Patent · US Expired

Pressure-assisted dynamic seal apparatus

US4613159A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
11References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 26, 1984
Grant dateSep 23, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 26, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S285/90
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A pressure-assisted dynamic seal mechanism for sealing two relatively movable members within a tubing string in a well includes a primary seal member having a first cross-sectional area positioned for sealing engagement between the two relatively movable members. The primary seal is pressure-assisted by a back-up seal mechanism comprising a second seal member having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the primary seal member and a third seal member having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the second seal member. The pressures which act directly across the primary seal member also act in the same direction across the third seal member, whereas these pressures act in an opposite direction across the second seal member. This construction provides a net compressive force provided by the back-up seal mechanism against the primary seal member when the pressure differential acts in a direction tending to compress the primary seal member against the two relatively movable members. This seal mechanism can be used with an expansion joint used in high temperature environments.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.