Resilient elastomer and metal retainer gasket for sealing between curved surfaces

A joint assembly comprising:

• a first and a second interface surface each having a radial extent and being curved in at least one axial direction normal to said radial extent, said second interface surface being disposed in mutually-facing opposition with said first interface surface;
• and
• a gasket interposed between said first and second interface surfaces, said gasket comprising:
• a resilient primary retainer formed of a metal material and having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter defining an enclosed geometric shape which extends in a normal state of said gasket within a first plane to a first diametric extent along at least one first axis, and to a second diametric extent along at least one second axis disposed within said first plane generally perpendicular to said first axis, said primary retainer being flexible in said first diametric extent along at least one first radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding second plane generally perpendicular to said first plane, and in said second diametric extent along at least one second radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding third plane generally perpendicular to said first and said second plane, and said primary retainer having an inner axial surface which defines the inner perimeter thereof, and an outer axial surface which defines the outer periphery thereof;
• and
• at least generally annular first and second primary seal elements formed of an elastomeric material and said first said primary seal element being attached to said inner axial surface of said primary retainer, and said second primary seal element being attached to said outer axial surface of said primary retainer to each extend coaxially about at least a portion of said inner or said outer perimeter of said primary retainer, each said primary seal element having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces in abutting contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces, and being compressed axially intermediate said interface surfaces effecting a first and a second fluid-tight seal between the interface surfaces, said primary retainer being curved along one or both said first and said second radius of curvature in a stressed state of said gasket by the compression of said primary seal elements to conform to said interface surfaces,
• whereby said gasket assembly substantially recovers to said normal state from said stressed state upon being removed from compression between said interface surfaces.

A method of sealing a first and a second interface surface each having a radial extent and being curved in at least one axial direction normal to said radial extent, said second interface surface being disposable in mutually-facing opposition with said first interface surface and said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a gasket assembly including:
• a resilient primary retainer formed of a metal material and having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter defining an enclosed geometric shape which extends in a normal state of said gasket within a first plane to a first diametric extent along at least one first axis, and to a second diametric extent along at least one second axis disposed within said first plane generally perpendicular to said first axis, said primary retainer being flexible in said first diametric extent along at least one first radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding second plane generally perpendicular to said first plane, and in said second diametric extent along at least one second radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding third plane generally perpendicular to said first and said second plane, and said primary retainer having an inner axial surface which defines the inner perimeter thereof, and an outer axial surface which defines the outer periphery thereof;
• and
• at least generally annular first and second primary seal elements formed of an elastomeric material and compressible axially intermediate the interface surfaces for effecting a first and a second fluid-tight seal therebetween, said first said primary seal element being attached to said inner axial surface of said primary retainer, and said second primary seal element being attached to said outer axial surface of said primary retainer to each extend coaxially about at least a portion of said inner or said outer perimeter of said primary retainer, and having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces;
• (b) interposing said gasket between said interface surfaces such that each said primary seal element abuttingly contacts a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces;
• (c) compressing each said primary seal element axially intermediate said interface surfaces effecting one or more fluid-tight seals between the interface surfaces, said primary retainer being curved along one or both said first and said second radius of curvature in a stressed state of said gasket by the compression of said primary seal elements to conform to said interface surfaces;
• and
• (d) removing said assembly from compression between said interface surfaces, said gasket assembly substantially recovering to said normal state from said stressed state.

A gasket assembly for interposition between a first interface surface and a second and a third interface surface, said second and said third interface surface being disposed in mutually-facing opposition with said first interface surface, said assembly comprising:

