| 摘要 |
<p>Accordingly, there is provided herein a metal end cap seal assembly (60) for sealing the annulus between two tubular members that has improved sealing abilities at a wide range of temperatures. The metal end cap seal (60) generally comprises a resilient ring (62) with a metal end caps (64, 66) on either end. The inner diameter of the resilient ring (62) has one or more circumferential cavities (68) open to the inner diameter and connected to the outer diameter by one or more radial holes (70). After the seal is energized, a high pressure is applied to the seal so that the pressure will migrate past the nose of the seal, through the radial holes (70), and into the groove (68). The groove (68) is shaped so that, once the high pressure is relieved, the pressure within the groove (68) will become trapped. This trapped pressure acts as a source of stored energy within the seal and causes the seal to be energized to a level that is greater than the energization capable without the trapped pressure. Therefore the sealing assembly is able to more effectively function at low temperatures.</p> |
