Undersea Hydraulic Coupling Seals for Misalignment and Pressure Swings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea hydraulic couplings face challenges in maintaining a fluid-tight seal under varying pressure conditions, particularly with misalignment or negative pressure, which can lead to leakage and fouling issues.
Innovation Solution
A female subsea hydraulic coupling member equipped with multiple pressure-energized metal seals that utilize internal hydraulic fluid pressure and ambient hydrostatic pressure to enhance sealing effectiveness, featuring a seal cartridge with C-seals and O-ring seals configured to resist radial movement and implosion, and designed to accommodate anti-fouling flow ports for reduced sediment accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If soft seals are used in undersea hydraulic couplings, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates under varying pressure conditions and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite sealing system combining metal C-seals with elastomeric O-ring seals. The metal C-seal provides structural integrity and pressure resistance, while the elastomeric O-rings provide sealing flexibility. This composite approach maintains reliability under varying pressure conditions while remaining manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is designed to change its sealing parameters dynamically in response to pressure conditions. The elastomeric O-rings deform under pressure to maintain sealing contact, while the metal C-seal maintains its geometric form. This parameter adaptation ensures reliable sealing across different pressure states without requiring complex manufacturing.
2Device complexity
If single seal configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates under misalignment and negative pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into multiple specialized seals: metal C-seals for radial sealing and elastomeric O-ring seals for axial and radial sealing. Each seal type is optimized for specific sealing directions and pressure conditions. This segmentation improves reliability under misalignment and negative pressure while keeping each individual seal relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined sealing system performs multiple sealing functions simultaneously: radial sealing, axial sealing, and misalignment compensation. The metal C-seal handles radial pressure sealing while the elastomeric O-rings provide backup sealing and accommodate misalignment. This multi-functionality achieves high reliability without requiring separate sealing systems for each function.
3Reliability
If pressure-energized metal seals are used, then reliability is improved under varying pressure conditions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is self-energizing through hydraulic pressure. The internal hydraulic pressure automatically forces the elastomeric O-ring seals against the mating surfaces, providing self-adjusting sealing force without external actuation. This self-service mechanism improves reliability under varying pressure conditions while avoiding complex external actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system utilizes hydraulic pressure from the internal fluid to energize the seals. The hydraulic pressure deforms the elastomeric O-rings to maintain sealing contact against the metal C-seal and coupling surfaces. This hydraulic energization provides reliable sealing across pressure variations without requiring mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable, fluid-tight seal that maintains effectiveness under internal hydraulic fluid pressure and hydrostatic pressure, reducing the risk of leakage and fouling, while accommodating misalignment and negative pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The seals are configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber of the female member. The sealing effectiveness of the seal may increase in response to fluid pressure which may be internal hydraulic fluid pressure or ambient hydrostatic pressure.
Implementation Method 2
The sealing effectiveness of the seal may increase in response to fluid pressure which may be internal hydraulic fluid pressure or ambient hydrostatic pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.