• a primary retainer having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter defining an enclosed geometric shape which extends to a first diametric extent along at least one first axis, and to a second diametric extent along at least one second axis disposed generally perpendicular to said first axis;
• a generally annular primary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and compressible axially intermediate the first and second interface surfaces for effecting a generally-continuous fluid-tight seal therebetween, said primary seal element being supported on said primary retainer to extend coaxially along substantially the entirety of said inner perimeter of said primary retainer, and having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces configured for abutting, sealing contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces;
• at least one divider member disposed within the enclosed geometric shape of said primary retainer to extend across one of the diametric extents thereof for interposition between the first interface surface and the second and third interface surfaces, each said divider member including:
• a secondary retainer extending intermediate opposite first and second ends, and having an outer margin;
• and
• a generally annular secondary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and compressible axially intermediate said first interface surface and said third interface surface for effecting a second fluid-tight seal within said first fluid-tight seal, said secondary seal element being supported on said secondary retainer to extend along at least a portion of the outer margin thereof, and having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces configured for abutting, sealing contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces;
• and
• a first and a second diaphragm member each integrally-formed of an elastomeric material with said first primary seal member and said secondary seal member, each said diaphragm member extending intermediate said first primary seal member and said secondary seal member adjacent a corresponding one of said opposite first and second ends of said secondary retainer element to flexibly join said one of said ends to said primary retainer.

A gasket assembly for interposition between a first and a second interface surface each having a radial extent and being curved in at least one axial direction normal to said radial extent, said second interface surface being disposed in mutually-facing opposition with said first interface surface, said assembly comprising:

• a resilient primary retainer formed of a metal material and having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter defining an enclosed geometric shape which extends in a normal state of said gasket within a first plane to a first diametric extent along at least one first axis, and to a second diametric extent along at least one second axis disposed within said first plane generally perpendicular to said first axis, said primary retainer being flexible in said first diametric extent along at least one first radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding second plane generally perpendicular to said first plane, and in said second diametric extent along at least one second radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding third plane generally perpendicular to said first and said second plane;
• a generally first annular primary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and compressible axially intermediate the first and second interface surfaces for effecting one or more fluid-tight seals therebetween, said first primary seal element being attached to said inner axial surface of said primary retainer to extend continuously about the entirety of said inner perimeter of said primary retainer, and having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces configured for abutting, sealing contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces;
• at least one divider member disposed within the enclosed geometric shape of said primary retainer to extend within said first plane across one of the diametric extents thereof for interposition between one of the first and second interface surfaces and a third interface surface disposed in mutually-facing opposition with said one of the first and second interface surfaces, each said divider member including:
• a secondary retainer extending intermediate opposite first and second ends, and having an outer margin;
• and
• a generally annular secondary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and compressible axially intermediate said one of the first and second interface surfaces and said third interface surface for effecting a second fluid-tight seal within said first fluid-tight seal, said secondary seal element being supported on said secondary retainer to extend along at least a portion of the outer margin thereof, and having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces configured for abutting, sealing contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces;
• and
• a first and a second diaphragm member each integrally-formed of an elastomeric material with said first primary seal member and said secondary seal member, each said diaphragm member extending intermediate said first primary seal member and said secondary seal member adjacent a corresponding one of said opposite first and second ends of said secondary retainer element to flexibly join said one of said ends to said primary retainer,
• whereby with the gasket assembly being interposed between the first and second interface surfaces with the first and second radial sealing surfaces of each said primary seal element being disposed in abutting contact with a corresponding one of the interface surfaces, each said primary seal element is compressible axially intermediate the interface surfaces effecting in a stressed state of said gasket a generally continuous first fluid-tight seal between the first and second interface surfaces, said primary retainer being curved along one or both said first and said, second radius of curvature in said stressed state of said gasket to conform to the interface surfaces, and
• whereby said gasket assembly substantially recovers to said normal state from said stressed state upon being removed from compression between the interface surfaces.

A joint assembly comprising;

