Claims
- 1. An apparatus for providing an electrically conductive seal between two surfaces, said apparatus comprising:
- a gasket comprising a flexible hollow tube, a mixture of air and an incompressible fluid contained within said hollow tube, and mans for covering said hollow tube, wherein said covering means envelops said tube and is electrically conductive;
- mans for releasing a portion of said air upon compression of said hollow tube;
- means for introducing an equal portion of air back into said hollow tube when said hollow tube is no longer under compression, whereby said hollow tube will resume its original undeformed profile, and a substantially constant internal pressure will be maintained at all times within said hollow tube.
- 2. An apparatus for providing an electrically conductive seal between two surfaces, said apparatus comprising:
- a gasket comprising a flexible hollow tube filled with air and means for covering said hollow tube, wherein said covering means envelops said tube and is electrically conductive;
- means for releasing a portion of said air upon compression of said hollow tube;
- means for introducing an equal portion of air back into said hollow tube when said hollow tube is no longer under compression, whereby said hollow tube will resume its original undeformed profile, and a substantially constant internal pressure will be maintained at all times within said hollow tube.
- 3. The invention of claim 1 or 2 wherein said gasket is attached to a shielded door of a shielded enclosure, and said means for releasing a portion of said air from, and introducing an equal portion of air back into said gasket is comprised of:
- a spring-loaded reservoir attached to said door;
- a hollow tube disposed between said gasket and spring loaded reservoir.
- 4. The invention of claim 1 or 2 wherein said gasket is attached to a shielded door of a shielded enclosure, and said means for releasing a portion of said air from, and introducing an equal portion of air back into said gasket is comprised of:
- a mechanical air pump which is attached to said door, wherein said air pump has a plunger which is in contact with said shielded enclosure;
- a hollow tube disposed between said gasket and air pump;
- a release valve disposed between said gasket and air pump.
- 5. The invention of claim 1 or 2 wherein said gasket is attached to a shielded door of a shielded enclosure, and said means for releasing a portion of said air from, and introducing an equal portion of air back into said gasket is comprised of:
- a mechanical air pump which is attached to said door, wherein said air pump has a plunger which is attached to and operated by the latching means of said door;
- a hollow tube disposed between said gasket and air pump;
- a release valve disposed between said gasket and air pump.
- 6. The invention of claim 1 or 2 wherein said gasket is attached to a shielded door of a shielded enclosure, and said means for releasing a portion of said air from, and introducing an equal portion of air back into said gasket is comprised of:
- a regulated air supply provided with a power supply and release valve;
- a hollow tube disposed between said gasket and regulated air supply.
GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the U.S. Government for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalties thereon.
US Referenced Citations (8)