Patent ID: 6161834
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: E21B,F16J,F16L

Abstract:
A fluid swivel that lies in an environment, where the swivel comprises inner and outer main parts that each have ports and comprising a bearing that supports said main parts in rotation of one of them with respect to the other about an axis, said main parts forming a transfer chamber between them through which a fluid flows between said ports and said main parts forming a gap passage between them leading from said transfer chamber to the environment with one of said main parts forming an annular cavity along said gap passage and with the other of said main parts forming a sealed surface that lies opposite said cavity along said gap passage, with said fluid swivel including an annular seal device lying in said cavity, said cavity having an upstream surface lying closest to said transfer chamber, an opposite downstream surface, and a distal surface lying furthest from said sealed surface, wherein:said seal device includes a seal body having upstream, downstream, distal and proximal body sides, with said body upstream side exposed to a high pressure fluid, and with said seal body having a pair of legs forming said proximal and distal sides of said body;said seal device also includes an annular hose lying between and against said leas and having a hollow inside; and includinga conduit coupled to the inside of said hose to pressurize it to cause said hose to push firmly against said body, to expand said legs against opposite ones of said surfaces.