure-contact allowances are located closer to base end parts of first and second annular protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Takeda, Hiroki Iwata, Hiroto Yasue, Shinjiro Hariyama
  • Patent number: 11060652
    Abstract: A cast body for a pipe fitting includes a first body end and a second body end disposed opposite from the first body end. The body defines an axis extending from the first body end to the second body end, an inner body surface defining a fitting bore that extends through the body, and an outer body surface spaced from the inner body surface at a predetermined wall thickness. At a first location on the axis, the inner body surface is a first distance and the outer body surface is a third distance from the axis, and at a second location on the axis that is proximate to the first body end, the inner body surface is a second distance from the axis that is greater than the first distance and the outer body surface is a fourth distance from the axis that is less than the third distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: ASC Engineered Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Cameron Belen, Matthew William McNamara, Mark David Kirby, Ty Schell
  • Patent number: 10816114
    Abstract: A coupling device for a fluid transport tube (100) having an end provided with an internal chamfer (101), the device comprising a body (1) including a cylindrical wall (2) defining a channel (3) having an end segment provided with means for securing the tube end thereto in leaktight manner, these means including an elastically deformable annular sealing element (6) comprising a support ring (61) having an axially projecting first face from which there extends a tubular portion (62) having a free end (63) arranged to bear against the internal chamfer (101) of the tube end (100) in order to be forcibly engaged in the tube end while the tube is being inserted into the end segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PARKER HANNIFIN MANUFACTURING FRANCE SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Le Quere
  • Patent number: 10765795
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in dialyzing a patient comprising a hemodialysis catheter comprising an elongated body having a proximal and a distal end, wherein the distal end terminates in a substantially planar distal end surface; first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the lumens terminate on the distal end surface in first and second mouths, arranged in side-by-side configuration, and further wherein the lumens are separated by a septum; and first and second longitudinal slots formed in the distal end of the elongated body and communicating with the interiors of the lumens, the slots opening on the distal end surface; wherein the slots each have a length and a width, relative to the dimensions of the lumens and the rate of blood flow to be passed through the hemodialysis catheter, so as to minimize undesirable recirculation of dialyzed blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Ravenscroft, Donald Woods
  • Patent number: 10473247
    Abstract: A method of forming a pipe joint includes: preparing a first pipe member, a second pipe member, a casing, and a pressing member to be arranged in the casing to press a second flange portion of the second pipe member against a first flange portion of the first pipe member, the casing having a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, a flange receiving space, and a receiving space in communication with the flange receiving space and adapted to receive the pressing member; inserting the first pipe member from the second opening toward the first opening until the first flange portion comes to rest within the flange receiving space; inserting the second pipe member into the second opening with the second flange portion ahead until the second flange portion comes into contact with the first flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kazunari Watanabe, Toshiyuki Inada, Izuru Shikata, Tsutomu Shinohara
  • Patent number: 10400925
    Abstract: Present embodiments of the disclosure are directed to an improved hub clamping system and method used to connect and seal a pair of API hubs. The hub clamping system generally includes a plurality of individually operated clamp units assembled within a single outer retaining ring. The clamp units disposed in the retaining ring may provide a multi-segment clamping arrangement to hold the API hubs together. The clamp units may each include a collet mechanism having a slanted surface shaped to engage one of the pair of hubs, a housing mounted to the outer retaining ring, and a screw device coupled to the collet mechanism via threads and disposed within the housing. The screw device may be rotatable relative to the housing to selectively move the collet mechanism between an activated position and a retracted position relative to the hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Axon Pressure Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Pendleton
  • Patent number: 9581245
    Abstract: A metal seal flange assembly for a vacuum system is presented. Its metal gasket has a crossectional shape that is an irregular hexagon with two acute angles between the longest side and the second- and third-longest sides, respectively. The longest side of the irregular hexagon is the vertical inner wall of the metal gasket. This design can reduce the normal force required to seal the metal seal flange assembly and reduce the number of bolts needed, enabling use in a limited working space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HERMES MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Qingpo Xi, Tao Li, Feng Cao, Fumin He, Zhongwei Chen
  • Patent number: 9534689
