Fluid seals
OwnerJean-Marc Lopezinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to a sealing device having greater resistance to failure when exposed to elevated temperature or pressure conditions. A number of embodiments of the invention include a sealing device having an annular seal member comprising an elastomer material and at least one cap member affixed to the seal member. In some circumstances, when the seal member is compressed in a substantially axial direction, at least a portion of the cap member deforms in a substantially radial direction.
Claims24
A sealing device comprising:
- an annular seal member comprising an elastomer material, the annular seal having a first seal surface exposed on a first side and a second seal surface exposed on an inner second side;
- and
- a cap member affixed between the first and second seal surfaces of the seal member, the cap member formed of material having substantially greater strength than the elastomer material of the seal member,
- wherein when pressure is applied between the seal surfaces, the seal member is compressed in a certain direction substantially toward the cap member and causes at least a portion of the cap member to deform substantially perpendicular to the certain direction.
A device comprising:
- a first body;
- a second body having a groove;
- and
- a seal in the groove adapted to substantially seal between the first and second bodies, the seal comprising:
- an annular seal member having a first substantially convex surface and a second substantially convex surface;
- and
- a first cap member having a first substantially concave surface affixed to the first substantially convex surface of the seal member such that deformable portions of the first cap member are positioned radially on both sides of a portion of the seal member, and
- a second cap member having a second substantially concave surface affixed to the second substantially convex surface of the seal member such that deformable portions of the second cap member are positioned radially on both sides of a portion of the seal member.
A method of sealing between a first body and a second body, the second body including a groove, the method comprising:
- providing a seal device in the groove having an elastomeric seal member defining a first seal surface to press against the first body and a second seal surface to press against the second body, the seal device having a cap member affixed to an axial side of the seal member and disposed radially between the first and second seal surfaces;
- and
- in response to pressure applied to the seal between the first and second seal surfaces, deforming the cap member to press against the first and second bodies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.