Patent · US Expired

Pressure balanced hydraulic coupling with metal seals

US5099882A · kind A · utility

65Cited by
5References
50Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 11, 1991
Grant dateMar 31, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 11, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/87957
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A pressure-balanced hydraulic coupling for use in undersea drilling and production operations, the coupling having radial passageways communicating between the male and female members such that substantial fluid pressure is not exerted against the face of either member during coupling or uncoupling or during the coupled state. Check valves in both the male and female members are opened when the male member probe is fully inserted into the receiving chamber of the female member. Mutually opposed valve actuators contact one another to effectuate the simultaneous opening of each check valve, and allow fluid to flow through a valve port and then radially through matching fluid passageways in the male and female members. The radial passageways of the male and female members match up at their longitudinal surfaces so that fluid pressure between the male and female members is in a substantially radial direction and is not exerted at the face of either member. A first pair of seals is positioned on each side of the radial passage for sealing between the receiving chamber and the seal retainer. A second pair of seals is positioned on each side of the radial passage for sealing between the s…

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