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 perimeter thereof;
• and
• at least one generally annular primary seal element formed of an elastomeric material and attached to a corresponding one of said inner or 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 one or 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,
• primary whereby said gasket 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 assembly 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 perimeter thereof;
• and
• at least one generally annular 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 a corresponding one of said inner or outer axial surface of said primary retainer to 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 assembly 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 assembly 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;
• 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
• a first and a second diaphragm member each formed of an elastomeric material and each extending intermediate said primary retainer and 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.