Patent ID: 8561995

Claim:
An apparatus for sealing between two tubular members, the apparatus comprising: a first and second inner annular sealing ring, each inner annular sealing ring having an inner sealing surface; a first and second outer sealing ring, the outer sealing rings being located opposite the inner sealing rings, each outer annular sealing ring having an outer sealing surface; an energizing ring having a first forcing cone and a second forcing cone, each forcing cone being an annular ring having an inner and an outer sloped surface, the inner and outer sloped surfaces diverging from each other from a tip of each forcing cone to a wide point of each forcing cone, the forcing cones protruding in opposite directions from a body of the energizing ring, the first forcing cone located radially between the first inner and outer sealing rings and the second forcing cone located radially between the second inner and outer sealing rings; an axially moveable ring having end surfaces for transferring axial force to the first inner and first outer sealing rings; a stationary ring having surfaces for transferring axial force to the second inner and second outer sealing rings; and wherein moving the axially moveable ring from a first axial position to a second axial position causes (a) the first inner and outer sealing rings to move axially from a first sealing ring axial position to a second sealing ring axial position relative to the first forcing cone, the sloped surfaces of the first forcing cone spreading the first inner and outer sealing rings radially apart as the first inner and outer sealing rings move to the second sealing ring axial position; (b) the energizing ring to move from a first energizing ring position to a second energizing ring position, thereby moving the second forcing cone axially from a first position to a second position relative to the second inner and outer sealing rings, the sloped surfaces of the second forcing cone spreading the second inner and outer sealing rings radially apart as the second forcing cone moves from the first position to the second position.