    Abstract: A metal seal ring disclosed herein includes a front side surface having a plurality of first sealing areas and second sealing areas, and a back side surface having a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions having a radially innermost surface located at a first radial distance from a longitudinal axis of the seal and a first axial distance from an axis of symmetry of the seal. The back side also includes a plurality of recesses located between one of the protrusions and the axis of symmetry, each recess having a radially outermost surface located at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis and a second axial distance from the axis of symmetry. A ratio of the second axial distance to the first axial distance falls within the range of about 0.38-0.63, and a ratio of the second radial distance to the first radial distance falls within the range of about 0.79-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chi-Li Chen
  • Patent number: 9234612
    Abstract: A threaded joint has a sealing ring radially positioned between a pin and a box and axially positioned on a portion of the pin on an opposite side of the threads of the pin from the nose of the pin. The sealing ring has two protruding annular lips positioned at a skewed angle to the longitudinal axis, two or more radial annular ribs on an external surface, an internal surface, and an at least partly embedded reinforcement ring. When the joint is made up, the sealing ring is in sealing contact with an annular groove of the box by the annular ribs and in sealing contact with the pin by the internal surface. The internal surface of the sealing ring can have a uniform diameter or have radially protruding annular ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Tenaris Connections Limited
    Inventors: Nestor J. Santi, Gastón Mazzaferro, Alfredo Quiroga
  • Patent number: 9222609
    Abstract: A seal for use with a first coupling element and a second coupling element has an annular configuration. The seal has an inner wall and an outer wall. The seal has a first portion, a central portion and a second portion. The central portion extends outwardly of the first portion and the second portion. A channel is formed in the central portion so as to have one end opening to the outer wall at the first portion and an opposite end opening to the outer wall at the second portion. The seal is formed of a metallic material. The outer wall at the central portion has a generally V-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TRENDSETTER ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Teng P. Lee
  • Patent number: 8616586
    Abstract: A sealing element that includes a hollow body of metallic material and first and second male sealing members formed at a respective end of the body. The respective male sealing member has an external spherical contact surface designed for mating with a corresponding internal conical contact surface of a female sealing member so as to form a fluid-tight seal between the male sealing member and the female sealing member when their contact surfaces are pressed against each other. Also, a coupling device and a valve device provided with the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Inge Østergaard, Erik Raad, Staale Svindland
  • Patent number: 8555858
    Abstract: A high pressure fuel pipe construction for an internal combustion engine, such as a direct injection engine. A conduit for the fuel is open at each end and a ball having a throughbore is slidably positioned over one end of the conduit. A reinforcing sleeve is positioned inside the end of the conduit so that the sleeve extends entirely through the ball. The sleeve, ball and the end of the conduit are then brazed together to attach the ball and conduit together. A double chamfer is provided at one end of the ball throughbore to facilitate inspection of the brazing quality. Additionally, a loop is formed in the conduit and a dampener is attached to the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Harsha Badarinarayan, Akira Inoue, Takashi Yoshizawa, Atsushi Hohkita, Hiroaki Saeki, Hiroshi Ono, Masahiro Soma, William T. Harvey, Steven J. Miller, Su-Wei Sung
  • Patent number: 8496273
    Abstract: An improved reemployable tubular connection system and method for oil field application disposes an axially asymmetric seal in a coupling sleeve interconnecting the oppositely entered pin ends of two tubing sections. The sleeve includes an approximately central interior surface for seating a deformable seal having oppositely directed tapered edges with different angles of convergence. The pin ends enter into and resiliently displace the edges of the seal, which may be made differentially adhesive so that a tubing connection may be broken and remade a number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
  • Publication number: 20130161021
    Abstract: A riser system for underwater oil and gas wells features subsections with flanges that may be fastened together. Riser pipes extend between the flanges, through apertures with tapered seats. The riser pipes may be may from aluminum to reduce the weight of the riser system and may be a composite of two or more sections coupled together by compression fittings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen J. Makosey, Daniel B. Bergstrom, K. Rao Vemuri, Stephen M. Wallace, Donald W. Millard
  • Patent number: 8443928
    Abstract: An exhaust tail pipe includes a front outer tube, an inner tube and a rear tail pipe. The inner tube has a plurality of screw holes on one side mating a plurality of apertures formed on a rear coupling portion of the front outer tube to be fastened together by a plurality of bolts. The rear coupling portion is coupled on the front end of the rear tail pipe so that the rear section of the inner tube is held at the rear end of the rear tail pipe and fastened together by welding. Such a structure allows the front outer tube and rear tail pipe to be made of different materials, thus can maintain aesthetic appeal of the appearance to enhance product value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Liang Fei Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Chuan Chang
