(19)

&  
(11) EP 1 849 957 B1
(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: E21B 21/02 (2006.01)
19.10.2011 Bulletin 2011/42

(21) Application number: 07251713.9

(22) Date of filing: 24.04.2007

(54) Swivel seal assembly for washpipe

Drehdichtungsanordnung für eine Spühlrohranordnung
Ensemble joint d’étanchéité pivotant pour un tube de surforage

(84) Designated Contracting States: • Weaver, Randall Ferrain

DE FR GB NL Oklahoma 74501 (US)

(30) Priority: 27.04.2006 US 795601 (74) Representative: Freeman, Avi et al

Beck Greener
(43) Date of publication of application: Fulwood House
31.10.2007 Bulletin 2007/44 12 Fulwood Place
London WC1V 6HR (GB)
(73) Proprietor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
Houston, TX 77042 (US) (56) References cited:
EP-A- 1 469 243 WO-A-02/101191
(72) Inventors: GB-A- 647 057 US-A- 2 185 822
• Riley, Andrew Dale US-A- 2 281 019 US-A- 4 157 186
Oklahoma 74432 (US) US-A1- 2005 242 512
EP 1 849 957 B1

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 1 849 957 B1
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a seal assem-
bly and to a method for installing a washpipe assembly.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to ap-
paratus for providing high pressure fluid communication
between generally aligned conduits that are rotatable rel-
ative to one another using pressure-activated seals. In
particular, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to
devices for sealing a wash pipe assembly between a fixed
and a rotating conduit as used in rotary drilling operations.
[0003] In applications requiring the transmission of flu-
id under relatively high pressure, it is sometimes neces-
sary to interconnect a rotating conduit with a stationary
conduit and to seal the connection therebetween. One
such application is in drilling operations in which a fixed-
to-rotating interface is located in apparatus that is sup-
ported from the derrick, and which may take the form of
a swivel, a top drive unit, or similar device. The seal be-
tween the fixed and rotating parts typically includes pres-
sure-activated, elastomeric annular seals or packing
rings, which must be changed when seal wear or failure
occurs. Seals in common use today typically must be
replaced every few hundred hours of use. This replace-
ment involves time-consuming and sometimes danger-
ous procedures in which the replacement components
and a worker are hoisted from the drill floor up to the
equipment that houses the seals that are to be replaced.
While suspended at a height that may be twenty to thirty
feet (approx. 7 to 10m) or more above the drill floor, the
worker typically utilizes a sledgehammer to hammer
open certain unions, allowing removal of the washpipe
assembly that contains the seals. Thereafter, new seals
are inserted into the assembly, and the assembly con-
taining the new seals is hammered into place. Some con-
ventional seal assemblies also require the use of a pres-
surized fluid in order to energize the pressure-activated
seals once the assembly has been installed in the swivel
or top drive. This again is accomplished while the worker
dangles from support lines high above the drill floor. The
change-out of the washpipe and seal assembly is thus
complicated and time-consuming, and includes the dan-
ger of the worker dropping a heavy sledgehammer onto
workers or equipment below.
[0004] One common washpipe assembly houses a
plurality of redundant annular seals that, during replace-
ment, are stacked in position in the seal gland housing
while the worker is suspended above the drill floor. In
other conventional assemblies, as mentioned above, the
seals are pre-packed in a washpipe assembly before the
assembly is hoisted to the swivel above the drill floor.
However, in order for the assembly to be coupled into
the conduits, the seals must be manipulated in order to
energize the seals and cause them to sealingly engage
the washpipe, or to allow coupling nuts to slide upon the
washpipe assembly and engage the appropriate adja-
cent conduit. This may be accomplished by means of
pressurized fluid as described in, for example, US-A-
2
2005/0242512. The pressurized fluid, such as air, may
also be used to set or energize the seals. The use of
pressurized fluid requires the worker to also carry or be
provided with a line for supplying the pressurized fluid.
5 As will be understood, the complications associated with
handling the washpipe assembly itself, in addition to
pneumatic lines and a sledgehammer, make the opera-
tion awkward and time-consuming to perform twenty feet
(approx. 7m) or more above the drill floor. Further, given
10 that drilling must cease during this replacement proce-
dure and that drilling costs may be thousands of US dol-
lars per hour, it is desirable that the washpipe assembly
be changed as quickly as possible, but with personnel
safety a priority.
15 [0005] WO-A-2002/101191 discloses a packing as-
sembly for use with a rotary drilling swivel having a cy-
lindrical wash pipe comprising a housing assembly in-
cluding a packing gland forming a sealing assembly
chamber around the wash pipe. The packing gland in-
20 cludes an injection port in communication with the sealing
assembly chamber. When the rotary drilling swivel is cou-
pled to the rotating and stationary conduits, pressurised
fluid can be introduced through the injection port to the
sealing assembly chamber in order to energise the seals.
25 [0006] US2185822 discloses a rotary hydraulic swivel
used in drilling operations. A rotary fluid-tight connection
between a stationary and rotating element of the swivel
comprises a packing assembly in which spaced packing
cups and spacers are held in position by a threaded nut.
30 [0007] US2281019 discloses a swivel connection for
well drilling apparatus and more particularly to a swivel
of the type positioned between the mud conveying goose
neck and the kelly. A threaded nut is used to seal the
joint between the interior of the body of the swivel and
35 the washpipe.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present inven-
tion, there is provided a seal assembly, the seal assembly
comprising: a washpipe, including a fluid passageway
and an outer surface; a lower gland assembly disposed
40 about said washpipe; a seal housing disposed within said
lower gland assembly and about said washpipe, said seal
housing being adapted for rotation relative to said wash-
pipe; at least one annular, energizable seal disposed
about said washpipe and retained in said housing, said
45 housing including an inner surface having a threaded
segment; and, a ring member having a threaded surface
adapted for engagement with said threaded segment of
said housing; characterised in that rotation of one of said
housing or said ring relative to the other causes said ring
50 member to energize said annular seal such that said seal
member sealingly engages the outer surface of said
washpipe; and in that said ring member includes a facing
surface having a plurality of tool-engaging recesses; and
in that said facing surface faces in a first axial direction,
55 and wherein said housing includes an outer surface hav-
ing a plurality of lugs extending in a direction opposite
said first axial direction.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present
2
 3 EP 1 849 957 B1
invention, there is provided a method for installing a
washpipe assembly, the method comprising: assembling
a washpipe assembly on an assembly fixture so that both
an upper and a lower gland assembly are sealingly en-
gaged with a washpipe; positioning the washpipe assem-
bly in alignment with a stationary conduit and a rotatable
conduit; and, coupling the washpipe assembly to both
the stationary conduit and the rotatable conduit, wherein
the sealing engagement of the upper and lower gland
assemblies with the washpipe is independent of the
washpipe assembly being coupled to the stationary and
rotatable conduits, wherein assembling the washpipe as-
sembly comprises: disposing a lower packing ring and a
lower seal member within the lower gland assembly; dis-
posing the lower gland assembly onto an assembly fix-
ture so that the lower packing ring is rotationally con-
strained by the assembly fixture; disposing a washpipe
partially within the lower gland assembly; and, rotating
the lower gland assembly relative to the lower packing
ring so that the lower packing ring compresses the lower
seal member into sealing engagement with the wash-
pipe; wherein the lower gland assembly is rotated by dis-
posing the upper gland assembly about the washpipe so
as to engage the lower gland assembly such that rotation
of the upper gland assembly causes rotation of the lower
gland assembly.
[0010] The preferred embodiments provide a more
convenient and pre-energized or ready-to-install wash-
pipe assembly that minimizes certain safety concerns
and speeds up the process of changing failed seals.
[0011] In one embodiment, a seal assembly, for seal-
ing between a stationary conduit and a rotating conduit,
comprises an upper gland assembly, a washpipe, and a
