High-pressure bi-directional sealing system
In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a high-pressure bi-directional sealing system having circumferentially extending outer support rings ( 1520, 1900 ), annular, axial seals ( 1600, 1800 ) between the outer support rings ( 1520, 1900 ) and a circumferentially extending inner support ring ( 1700 ) located between the annular, axial seals ( 1600, 1800 ). The outer support rings ( 1520, 1900 ), seals ( 1600, 1800 ), and circumferentially extending inner support ring ( 1700 ) are located within a space between an outer tube ( 1502 ) and an inner tube ( 1504 ) that is telescopically disposed within the outer tube ( 1502 ). Seals ( 1600 ) and ( 1800 ) are oriented in opposite directions. Specifically, the opening of seal ( 1600 ) is facing in a first direction and the opening of seal ( 1800 ) is facing in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. This configuration enables the high-pressure bi-directional sealing system to handle pressure in both directions.
1. A bi-directional sealing system, comprising:
an outer tube ( 1002 ) having an interior region and an interior surface ( 1005 ) surrounding the interior region;
an inner tube ( 1004 ) telescopically disposed within the interior region of the outer tube ( 1002 ) such that the inner tube ( 1004 ) and the outer tube ( 1002 ) can move axially with respect to each other and rotate with respect to each other, the inner tube ( 1004 ) having a first portion having a first outer diameter (D 6 ) and a second portion having a second outer diameter (D 5 ) that is less than the first outer diameter (D 6 ), wherein the difference in the diameters (D 5 , D 6 ) forms a circumferentially extending shoulder ( 1010 ), a circumferentially extending wall ( 1012 ) that is contiguous with the shoulder ( 1010 ) and a circumferentially extending space between the shoulder ( 1010 ) and the interior surface ( 1005 ) of the outer tube ( 1002 ), the wall ( 1012 ) forming a boundary between the first portion of the inner tube ( 1004 ) having the first outer diameter (D 6 ) and the second portion of the inner tube ( 1004 ) having the second outer diameter (D 5 ), the inner tube ( 1004 ) having an exterior surface ( 1009 ) which comprises the shoulder ( 1010 );
a first outer support ring ( 1020 ) that is between the shoulder ( 1010 ) and the interior surface ( 1005 ) of the outer tube ( 1002 ), the first outer support ring ( 1020 ) having a seal support section ( 1022 ) that is shaped so as to form a first space ( 1024 ) between the seal support section ( 1022 ) and the interior surface ( 1005 ) of the outer tube ( 1002 ) and a second space ( 1026 ) between the seal support section ( 1022 ) and the shoulder ( 1010 );
a first annular seal ( 1100 ) positioned between the interior surface ( 1005 ) and the shoulder ( 1010 ), the first annular seal ( 1100 ) having a first portion ( 1104 ) upon which dynamic forces are exerted and which contacts the interior surface ( 1005 ) of the outer tube ( 1002 ) and a second portion ( 1106 ) upon which no dynamic forces are exerted, the second portion ( 1106 ) bearing against the shoulder ( 1010 ), wherein the first portion ( 1104 ) of the first annular seal ( 1100 ) is positioned in the first space ( 1024 ) between the seal support section ( 1022 ) and the interior surface ( 1005 ) of the outer tube ( 1002 ) and the second portion ( 1106 ) of the first annular seal ( 1100 ) is positioned in the second space ( 1026 ) between the seal support section ( 1022 ) and the shoulder ( 1010 ), the first annular seal ( 1100 ) comprising an arcuate portion ( 1101 ) having a curved inner surface ( 1102 ), wherein the seal support section ( 1022 ) abuts the curved inner surface ( 1102 );
a circumferentially extending inner support ring ( 1200 ) positioned between the shoulder ( 1010 ) and the interior surface ( 1005 ), the inner support ring ( 1200 ) having a first side ( 1202 ) and an opposite second side ( 1204 ), the arcuate portion ( 1101 ) of the first annular seal ( 1100 ) abutting the first side ( 1202 ), wherein the first side ( 1202 ) has a curvature that extends for the entire circumference of the inner support ring ( 1200 ) and corresponds to the curvature of the arcuate portion ( 1101 ) of the first annular seal ( 1100 ), and wherein the opposite second side ( 1204 ) has a curvature that extends for the entire circumference of the inner support ring ( 1200 );