• a first and a second interface surface each having a radial extent and being curved in at least one axial direction normal to said radial extent, said second interface surface being disposed in mutually-facing opposition with said first interface surface;
• a third interface surface disposed in mutually-facing opposition with one of the first and second interface surfaces;
• a gasket interposed between said first and second interface surfaces, said gasket comprising:
• a resilient primary retainer formed of a metal material and having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter defining an enclosed geometric shape which extends in a normal state of said gasket within a first plane to a first diametric extent along at least one first axis, and to a second diametric extent along at least one second axis disposed within said first plane generally perpendicular to said first axis, said primary retainer being flexible in said first diametric extent along at least one first radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding second plane generally perpendicular to said first plane, and in said second diametric extent along at least one second radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding third plane generally perpendicular to said first and said second plane;
• and
• an annular first primary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and attached to the inner axial surface of said primary retainer to extend continuously about the entirety of said inner perimeter of said primary retainer, said first primary seal element having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces in abutting contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces, and being compressed axially intermediate said interface surfaces effecting a generally continuous first fluid-tight seal between the first and second interface surfaces, said primary retainer being curved along one or both said first and said second radius of curvature in a stressed state of said gasket by the compression of said primary seal elements to conform to said interface surfaces;
• at least one divider member disposed within the enclosed geometric shape of said primary retainer to extend within said first plane across one of the diametric extents thereof, each said divider member being interposed between said one of the first and second interface surfaces and said third interface surface divider member and including:
• a secondary retainer extending intermediate opposite first and second ends, and having an outer margin;
• and
• a generally annular secondary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and supported on said secondary retainer to extend along at least a portion of the outer margin thereof, said secondary seal element having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces disposed in abutting contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces and compressed axially intermediate said one of the first and second interface surfaces and said third interface surface effecting a second fluid-tight seal within said first fluid-tight seal;
• and
• a first and a second diaphragm member each integrally-formed of an elastomeric material with said first primary seal member and said secondary seal member, each said diaphragm member extending intermediate said first primary seal member and said secondary seal member adjacent a corresponding one of said opposite first and second ends of said secondary retainer element to flexibly join said one of said ends to said primary retainer,
• whereby said gasket assembly substantially recovers to said normal state from said stressed state upon being removed from compression between said interface surfaces.

A method of sealing a first and a second interface surface each having a radial extent and being curved in at least one axial direction normal to said radial extent, said second interface surface being disposable in mutually-facing opposition with said first interface surface and said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a gasket assembly including:
• a resilient primary retainer formed of a metal material and having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter defining an enclosed geometric shape which extends in a normal state of said gasket within a first plane to a first diametric extent along at least one first axis, and to a second diametric extent along at least one second axis disposed within said first plane generally perpendicular to said first axis, said primary retainer being flexible in said first diametric extent along at least one first radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding second plane generally perpendicular to said first plane, and in said second diametric extent along at least one second radius of curvature disposed within a corresponding third plane generally perpendicular to said first and said second plane;
• a generally annular first primary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and compressible axially intermediate the interface surfaces for effecting one or more fluid-tight seals therebetween, each said primary seal element being attached to said inner axial surface of said primary retainer to extend continuously about the entirety of said inner perimeter of said primary retainer, and having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces,
• at least one divider member disposed within the enclosed geometric shape of said primary retainer to extend within said first plane across one of the diametric extents thereof for interposition between one of the first and second interface surfaces and a third interface surface disposable in mutually-facing opposition with said one of the first and second interface surfaces, each said divider member being interposed between said one of the first and second interface surfaces and said third interface surface divider member and including:
• a secondary retainer extending intermediate opposite first and second ends, and having an outer margin;
• and
• a generally annular secondary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and supported on said secondary retainer to extend along at least a portion of the outer margin thereof, said secondary seal element having oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces disposed in abutting contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces and compressed axially intermediate said one of the first and second interface surfaces and said third interface surface effecting a second fluid-tight seal within said first fluid-tight seal;
• and
• a first and a second diaphragm member each integrally-formed of an elastomeric material with said first primary seal member and said secondary seal member, each said diaphragm member extending intermediate said first primary seal member and said secondary seal member adjacent a corresponding one of said opposite first and second ends of said secondary retainer element to flexibly join said one of said ends to said primary retainer;
• (b) interposing said gasket between said interface surfaces such that each said primary seal element abuttingly contacts a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces;
• (c) compressing each said primary seal element axially intermediate said interface surfaces effecting a generally continuous first fluid-tight seal between the first and second interface surfaces, said primary retainer being curved along one or both said first and said second radius of curvature in a stressed state of said gasket by the compression of said primary seal elements to conform to said interface surfaces;
• and
• (d) removing said assembly from compression between said interface surfaces, said gasket assembly substantially recovering to said normal state from said stressed state.