초록 ▼

The present invention features a flange to flange dynamic seal and sealing system, particularly suited for use within high temperature, high pressure environments, such as a delayed coking process. The dynamic flange seal and sealing system comprises two primary elements or seals, each of which are

The present invention features a flange to flange dynamic seal and sealing system, particularly suited for use within high temperature, high pressure environments, such as a delayed coking process. The dynamic flange seal and sealing system comprises two primary elements or seals, each of which are capable of independently forming a flange seal between two flanged components or combining to create a flange seal. Specifically, these primary seals are an iconel bellows seal and a bi-material gasket, each of which surround a flange opening along a sealing surface. The flange seal created by the dynamic flange seal and sealing system is capable of being maintained in light of, or rather the sealing system adapts to, any structural or environmental changes within the connected flanges. As such, the flange seal may be a dynamic flange seal or a static flange seal or both.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A dynamic flange sealing system comprising: a first component having at least one sealing surface containing and supporting at least one of an iconel bellows seal and a bi-material gasket in respective recesses therein, said iconel

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A dynamic flange sealing system comprising: a first component having at least one sealing surface containing and supporting at least one of an iconel bellows seal and a bi-material gasket in respective recesses therein, said iconel bellows seal is biased and comprises at least one dynamic form seal situated in a semi-sealed configuration within said recess to allow controlled fluid flow through said iconel bellows seal, said bi-material gasket comprising a flexor and a flexible sealant; and a second component having at least one sealing surface and that is connectable to said first component, said sealing surface contacts said flexor upon connection to said sealing surface of said first component forcing said flexor to contract, thus resultantly causing said flexible sealant to displace against said sealing surfaces of said first and second components, said flexor comprising an amount of contraction relative to the force exerted and applied thereon, said iconel bellows seal and said bi-material gasket forming a flange seal between said first and second members. 2. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said sealing surface of said second component comprises a recess that receives a portion of said iconel bellows seal therein upon connection of said first and second components. 3. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said iconel bellows seal comprises a partial seal configuration to provide controlled fluid flow therethrough and through said dynamic flange sealing system and said first and second components as connected. 4. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 3, wherein said iconel bellows seal is partially silver sealed to said first component in a first, second, and third location to provide a semi-sealed configuration, thus allowing controlled fluid flow therethrough. 5. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said first and second components are selected from the group consisting of a coke drum, a transitional spool, a de-header valve, a header, an inlet feed, a bonnet, and any other similar component utilized and existing within a high temperature and pressure environment. 6. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said iconel bellows seal is segmented around said sealing surface of said first component. 7. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said bi-material gasket is segmented around said sealing surface of said first component. 8. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, further comprising a steam purge system designed to provide the means for controlling and regulating pressure fluid flow within said dynamic flange sealing system and between said components. 9. The dynamic flange sealing system claim 1, wherein said iconel bellows seal comprises at least one of an internal form seal and an external form seal, and a seal spacer. 10. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said flexor is comprised of corrugated metal. 11. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said flexor is comprised of a metal c-ring. 12. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said flexor is comprised of an iconel form seal. 13. The dynamic flange sealing system of claim 1, wherein said flexor comprises a flex factor that is appropriately respondent to the compression force existing between said components when connected and as applied to said flexor, said flex factor dictating the amount of proportional displacement of said flexible sealant, the force of said sealant against said components, and the strength of said seal between said sealing surfaces of said components. 14. The dynamic flange sealing of claim 1, wherein said flexible sealant is comprised of polycarbon graphite. 15. The dynamic sealing surface of claim 1, wherein said flexible sealant is comprised of a flexible braided graphite sealant that is comprised of a flexible jacket of expandable exfoliated grafoil. 16. The delayed coking system of claim 1, wherein said flexor comprises first and second toes comprising opposing ends of said flexor and that function to direct the displacement of said flexible sealant away from said flexor and toward said first and second components. 17. The delayed coking system of claim 16, wherein said toes extend upward and outward, thus allowing pressure within said system to further compress said flexor and contribute to the displacement of said flexible sealant and said flange seal. 18. The delayed coking system of claim 1, further comprising means for connecting said first component to said second component, said means for connecting comprising a plurality of bolt connections, wherein said flange seal is created when said bolt connections are tightened to between about 50 and 70 percent of their yield strength. 19. The delayed coking system of claim 1, wherein said iconel bellows seal and said bi-material gasket function independently of one another to create individual and independent flange seals. 20. The delayed coking system of claim 1, wherein said flange seal comprises a dynamic seal formed from said iconel bellows seal and a seal formed from said bi-material gasket. 