Pressure retained gasket seal with enhanced unloading resistance

A method of maintaining a pressure boundary between a first region and a second region of a system across a junction between first and second components of the system, thereby preventing a process fluid from crossing between the regions, the method comprising:

• manufacturing a static seal having a first side and a second side;
• installing the static seal in the system surrounding the first region at the junction between the first and second components such that the first region abuts one of the first and second sides of the static seal, and the second region abuts the other of the first and second sides of the static seal;
• and
• applying a process fluid in fluid contact with the first side of the static seal, said process fluid applying a first hydraulic pressure thereto, said first hydraulic pressure being greater than a second hydraulic pressure on the second side of the static seal, a hydraulic pressure differential being thereby created between the first and second sides of the static seal,
• wherein manufacturing the static seal comprises:
• providing a first seal element having a substantially flat first sealing surface configured to surround the first region at the junction;
• providing a second seal element having a substantially flat second sealing surface configured to surround the first region at the junction;
• forming a groove in the second sealing surface configured to surround the first region at the junction, said groove having a groove entrance, first and second groove side walls, and a groove posterior face opposite said groove entrance, said groove entrance having a groove entrance width and said groove posterior face having a groove posterior width;
• forming a notch in said groove posterior face configured to surround the first region at the junction, said notch having a notch entrance directed toward the groove entrance, first and second notch sides, and a notch posterior face opposite said notch entrance;
• and
• pre-shaping a non-elastomeric gasket to have a cross-sectional shape that conforms in shape to the groove and the notch;
• installing the gasket into the groove and notch, the pre-shaping of the gasket causing the gasket to be in close contact with the first and second groove sidewalls, with the groove posterior face, with the first and second notch sides, and with the notch posterior face when the gasket is not deformed;
• wherein installing the static seal in the system comprises:
• arranging the first sealing surface in opposition to the second sealing surface, so that the first and second sealing surfaces are separated by a seal gap across which the gasket extends from the groove entrance to the first sealing surface, wherein the first and second sealing surfaces both surround the first region at the junction, and the gasket continuously surrounds the first region at the junction;
• and
• pressing the gasket between the first and second sealing surfaces, the gasket thereby forming a boundary between the first and second sides of the static seal;
• wherein said pressing of the gasket between the first and second sealing surfaces arises either entirely due to said hydraulic pressure differential, or entirely due to said hydraulic pressure differential in combination with pressure applied by a spring or a bellows.