METHOD OF FORMING A METAL-TO-METAL SEAL

摘要

Method of forming a metal-to-metal seal in high pressure applications with low contact stress. A first elongate pressure containment member (12) and a second elongate pressure containment member (16) are coupled with a thin walled extension sleeve (20) conjoined with the remote end (18) of the second member (16) positioned wholly within the first member (12) in close relation to a surface of revolution (14). The method involves placing the first member (12) and the second member (16) in an environment in which fluid pressure exceeds contact stress at some point of an operating range and tends to cause a flow of fluids from the second end (24) to the first end (22) of the sleeve (20) along an interfacial region (28) between the sleeve (20) and the surface of revolution (14). Fluid pressure and flow tends to set up a pressure gradient along the interfacial region (28) sufficient to deform the sleeve (20) and promote sealing along the interfacial region (28).