Expandable lubricating packing assembly for wellheads
US4384726A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1981 |
| Grant date | May 24, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B2200/01
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A packing assembly (10) for sealing the annulus between concentric tubular members (12, 14). The assembly (10) includes upper and lower sealing ring assemblies (31, 32) on each side of a lantern ring (33), and upper and lower retainer rings (36, 35) located atop and below the sealing ring assemblies and bolted together to maintain the rings in stacked concentric relation. Each sealing ring assembly (31, 32) includes a central lubricating packing ring (34) having inner and outer lubricating surfaces of graphite material; an inner pair of upper and lower metal seal rings (69, 70) seated in annular grooves in the central lubricating packing ring (34); and an outer pair of upper and lower metal seal rings (83, 84) located in annular grooves in the outer periphery of the lubricating packing ring (34). The metal seal rings and the packing ring are each provided with cooperative camming surfaces (72 and 41; 76 and 46; 85 and 61; 88 and 66) which interact when an axial compressive force is applied to the assembly (10) to thereby effect a controlled radial expansion of the sealing ring assemblies (31, 32) and establishing metal-to-metal seals (81, 82) and a lubricating packing seal with the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.