lower gland assembly. The upper gland assembly is op-
erable to engage the stationary conduit. A washpipe is
partially disposed within the upper gland assembly. An
upper seal member is disposed within the upper gland
assembly around a periphery of the washpipe. An upper
packing ring is engaged with the upper gland assembly
so as to compress the upper seal member into sealing
engagement with the washpipe. A lower gland assembly
is disposed about the washpipe and operable to engage
the rotating conduit. A lower seal member is disposed
within the lower gland assembly and is compressed into
sealing engagement with the washpipe by a lower pack-
ing ring that is engaged with the lower gland assembly.
The engagement of the packing rings with their respec-
tive gland assemblies is independent of the engagement
of the gland assemblies and the conduits, thus allowing
the seals to be engaged with the washpipe independently
of the location of the seal assembly
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention include
a method for installing a washpipe assembly by first as-
sembling a washpipe assembly on an assembly fixture
so that both an upper and lower gland assembly are seal-
ingly engaged with a washpipe. The washpipe assembly
is then positioned in alignment with a stationary conduit
and a rotatable conduit and coupled to both the stationary
4
conduit and the rotatable conduit. The sealing engage-
ment of the upper and lower gland assemblies with the
washpipe is independent of the washpipe assembly be-
ing coupled to the stationary and rotatable conduits.
5 [0013] The present disclosure describes a combina-
tion of features aimed at overcoming various shortcom-
ings of prior devices. The various characteristics de-
scribed above, as sell as other features, will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the fol-
10 lowing detailed description of the preferred embodi-
ments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will now
be described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
15
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washpipe as-
sembly disposed between a stationary and rotating
conduit, portions thereof being shown in schematic
form;
20
Figure 2 is perspective view of an example of a wash-
pipe assembly constructed in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
25 Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
washpipe assembly shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lower seal
gland housing of the washpipe assembly shown in
30 Figures 2 and 3;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper seal
gland housing of the washpipe assembly shown in
Figures 2 and 3;
35
Figure 6 is perspective view of a fixture employed in
energizing the seals of the washpipe assembly
shown in Figures 2 to 5;
40 Figure 7 is a top view of the fixture shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fixture shown
in Figure 7;
45 Figure 9 is a perspective view of an assembly tool;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a torque-imparting
bumper bar;
50 Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the washpipe
assembly of Figures 2 and 3 in a first stage of as-
sembly;
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the washpipe
55 assembly of Figures 2 and 3 in a second stage of
assembly;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the washpipe
3
 5 EP 1 849 957 B1
assembly of Figures 2 and 3 in a third stage of as-
sembly; and,
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the washpipe as-
sembly of Figures 2 and 3 positioned within a swivel
housing.
[0015] Disclosed is an apparatus for interconnecting a
fixed or stationary conduit to a conduit intended to rotate
relative to the fixed conduit, and for sealing between the
fixed and rotating conduits to prevent pressurized fluid
from escaping from the intended path through the aligned
conduits. One particular application for the apparatus dis-
closed herein is as a washpipe assembly as used in the
drilling of oil and gas wells. In particular, in such applica-
tion, a stationary conduit that extends from a convention-
al gooseneck is aligned with, but spaced apart from, a
conduit forming a part of a rotatable swivel assembly.
Pressurized drilling fluid is conveyed through the goose-
neck and stationary conduit and into the rotating conduit.
The assembly disclosed herein interconnects the aligned
conduits and allows drilling fluid to be conducted there-
through by maintaining a dynamic seal as one conduit
rotates relative to the fixed conduit.
[0016] Referring to Figure 1, a washpipe assembly 10
is shown disposed between a fixed conduit 18 and a con-
duit 20 that is adapted for rotation relative to the fixed
conduit 18. The washpipe assembly 10 generally in-
cludes a lower gland assembly 12, an upper gland as-
sembly 14, and a washpipe 16 that is disposed through
apertures in the lower and upper gland assemblies 12,14
and which is aligned with the fluid passageways in the
upper and lower conduits 18,20. In general, the upper
gland assembly 14 fixes the upper end of the washpipe
16 to the stationary conduit 18 and prevents fluid from
escaping therebetween. Likewise, the lower gland as-
sembly 12 retains the lower end of the washpipe 16 in
alignment with the rotating conduit 20 and is attached to
the rotating conduit 20 such that the lower gland assem-
bly 12 rotates with the rotating conduit 20. The lower
gland assembly 12 includes dynamic seals (described
below) which rotate about the stationary washpipe 16
and prevent pressurized fluid from passing from the in-
terior passageway of the washpipe 16.
[0017] The components of the washpipe assembly 10
are best shown in Figures 2 and 3 and comprise the lower
gland assembly 12, lower gland nut 13, the upper gland
assembly 14 and the washpipe 16. When assembled,
the upper gland assembly 14 is disposed about the upper
end of the washpipe 16 and the lower gland assembly
12 is disposed about the lower end of the washpipe 16.
The lower gland nut 13 provides a threaded region 51
that is operable to connect to a correspondingly threaded
region of the rotating conduit 20 (see Figure 1). The upper
gland assembly 14 provides a threaded region 49 that is
operable to connect the washpipe assembly 10 to the
rotating conduit 20 and the stationary conduit 18 respec-
tively.
6
[0018] As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower
gland assembly 12 includes a lower gland housing 22, a
threaded set ring 24, intermediate packing rings 26,27,
an upper packing ring 28, and a series of annular resilient
5 packing rings 30. The lower gland housing 22 includes
a top or base portion 23 and a cylindrical sleeve-like por-
tion 25 extending therefrom, and includes inner and outer
surfaces 32,33 respectively. The outer surface 33 of the
top portion 23 includes four extending lugs 36, as de-
10 scribed in more detail below, and an annular, outwardly-
extending flange 38.
[0019] As best shown in Figure 4, the inner surface 32
of the lower housing 22 includes an internal threaded
portion 34 for engaging corresponding threads formed
15 on the radially-outer surface of the threaded bottom pack-
ing ring 24. The lower facing surface 35 of the threaded
bottom packing ring 24 includes a groove or seal gland
39 for retaining an annular O-ring seal 40, as well as six
tool-engaging bores 41 described more fully below.
20 Mounted in an aperture formed in the sleeve portion 25
of the housing 22 is a grease fitting 29 allowing for the
introduction of grease within the seal assembly. The
grease fitting 29 is installed through the housing 22 and
attached thereto to provide a means for lubricating be-
25 tween the washpipe 16 and the seal surfaces. The grease
fitting 29 is a standard fitting having a check valve to allow
grease to enter the assembly but restricting the outward
flow of grease. The lower gland assembly 12 further in-
cludes a stop 21 that is intended to prevent damage to
30 the grease fitting 29 when the lower gland nut 13 is raised
when the washpipe assembly 10 is lifted for installation.
Upon assembly, the upper packing ring 28, the interme-
diate packing rings 26,27 and the bottom threaded pack-
ing ring 24 are positioned in the interior of the housing
35 22 with the annular resilient packing rings 30 disposed
between each packing ring. The threaded bottom pack-
ing ring 24 is threaded onto interior threads 34 of the
inner housing surface 32 to energize the seals 30 and
cause them to sealingly engage the washpipe 16 once
40 the ring 24 is fully seated.
[0020] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the upper gland
assembly 14 is shown to include an upper gland housing
42, a threaded upper packing ring 43, and an annular
resilient packing ring 44. The upper gland housing 42
45 includes a base portion 45 and a cylindrical portion 46
extending therefrom. The upper gland housing 42 in-
cludes inner and outer surfaces 47,48 respectively.
Formed on the uppermost end of the inner surface 47 is
a threaded region 49 for engaging a correspondingly
50 threaded extension (not shown) of the stationary conduit
18. The inner surface 47 further includes a second
threaded segment 50 adjacent to the base 45 for engag-
ing a correspondingly threaded segment of the threaded
upper packing ring 43 (also referred to herein as top or
55 upper set ring 43). The outer surface 48 of the base por-
tion 45 includes four downwardly-extending lugs 52, and
cylindrical portion 46 of housing 42 includes radial tool-
engaging recesses 53 as will be described in more detail
4
 7 EP 1 849 957 B1
below.
[0021] Upon assembly, the annular resilient packing
ring 44 is disposed adjacent to the base portion 45 of the
upper gland housing 42, and the threaded upper packing
ring 43 is threaded onto the threaded portion 50 of the
housing 42. As best shown in Figure 5, the facing surface
54 of the threaded upper packing ring 44 includes a seal
gland or groove 55 which, in turn, houses an O-ring seal
56. Also included in facing surface 54 are six tool-engag-
ing bores 57 described in more detail below. As best
shown in Figure 2, the upper end of the washpipe 16
includes a plurality of milled grooves 90 extending longi-
tudinally along the outside of the washpipe 16 and spaced
apart about the circumference of the washpipe 16. Ad-
ditionally, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a circumferential
groove 92 that intersects milled longitudinal grooves 90
is formed near the top of the washpipe 16 for receiving
a snap ring 93 as described more fully below.
[0022] As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower
gland nut 13 includes an extending sleeve portion 60 and
a collar portion 61. The collar portion 61 comprises two
semicircular segments 62a, 62b that are connected to
the sleeve portion 60 by a fastener 63 as shown in Figure
2. The collar portions 62a,62b include a downwardly-ex-
tending flange or lip 64 that engages the outer surface
of the sleeve 60. Each end of the semicircular segments
62a,62b includes a machined recess 62c to provide
clearance for the grease fitting 29 and for the stop 21, as
best shown in Figure 2. Each semicircular collar portion
62a,62b includes a handle or grasping member 65. In
this arrangement, the lower nut 13 may slide relative to
the housing 22 of the lower gland assembly 12 until such
time that the lower gland nut 13 threadedly connects the
washpipe assembly 10 to the rotating conduit 20. Formed
in the sleeve portion 60 of the lower gland nut 13 is a
plurality of radial tool-engaging recesses 37 for use dur-
ing the installation of the assembly.
[0023] In order to energize the packing seals 30,44
while the assembly is conveniently located on the rig
floor, there is provided a compression fixture 70 best
shown in Figures 6 to 8. As shown, the fixture 70 includes
a base plate 72 and a generally cylindrical support ped-
estal 74 extending upwardly therefrom. A mounting ring
76 is attached to the support pedestal 74 and includes a
central threaded bore 78 and a circular recess 80 for
receiving a pilot sleeve 82. The pilot sleeve 82 seats in
the recess 80 and extends upwardly from the ring 76.
The sleeve 82 is affixed to the ring 76 by a central fastener
86, which includes a threaded portion 87 that engages
threaded segment 78 of mounting ring 76. The pilot
sleeve 82 has an outer diameter slightly less than the
inside diameter of the washpipe 16.
[0024] The mounting ring 76 includes six upwardly ex-
tending locating pins 100 sized and spaced so as to be
received within the tool-engaging bores 41 (Figure 4)
formed in the lower threaded packing ring 24 of the lower
gland assembly 12. As described in more detail below,
the compression fixture 70 is provided and employed in
8
order to energize the seals 30,44 prior to lifting the wash-
pipe assembly 10 from the rig floor, such that the assem-
bly 10 is ready to install without additional steps having
to be taken to energize the seals 30,44 after the worker
5 has been lifted above the rig floor.
[0025] The assembly of the washpipe assembly 10 is
shown in Figures 11 to 13. Referring to Figure 11, the
sleeve portion 25 of the lower gland housing 22 is dis-
posed through the central bore of the bottom gland nut
10 13. The semicircular collar portions 62a,62b are then at-
tached to the upper surface of the gland nut sleeve 60
via the fasteners 63 (see Figure 2). The downwardly ex-
tending lip 64 formed on the lower surface of the collar
portions 62a,62b extends over and captures the annular
15 flange 38 extending from the outer surface of the lower
gland housing 22. The handles or grips 65 extend from
the collar portions (62a,62b). In this position, the gland
nut 13 may slide relative to the lower gland housing 22
to the limits permitted by the intersection of the collar
20 portions 62a,62b with the annular flange 38.
[0026] Prior to installation on the fixture 70 (as shown
in Figure 11), the lower gland housing 12 is inverted and
positioned such that the lugs 36 rest against a work sur-
face and the opening that retains the packing seals and
25 rings is upwardly disposed. The uppermost packing ring
30 is then placed in the housing in the position shown in
Figure 4 such that its V-shape annular extension is re-
ceived by and mates with the correspondingly V-shape
annular recess formed in the inner surface 32 of the hous-
30 ing at base 23. The upper packing ring 28 is next installed.
In turn, the intermediate packing seals 30 and interme-
diate packing rings 26,27 are sequentially stacked within
the housing as shown in Figure 4. Finally, the lowermost
packing seal 30 and the lower threaded packing ring 24
35 are installed. The lower threaded packing ring 24 is
threaded by hand into engagement with the threaded por-
tion 34 of the housing. At this stage of the assembly, the
ring 24 is not fully seated and, consequently, the packing
rings 30 are not yet set or energized.
40 [0027] The lower seal gland housing 22 is next inverted
again such that lugs 36 face upwards and the washpipe
16 is then positioned within the central bore of the lower
seal gland housing 22 so that the milled slots 90 (see
Figure 2) are at the top and extend outwardly from the
45 lower gland housing 22. At this step of the assembly pro-
cedure, the lower gland housing 22 is placed on the com-
pression fixture 70 such that the locating pins 100 on the
fixture 70 mate with the bores 41 formed in the lower set
ring 24, as is shown in Figure 11. The packing seals 30,
50 at this step, have not been energized such that the wash-
pipe 16 may slide through the opening in the lower gland
housing 22 without difficulty. The top gland housing 42
is then disposed over the top of the washpipe 16.
[0028] In this position, the downwardly extending lugs
55 52 of the top gland housing 42 are oriented to engage
with the corresponding upwardly extending lugs 36 from
the lower gland assembly 12 such that rotation of the
upper gland housing 42 rotates the lower gland housing
5
 9 EP 1 849 957 B1
22 via engagement of the lugs 52 and 36. The upper
housing 42 is then rotated by use of a bumper bar 120
(see Figure 10) which, in turn, causes the lower housing
22 to rotate. Because the set ring 24 is fixed into the
compression fixture 70, the lower housing 22 is rotated
relative to the stationary set ring 24, causing the ring 24
to be tightened within the housing 22 and causing the
ring 24 to set, or energize, the resilient packings 30
against the outer diameter of the washpipe 16.
[0029] Referring now to Figure 12, the upper set ring
43 and the upper packing seal 44 are disposed within
the upper housing 42. The tool-receiving bores 57 of the
upper set ring 43 are upwardly-disposed. Rotation of the
upper set ring 43 is accomplished by use of an assembly
tool 102, such as is shown in Figure 9. The tool 102 in-
cludes six extending lugs 104 sized and positioned so
as to correspond to the tool-receiving bores 57 in the
upper set ring 43. The assembly tool further includes a
cylindrical extension 106 having radially-positioned tool-
receiving bores 108. To set the top ring 43 and energize
the upper packing seal 44, the assembly tool 102 is dis-
posed in the interior of the upper gland housing 42 such
that the lugs 104 mate with the tool-receiving bores 57
in the set ring 43. Using the bumper bar 120 (Figure 10)
or another tool, the assembly tool 102 is rotated, causing
the set ring 43 to fully thread and bottom out against the
inner surface 47 of the gland housing, thereby energizing
seal 44. The assembly tool 102 is then removed.
[0030] Referring now to Figure 13, O-ring seal 56 is
disposed in the seal groove 55 and the lug collar 95 is
next installed. Lug collar 95 includes a slotted inner sur-
face enabling its surface to mate with the longitudinal
slots 90 of the end of the washpipe 16. The lug collar 95
is positioned below the snap ring groove 92 and the snap
ring 93 is then installed in the circumferential groove 92
to retain the lug collar 95 on the washpipe 16. At this
point, the washpipe assembly 10 is ready to be installed
with all pressure-activated packing seals energized. Re-
ferring back to Figure 2, prior to installation, O-ring 40 is
installed in seal groove 39 in the facing surface 35 of the
lower threaded packing ring 24, and upper annular O-
ring seal 98 is positioned in seal groove 99 formed in the
upper surface of the lug collar 95.
[0031] Referring now to Figure 14, when it is necessary
to change out the washpipe assembly 10, rig personnel
are hoisted up to the swivel or top drive in order to remove
the previously-installed washpipe assembly 10. After that
assembly has been removed, the stand-by and ready-
to-install washpipe assembly 10 is lifted into position. The
washpipe assembly 10 is then positioned between the
stationary conduit 18 of the gooseneck and the rotating
conduit 20 in the swivel. Because the rotary seals have
previously been energized, no special pressurizing need
be performed by the worker while suspended above the
rig floor and thus no pneumatic or hydraulic lines or the
like need be carried or manipulated. Instead, installation
is accomplished by first hand-threading the top gland
housing 42 onto the threaded portion of the downwardly-
10
extending conduit 18 and hand-threading the bottom
gland nut 13 onto the upwardly-extending threaded con-
duit 20 of the swivel assembly. After hand tightening
these components, the worker inserts the reduced diam-
5 eter end portion of bumper bar 120 into the radial tool-
engaging recesses 53,37 formed in the upper gland
housing and the lower nut 13, respectively, and com-
pletes tightening the nuts by manipulating the bumper
bar as shown in Figure 11. Should the worker lose his
10 grip on the tool, a connected tether prevents the tool from
falling to the rig floor. Upon completion of the installation,
drilling operations can commence again.
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention have
been described with particular reference to the examples
15 illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations
and modifications may be made to the examples de-
scribed within the scope of the present invention.
20 Claims
1. A seal assembly (10), the seal assembly comprising:
a washpipe (16), including a fluid passageway
25 and an outer surface;
a lower gland assembly (12) disposed about
said washpipe (16);
a seal housing (22) disposed within said lower
gland assembly (12) and about said washpipe
30 (16), said seal housing (22) being adapted for
rotation relative to said washpipe (16);
at least one annular, energizable seal (30) dis-
posed about said washpipe (16) and retained in
said housing (22), said housing (22) including
35 an inner surface (32) having a threaded segment
(34); and,
a ring member (24) having a threaded surface
adapted for engagement with said threaded
segment (34) of said housing (22);
40 characterised in that rotation of one of said
housing (22) or said ring (24) relative to the other
causes said ring member (24) to energize said
annular seal (30) such that said seal member
(30) sealingly engages the outer surface of said
45 washpipe (16); and in that
said ring member (24) includes a facing surface
(35) having a plurality of tool-engaging recesses
(41); and in that
said facing surface (35) faces in a first axial di-
50 rection, and wherein said housing (22) includes
an outer surface (33) having a plurality of lugs
(36) extending in a direction opposite said first
axial direction.
55 2. A seal assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein
said seal housing (22) includes a plurality of spaced-
apart and radially-oriented tool-engaging recesses
(37).
6
 11 EP 1 849 957 B1
3. A seal assembly (10) according to claim 1 or claim
2, comprising a coupling nut (13) disposed about
said housing (22) and adapted for rotation relative
to said housing (22), said coupling nut (13) including
a plurality of spaced-apart and radially-oriented tool-
engaging recesses (37).
4. A seal assembly (10) according to any of claims 1
to 3, wherein said washpipe (16) includes first and
second ends, and wherein said assembly (10) in-
cludes a seal housing (22,42), at least one annular
seal (30,44), and a ring member (24,43) with a
threaded surface at each end of said washpipe (16).
5. A seal assembly (10) according to any of claims 1
to 4, comprising:
an upper gland assembly (14) having said wash-
pipe (16) partially disposed therein and being
operable to engage a stationary conduit (18);
an upper seal member (44) disposed within said
upper gland assembly (14) around a periphery
of said washpipe (16);
an upper packing ring (43) engaged with said
upper gland assembly (14) so as to compress
said upper seal member (44) into sealing en-
gagement with said washpipe (16), character-
ised in that the engagement of said upper pack-
ing ring (43) with said upper gland assembly (14)
is independent of the engagement of said upper
gland assembly (14) and the stationary conduit
(18); and,
wherein said lower gland assembly (12) is op-
erable to engage a rotating conduit (20);
wherein said ring member (24) is engaged with
said lower gland assembly (12) so as to com-
press said at least one annular, energizable seal
(30) into sealing engagement with said wash-
pipe (16), wherein the engagement of said ring
member (24) with said lower gland assembly
(12) is independent of the engagement of said
lower gland assembly (12) and the rotating con-
duit (20).
6. A seal assembly (10) according to claim 5 wherein
the upper gland assembly (14) comprises an upper
housing (42) including an outer surface having a plu-
rality of spaced-apart and radially-oriented tool-en-
gaging recesses (53).
7. A seal assembly according to claim 5 or claim 6,
wherein said upper gland assembly (14) comprises
downwardly-extending lugs (52) that are operable to
engage upwardly-extending lugs (36) disposed on
said lower gland assembly (12) when said upper
gland assembly (14) is disposed adjacent to said
lower gland assembly (12).
12
8. A seal assembly according to any of claims 5 to 7,
wherein said upper packing ring (43) is threadedly
engaged with said upper gland assembly (43).
5 9. A method for installing a washpipe assembly (10),
the method comprising:
assembling a washpipe assembly (10) on an as-
sembly fixture so that both an upper and a lower
10 gland assembly (14,12) are sealingly engaged
with a washpipe (16);
positioning the washpipe assembly (10) in align-
ment with a stationary conduit (20) and a rotat-
able conduit (18); and,
15 coupling the washpipe assembly (10) to both the
stationary conduit (20) and the rotatable conduit
(18), wherein the sealing engagement of the up-
per and lower gland assemblies (14,12) with the
washpipe is independent of the washpipe as-
20 sembly (10) being coupled to the stationary and
rotatable conduits (20,18), wherein assembling
the washpipe assembly (10) comprises:
disposing a lower packing ring (24) and a
25 lower seal member (30) within the lower
gland assembly (12);
disposing the lower gland assembly (12) on-
to an assembly fixture (70) so that the lower
packing ring (24) is rotationally constrained
30 by the assembly fixture (70);
disposing a washpipe (16) partially within
the lower gland assembly (12); and,
rotating the lower gland assembly (12) rel-
ative to the lower packing ring (24) so that
35 the lower packing ring (24) compresses the
lower seal member (30) into sealing en-
gagement with the washpipe (16); wherein
the lower gland assembly (12) is rotated by
disposing the upper gland assembly (14)
40 about the washpipe (16) so as to engage
the lower gland assembly (12) such that ro-
tation of the upper gland assembly (14)
causes rotation of the lower gland assembly
(12).
45
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein assembling
the washpipe assembly (10) further comprises:
disposing an upper packing ring (43) and an up-
50 per seal member (44) within the upper gland as-
sembly (14);
disposing the upper gland assembly (14) onto
the washpipe (16); and,
rotating the upper packing ring (13) relative to
55 the upper gland assembly (14) so that the upper
packing ring (43) compresses the upper seal
member (44) into sealing engagement with the
washpipe (16).
7
 13 EP 1 849 957 B1
11. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein
the washpipe assembly (10) is coupled to the sta-
tionary conduit (18) and the rotatable conduit (20)
through threaded connections that are engaged by
rotating the upper and lower gland assemblies
(12,14) relative to the conduits (18,20), and wherein
each of the upper and lower gland assemblies
(12,14) comprises a plurality of spaced-apart and
radially-oriented tool-engaging recesses (37,53)
that provide locations for the engagement of a tool
(120) used to apply torque to the upper and lower
gland assemblies (12, 14).
12. A method according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein
assembling the washpipe assembly comprises:
placing a first seal housing (22) over a first end
of a washpipe;
placing at least a first annular, energizable seal
ring (30) in said first housing (22); and,
energizing said first seal ring (30) by rotating a
set ring disposed in said first housing (22) so as
to cause said first annular seal ring (30) to seal-
ingly engage the washpipe (16).
13. A method according to any of claims 9 to 12 wherein
said positioning and said coupling occur at a time
after said first seal ring (30) has been energized.
14. A method according to claim 13, comprising:
placing a second housing (42) over a second
end of the washpipe (16);
placing a second annular, energizable seal ring
(44) in said second housing (42); and,
rotating said second seal ring (44) disposed in
said second housing (42) and energizing said
second seal (44), causing it to sealingly engage
the washpipe.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said posi-
tioning and said coupling occur at a time after said
first and second seal rings (24,44) have been ener-
gized.
Patentansprüche
1. Dichtungsanordnung (10) versehen mit:
einem Spülrohr (16) mit einem Fluiddurchlass
und einer Außenfläche;
einer unteren Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) die
um das Spülrohr (16) angeordnet ist;
einem Dichtungsgehäuse (22), welches inner-
halb der unteren Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12)
und um das Spülrohr (16) angeordnet ist, wobei
das Dichtungsgehäuse (22) für eine Drehung
14
bezüglich den Spülrohr (16) ausgelegt ist;
mindestens einer rohrförmigen, unter Span-
nung setzbaren Dichtung (30), die um das Spül-
rohr (16) angeordnet ist und in dem Gehäuse
5 (22) gehalten wird, wobei das Gehäuse (22) eine
Innenfläche (32) mit einem Gewindesegment
(34) aufweist; und
einem Ringbauteil (24) mit einer Gewindeober-
fläche, die für einen Eingriff mit dem Gewin-
10 desegment (34) des Gehäuses (22) ausgelegt
ist;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Drehung
des Gehäuses (22) oder des Rings (24) relativ
zueinander bewirkt, dass das Ringbauteil (24)
15 die ringförmige Dichtung (30) so unter Span-
nung setzt, dass das Dichtungsbauteil (30) mit
der Außenfläche des Spülrohrs (16) dichtend in
Eingriff tritt und dass
das Ringbauteil (24) eine Stirnfläche (35) mit ei-
20 ner Mehrzahl von Werkzeugeingriffsausneh-
mungen (41) aufweist; und dass
die Stirnfläche (35) in eine erste Axialrichtung
weist und das Gehäuse (22) eine Außenfläche
(33) mit einer Mehrzahl von Vorsprüngen (36)
25 aufweist, die in einer Richtung entgegengesetzt
zu der ersten Axialrichtung abstehen.
2. Dichtungsanordnung (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, bei
welcher das Dichtungsgehäuse (22) eine Mehrzahl
30 von in Abstand angeordneten und radial ausgerich-
teten Werkzeugeingriffsausnehmungen (37) auf-
weist.
3. Dichtungsanordnung (10) gemäß Anspruch 1 oder
35 Anspruch 2, versehen mit einer um das Gehäuse
(22) angeordneten Koppelmutter (13), die für eine
Drehung relativ zu dem Gehäuse (22) ausgelegt ist
und eine Mehrzahl von in Abstand angeordneten und
radial ausgerichteten Werkzeugeingriffsausneh-
40 mungen (37) aufweist.
4. Dichtungsanordnung (10) gemäß einem der Ansprü-
che 1 bis 3, bei welcher das Spülrohr (16) ein erstes
und ein zweites Ende aufweist und die Anordnung
45 (10) ein Dichtungsgehäuse (22, 42), mindestens ei-
ne ringförmige Dichtung (30, 44), und ein Ringbauteil
(24, 43) mit einer Gewindeoberfläche an jedem Ende
des Spülrohrs (16) aufweist.
50 5. Dichtungsanordnung (10) gemäß einem der Ansprü-
che 1 bis 4 versehen mit:
einer oberen Stopfbuchsenanordnung (14), in
der das Spülrohr (16) teilweise angeordnet ist
55 und die betätigbar ist, um mit einer stationären
Leitung (18) in Eingriff zu treten;
einem oberen Dichtungsbauteil (44), welches
innerhalb der oberen Stopfbuchsenanordnung
8
 15 EP 1 849 957 B1
(14) um den Umfang des Spülrohrs (16) ange-
ordnet ist;
einem oberen Klemmring (43), der mit der obe-
ren Stopfbuchsenanordnung (14) so in Eingriff
steht, dass er das obere Dichtungsbauteil (44)
in einen dichtenden Eingriff mit dem Spülrohr
(16) drückt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Eingriff des oberen Klemmrings (43) mit der
oberen Stopfbuchsenanordnung (14) unabhän-
gig von dem Eingriff der oberen Stopfbuchsen-
anordnung (14) mit der stationären Leitung (18)
ist; und
wobei die untere Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12)
betätigbar ist, um mit einer drehbaren Leitung
(20) in Eingriff zu treten;
wobei das Ringbauteil (24) mit der unteren
Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) so in Eingriff
steht, dass die mindestens eine ringförmige, un-
ter Spannung setzbare Dichtung (30) in dichten-
den Eingriff mit dem Spülrohr (16) gedrückt wird,
wobei der Eingriff des Ringbauteils (24) mit der
unteren Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) unab-
hängig von dem Eingriff der unteren Stopfbuch-
senanordnung (12) mit der drehbaren Leitung
(20) ist.
6. Dichtungsanordnung (10) gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei
die obere Stopfbuchsenanordnung (14) en oberes
Gehäuse (42) aufweist, welches eine Außenfläche
mit einer Mehrzahl von in Abstand angeordneten und
radial ausgerichteten Werkzeugeingriffsausneh-
mungen (53) aufweist.
7. Dichtungsanordnung gemäß Anspruch 5 oder An-
spruch 6, bei welcher die obere Stopfbuchsenanord-
nung (14) nach unten weisende Vorsprünge (52) auf-
weist, die betätigbar sind, um in Eingriff mit nach
oben weisenden Vorsprüngen (36) zu treten, die an
der unteren Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) angeord-
net sind, wenn die obere Stopfbuchsenanordnung
(14) benachbart der unteren Stopfbuchsenanord-
nung (12) angeordnet ist.
8. Dichtungsanordnung (10) gemäß einem der Ansprü-
che 5 bis 7, bei welcher der obere Klemmring (43)
in Schraubeingriff mit der oberen Stopfbuchsenan-
ordnung (14) steht.
9. Verfahren zur Installation einer Spülrohranordnung
(10), bei welchem
eine Spülrohranordnung (10) an einer Montagevor-
richtung so zusammengefügt wird, dass sowohl eine
obere als auch eine untere Stopfbuchsenanordnung
(14, 12) in dichtenden Eingriff mit einem Spülrohr
(16) gebracht werden;
die Waschrohranordnung (10) zu einer stationären
Leitung (20) und einer drehbaren Leitung (18) aus-
gerichtet wird; und
16
die Waschrohranordnung (10) sowohl mit der statio-
nären Leitung (20) als auch der drehbaren Leitung
(18) gekoppelt wird, wobei der dichtende Eingriff der
oberen und unteren Stopfbuchsenanordnungen (14,
5 12) mit dem Spülrohr unabhängig davon ist, dass
die Spülrohranordnung (10) mit der stationären und
der drehbaren Leitung (20, 18) gekoppelt wird, wobei
im Zuge des Zusammenfügens der Spülrohranord-
nung (10):
10
ein unterer Klemmrings (24) und ein unteres
Dichtungsbauteils (30) innerhalb der unteren
Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) angeordnet wer-
den;
15 die untere Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) an ei-
ner Montagevorrichtung (70) angeordnet wird,
sodass der untere Klemmring (24) durch die
Montageanordnung (70) drehfest gehalten wird;
ein Spülrohr (16) teilweise innerhalb der unteren
20 Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) angeordnet wird;
und
die untere Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) bezüg-
lich den unteren Klemmring (24) gedreht wird,
so dass der untere Klemmring (24) das untere
25 Dichtungsbauteil (30) in dichtenden Eingriff mit
dem Spülrohr (16) drückt, wobei die untere
Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) gedreht wird, in-
dem die obere Stopfbuchsenanordnung (14) um
das Spülrohr (16) angeordnet wird, sodass die-
30 se mit der unteren Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12)
in Eingriff tritt, sodass eine Drehung der oberen
Stopfbuchsenanordnung (14) eine Drehung der
unteren Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12) bewirkt.
35 10. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9, bei welchem im Zuge
des Zusammenfügens der Spülrohranordnung (10)
ferner:
ein oberer Klemmring (43) und ein oberes Dich-
40 tungsbauteil (44) innerhalb der oberen Stopf-
buchsenanordnung (14) angeordnet werden;
die obere Stopfbuchsenanordnung (14) auf dem
Spülrohr (16) angeordnet wird; und
der obere Klemmring (43) relativ zu der oberen
45 Stopfbuchsenanordnung (14) gedreht wird, so
dass der obere Klemmring (43) das obere Dich-
tungsbauteil (44) in dichtenden Eingriff mit dem
Spülrohr (16) drückt.
50 11. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9 oder Anspruch 10, bei
welchen die Spülrohranordnung (10) mit der statio-
nären Leitung (18) und der drehbaren Leitung (20)
durch Schraubverbindungen gekoppelt wird, die
durch Drehen der oberen und unteren Stopfbuch-
55 senanordnungen (12, 14) relativ zu den Leitungen
(18, 20) in Eingriff gebracht werden, und wobei jede
der oberen und unteren Stopfbuchsenanordnungen
(12, 14) eine Mehrzahl von in Abstand angeordneten
9
 17 EP 1 849 957 B1
und radial ausgerichteten Werkzeugeingriffsaus-
nehmungen (37, 53) aufweist, an denen ein Werk-
zeug (120) angesetzt werden kann, welches benutzt
wird, um Drehmoment auf die obere und untere
Stopfbuchsenanordnung (12, 14) aufzubringen.
12. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, bei
welchem im Zuge des Zusammenfügens der Spül-
rohranordnung:
ein erstes Dichtungsgehäuse (22) über einem
erstes Ende des Spülrohrs angeordnet wird;
