Seal/method for improved retention of the sealing element in annular grooves

A first fitting for sealing attachment with a second fitting, said first fitting having an axial end with a front face having an annular groove of half dovetail configuration for receiving a seal,

• said annular groove having a generally flat base portion, a first and a second side wall generally perpendicular with said base portion and a mouth portion generally opposite said flat base portion, said first side wall having a proximal first portion contiguous and perpendicular with said base portion and a distal end having an inwardly angled flat portion contiguous with said proximal first portion and an arcuate portion having a first end contiguous with said inwardly angled flat portion and a second end that ends into said mouth portion;
• said seal having a trapezoidal cross sectional area with a first wall, a second wall contiguous with said first wall, a third wall contiguous with said second wall, parallel with said first wall and having a shorter length than said first wall, and a fourth wall contiguous with said third and first walls;
• and
• wherein prior to attachment of said first fitting with said second fitting, while said seal is installed within said annular groove and not under compression, one of said seal second and fourth walls abuts said groove flat base portion, a portion of said seal third wall abuts said groove first side wall, and a portion of the other of said second and fourth walls abuts said first flat surface of said inwardly angled lip portion.

A first fitting for sealing attachment with a second fitting, said first fitting having a first axial end with a front face, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said fitting, having an annular groove for receiving a seal,

• said annular groove having a generally flat base portion, a first and a second side wall generally perpendicular with said base portion and a mouth portion generally opposite said flat base portion;
• said seal having a trapezoidal cross sectional area with a first wall, a second wall contiguous with said first wall, a third wall contiguous with said second wall, parallel with said first wall and having a shorter length than said first wall, and a fourth wall contiguous with said third and first wall;
• wherein prior to attachment of said first fitting with said second fitting, while said seal is installed within said annular groove and not under compression, the entire surface area of said seal third wall abuts said groove first side wall and a portion of said seal second wall abuts said groove flat base portion;
• and
• said seal has a sectional area symmetrical about an axis running through said first and third walls.