US 12,188,300 B2
Protected back-up rings for metal face seals and earth boring tools incorporating the same
Gregory L. Ricks, Spring, TX (US); and Jon David Schroder, The Woodlands, TX (US)
Assigned to Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/189,900.
Prior Publication US 2024/0318506 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 10/25 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 10/25 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A seal assembly for an earth-boring tool, the seal assembly comprising at least three rings, the at least three rings comprising a first ring, a second ring, and a third ring;
the first ring comprising longitudinally converging sidewall surfaces defining a minimum radial thickness of the first ring at points of tangential intersection with a convex curved surface spanning a radial thickness of the first ring;
wherein the second ring is located and configured to interface with the convex curved surface of the first ring to form a seal; and
wherein the third ring is adjacent to, and concentric with, the second ring, the second ring being disposed radially inward from the third ring.