O-ring gasket material and method for making and using same
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsEileen C. Barna, Elizabeth M. Hamilton, Eric W. Lalli, Cindy B. Lubin, Wanda F. Sparks, Alfred F. Waterland, III
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Abstract
Improved O-ring gasket material and method for use in sealing various apparatus, such as fluid conduits for heat exchange apparatus, is provided. The gasket material comprises a cylindrical core of elongated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) contained within a tight wrap of high strength film. The gasket material has the exceptional operational properties of PTFE, while being resistant to cold flow or "creep" which distorts most PTFE seals under heavy unconfined compression.
Claims19
A gasket material for sealing a fluid connection in an apparatus, which gasket material comprises:
- a core of elongated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) formed into a loop;
- means to constrain the core from lateral flow when the core is placed under compressive pressure to establish and maintain a fluid seal, the means comprising a film wrap around the PTFE core to form a sealant of sufficient strength to limit creep of the PTFE core when the gasket is placed under pressure.
A process for sealing a fluid connection within an apparatus, which process comprises:
- providing an O-ring gasket material comprising a core of elongated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and means to constrain the core from lateral flow when the core is placed under compressive pressure, the means comprising a film wrapped around the core of sufficient tensile strength to limit creep of the PTFE core when the gasket is placed under pressure;
- attaching the gasket material within a flange of the apparatus;
- applying pressure to compress the gasket and seal the fluid connection together, forming a fluid tight seal.
An O-ring gasket material for sealing a fluid connection;
- which gasket material comprises:
- a core of elongated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE);
- means to constrain the core from lateral flow when the core is placed under compressive pressure to establish and maintain a fluid seal, the means comprising a tight film wrap around the PTFE core of sufficient tensile strength to limit creep of the PTFE core when the gasket is placed under pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.