US4768538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radial seal hydraulic coupler
Assignee: Ferranti Subsea Systems Inc
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Filing: 1987-11-27
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Granted: 1988-09-06
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Expires: 2007-11-27
Abstract
Abstract An improved hydraulic coupler suitable for interconnecting subsea fluid lines is provided with a radial seal between the male and female body portions. A C-shaped metallic seal is housed within the female body of the coupler, so that the seal may be checked or replaced if necessary between successive mating and unmating operations. An elastomeric secondary seal is also provided on the female body, and sealingly engages the same diameter cylindrical surface of the male coupler which is engaged by the C-shaped seal. A wiper member also mounted on the female body cleans this cylindrical surface as the body portions are brought together, thereby enhancing the reliability of both the elastomeric seal and the metallic seal. A guide for the valve poppet is threadably connected to a respective coupling body to increase reliability. Coupler halves may typically be housed within either a latchable subsea control module mounting base or a junction plate conventionally used in surface petroleum recovery operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Mintz
- 👤 Michael R. Fitzgibbons
- 👤 James A. Sweety
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/28; F16L37/38; F16L37/40; F16L37/002; F16L37/30; F16L37/32; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0402; Y10T137/0441; Y10T137/0447; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87925; Y10T137/87941; Y10T137/87949; Y10T137/87957
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
306 words
In a hydraulic coupling of the type employing male and female coupling bodies each having a fluid passageway therethrough for the transmission of fluid, the axes of each fluid passageway being aligned when the coupling is mated and unmated, each coupling body including a sealing surface for sealing engagement when the coupling is unmated with a valve poppet movably mounted within the respective coupling passageway, the valve poppets within each coupling body having tip ends adapted for engagement when the coupling is mated for unsealing each valve poppet from its respective sealing surface within the coupling body and thereby allowing the transmission of fluid through the mated coupling, the improvement comprising: the male coupling body including a cylindrical outer metal surface of a uniform diameter; a circular metallic-material seal ring housed within the female body for sealing engagement with the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body and an inner surface of the female coupling body for sealing the coupling bodies when mated; retainer means for retaining the metallic ring with the female body; a circular elastomeric-material seal ring carried on the retainer means for sealing engagement between the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body and the retainer when the coupling bodies are mated; and a wiper ring carried on the retainer means for wiping the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body while the coupling bodies are moved into mating engagement; the elastomeric-material seal ring being axially positioned between the wiper ring and the metallic-material seal ring such that the wiper seal wipes the outer surface of the male coupling body, the elastomeric-material seal ring then engages the outer surface of the male coupling body, and the metallic-material seal then engages the outer surface of the male coupling body as the male and female coupling bodies are moved into mating engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
306 words
In a hydraulic coupling of the type employing male and female coupling bodies each having a fluid passageway therethrough for the transmission of fluid, the axes of each fluid passageway being aligned when the coupling is mated and unmated, each coupling body including a sealing surface for sealing engagement when the coupling is unmated with a valve poppet movably mounted within the respective coupling passageway, the valve poppets within each coupling body having tip ends adapted for engagement when the coupling is mated for unsealing each valve poppet from its respective sealing surface within the coupling body and thereby allowing the transmission of fluid through the mated coupling, the improvement comprising: the male coupling body including a cylindrical outer metal surface of a uniform diameter; a circular metallic-material seal ring housed within the female body for sealing engagement with the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body and an inner surface of the female coupling body for sealing the coupling bodies when mated; retainer means for retaining the metallic ring with the female body; a circular elastomeric-material seal ring carried on the retainer means for sealing engagement between the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body and the retainer when the coupling bodies are mated; and a wiper ring carried on the retainer means for wiping the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body while the coupling bodies are moved into mating engagement; the elastomeric-material seal ring being axially positioned between the wiper ring and the metallic-material seal ring such that the wiper seal wipes the outer surface of the male coupling body, the elastomeric-material seal ring then engages the outer surface of the male coupling body, and the metallic-material seal then engages the outer surface of the male coupling body as the male and female coupling bodies are moved into mating engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein the metallic-material seal ring includes a central bore open to fluid pressure within the mated coupling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein the metallic-material seal ring has a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration along the entire length thereof with a circumferential slot open to fluid pressure within the mated coupling.