21. The delayed coking system of claim 1, wherein said first component and said second component each comprise complimentary beveled segments that function to orient the two together upon connection and that protects said dynamic flange sealing system. 22. The delayed coking system of claim 1, wherein said second component further comprises a beveled duct adjacent said dynamic flange sealing system, said beveled duct allows material and fluid to flow therethrough and to clean any material and debris therein upon connection and separation of said first and second components. 23. A flange to flange dynamic seal for use in a high pressure, high temperature environment, said seal comprising: an iconel bellows seal contained and supported within a recess formed in a sealing surface of a first flange and extending into a recess in a sealing surface of a second flange upon connection of said flanges, each of which said flanges are complimentary to each other, said iconel bellows seal is biased and dynamic to allow for variations in the structure of said flange connection, said iconel bellows seal providing a biased, dynamic seal and flange seal between said first and second flanges. 24. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 23, further comprising a bi-material gasket supported within a recess of said sealing surface of said first flange, said bi-material gasket comprising a flexor and a flexible sealant attached to said flexor, wherein upon said connection of said first and second flanges said flexor is caused to contract and compress relative to the force exerted and applied thereon, said force resulting from the pressure generated within said flanges upon connection, said flexor resultantly forcing said flexible sealant to displace against said sealing surfaces of said first and second flanges and form a seal therebetween, said bi-material gasket contributing to said flange seal. 25. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 23, wherein said iconel bellows seal comprises a corrugated configuration. 26. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 23, wherein said iconel bellows seal comprises a semi-sealed configuration and arrangement to allow controlled fluid flow therethrough and through said flange seal. 27. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 26, wherein said iconel bellows seal is silver sealed. 28. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 23, wherein said iconel bellows seal comprises at least on form seal made of high strength corrugated metal. 29. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 23, wherein said iconel bellows seal comprises an internal form seal and an external form seal separated by a seal spacer. 30. A flange to flange dynamic seal for use in a high pressure, high temperature environment, said seal comprising: a bi-material gasket supported within a recess of a sealing surface of a first flange, said bi-material gasket comprising a flexor and a flexible sealant attached thereto, that, upon said connection of said first flange to a second flange, said flexor is caused to contract an amount relative to the amount of force exerted and applied thereon as generated from said flanges upon connection, said flexor resultantly forcing said flexible sealant to displace against said sealing surfaces of said first and second flanges and form a seal and flange seal therebetween. 31. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 30, further comprising an iconel bellows seal contained and supported within said recess formed in said sealing surface of said first flange and extending into a recess in said sealing surface of said second flange upon connection of said flanges, said iconel bellows seal providing a biased, dynamic flange seal between said first and second flanges. 32. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 31, wherein said iconel bellows seal comprises a semi-sealed configuration to allow controlled fluid flow therethrough. 33. The flange to flange dynamic seal of claim 30, wherein said first and second flanges are a part of components selected from the group consisting of a coke drum, a transitional spool, a de-header valve, a header, an inlet feed, a bonnet, and any other similar component utilized and existing within a high temperature and pressure environment. 34. A flange to flange dynamic sealing system comprising: an iconel bellows seal contained and supported within a recess formed in a first flange, said iconel bellows seal comprising at least one form seal and providing a biased, dynamic seal; and a bi-material gasket supported within said first flange and positioned adjacent said iconel bellows seal, said bi-material gasket comprising a flexor and a flexible sealant attached thereto, said flexor is caused to contract as said first flange and a second flange are coupled together, thus resultantly displacing said flexible sealant against said first and second flanges and forming a seal therein, said iconel bellows seal and said bi-material gasket function together to form a flange seal between said first flange and said second flange. 35. The flange to flange dynamic sealing system of claim 34, further comprising a steam purge system designed to regulate pressure and control fluid within said system. 36. A flange connection and sealing system comprising: a first flange; a second flange; means for connecting said first flange to said second flange; a dynamic flange sealing system designed to seal said first flange to said second flange, said dynamic flange sealing system comprising: an iconel bellows seal supported within said second flange and extending to and received by said first flange upon connection of said first and second flanges, said iconel bellows seal providing a biased, dynamic seal between said first and second flanges; and a bi-material gasket supported within said second flange, said bi-material gasket comprising a flexor that contracts as a result of said first flange being connected and secured to said second flange, and a flexible sealant partially connected to said flexor, wherein said flexible sealant displaces and seals against respective sealing surfaces of said first and second flanges relative to the amount of contraction of said flexor, said iconel bellows seal and said bi-material gasket function together to form a flange seal between said first flange and said second flange. 37. The flange connection system of claim 36, further comprising a steam purge system in fluid connection with said dynamic flange sealing system, said steam purge inlet providing the means for regulating pressure throughout said flange connection system.