Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A fire resistant connection (28) that embodies a sealing means (36) and that is operable for purposes of effectuating the establishment of a fire resistant seal between mating surfaces (32, 34), and in particular mating surfaces (32, 34) of the type that commonly are found to be present in wellhead and valve equipment (10). The subject fire resistant connection (28) includes mating seal surfaces (32, 34) and the aforementioned sealing means (36). The sealing means (36) comprises a seal ring (36), which includes a plurality of seal lips (38, 40) and a pair of scalloped ribs (42, 44), the latter (42, 44) being formed on the seal ring (36) so as to be located in interposed relation between a pair of adjacent seal lips (38, 40). Each of the plurality of seal lips (38, 40) is suitably configured so as to be positionable in sealing engagement with a corresponding one of the mating seal surfaces (32, 34), the latter (32, 34) embodying a configuration that is complementary in nature to that of the seal lip (38, 40) engaged thereby. Likewise, the pair of ribs (42, 44) are suitably configured such that when the seal lips (38, 40) are in sealing engagement with the mating seal surfaces (32, 34), the pair of ribs (42, 44) are also engaged by the mating seal surfaces (32, 34) and are locked in position thereby.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim