Seals containing composite non-extrusion springs

US5791657A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• FMC Corporation · US

Inventors

• David Cain · Houston, US
• Andrew C. Posluszny · Houston, US
• Rudolf R. Schoen · Houston, US
• Jerald L. Smith · Conroe, US
• Robert Keith Stoddard, Jr. · Kingwood, US
• John C. Vicic · Spring, US
• Christopher E. Cunningham · Spring, US
• Steven M. French · New Brighton, US
• Jim Tait · Dunfermline, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 7, 1997
• Grant date: Aug 11, 1998
• Expiry date: Jan 7, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B2200/01
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A wellhead seal assembly for sealing between first and second pipe members comprises an annular elastomeric body having, in cross-section, a generally rectangular shape comprising a first flat radial surface, a second flat radial surface, an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface; said inner circumferential surface comprises a generally convex portion that extends from an imaginary plane connecting the inner circumferential edge of each of said first radial surface and said second radial surface; said seal assembly further comprises at least one annular, non-metallic spring member in said elastomeric body positioned generally tangentially to the intersection of either of said radial surfaces with said inner circumferential surface.