US 11,920,704 B2
Undersea hydraulic coupling with multiple pressure-energized metal seals
Robert E. Smith, III, Missouri City, TX (US); Scott Stolle, Stafford, TX (US); and Chris Roy, Stafford, TX (US)
Assigned to National Coupling Company, Inc., Stafford, TX (US)
Filed by National Coupling Company, Inc., Stafford, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/109,755.
Application 18/109,755 is a continuation of application No. 16/893,113, filed on Jun. 4, 2020, granted, now 11,614,187.
Application 16/893,113 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/439,402, filed on Jun. 12, 2019, granted, now 11,512,553, issued on Nov. 9, 2022.
Application 16/439,402 is a continuation of application No. 15/720,663, filed on Sep. 29, 2017, granted, now 10,400,541, issued on Aug. 14, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/404,043, filed on Oct. 4, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0194025 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 17/03 (2006.01); E21B 33/12 (2006.01); F16L 17/08 (2006.01); F16L 37/34 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 17/03 (2013.01) [E21B 33/1212 (2013.01); F16L 17/08 (2013.01); E21B 2200/01 (2020.05); F16L 37/34 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A female member for coupling with a probe of a corresponding male member to communicate fluid having fluid pressure, the probe having an external surface, the female member comprising:
a body defining a bore in which the probe is at least partially insertable, the bore defining a cylindrical recess having a first shoulder, a sidewall, and a second shoulder;
an end ring disposed in the cylindrical recess and having opposing first and second faces, the first face disposed against the first shoulder, the second face defining a concave contour circumferentially thereabout; and
a first C-seal ring disposed in the cylindrical recess adjacent the sidewall, the first C-seal ring having first and second sides and having inner and outer surfaces, the inner and outer surfaces respectively having inner and outer dimensions, the first side being convex and disposed adjacent the concave contour of the second face, the second side defining an internal cavity and disposed toward the second shoulder,
wherein the inner and outer surfaces respectively have the inner and outer dimensions of the first C-seal ring, each of the inner and outer surfaces being free to engage the external surface of the probe and the sidewall of the bore respectively with a sealing force increasing with an increase in the fluid pressure.