Numerous devices are known for which one or more seals are required to seal joints in the device. Pumping devices, vacuum devices, engines, jointed delivery channels (e.g., hoses, tubing, etc.), reservoir chambers for liquid and/or gaseous materials, storage vessels, etc. all require some type of seal in order to function properly. As the positive or negative pressure at which such devices operate is increased, the need for proper sealing similarly increases if the device is to function properly, if at all.
The designs of many such devices, if otherwise unconstrained, would include two or more intersecting joints that must be sealed. Often, however, the feasibility of forming proper seals of intersecting joints proves more difficult than redesigning the device itself to avoid such intersecting joints, even where such redesign results in a relatively less desirable, less efficient, and/or more costly design.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a device for sealing intersecting joints, the device comprising: a compliant central body; a first compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body; a second compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body at a first angle relative to the first compliant leg, wherein each of the first compliant leg and the second compliant leg comprises a blind bore into which a length of o-ring, c-seal, or other formed seal shape material may be inserted.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a device for sealing intersecting joints, the device comprising: a first compliant portion; a second compliant portion intersecting with the first compliant portion at an angle, wherein each of the first compliant portion and the second compliant portion comprises a through bore into at least one of which an o-ring, c-seal, or other formed seal shape may be inserted.
These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which:
It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
Turning now to the drawings,
For example, plastics, both thermoset (e.g., silicone) and thermoform (e.g., polypropylene, PVC) plastics are suitable for use in some embodiments of the invention. In other embodiments of the invention, metals can be formed, stamped, rolled, machined, or molded to form a crossed seal body. Metals are useful, for example, where the crossed seal body, in use will be exposed to high temperatures (i.e., temperatures above which plastics, rubbers, or other elastomers may be used). In still other embodiments of the invention, ceramic materials may be useful in forming the crossed seal body.
In other embodiments of the invention, composite materials may be employed. For example, fiberglass materials, including glass-filled nylons may be employed. Other composite materials, such as rubber- or silicon-coated metals may be useful. The material chosen in any particular case will depend, in part, for example, on the material of the device to be sealed and the material of the o-ring to be used in conjunction with the crossed seal body.
Crossed seal body 100 is shown having a first portion 10 and a second portion 20. As shown in
In the embodiment in
In the embodiment in
It should be noted, of course, that while many applications in which embodiments of the invention may be employed will utilize o-rings having circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shapes, and that crossed seal bodies according to embodiments of the invention will similarly have circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shapes, this is not essential. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable or necessary to seal a device using an o-ring and crossed seal body having non-circular cross-sections. Such cross-sections may be square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, dove tailed, or irregular in shape.
In the embodiments of the invention shown in
Crossed seal bodies according to embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with corresponding o-rings or o-ring materials, permit the sealing of intersecting joints, as described above. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to secure the o-ring or o-ring material within the crossed seal body using a suitable adhesive. In other circumstances, this may be unnecessary, as pressurization of the device or vessel not only seals the intersecting joints, but also secures the o-ring or o-ring material into the crossed seal body. This pressure-induced securing of the o-ring or o-ring material and the crossed seal body is enhanced by the compliant, elastomeric or malleable nature of the crossed seal body.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any related or incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/521,502, filed 9 Aug. 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20130038029 A1 | Feb 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61521502 | Aug 2011 | US |