Supported elastomeric foams and processes for making same
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsJohn Gardner, Amadeus Wiesemann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A supported elastomeric foam (100) includes an elastomeric matrix (102) formed of an elastomer and including a reinforcement region (104) and a foamed region (106). The foamed region includes gas filled cells (108) in the elastomer, and the reinforcement region includes a porous layer (204) having an interconnected network of pores at least partially imbibed with the elastomer. The foam can include an adhesive at a surface of the foam. A compressible seal (802) including a compressible body, which can be elastomeric foam, can also include a pattern of discontinuous adhesive regions about which the compressible body can deform to form a sea. The supported elastomeric foam can form a gas tight seal in an interface when placed under minimal compression.
Claims27
A supported elastomeric composite, comprising:
- an elastomeric matrix comprising:
- an elastomer;
- a foamed region;
- a first reinforcement region comprising a first porous layer having an interconnected network of pores fully imbibed with the elastomer and positioned at a first side of the foamed region;
- and
- a second reinforcement region comprising a second porous layer having a second interconnected network of pores fully imbibed with the elastomer, and positioned at a second side of the foamed region opposite the first side;
- wherein the first and second porous layers of the first and second reinforcement regions comprise one of a woven material, an expanded fluoropolymer film, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) woven, or a fiberglass material;
- wherein the foamed region is between the first and second reinforcement regions, wherein the foamed regions comprises a plurality of gas filled cells defined by the elastomer;
- wherein the elastomer is continuous from the foamed region to the first and second reinforcement regions;
- wherein the first and second reinforcement regions are substantially free of gas filled cells such that the volume percentage of the voids formed in the reinforcement region are less than or equal to 10%, and
- wherein the composite is configured to create a gas tight seal when compressed between a pair of interface surfaces under a compressive stress of less than or equal to 1 MPa.
A supported elastomeric composite, comprising:
- an elastomeric matrix comprising:
- an elastomer;
- a foamed region;
- a first reinforcement region comprising a first porous layer having an interconnected network of pores fully imbibed with the elastomer and positioned at a first side of the foamed region;
- and
- a second reinforcement region comprising a second porous layer having a second interconnected network of pores fully imbibed with the elastomer, and positioned at a second side of the foamed region opposite the first side;
- wherein the first and second porous layers of the first and second reinforcement regions comprise one of a woven material, an expanded fluoropolymer film, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) woven, or a fiberglass material;
- wherein the foamed region is between the first and second reinforcement regions, wherein the foamed regions comprises a plurality of gas filled cells defined by the elastomer;
- wherein the elastomer is continuous from the foamed region to the first and second reinforcement regions;
- wherein the first and second reinforcement regions are substantially free of gas filled cells such that the volume percentage of the voids formed in the reinforcement region are less than or equal to 10%,
- wherein the composite has a glass transition temperature of negative 45° C. or less, and
- wherein the composite is configured to create a gas tight seal when compressed between a pair of interface surfaces under a compressive stress of less than or equal to 1 MPa.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.