a second annular seal ( 1300 ) positioned between the interior surface ( 1005 ) of the outer tube ( 1002 ) and the shoulder ( 1010 ), the second annular seal ( 1300 ) having a first portion ( 1304 ) upon which dynamic forces are exerted and which contacts the interior surface ( 1005 ) of the outer tube ( 1002 ) and a second portion ( 1306 ) upon which no dynamic forces are exerted, the second portion ( 1306 ) bearing against the shoulder ( 1010 ), the second annular seal ( 1300 ) further comprising an arcuate portion ( 1301 ) that has a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the opposite second side ( 1204 ) of the inner support ring ( 1200 ), the arcuate portion ( 1301 ) abutting the second opposite second side ( 1204 ) of the inner support ring ( 1200 ), the arcuate portion ( 1301 ) further comprising an inner curved surface ( 1302 );
wherein the first annular seal ( 1100 ) and second annular seal ( 1300 ) are oriented in opposite directions such that the opening of the first annular seal ( 1100 ) is facing in a direction that is opposite to the direction in which the opening of the second annular seal ( 1300 ) is facing thereby providing bi-directional sealing;
a second outer support ring ( 1400 ) that is positioned between the shoulder ( 1010 ) and the interior surface ( 1005 ), the second outer support ring ( 1400 ) comprising a seal support section ( 1422 ) that abuts the curved inner surface ( 1302 ) of the second annular seal ( 1300 ), wherein the seal support section ( 1422 ) has a structure which forms a first space ( 1424 ) between the seal support section ( 1422 ) and the interior surface ( 1005 ) of the outer tube ( 1002 ) and a second space ( 1426 ) between the seal support section ( 1422 ) and the shoulder ( 1010 ), wherein the first portion ( 1304 ) of the second annular seal ( 1300 ) is positioned in the first space ( 1424 ) and the second portion ( 1306 ) of the second annular seal ( 1300 ) is positioned in the second space ( 1426 ) between the seal support section ( 1422 ) and the shoulder ( 1010 ); and
a retaining member ( 1006 ) attached to the inner tube ( 1004 ) such that the first outer support ring ( 1020 ) abuts the retaining member ( 1006 ), and wherein the first outer support ring ( 1020 ), the first annular seal ( 1100 ), inner support ring ( 1200 ), the second annular seal ( 1300 ) and second outer support ring ( 1400 ) are positioned and retained between the retaining member ( 1006 ) and the wall ( 1012 ).
2. The bi-directional sealing system according to claim 1 wherein the seal support section ( 1022 ) of the first outer support ring ( 1020 ) has a curved end ( 1024 ) that abuts the curved inner surface ( 1102 ) of the first annular seal ( 1100 ), and wherein the seal support section ( 1422 ) has a curved end ( 1430 ) that abuts the inner curved surface ( 1302 ) of the second annular seal ( 1300 ).
3. The bi-directional sealing system according to claim 1 wherein the first annular seal ( 1100 ) further comprises a portion ( 1110 ) that has a curvature and the first outer support ring ( 1020 ) further comprises a circumferentially extending support structure ( 1028 ) that includes a portion ( 1030 ) that has a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the portion ( 1110 ) of the first annular seal ( 1100 ), wherein the portion ( 1110 ) of the first annular seal ( 1100 ) abuts the portion ( 1030 ) of the support structure ( 1028 ).
4. The bi-directional sealing system according to claim 1 wherein the second annular seal ( 1300 ) further comprises a portion ( 1310 ) which has a curvature and the second outer support ring ( 1400 ) further comprises a circumferentially extending support structure ( 1428 ) that includes a portion ( 1440 ) that has a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the portion ( 1310 ) of the second annular seal ( 1300 ), wherein the portion ( 1310 ) of the second annular seal ( 1300 ) abuts the portion ( 1440 ) of the support structure ( 1428 ).
5. The bi-directional sealing system according to claim 1 wherein the first annular seal ( 1100 ) and second annular seal ( 1300 ) are fabricated from the materials chosen from the group consisting of ceramics, composite materials, plastic, polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene and metals coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.
6. A bi-directional sealing system, comprising:
an outer tube ( 1502 ) having an interior region and an interior surface ( 1505 ) surrounding the interior region;
an inner tube ( 1504 ) telescopically disposed within the interior region of the outer tube ( 1502 ) such that the inner tube ( 1504 ) and the outer tube ( 1502 ) can move axially with respect to each other and rotate with respect to each other, the inner tube ( 1504 ) having an exterior surface ( 1509 );
said outer tube ( 1502 ) having a first portion having a first inner diameter (D 7 ) and a second portion having a second inner diameter (D 8 ) that is greater than the first inner diameter (D 7 ), wherein the difference in the diameters (D 7 , D 8 ) forms a circumferentially extending shoulder ( 1510 ), a circumferentially extending wall ( 1512 ) that is contiguous with the shoulder ( 1510 ) and a circumferentially extending space between the shoulder ( 1510 ) and the exterior surface ( 1509 ) of the inner tube ( 1504 ), wherein the exterior surface ( 1509 ) comprises the shoulder ( 1510 ), the wall ( 1512 ) forming a boundary between the first portion of the outer tube ( 1502 ) having the first inner diameter (D 7 ) and the second portion of the outer tube ( 1504 ) having the second inner diameter (D 8 );
a first circumferentially extending outer support ring ( 1520 ) that is positioned between the shoulder ( 1510 ) and the exterior surface ( 1509 ), the first outer support ring ( 1520 ) having a seal support section ( 1522 ) that is shaped so as to form a first space ( 1524 ) between the seal support section ( 1522 ) and the exterior surface ( 1509 ) of the inner tube ( 1504 ) and a second space ( 1526 ) between the seal support section ( 1522 ) and the shoulder ( 1510 );
a first annular seal ( 1600 ) positioned between the exterior surface ( 1509 ) and the shoulder ( 1510 ), the first annular seal ( 1600 ) having a first portion ( 1604 ) upon which dynamic forces are exerted and which contacts the exterior surface ( 1509 ) of the inner tube ( 1504 ) and a second portion ( 1606 ) upon which no dynamic forces are exerted, the second portion ( 1606 ) bearing against the shoulder ( 1510 ), wherein the first portion ( 1604 ) of the first annular seal ( 1600 ) is positioned in the first space ( 1524 ) between the seal support section ( 1522 ) and the exterior surface ( 1509 ) of the inner tube ( 1504 ) and the second portion ( 1606 ) of the first annular seal ( 1600 ) is positioned in the second space ( 1526 ) between the seal support section ( 1522 ) and the shoulder ( 1510 ), the first annular seal ( 1600 ) comprising an arcuate portion ( 1601 ) having a curved inner surface ( 1602 ), wherein the seal support section ( 1522 ) abuts the curved inner surface ( 1602 );
a circumferentially extending inner support ring ( 1700 ) positioned between the shoulder ( 1510 ) and the exterior surface ( 1509 ), the inner support ring ( 1700 ) having a first side ( 1702 ) and an opposite second side ( 1704 ), the arcuate portion ( 1601 ) of the first annular seal ( 1600 ) abutting the first side ( 1702 ), wherein the first side ( 1702 ) has a curvature that extends for the entire circumference of the inner support ring ( 1700 ) and corresponds to the curvature of the arcuate portion ( 1601 ) of the seal ( 1600 ), and wherein the opposite second side ( 1704 ) has a curvature that extends for the entire circumference of the inner support ring ( 1700 );