  • Patent number: 8226089
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and a tubular member seal profile. A metal seal ring having a proximal base and a distal end has a seal ring seal profile between the proximal base and distal end that contacts the tubular member seal profile. A distal annular recess is in one of the seal profiles, the distal annular recess being spaced axially from the distal end of the seal ring, defining a seal surface between the distal end of the seal ring and the distal annular recess that engages a seal surface of the tubular member seal profile. The contacting portions of the seal surfaces form a metal-to-metal seal area. A proximal annular recess in one of the seal profiles is spaced axially from the distal annular recess, defining a support area axially spaced from the metal-to-metal seal area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Jr., Rockford D. Lyle, Chii Ren Lin
  • Patent number: 8167340
    Abstract: A threaded pipe coupling is shown for a drill pipe used in horizontal boring operations utilizing a special form of a threaded connection with an internal stiffener ring which eliminates the need for hot forging operations. The pipe coupling is used for joining an upset region of a first tubular member to a further tubular member of lesser external diameter. The internal stiffener ring is received within the internal bore of the pin end of the coupling and underlies and extends along a portion of its length. The stiffener ring having an innermost extent terminating in an exposed end which is received upon an internal shoulder provided in the mating internally threaded box end. The stiffener ring also has an external shoulder formed at the innermost extent thereof which traps the pin face between the ring exterior and the box threaded interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hunting Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Wilkinson L. Olivier, III
  • Patent number: 8096560
    Abstract: A high pressure seal assembly configured for sealing contact with an opposing surface. The seal assembly comprises an annular seal body with a sealing surface on one side of the seal body. An end of the sealing surface includes a sealing face for sealing contact with the opposing surface. The sealing surface also includes at least one support point that contacts the opposing surface when the seal is placed in sealing contact. Strategically positioning the support point on the sealing surface selectively adjusts the sealing contact stress between the sealing face and the opposing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Jr., Rockford D. Lyle, Chii-Ren Lin
  • Publication number: 20110115218
    Abstract: A threaded pipe coupling is shown for a drill pipe used in horizontal boring operations utilizing a special form of a threaded connection with an internal stiffener ring which eliminates the need for hot forging operations. The pipe coupling is used for joining an upset region of a first tubular member to a further tubular member of lesser external diameter. The internal stiffener ring is received within the internal bore of the pin end of the coupling and underlies and extends along a portion of its length. The stiffener ring having an innermost extent terminating in an exposed end which is received upon an internal shoulder provided in the mating internally threaded box end. The stiffener ring also has an external shoulder formed at the innermost extent thereof which traps the pin face between the ring exterior and the box threaded interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Wilkinson L. Olivier, III
  • Patent number: 7871110
    Abstract: A sealing element that includes a hollow body of metallic material and first and second male sealing members formed at a respective end of the body. The respective male sealing member has an external spherical contact surface designed for mating with a corresponding internal conical contact surface of a female sealing member so as to form a fluid-tight seal between the male sealing member and the female sealing member when their contact surfaces are pressed against each other. Also, a coupling device and a valve device provided with the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Inge Østergaard, Erik Raad, Staale Svindland
  • Publication number: 20100019484
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a size adjusting device that may be used with compression connectors, such as compression couplings and fittings, that are designed to be connected to at least one duct (such as a pipe or tubing). Such compression connectors are typically comprised of at least one compression member, which is compressed between a casing member and the duct, forming a fluid-tight seal between the duct and the compression connector. The size adjusting device may be positioned between the compression connector and a smaller duct, so that fluid-tight seals are formed between the smaller duct, the size adjusting device, and the compression connector. This allows the compression connector to be connected to ducts that are smaller than the size of duct for which the connector is designed. The present invention also includes methods of use and kits related to the size adjusting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Krohn
  • Publication number: 20090250927
    Abstract: A riser connector uses a box and upset pin connector threadform design having S-shaped load flanks that provide a variable load angles depending on the radial position along the engaged teeth. This design promotes a load path that changes with position along the axial length of the engaged thread, as well as increasing or decreasing external loads on the connector. The connector also varies radial distention of the pin from the box in a manner that is different from one thread to the next. The threadform uses a combination of thread cuts that vary in shape, pitch, and/or thread cone angle to provide load and stab flanks, as well as a load path, that vary from one axial end of the engaged thread to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, JR., Brian N. Munk, Jesse B. Riha, Rockford D. Lyle
  • Patent number: 7431351
    Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for making a pressure-containing threaded tubular connection, suitable for remotely operated connection and separation, utilizing electrical heating to reduce the amount of make up torque required to produce reliable preloading of the connection. One aspect of the present invention comprises: 1) a first hub with male threads on its exterior and having a sealing face and axial flow passage, b) a second hub having an axial flow passage and carrying an annular seal which can be mated with the sealing face of the first hub and mounting a rotatable nut having female threads on its interior and integral nut heating means. After stabbing and initial make-up of the connection, the nut is heated and thereby expanded in a controlled manner and the connection retightened. Following cooling, the structural connection is fully preloaded and the annular seal fully compressed so that it seals. Reversing the procedure permits disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Larry R. Russell
  • Patent number: 7390033
    Abstract: A screw connection device for connecting the flared ends of two pipes includes a nut, a screw and distance element which comprises a first recess or shape for accommodation of the flare at the end of a first pipe, and a second recess or shape for accommodation of the flare at the end of the other pipe. The nut and screw each accommodate one pipe end with the distance element between them with the recess at each end in sealing contact with the pipe flares. The nut and/or the pipe flare of the pipe end which in the connected state is accommodated in the nut comprise positive-fit elements, which positive-fit elements are designed such that the accommodated pipe end is secured against rotation relative to the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Ti Automotive (Heidelberg) GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Weick, Andreas Sausner, Delbert L. Adkins
  • Patent number: 7025360
    Abstract: A composite metal sealing ring and method are provided for sealing between tubular members. First and second tubular members have first and second conical inner sealing surfaces. A metal sealing ring has corrosion-resistant inlays defining opposing conical outer sealing surfaces for sealing with the first and second conical inner sealing surfaces. The resulting composite sealing ring has the corrosion-resistant benefits of stainless steel at the sealing surfaces, along with the desired expansion ratio of a conventional carbon steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Walker, Lionel Milberger
  • Patent number: 6988748
    Abstract: A fluid coupling assembly having a first and second metal tube, each tube having an outwardly flared end. A first connector includes a throughbore, a first end and a second end with a radially inwardly extending rim at the first end of the first connector. The first connector is disposed over the first tube so that the tube extends outwardly from the first end of the first connector and so that the rim registers with one side of the first tube. A second connector also includes a throughbore with a first and second end and in which the second end of the second connector is flared outwardly. The second connector is disposed over the second tube so that the second tube extends outwardly from the first end of the second connector and so that the second connector flared surface registers with one side of the second tube flared end. An annular seal member is longitudinally slidably mounted within the first connector throughbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Martinrea Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Staniszewski, Armando Ricci, Paolo Ricci
  • Patent number: 6932355
    Abstract: There is referred to a sealing arrangement (10, 10?) comprising two armature members (11, 12), which are adapted to receive a sealing ring (13, 13?) between them for sealing off a joint between the armature members (11, 12), and a clamping device (30), which during mounting is adapted to clamp the armature members (11, 12) against each other in a direction towards the intermediate sealing ring (13, 13?), where the sealing ring (13, 13?) has a substantially T-shaped annular cross-section, with a stem (14) extending radially outwards and with a sealing face (15a, 15b) facing radially outwards in each of two sealing wings (15, 16) projecting axially outwards in opposite directions from stem (14) of the T-shape, the sealing wings (15, 16) having mutually equivalent forms and equivalent conical sealing faces (15a, 16a) for forming abutments against their respective conical support faces (21, 25) of each of the armature members (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Den Norske Metallpakningsfabrikk AS
    Inventor: Ole Hjertholm
  • Patent number: 6926283
    Abstract: An annular metal-to-metal sealing system comprises at least one metal member defining an annular sealing surface and an annular seal body which is comprised of a high strength metal material and which is positioned substantially concentrically relative to the annular sealing surface. The seal body has at least one flexible portion which is flexed during assembly to develop a seal activating force, and the metal-to-metal sealing system further comprises at least one annular soft metal sealing insert which is supported by the flexible portion and which is maintained in sealing engagement with the annular sealing surface by the seal activating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Janoff, John C. Vicic, Gregory L. Glidden, Neil C. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6902210
