| CPC F16L 27/0824 (2013.01) [F16L 27/0816 (2013.01)] | 13 Claims |
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1. A pipe swivel assembly for joining two pipes, wherein a first pipe can be connected to a first end of the swivel assembly, a second pipe can be connected to a second end of the swivel assembly, and a high pressure fluid can be carried through the swivel assembly from the first pipe to the second pipe, the swivel assembly comprising:
a body including an annular socket section with internal threads defining a central axis along the axial direction, an annular neck section having a smaller diameter than the socket section and extending axially away from the socket section to a first end, and an annular transition section extending between the socket section and the neck section to define a tapering throat having an internal sealing surface;
an inner bearing including a plurality of ball bearings configured in an annular arrangement, the inner bearing being disposed within the socket section contacting an axial face of the body adjacent to the throat;
a stem including an annular nose section having a tapering external surface, an annular stem barrel section extending axially away from the nose section to a second end, and a stem flange extending radially out from the stem barrel section adjacent the nose section;
wherein the nose section is positioned within the throat of the body at a predetermined distance from the internal sealing surface; and
wherein an axially-inner face of stem flange contacts the inner bearing;
an outer bearing including a plurality of ball bearings configured in an annular arrangement, the outer bearing being disposed around the stem barrel section and contacting an axially-outer face of the stem flange;
a locking collar including an annular collar barrel section with external threads and a collar flange extending radially outward from the collar barrel section;
wherein the collar barrel section is positioned around the stem barrel section of the stem;
wherein the external threads of the collar barrel section are threadingly engaged with the internal threads of the socket section of the body;
wherein an axial end of the collar barrel section contacts the outer bearing; and
a primary seal extending the predetermined distance between the tapering nose section of the stem and the tapering internal sealing surface of the body;
whereby the stem can rotate around the central axis relative to the body without breaking the fluid tight seal between the stem and the body.
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