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, further comprising: an elastomeric backup ring in engagement with the elastomeric-material ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein the retainer means comprises: a sleeve-shaped retainer for engagement with an internal stop surface of the female coupling body; and threads on the retainer for threaded engagement with the female coupling body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, further comprising: biasing means within each coupling body for biasing the valve poppet toward sealing engagement with the sealing surface of the coupling body; and the valve poppet includes a cone-shaped portion for sealing engagement with the sealing surface of each coupling body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, further comprising: the male coupling body including an outer cylindrical alignment surface having a diameter greater than the cylindrical outer metal surface for engagement with the retainer means to axially align the male and female coupling bodies before the metallic-material seal ring sealingly engages the cylindrical outer metal surface of the male coupling body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6, wherein the passageway through each coupling body is substantially cylindrically-shaped, and wherein the biasing means comprises a coil spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 8, wherein opposite ends of each coupling body are threaded for sealing engagement with respective fluid lines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement as defined in claim 5, further comprising: a static elastomeric-material seal between the retainer and the female body and spaced axially opposite the metallic-material seal ring with respect to the threads on the retainer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
276 words
In a hydraulic coupling of the type employing male and female coupling bodies each having a fluid passageway therethrough for the transmission of fluid and including a sealing surface for sealing engagement when the coupling is unmated with a valve means movably mounted within the respective passageway of each coupling body, the female coupling body having a fluid input end and an opposing male-receiving end, the valve means within each coupling body having end portions adapted for engagement when the coupling bodies are mated for unseating each valve means from its respective sealing surface for allowing the transmission of fluid through the mated coupling, the improvement comprising: the male coupling body including a cylindrical outer sealing surface of a uniform diameter; a first seal ring for sealing engagement between the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body and a sealing surface on the female coupling body, the first seal ring in cross-section having an opening facing the fluid input end of the female coupling body to increase sealing effectiveness of the first seal ring; retainer means for retaining the first seal ring within the female coupling body and having threads for threaded engagement with the female coupling body; and a second compressible elastomeric-material seal ring carried on the retainer means for sealing engagement between the retainer and the cylindrical outer sealing surface of the male coupling body; the second seal ring being axially spaced such that the second seal ring engages the outer surface of the male coupling body, then the first seal ring engages the outer surface of the male coupling body as the male and female coupling bodies are moved into mated engagement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
276 words
In a hydraulic coupling of the type employing male and female coupling bodies each having a fluid passageway therethrough for the transmission of fluid and including a sealing surface for sealing engagement when the coupling is unmated with a valve means movably mounted within the respective passageway of each coupling body, the female coupling body having a fluid input end and an opposing male-receiving end, the valve means within each coupling body having end portions adapted for engagement when the coupling bodies are mated for unseating each valve means from its respective sealing surface for allowing the transmission of fluid through the mated coupling, the improvement comprising: the male coupling body including a cylindrical outer sealing surface of a uniform diameter; a first seal ring for sealing engagement between the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body and a sealing surface on the female coupling body, the first seal ring in cross-section having an opening facing the fluid input end of the female coupling body to increase sealing effectiveness of the first seal ring; retainer means for retaining the first seal ring within the female coupling body and having threads for threaded engagement with the female coupling body; and a second compressible elastomeric-material seal ring carried on the retainer means for sealing engagement between the retainer and the cylindrical outer sealing surface of the male coupling body; the second seal ring being axially spaced such that the second seal ring engages the outer surface of the male coupling body, then the first seal ring engages the outer surface of the male coupling body as the male and female coupling bodies are moved into mated engagement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The improvement as defined in claim 11, further comprising: a wiper ring carried on the retainer means for wiping the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body while the coupling bodies are moved into mating engagement; a static seal between the retainer and the female body and spaced axially opposite the metallic-material seal ring with respect to the threads on the retainer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement as defined in claim 11, wherein the first seal ring is a compressible metallic-material seal ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The improvement as defined in claim 13, further comprising: stop means on each coupling body for limiting axial movement of the valve means away from its respective sealing surface; and the axial position of each stop means is selected such that at least one valve means engages its respective stop means and the end portions of the valve means engage before the coupling bodies are mated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
