Patent · US Expired

Water ingress seal for tapered seals

US6450507B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
8References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 1, 2001
Grant dateSep 17, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 23, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16L25/0018
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A wellhead housing includes a metal seal with a ring portion and a rib portion. The ring portion includes two frustoconical surfaces for mating with tapered surfaces of a wellhead connector and the wellhead housing. Two conical, metal-to-metal seals are created where the ring portions of the seal engage the tapered surfaces of the wellhead connector and housing. These metal-to-metal seals contain internal pressure within the wellhead. Two legs extend outward from the rib portion. An upward-facing foot surface at the end of the top leg engages the wellhead connector, while a downward-facing foot surface at the end of the bottom leg engages the wellhead housing. A metal-to-metal seal created between each foot surface and the corresponding tubular member resists external pressure to prevent water ingress into the joint.

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