a second annular seal ( 1800 ) positioned between the exterior surface ( 1509 ) of the inner tube ( 1504 ) and the shoulder ( 1510 ), the second annular seal ( 1800 ) having a first portion ( 1804 ) upon which dynamic forces are exerted and which contacts the exterior surface ( 1509 ) of the inner tube ( 1504 ) and a second portion ( 1806 ) upon which no dynamic forces are exerted, the second portion ( 1806 ) bearing against the shoulder ( 1510 ), the second annular seal ( 1800 ) further comprising an arcuate portion ( 1801 ) that has a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the opposite second side ( 1704 ) of the inner support ring ( 1700 ), the arcuate portion ( 1801 ) abutting the second opposite second side ( 1704 ) of the inner support ring ( 1700 ), the arcuate portion ( 1801 ) further comprising a curved inner surface ( 1802 );
wherein the first annular seal ( 1600 ) and second annular seal ( 1800 ) are oriented in opposite directions such that the opening of the first annular seal ( 1600 ) is facing in a direction that is opposite to the direction in which the opening of the second annular seal ( 1800 ) is facing thereby providing bi-directional sealing;
a second circumferentially extending outer support ring ( 1900 ) that is positioned between the shoulder ( 1510 ) and the exterior surface ( 1509 ), the second outer support ring ( 1900 ) comprising a seal support section ( 1922 ) that abuts the curved inner surface ( 1802 ) of the second annular seal ( 1800 ), wherein the seal support section ( 1922 ) has a structure which forms a first space ( 1924 ) between the seal support section ( 1922 ) and the exterior surface ( 1509 ) of the inner tube ( 1504 ) and a second space ( 1426 ) between the seal support section ( 1922 ) and the shoulder ( 1510 ), wherein the first portion ( 1804 ) of the second annular seal ( 1800 ) is positioned in the first space ( 1924 ) and the second portion ( 1806 ) of the second annular seal ( 1800 ) is positioned in the second space ( 1426 ); and
a circumferentially extending locking member ( 1506 ) attached to the outer tube ( 1502 ) such that the first outer support ring ( 1520 ) abuts the locking member ( 1506 ), and wherein the first outer support ring ( 1520 ), the first annular seal ( 1600 ), the circumferentially extending inner support ring ( 1700 ), the second annular seal ( 1800 ) and the outer support ring ( 1900 ) are positioned and retained between the locking member ( 1506 ) and the wall ( 1512 ).
7. The bi-directional sealing system according to claim 6 wherein the seal support section ( 1522 ) of the first outer support ring ( 1520 ) has a curved end ( 1523 ) that abuts the curved inner surface ( 1602 ) of the first annular seal ( 1600 ), and wherein the seal support section ( 1922 ) of the second outer support ring ( 1900 ) has a curved end ( 1930 ) that abuts the inner curved surface ( 1802 ) of the second annular seal ( 1800 ).
8. The bi-directional sealing system according to claim 6 wherein the first annular seal ( 1600 ) further comprises an end portion ( 1603 ) which has a curvature and the first outer support ring ( 1520 ) further comprises a circumferentially extending support structure ( 1528 ) that includes a portion ( 1530 ) that has a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the end portion ( 1603 ) of the first annular seal ( 1600 ), wherein the end portion ( 1603 ) of the first annular seal ( 1600 ) abuts the portion ( 1530 ) of the support structure ( 1528 ).
9. The bi-directional sealing system according to claim 6 wherein the second annular seal ( 1800 ) further comprises an end portion ( 1803 ) which has a curvature and the second outer support ring ( 1900 ) further comprises a circumferentially extending support structure ( 1940 ) that includes a portion ( 1942 ) that has a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the end portion ( 1803 ), wherein the end portion ( 1803 ) of the second annular seal ( 1800 ) abuts the portion ( 1942 ) of the support structure ( 1940 ).
10. The bi-directional sealing system according to claim 6 wherein the first annular seal ( 1600 ) and second annular seal ( 1800 ) are fabricated from the materials chosen from the group consisting of ceramics, composite materials, plastic, polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene and metals coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.