The improvement as defined in claim 11, further comprising: the male coupling body including an outer cylindrical alignment surface having a diameter greater than the cylindrical outer metal surface for engagement with the retainer means to axially align the male and female coupling bodies before the metallic-material seal ring sealingly engages the cylindrical outer metal surface of the male coupling body.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
285 words
A method for sealingly mating a hydraulic coupling of the type employing male and female coupling bodies each having a fluid passageway therethrough for the transmission of fluid, the axes of each fluid passageway being aligned when the coupling is mated and unmated, each coupling body including a sealing surface for sealing engagement when the coupling is unmated with a valve means movably mounted within the respective passageway of each body, the valve means within each coupling having tip ends adapted for engagement when the coupling bodies are mated for unsealing each valve means from its respective sealing surface in the coupling body for allowing the transmission of fluid through the mated coupling, the method comprising: forming a cylindrical outer sealing surface of a uniform diameter on the male coupling body; forming an inner sealing surface on the female coupling body; placing a first ring on the female coupling body for sealing engagement with the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body when the coupling bodies are mated; threading a retainer to the female coupling body to retain the first seal in the female coupling body; positioning an elastomeric-material second ring on the retainer for sealing engagement with the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body; positioning a wiper ring on the retainer for wiping the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body; and moving the male coupling body toward mating engagement with the female coupling body, such that the wiper ring first wipes the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body, the elastomeric-material seal then engages the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body, then the first seal ring engages the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
285 words
A method for sealingly mating a hydraulic coupling of the type employing male and female coupling bodies each having a fluid passageway therethrough for the transmission of fluid, the axes of each fluid passageway being aligned when the coupling is mated and unmated, each coupling body including a sealing surface for sealing engagement when the coupling is unmated with a valve means movably mounted within the respective passageway of each body, the valve means within each coupling having tip ends adapted for engagement when the coupling bodies are mated for unsealing each valve means from its respective sealing surface in the coupling body for allowing the transmission of fluid through the mated coupling, the method comprising: forming a cylindrical outer sealing surface of a uniform diameter on the male coupling body; forming an inner sealing surface on the female coupling body; placing a first ring on the female coupling body for sealing engagement with the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body when the coupling bodies are mated; threading a retainer to the female coupling body to retain the first seal in the female coupling body; positioning an elastomeric-material second ring on the retainer for sealing engagement with the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body; positioning a wiper ring on the retainer for wiping the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body; and moving the male coupling body toward mating engagement with the female coupling body, such that the wiper ring first wipes the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body, the elastomeric-material seal then engages the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body, then the first seal ring engages the cylindrical outer surface of the male coupling body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising: providing a metallic-material seal ring for the first seal ring with a central bore open to fluid pressure within the mated coupling.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising: providing a static seal between female body and the retainer and positioned axially opposite to first seal with respect to threads on the retainer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising: forming a cylindrical alignment surface on the male coupling body having a diameter greater than the cylindrical sealing surface; and axially aligning the male and female coupling bodies by engaging the cylindrical alignment surface with the retainer before the first seal engages the cylindrical outer surface on the male body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising: biasing the valve means of each coupling body for sealed engagement with the sealing surface of the coupling body; and providing a stop surface on each coupling body for limiting axial movement of the valve means away from its respective sealing surface, the stop surface on each valve body being at a selected axial position such that each valve means is forced out of engagement with its respective sealing surface before said coupling bodies are fully mated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-06 | 1992-03-07 | 1992-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-06 | 1996-03-07 | 1996-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-06 | 2000-03-07 | 2000-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |