Sealing High Pressure Flow Devices

Abstract

Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure flow device having a body defining a body bore and defining a recess in the body intersecting the body bore. A closure is joined to the body and forms a sealing surface. A seal is mounted to the body in the recess and configured to extend from the recess beyond the body bore to seal against the sealing surface formed by the closure.

1 . A valve comprising:
 a body comprising a flow passage extending therethrough, the flow passage intersected by a chamber, the chamber having a surface that joins the flow passage, the surface having a groove formed therein, the groove surrounding the flow passage and extending along a non-planar path;   a rotatable plug having a fluid passage extending therethrough;   an insert element positioned within the chamber and at least partially surrounding the plug, the insert element having a fluid opening extended therethrough; and   a seal positioned within the groove.   
     
     
         2 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the insert element is characterized as a first insert element, and further comprising a second insert element within the chamber and at least partially surrounding the plug. 
     
     
         3 . The valve of  claim 1  in which the insert element is characterized by a curved inner surface. 
     
     
         4 . The valve of  claim 1  in which the surface is complementary to a portion of the curved side surface of a cone. 
     
     
         5 . The valve of  claim 1  in which an inner surface of the insert element mates with an outer surface of the rotatable plug. 
     
     
         6 . The valve of  claim 5  in which the plug is characterized by an open position that permits flow of fluid through the chamber, and a closed position that blocks fluid flow through the chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The valve of  claim 6  in which the plug and the insert are in sealing engagement when the plug is in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . A single-piece valve body, characterized by:
 a flow passage that traverses the valve body along a flow path;   a central chamber that interrupts the flow passage within the valve body and has one or more surfaces that join the flow passage; and   a pair of endless grooves situated in spaced relationship along the flow path, each groove formed in one of the one or more surfaces and extending along a non-planar path around the flow passage.   
     
     
         9 . A valve comprising:
 the single-piece valve body of  claim 8 ;   a rotatable plug positioned within the chamber and having a fluid passage extending therethrough and alignable with the flow passage;   an insert positioned within the chamber and at least partially surrounding the plug;   a first seal disposed within the first groove; and   a second seal disposed within the second groove.   
     
     
         10 . The valve of  claim 9  in which the surface is complementary to a portion of the curved side of a cone. 
     
     
         11 . The valve of  claim 9  in which the insert is described as a first insert, and further comprising a second insert positioned within the chamber and at least partially surrounding the plug. 
     
     
         12 . The valve of  claim 11  in which the first insert and the second insert each have a fluid opening extending therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The valve of  claim 12  in which the plug is characterized by an open position that permits flow of fluid through the chamber, and a closed position that blocks fluid flow through the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The single-piece valve body of  claim 8  in which the surface is complementary to a portion of the curved side of a cone. 
     
     
         15 . A valve comprising:
 a body having:
 a flow passage that traverses the body; 
 an internal chamber that interrupts the flow passage and has a surface that joins the flow passage; and 
 a groove formed in the surface and extending along a non-planar path around the flow passage; 
   a cylindrical rotating plug disposed within the internal chamber and having a fluid passage extended therethrough;   an insert disposed within the internal chamber and at least partially surrounding the cylindrical rotating plug; and   a seal situated within the groove.   
     
     
         16 . The valve of  claim 15  wherein the insert has a curved outer surface, at least a portion of which is complementary to a portion of the surface of the internal chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The valve of  claim 15  in which the groove is characterized as a first groove and the seal is characterized as a first seal, and further comprising:
 a second groove formed in the surface and extending along a non-planar path around the flow passage; and 
 a second seal situated within the second groove. 
 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 the valve of  claim 15 ; and   a fluid having a pressure of at least 15,000 pounds per square inch within at least a portion of the flow passage.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  in which in which the plug is characterized by an open position that permits flow of fluid through the chamber, and a closed position that blocks fluid flow through the chamber.