mindestens ein erster ringförmiger, unter Span-
nung setzbarer Dichtungsring (30) in dem ersten
Gehäuse (22) angeordnet wird; und
der erste Dichtungsring (30) durch Drehen eines
in dem ersten Gehäuse (22) angeordneten Sitz-
rings unter Spannung gesetzt wird, um zu be-
wirken, dass der erste ringförmige Dichtungs-
ring (30) in dichtenden Eingriff mit dem Spülrohr
(16) tritt.
13. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, bei
welchem das Positionieren und das Ankoppeln zu
einem Zeitpunkt erfolgen, nachdem der erste Dich-
tungsring (30) unter Spannung gesetzt wurde.
14. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 13, bei welchem:
ein zweites Gehäuse (42) über einem zweiten
Ende des Spülrohrs (16) angeordnet wird;
ein zweiter ringförmiger, unter Spannung setz-
barer Dichtungsring (44) in dem zweiten Gehäu-
se (42) angeordnet wird; und
der zweite Dichtungsring (44) der in dem zwei-
ten Gehäuse (42) angeordnet ist und die zweite
Dichtung (44) unter Spannung setzt, , gedreht
wird, um zu bewirken, dass diese in dichtenden
Eingriff mit dem Spülrohr tritt.
15. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 14, bei welchem das Po-
sitionieren und das Koppeln zu einem Zeitpunkt er-
folgen, nachdem der erste und der zweite Dichtungs-
ring (24, 44) unter Spannung gesetzt wurden.
Revendications
1. Dispositif d’étanchéité (10), le dispositif d’étanchéité
comprenant :
un tube d’usure (16), comportant un passage
pour le fluide et une surface extérieure ;
un ensemble inférieur de chapeau de presse-
garniture (12) disposé autour dudit tube d’usure
(16) ;
un logement d’élément d’étanchéité (22) dispo-
sé à l’intérieur dudit ensemble inférieur de cha-
18
peau de presse-garniture (12) et autour dudit
tube d’usure (16), ledit logement d’élément
d’étanchéité (22) étant adapté pour opérer une
rotation par rapport au dit tube d’usure (16) ;
5 au moins un élément d’étanchéité annulaire,
pouvant être activé (30) disposé autour dudit tu-
be d’usure (16) et retenu dans ledit logement
(22), ledit logement (22) comportant une surface
intérieure (32) présentant un segment taraudé
10 (34) ; et
un élément de bague (24) présentant une sur-
face filetée adaptée pour s’engager avec ledit
segment taraudé (34) dudit logement (22) ;
caractérisé en ce qu’une rotation de l’un dudit
15 logement (22) ou de ladite bague (24) par rap-
port à l’autre entraîne ledit élément de bague
(24) à activer ledit élément annulaire d’étanchéi-
té (30) de telle sorte que ledit élément d’étan-
chéité (30) s’engage d’une façon étanche avec
20 la surface extérieure dudit tube d’usure (16) ; et
en ce que
ledit élément de bague (24) possède une surfa-
ce frontale (35) comportant une pluralité d’évi-
dements permettant un engagement avec un
25 outil (41) ; et en ce que
ladite surface frontale (35) fait face à une pre-
mière direction axiale, et dans lequel ledit loge-
ment (22) comprend une surface extérieure (33)
comportant une pluralité de pattes (36) s’éten-
30 dant dans une direction opposée à ladite pre-
mière direction axiale.
2. Dispositif d’étanchéité (10) selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel ledit logement d’élément d’étanchéité
35 (22) comprend une pluralité d’évidements pour en-
gagement avec un outil, séparés les uns des autres
et orientés radialement (37).
3. Dispositif d’étanchéité (10) selon la revendication 1
40 ou la revendication 2, comportant un écrou de cou-
plage (13) disposé autour dudit logement (22) et
adapté en vue d’une rotation par rapport au dit loge-
ment (22), l’écrou de couplage (13) comportant une
pluralité d’évidements pour s’engager avec un outil,
45 séparés les uns des autres et orientés radialement
(37).
4. Dispositif d’étanchéité (10) selon l’une quelconque
des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel ledit tube
50 d’usure (16) comporte des première et seconde ex-
trémités et dans lequel ledit dispositif (10) comporte
un logement d’élément d’étanchéité (22, 42), au
moins un élément d’étanchéité annulaire (30, 44) et
un élément de bague (24, 43) présentant une surface
55 filetée au niveau de chaque extrémité dudit tube
d’usure (16).
5. Dispositif d’étanchéité (10) selon l’une quelconque
10
 19 EP 1 849 957 B1
des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant :
un ensemble supérieur de chapeau de presse-
garniture (14) présentant ledit tube d’usure (16)
disposé en partie dans cet ensemble et pouvant
agir pour s’engager avec un conduit fixe (18) ;
un élément d’étanchéité supérieur (44) disposé
à l’intérieur dudit ensemble supérieur de cha-
peau de presse-garniture (14) autour de la pé-
riphérie dudit tube d’usure (16) ;
une bague de presse-garniture supérieure (43)
engagée avec ledit ensemble supérieur de cha-
peau de presse-garniture (14) de façon à com-
primer ledit élément d’étanchéité supérieur (44)
en engagement d’étanchéité avec ledit tube
d’usure (16), caractérisé en ce que l’engage-
ment de ladite bague de presse-garniture supé-
rieure (43) avec ledit ensemble supérieur de
chapeau de presse-garniture (14) est indépen-
dant de l’engagement dudit ensemble supérieur
de chapeau de presse-garniture (14) et du con-
duit fixe (18) ; et
dans lequel ledit ensemble inférieur de chapeau
de presse-garniture (12) peut agir pour s’enga-
ger avec un conduit tournant (20) ;
dans lequel ledit élément de bague (24) est en-
gagé avec ledit ensemble inférieur de chapeau
de presse-garniture (12) de façon à comprimer
ledit, au moins un, élément d’étanchéité annu-
laire pouvant être activé (30) en engagement
d’étanchéité avec ledit tube d’usure (16), dans
lequel l’engagement dudit élément de bague
(24) avec ledit ensemble inférieur de chapeau
de presse-garniture (12) est indépendant de
l’engagement dudit ensemble inférieur de cha-
peau de presse-garniture (12) et du conduit tour-
nant (20).
6. Dispositif d’étanchéité (10) selon la revendication 5
dans lequel l’ensemble supérieur de chapeau de
presse-garniture (14) comprime un logement supé-
rieur (42) comportant une surface extérieure présen-
tant une pluralité d’évidements pour engagement
avec un outil, séparés les uns des autres et orientés
radialement (53).
7. Dispositif d’étanchéité selon la revendication 5 ou la
revendication 6, dans lequel ledit ensemble supé-
rieur de chapeau de presse-garniture (14) comprend
des pattes s’étendant vers le bas (52) qui peuvent
agir pour s’engager avec des pattes s’étendant vers
le haut (36) disposées sur ledit ensemble inférieur
de chapeau de presse-garniture (12) lorsque ledit
ensemble supérieur de chapeau de presse-garniture
(14) est disposé de façon adjacente audit ensemble
inférieur de chapeau de presse-garniture (12).
8. Dispositif d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des
20
revendications 5 à 7, dans lequel ladite bague de
presse-garniture supérieure (43) est engagée par fi-
letage avec ledit ensemble supérieur de chapeau de
presse-garniture (14).
5
9. Procédé pour installer un ensemble de tube d’usure
(10), le procédé comprenant le fait de :
assembler un ensemble de tube d’usure (10)
10 sur un dispositif d’assemblage de telle sorte que
les deux ensembles, supérieur et inférieur, de
chapeau de presse-garniture (14, 12) se trou-
vent engagés de façon étanche avec un tube
d’usure (16) ;
15 positionner le dispositif pour tube d’usure (10)
en alignement avec un conduit fixe (20) et un
conduit pouvant tourner (18) ; et,
coupler l’ensemble de tube d’usure (10), à la
fois, au conduit fixe (20) et au conduit pouvant
20 tourner (18), dans lequel l’engagement étanche
des ensembles, supérieur et inférieur, de cha-
peau de presse-garniture (14, 12) avec le tube
d’usure est indépendant de l’ensemble de tube
d’usure (10) couplé aux conduits fixe et tournant
25 (20, 18), dans lequel assembler l’ensemble de
tube d’usure (10) comprend le fait de :
disposer une bague de presse-garniture in-
férieure (24) et un élément d’étanchéité in-
30 férieur (30) à l’intérieur de l’ensemble infé-
rieur de chapeau de presse-garniture (12) ;
disposer l’ensemble inférieur de chapeau
de presse-garniture (12) sur un dispositif
d’assemblage (70) de façon que la bague
35 de presse-garniture inférieure (24) soit con-
trainte en rotation par le dispositif d’assem-
blage (70) ;
disposer un tube d’usure (16) partiellement
à l’intérieur de l’ensemble inférieur de cha-
40 peau de presse-garniture (12) ; et
tourner l’ensemble inférieur de chapeau de
presse-garniture (12) par rapport à la bague
de presse-garniture inférieure (24) de sorte
que la bague de presse-garniture inférieure
45 (24) comprime l’élément d’étanchéité infé-
rieur (30) en engagement d’étanchéité avec
le tube d’usure (16); dans lequel l’ensemble
inférieur de chapeau de presse-garniture
(12) est tourné en disposant l’ensemble su-
50 périeur de chapeau de presse-garniture
(14) autour du tube d’usure (16) de façon à
engager l’ensemble inférieur de chapeau
de presse-garniture (12) de telle sorte
qu’une rotation de l’ensemble supérieur de
55 chapeau de presse-garniture (14) entraîne
une rotation de l’ensemble inférieur de cha-
peau de presse-garniture (12).
11
 21 EP 1 849 957 B1 22

