HIGH PRESSURE FLUID SWIVEL

摘要

A fluid swivel (10A) that includes a stationary annular structure (16A, 17A) defining upper and lower annular seal slots (61, 62), and a rotatable outer housing (20A) operatively connected to the stationary annular structure (16A, 17A), the outer housing defining a radial groove (30) that has upper and lower surfaces. Upper and lower seals (40, 41) are positioned between the stationary annular structure (16a, 17a) and the rotatable outer housing (20a) and disposed in the upper and lower seal slots (61, 62). An inner fluid manifold (26A) is disposed in the stationary annular structure (16A, 17A) and arranged to provide fluid of pressure P to the radial groove (30), the fluid exerting a first force (Fv1) longitudinally inwardly on the outer surface of the outer housing (20A), and a second force (Fv2) longitudinally outwardly on the upper and lower surfaces of the radial groove (30), the second force (Fv2) having a greater magnitude than the first force (Fv1) so the outer housing (20A) deflects outwardly, pushing the upper and lower seals (40, 41) into the upper and lower seal slots (61, 62).

主权项

1. A sealed fluid joint (10A) comprising,
an inner annular structure (16A, 17A) positioned coaxially about a central longitudinal axis (5) and having upper and lower annular slots (61, 62); an outer housing (20A) positioned coaxially about said inner structure (16A, 17A) with said outer housing (20A) arranged and designed to rotate relative to said inner annular structure (16A, 17A) about said central longitudinal axis (5); a radial groove (30) disposed in said outer housing (20A); an inner fluid manifold (26A) disposed in said inner annular structure (16A, 17A) and communicating with said radial groove (30), said inner fluid manifold (26A) arranged to carry fluid of pressure P to said upper and lower annular slots (61, 62) which are substantially parallel to said radial groove (30); and upper and lower annular seals (40, 41) disposed in said upper and lower slots (61, 62) for sealing between said inner annular structure (16A, 17A) and said outer housing (20A); said upper and lower annular seals (40, 41) characterized by a circumferential sealed area of said outer housing (20A) around said seals (40, 41) which faces longitudinally inwardly toward said annular groove cavity (30) of said outer housing (20A), and said radial groove cavity (30) having a circumferential groove area which faces longitudinally outwardly of said housing (20A), said circumferential groove area being greater than said circumferential sealed area of said outer housing; wherein said pressure P in said radial groove (30) causes said outer housing (20A) to deflect longitudinally outwardly by a first force, equal to the product of said circumferential groove area times P, which substantially compensates for inward deflection caused by a second force, equal to the product of said circumferential sealed area of said outer housing times P.