    Abstract: The invention is a universal connector which is useful with a variety of differently configured and shaped fittings as well as for applications when the fittings are identical. The connectors provided at either end of the tube may be formed by either compression molding or injection overmolding whereas the connections which are provided internal of either end connection, are positioned on the tube by injection overmolding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: William W. Rowley
  • Patent number: 6869080
    Abstract: A metal-to-metal sealing element for a wellhead assembly which includes at least first and second adjacent components and first and second generally annular sealing surfaces that are each formed on a corresponding one of the components. The sealing element comprises an annular base, an annular sealing lip which projects radially toward at least one of the first and second sealing surfaces and which comprises a seal retaining groove, a soft metal sealing insert which is disposed within the seal retaining groove and which in use engages the at least one sealing surface, and an annular intermediate portion which extends between the base and the sealing lip. The intermediate portion presses the sealing insert against the at least one sealing surface in an interference fit relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Janoff, John C. Vicic, Gregory L. Glidden, Neil C. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20040189006
    Abstract: A subsea tubular joint has a wellhead connector and a wellhead housing positioned in an end-to-end relation and connected by a clamp or coupling. A metal annular seal is sandwiched between the wellhead connector and the wellhead housing. The seal has a ring portion and a rib portion. The rib portion includes first and second rib surfaces. There is a frictional treatment between the first and second rib surfaces of the metal annular seal and the shoulders of the wellhead connector and the wellhead housing. The frictional treatment can be a set of radial grooves or the result of grit blasting on the connector and housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Johnny E. Jurena
  • Patent number: 6722426
    Abstract: A metal seal for a wellhead assembly has upper and lower legs extending in opposite directions from each other and a rib extending radially outward from a junction of the legs. A first conical band on the upper leg extends uninterrupted from the rib a selected distance toward a tip of the upper leg. A second conical band on the upper leg extends uninterrupted from the tip of the upper leg toward the first conical band. An annular recess is located between the first and second conical bands. The lower leg also has two conical seal bands separated by a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Sweeney, Norman Brammer, George Chalmers
  • Patent number: 6698800
    Abstract: An articulating connector system including an active connector coupled to a first line and a hub assembly coupled to a second line. The active connector includes a swivel coupling element intermediate a grip and a ball nose to allow rotational and articulating motion. A seal is coupled to the ball nose and is protected and guided by an alignment lip into mating engagement with a sealing surface defined by the hub. A clamp closes about the swivel coupling element and hub to draw together the seal and sealing surface into sealing contact to connect the first line to the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Oil States Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Spiering, Richard L. Ahlgrim, Bruce E. Morris
  • Patent number: 6561521
    Abstract: An annular metal-to-metal sealing system, for use in wellhead systems and having many other uses, has a metal member defining an annular internal or external sealing surface for which sealing is intended. An annular seal body composed of high strength metal material is positioned in concentric relation with the annular sealing surface and is sufficient flexible to become spring loaded, typically during assembly, for continuous application of a spring force. The annular seal body defines one or more annular seal retainer grooves each having an annular soft metal sealing insert therein, with a portion thereof exposed for sealing engagement with the annular sealing surface. The spring loaded characteristic of the annular seal body applies constant force to maintain the soft metal seal insert in constantly energized sealing relation with the annular sealing surface and maintains effective sealing even when dimensional changes to the sealing surface occur due to temperature or pressure changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Janoff, John C. Vicic, Gregory L. Glidden, Neil C. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6557906
    Abstract: A threaded union highly resistant to overtorque and compression that includes a threaded member in its internal surface—called female—that joins a threaded member in its external surface—called male—. The union between the male extreme and the female is produced through the threaded surface. When the members are fully assembled, one axially oriented surface in the free extreme of one of the members—called nose—presses against a corresponding surface in the other member—called shoulder of torque. This shoulder is comprised of two surfaces, a first one coincidentally oriented to the corresponding nose of the first member, and a second one truncated and conical in shape with an angle B and with the axis of the pipe located between the first surface and the internal cylindrical surface of the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siderca S.A.I.C.
