Bellow seal and anchor
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorArthur J. Mansure
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An annular seal is made of a collapsible bellows. The bellows can function as an anchor or a seal and is easily set into position using relative component movement. The bellows folds can be slanted and their outer sealing edges can have different profiles to meet expected conditions. The bellows is expanded for insertion to reduce its outer dimension and sets by compaction as a result of relative movement. The bellows can be straight or tapered and is settable with a minimal axial force.
Claims23
An anchor or sealing apparatus for use in a passage, comprising:
- a body having a longitudinal dimension;
- a collar, through which said body is movable;
- means for reversibly holding said collar stationary within said passage
- an element comprising a foldable member, including a first portion connected to said collar and a second portion connected to said body, which creates a seal within said passage by folding upon itself when said collar is held stationary within said passage and said body is pulled in a direction generally consistent with the second portion approaching the first portion.
An anchor or sealing apparatus for use in a passage, comprising:
- a body;
- an element, a portion of which is connected to said body and another portion of which is connected to a collar movably mounted to said body;
- said element comprising a foldable member which is extended for run-in and compressed for contact with the passage responsive to relative movement between said collar and said body;
- wherein said element comprises a bellows and said bellows is connected at one end to said body and at an opposite end to said collar;
- and further wherein said collar frictionally engages the passage to facilitate extension and compression of said bellows.
An anchor or sealing apparatus for use in a passage, comprising:
- a body;
- an element, a portion of which is connected to said body and another portion of which is connected to a collar movably mounted to said body;
- said element comprising a foldable member which is extended for run-in and compressed for contact with the passage responsive to relative movement between said collar and said body;
- wherein said element comprises a bellows and said bellows is connected at one end to said body and at an opposite end to said collar;
- and further wherein said collar comprises a releasable detent engageable to said body at two positions corresponding to said bellows being extended and compressed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.