Claims
- 1. A gasket assembly for sealing a pair of mating surfaces to each other, comprising:
- (a) A generally flat, electrically-conductive gasket base; and
- (b) A pair of elements secured to opposite sides of the gasket base, one of the elements being a synthetic thermoplastic material and the other being a fusible alloy, the elements having a melting temperature such that when the gasket assembly is positioned between the mating surfaces and an electrical current is passed through the gasket base, the elements soften to conform to the mating surfaces, sealing the mating surfaces to opposite sides of the gasket base, the elements being capable of wetting the mating surfaces when in a molten state.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gasket base is made from a material selected from the group consisting of steel; mild steel, tungsten, alloy A, alloy B, alloy C, alloy D, alloy E, alloy F, alloy G, alloy H, and alloy I.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the synthetic thermoplastic material is polyethylene.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gasket base is provided with electrical connections.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fusible alloy is selected from the group consisting of Material A, Material B, Material C, Material D, Material E, Material F, Material G, Material H, and Material I.
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
This invention was made by an employee of the United States Government and may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
402011997 |
Jan 1990 |
JPX |
405263983 |
Oct 1993 |
JPX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Metal Gasket Bonded by Electrical Heating; NASA Tech Briefs; Mar. 1998; p. 72; vol. 22, No. 3; Associated Business Publications NY, NY. |