| 摘要 |
A bi-directional metal seal assembly 31 is located in an annular space or annulus 32 between a set of co-axial well head members 33, 35. The well head seal assembly 31 comprises at least one metallic seal ring 41 and single-ended upper and lower energizing rings 61. The seal ring 41 has inner and outer walls 43, 45 curving toward each other and spaced apart to form a slot 47 between walls 43, 45. Energizing rings 61 have external grooves 71 for engaging hook ends 49 on the inner surfaces of the seal lips in a nesting arrangement when the seal 41 is in the un-energized position. When the upper ring is pulled upward, the seal is un-energized and does not contact the adjacent conductors or wellhead members. When the upper ring is forced downward, the hooks ends 49 of the seal 41 are forced out of the grooves 71 causing the seal lips to roll around in a radial outward direction, rather than stretch, and expand against the seal's outer diameter. This energizing process also causes the seal to become smaller on the seal's inner diameter, and thus forms a pressure-assist, metal-to-metal seal with the adjacent conductors. |
