Metal-to-Metal Pipe Seal Assembly Without Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metal-to-metal seal technologies, such as flanged joints, are prone to leakage due to uneven bolt tightening, thermal degradation of rubber seals, and require skilled labor and welding, which increases costs and safety risks in the oil industry.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly that creates a metal-to-metal seal without flanges, using a mechanical interlock arrangement with an adaptor and connector body, allowing for quick and reliable connection and disconnection without welding, utilizing a tapered bore and rings for secure engagement and minimizing the need for skilled labor and complex tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flanged joints with rubber seals are used, then sealing function is provided, but thermal degradation and mechanical damage cause seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes rubber seals entirely from the system, replacing them with a metal-to-metal seal mechanism. The seal groove and sealing surface are designed to create a direct metal contact seal, eliminating the rubber seal component that is susceptible to thermal degradation and mechanical damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from composite material sealing (metal flange + rubber seal) to pure metal-to-metal sealing. The seal groove in the flange and the sealing surface on the pipe end work together as a metal-to-metal interface, leveraging the thermal and mechanical properties of metal materials.
2Strength
If flanged joints with welding are used, then strong connection is achieved, but assembly time increases and fire risk is created
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the welding process (thermal/chemical joining) with a mechanical interlock system. The tapered bore and grip ring create a mechanical interference fit that secures the pipe to the flange without requiring welds, thereby eliminating fire risks and reducing assembly time while maintaining connection strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flanged joints are used, then connection function is provided, but skilled labor and complex tooling are required
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered bore and grip ring design creates a self-aligning, self-securing mechanism. As the pipe is inserted into the flange, the tapered geometry automatically guides the pipe into proper alignment and the grip ring engages to secure it, eliminating the need for skilled welding operations or complex alignment procedures.
4Reliability
If flanged joints with rubber seals are used, then sealing is provided, but uneven bolt tightening causes leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the rubber seal-dependent system with a metal-to-metal seal that is less sensitive to assembly variations. The sealing mechanism relies on the rigid metal-to-metal contact between the seal groove and sealing surface, which maintains seal integrity even with moderate variations in bolt tightening uniformity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal assembly (100), comprising: a connector body (102) having an open end (112) configured for receiving a free end (114) of a pipe (106, 114), the connector body (102) including a seal surface (148), wherein the connector body (102) has a longitudinal axis, and the seal surface (148) extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis; an adaptor (115) for securing at the free end (114) of the pipe (106, 114); and a mechanical interlock arrangement configured for cooperation between the adaptor (115) and the connector body (102), and driving the adaptor (115) in the direction of the connector body (102), when the adaptor (115) is secured at the free end (114) of a pipe (106, 114), for driving the free end (114) of the pipe (106, 114) into sealing engagement with the seal surface (148).