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel l’as- fait de :

semblage de l’ensemble de tube d’usure (10) com-
prend, de plus, le fait de :
disposer une bague de presse-garniture supé-
rieure (43) et un élément d’étanchéité supérieur
(44) à l’intérieur de l’ensemble supérieur de cha-
peau de presse-garniture (14) ;
disposer l’ensemble supérieur de chapeau de
presse-garniture (14) sur le tube d’usure (16) ; et
faire tourner la bague de presse-garniture su-
périeure (13) par rapport à l’ensemble supérieur
de chapeau de presse-garniture (14) de façon
à ce que la bague de presse-garniture supérieu-
re (43) comprime l’élément d’étanchéité supé-
rieur (44) en engagement d’étanchéité avec le
tube d’usure (16).
placer un second logement (42) sur une secon-
de extrémité du tube d’usure (16) ;
5 placer une seconde bague d’étanchéité annu-
laire activable (44) dans ledit second logement
(42) ; et
faire tourner ladite seconde bague d’étanchéité
(44) disposée dans ledit second logement (42)
10 et activer ladite seconde bague d’étanchéité
(44), l’entraînant à s’engager de façon étanche
avec le tube d’usure.
15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel ledit
15 positionnement et ledit couplage se produisent à un
moment après que lesdites première et seconde ba-
gues d’étanchéité (24, 44) ont été activées.

