# US 2019/0170254 A1 · Seal, assembly, and methods of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170254 A1 - Document ID: US20190170254A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/203,975 - Filed: 2018-11-29 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-30 - Assignees: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation - Applicants: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation - Inventors: Bedros J. Taslakian; Charles Deleuze; Kris Van Gils; Benny Proost; Peter Aerts - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170254A1 ## CPC - F16J 15/067: {Split packings} - F16J 9/14: Joint-closures - F16J 15/104: {characterised by structure} - F16J 15/166: {with means to prevent the extrusion of the packing} - F16J 15/3208: provided with tension elements, e.g. elastic rings - F16J 15/3212: with metal springs - F16J 15/3236: with at least one lip for each surface, e.g. U-cup packings - F16J 15/3272: the rings having a break or opening, e.g. to enable mounting on a shaft otherwise than from a shaft end - F16K 41/08: with at least one ring provided with axially-protruding peripheral closing-lip - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract A seal including a first annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end defining a first split along the circumference of the first annular body; and a second annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end defining a first split along the circumference of the second annular body, where the circumferential split of the first annular body is offset from the circumferential split of the second annular body at an arc distance defined by a central angle C, wherein the central angle C is no less than 15°, or where the second annular body is adapted to force the first split of the first annular body to close around a fluid component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seal comprising: a first annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end defining a first split along the circumference of the first annular body; and a second annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end defining a first split along the circumference of the second annular body, wherein the circumferential split of the first annular body is offset from the circumferential split of the second annular body at an arc distance defined by a central angle C, wherein the central angle C is no less than 15°, such as no less than 30°, such as no less than 45°, such as no less than 60°, or such as no less than 90°. ### Claim 2 A seal comprising: a first annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end defining a first split along the circumference of the first annular body, wherein the first annular body has first and second lips; and a second annular body comprising an energizer having an inner radius and an outer radius, wherein the second annular body is adapted to force the first split of the first annular body to close around a fluid component, wherein the energizer is positioned between the first and second lip of the first annular body and adapted to force the first and second lip apart. ### Claim 3 An assembly comprising: a first fluid component having an axis and a first end; a second fluid component having an axis and a second end; and a seal operatively connecting the first end of the first fluid component to the second end of the second fluid component; the seal comprising: a first annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end defining a first split along the circumference of the first annular body; and a second annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end defining a first split along the circumference of the second annular body, wherein 1) the circumferential split of the first annular body is offset from the circumferential split of the second annular body at an arc distance defined by a central angle C, wherein the central angle C is no less than 15°, such as no less than 30°, such as no less than 45°, such as no less than 60°, or such as no less than 90°; or 2) wherein the second annular body comprises an energizer where the energizer is adapted to force the first split of the first annular body to close around a fluid component, wherein the energizer is positioned between the first and second lip of the first annular body and adapted to force the first and second lip apart. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1, wherein the first lip and the second lip define a recess in the first annular body to form a U-shaped cross-section in the radial direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seal of claim 4, wherein the second annular body is disposed within the recess formed between the first lip and the second lip of the first annular body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The seal of claim 4, wherein the first annular body comprises at least one axial step to radially lock the second annular member to the first annular member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1, wherein the first annular body comprises an elastomer, polymer, polyurethane, metal, or composite fiber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The seal of claim 7, wherein the first annular body comprises a composite fiber comprising one or a combination of silicone, carbon, aramid, rayon, kynol, Kevlar, cotton, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or rubber fibers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The seal of claim 2, wherein the energizer comprises a metallic spring comprising an aluminum, nickel, iron, or chromium alloy. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The seal of claim 2, wherein the energizer comprises elastomer, foam, silicone, fluorocarbons, ethylene propylene diene Monomer (M-class) rubber (EPDM), nitrile, a sponge, or a metallic spring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1, wherein the seal further comprises a third annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a third split along its circumference, wherein the third annular body comprises a first radial lip and a second radial lip adapted to at least partially surround the first annular body in at least one of the axial or radial direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The seal of claim 11, wherein the third annular body has a U-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The seal of claim 11, wherein the third annular body comprises an elastomer, polymer, polyurethane, metal, or composite fiber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The seal of claim 11, wherein the seal further comprises a fourth annular body having an inner radius and an outer radius, and a third split along its circumference, wherein the fourth annular body comprises a at least one axial or radial lip adapted to form a mechanical connection with the third annular body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The seal of claim 14, wherein the fourth annular body comprises an elastomer, polymer, polyurethane, metal, or composite fiber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1, wherein the first split is formed in a straight cut or an angle cut in a plane in the axial direction of the first annular body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1, wherein the second split is formed in a straight cut or an angle cut in a plane in the axial direction of the second annular body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1, wherein the first and second circumferential ends of the first annular body comprise a flared male end and a grooved female end adapted to mate and circumferentially lock the first annular body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1, wherein the first and second circumferential ends of the second annular body comprise a flared male end and a grooved female end adapted to mate and circumferentially lock the second annular body. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first split or the second split is tapered to form an edge having two different sections having different slopes.