    Inventor: Gabriel Carcagno
  • Patent number: 6450507
    Abstract: A wellhead housing includes a metal seal with a ring portion and a rib portion. The ring portion includes two frustoconical surfaces for mating with tapered surfaces of a wellhead connector and the wellhead housing. Two conical, metal-to-metal seals are created where the ring portions of the seal engage the tapered surfaces of the wellhead connector and housing. These metal-to-metal seals contain internal pressure within the wellhead. Two legs extend outward from the rib portion. An upward-facing foot surface at the end of the top leg engages the wellhead connector, while a downward-facing foot surface at the end of the bottom leg engages the wellhead housing. A metal-to-metal seal created between each foot surface and the corresponding tubular member resists external pressure to prevent water ingress into the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Ready Joseph Johnson
  • Patent number: 6361084
    Abstract: A connector sleeve (2) has a structure-attachment flange (9) on a flange end, a seal surface (4, 5, 15, 17) on a seal end and a nut-retainer ring (8, 14, 16) intermediate the structure-attachment flange and the seal end of an outside periphery of the connector sleeve. A connector nut (7) is contained rotatably on the outside periphery of the connector sleeve with the nut-retainer ring buttressing a retainer wall that is intermediate a circumferentially pipe-engagement inside periphery and a larger circumferentially straight-threaded inside periphery of the connector nut. Straight inside threading on the inside periphery of the connector nut is matched to straight outside threading of a fluid-controller sleeve (3). The pipe-engagement inside periphery of the connector nut and an inside periphery of the fluid-controller sleeve have slidable clearance of outside peripheral portions of an intended pipe (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Vincent M. Zarbo
  • Patent number: 6254147
    Abstract: A fluid-tight coupling (2) for connecting opposite ends of the pipe section (4, 6) to provide a fluid-tight AI seal is described. The fluid-tight seal between the upper and lower tubular sections is provided by an upper and a lower metal-to-metal seal produced respectively between a lower sealing surface (10) of the upper pipe section (4) and an upper sealing surface (12) of an annular interface member (8) and an upper sealing surface (14) of the lower section (6) and a lower sealing surface (16) of the annular interface member (8). The metal-to-metal seals are produced and maintained by a collar (20) arranged coaxially about the coupling region of the tubular sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Expro North Sea, Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Charles Edwards
  • Patent number: 6237968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe connector with a connecting portion (4) formed by a non-chip producing method. On one pipe end of the pipes. The connecting portion (4) includes an outer conical face (7) and a first conical bore (10). A first connecting element (13) with a conical supporting bore (15) is adapted to contact the outer conical face (7). A second connecting element (17), in the form of a connecting body, is provided to thread onto the first connecting element (13), in the form of a nut. The second connecting element (17) has a counter sealing face (21) in the form of a conical bore. A sealing element (23) cooperates with the first conical bore (10) of the connecting portion (4) and with the counter sealing face (21) in the form of a conical bore of the second connecting element (17). The sealing element (23) has a first outer conical sealing face (25) and a second outer conical sealing face (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Walterscheid Rohrverbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Karlheinz Bohnes
  • Patent number: 6203074
    Abstract: Internal connectors are configured to conformingly fit within each of the mating ends of adjacent duct elements. The internal connectors each comprise a sleeve having an outwardly extended wall disposed about a perimeter of the internal connector. The mating ends each have a stepped face configured to conformingly mate with the internal connector. To connect the duct elements together, the mating ends are mated to each side of the internal connector and the mating ends are glued to each other. Because the mating ends and the internal connectors conformingly mate with each other, the duct elements will be aligned with each other. The internal connectors are glued to a side wall of the duct element wherever branch take-offs are made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Carter L. Daniel