| 主权项 |
1. A sealing system that can be fluidly connected between couplings to allow matter to flow from one coupling through the sealing system and into the other coupling, the sealing system comprising:
a first coupling having a first flanged section; a generally cylindrical outer housing section having an interior region, a pair of outlets in communication with the interior region, and an interior surface surrounding the interior region the outer housing section including a second flamed section that has a first surface that abuts the first flanged section of the first coupling and an opposite second surface; a first load ring extending about the generally cylindrical outer housing section and abutting the opposite second surface of the second flanged section; a first plurality of spring-loaded fastening systems that fasten to ether the first flanged section, the second flanged section and the first load ring; a second coupling having a third flanged section; a generally cylindrical inner housing section comprising a first portion disposed within the interior region of the outer housing section and a second portion external to the interior region of the outer housing section, the inner housing section having an exterior surface that contacts the interior surface of the outer housing section, the inner housing section having an interior region for the flow of matter therethrough, the first portion of the inner housing section having an outlet in communication with the interior region of the inner housing section to allow matter to flow through the interior region of the inner housing section and into the interior region of the outer housing section, wherein the inner housing section is telescopically disposed within the outer housing section such that the inner housing section and outer housing section can (i) move axially with respect to each other so as to allow the overall length of the sealing system to be increased or decreased, and (ii) rotate with respect to each other if an angular force is applied to either the inner housing section or outer housing section, the inner housing section defining a circumferentially extending shoulder that is proximate to the outlet of the inner housing section and which has a wall, wherein the shoulder includes a circumferentially extending groove, the inner housing section including a fourth flanged section that has a first surface that abuts the third flanged section of the second coupling and an opposite second surface; a second load ring extending about the generally cylindrical inner housing section and abutting the opposite second surface of the fourth flanged section; a second plurality of spring-loaded fastening systems that fasten to ether the third flanged section, the fourth flanged section and the second load ring; an annular, metallic seal positioned on the shoulder and abutting the wall, the annular, metallic seal being sized so as to contact the interior surface of the outer housing section so as to create a seal between the interior surface of the outer housing section and the exterior surface of the inner housing section; a circumferentially extending heat insulating spacer attached to the shoulder, the heat insulating spacer abutting the annular, metallic seal in order to retain the annular, metallic seal in place, wherein the heat insulating spacer substantially reduces the amount of heat transferred to the annular metallic; a circumferentially extending heat shield connected to the shoulder for shielding the annular, metallic seal from heat, the circumferentially extending heat shield having a first flat side and an opposite second flat side that abuts the heat insulating spacer, the heat shield being located such that the heat insulating spacer is positioned between the opposite second flat side of the heat shield and the annular, metallic seal, wherein the heat shield and heat insulating spacer cooperate to significantly reduce the amount of heat to which the annular, metallic seal is exposed so as to preserve the integrity and operational lifespan of the annular, metallic seal; and a circumferentially extending retainer ring connected to the shoulder and rigidly positioned within the groove in the shoulder, the circumferentially extending retainer ring having a first flat side and an opposite second flat side that abuts the first flat side of the heat shield, the retainer ring being fabricated from a material that can withstand relatively high temperatures, the heat shield being located between the retaining ring and the heat insulating spacer and wherein the retaining ring retains the heat shield, heat insulating spacer and annular, metallic seal in place so that when outer housing section and inner housing section move axially or rotate with respect to each other, the sealing function of the annular, metallic seal is maintained. |
