Pipe swivel joint for ambient and cryogenic temperatures
US4355827A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 1980 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S277/931
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A swivel joint for connecting together a pair of pipes and for transferring fluid between the pipes at ambient temperatures and at cryogenic temperatures. A cryogenic seal between the joint's relatively rotatable inner and outer elements prevents fluid leakage at cryogenic temperatures, and an ambient seal assembly between the joint elements provides a seal at ambient temperatures and prevents fluids from contacting the cryogenic seal. The ambient seal assembly includes an elastomeric O-ring retained in the outer element, and an annular sealing ring fastened to the inner element and spring-biased towards the O-ring. At ambient temperatures the sealing ring is held against the O-ring in a fluid-tight manner. As the temperature decreases, a plurality of rods or wires, or an annular sleeve, having a high coefficient degree of linear expansion, contracts and pulls the annular sealing ring away from the adjacent O-ring to prevent wear of, and other damage to, the O-ring at low temperatures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.