11. Procédé selon la revendication 9 ou la revendication

10, dans lequel l’ensemble de tube d’usure (10) est 20
couplé au conduit fixe (18) et au conduit tournant
(20) par l’intermédiaire de connexions filetées qui
sont engagées par la rotation des ensembles, supé-
rieur et inférieur, de chapeau de presse-garniture
(12, 14) par rapport aux conduits (18, 20), et dans 25
lequel chacun des ensembles, supérieur et inférieur,
de chapeau de presse-garniture (12, 14) comprend
une pluralité d’évidements pour un engagement
avec un outil, séparés les uns des autres et orientés
radialement (37, 53), lesquels fournissent des posi- 30
tions pour l’engagement d’un outil (120) utilisé pour
appliquer un couple de rotation sur les ensembles,
supérieur et inférieur, de chapeau de presse-garni-
ture (12, 14).
35
12. Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications
9 à 11, dans lequel l’assemblage de l’ensemble de
tube d’usure comprend le fait de :

placer un premier logement de joint d’étanchéité 40

(22) sur une première extrémité d’un tube
d’usure ;
placer au moins une première bague d’étanchéi-
té annulaire, activable (30) dans ledit premier
logement (22) ; et 45
activer ladite première bague d’étanchéité (30)
en faisant tourner une bague de fonctionnement
disposée dans ledit premier logement (22) de
façon à entraîner ladite première bague d’étan-
chéité annulaire (30) à s’engager de façon étan- 50
che avec le tube d’usure (16).

13. Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications

9 à 12, dans lequel ledit positionnement et ledit cou-
plage se produisent à un moment après que ladite 55
première bague d’étanchéité (30) a été activée.

14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, comprenant le

12
EP 1 849 957 B1

13
EP 1 849 957 B1

14
EP 1 849 957 B1

15
EP 1 849 957 B1

16
EP 1 849 957 B1

17
EP 1 849 957 B1

18
EP 1 849 957 B1

19
EP 1 849 957 B1

20
EP 1 849 957 B1

21
EP 1 849 957 B1

22
 EP 1 849 957 B1

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• US 20050242512 A [0004] • US 2185822 A [0006]

• WO 2002101191 A [0005] • US 2281019 A [0007]

23