APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING A TUBE JOINT

A joint between a pair of coaxial tubes which extend into a pressure vessel from a surface is sealed using a sleeve-like housing which surrounds the joint to be sealed. An upper fluid-tight seal is formed between the longer of the tubes and the housing. A lower fluid-tight seal is formed between the housing and the surface. An intermediate seal is also formed between the housing and the shorter tube. The upper and lower seals are independently preloaded through the use of spring washers. Primary loading of the lower seal to the surface is caused by fluid pressure in the vessel which acts on the housing. APARATO Y PROCEDIMIENTO PARA ESTABLECER UN CIERRE HERMETICO AL FLUIDO ENTRE DOS ELEMENTOS TUBULARES COAXIALES DE UN RECIPIENTE DE PRESION DE UN REACTOR NUCLEAR, SEGUN LOS CUALES UNA CARCASA EN FORMA DE MANGUITO ES POSICIONADA CON EL FIN DE CIRCUNDAR UNA PAREJA DE TUBOS COAXIALES DE UNAS DIFERENTES LONGITUDES, LOS CUALES SE EXTIENDEN DESDE UNA SUPERFICIE. UN ANILLO DE CIERRE HERMETICO SUPERIOR ES COMPRIMIDO AL OBJETO DE PROPORCIONAR UN SELLADO HERMETICO ENTRE EL TUBO MAS LARGO Y LA CARCASA. EL EXTREMO INFERIOR DE LA CARCASA ES HERMETICAMENTE SELLADO CON RESPECTO A LA SUPERFICIE POR EL HECHO DE APLICAR UNA TUERCA QUE ESTA GUIADA, DE FORMA ROSCADA, EN EL SEGUNDO TUBO.