PRESSURE BALANCED HYDRAULIC COUPLING WITH METAL SEALS

摘要

A pressure-balanced hydraulic coupling for use in undersea drilling and production operations, the coupling having radial passageways communicating between the male and female members such that substantial fluid pressure is not exerted against the face of either member during coupling or uncoupling or during the coupled state. Check valves in both the male and female members are opened when the male member probe is fully inserted into the receiving chamber of the female member. Mutually opposed valve stems extending from each check valve contact one another to effectuate the simultaneous opening of each check valve, and allow fluid to flow through a valve port and then radially through matching fluid passageways in the male and female members. The radial passageways of the male and female members match up at their longitudinal surfaces so that fluid pressure between the male and female members is in a substantially radial direction and is not exerted at the face of either member. Metal seals may be used to seal the annulus formed between the male and female members when they are coupled. The metal seals may be pressure-energized in response to fluid pressure in the coupling to enhance the sealing effect.