Patent US3576327A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3576327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable seal for fluid-containing means
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1969-05-05
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Granted: 1971-04-27
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Expires: 1989-05-05
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to a seal including a flexible Oring housing which creates a uniform pressure for compression of an O-ring at all points along the surface to be sealed. The surface need not be concentric and may vary in diameter because equal pressure will be applied onto the O-ring by a fluid within a circular cavity within the housing near the O-ring. The fluid in the cavity will apply equal pressure onto the O-ring so that the O-ring conforms to the shape of the surface sealed. The Oring may be on the outer surface or inner surface of the seal body depending on the position of the cavity within the housing relative to the O-ring. This seal is suitable for a high vacuum system and may be made of an insulating material.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin P Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:34
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L39/00; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/46; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/91; Y10S277/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A pressure seal for sealing a spacing between said seal and a fluid-containing means positioned relative thereto; which comprises: a body; said body made of a flexible material; at least one cylindrical cavity of uniform size within said body; said cavity lying within said body near one wall surface such that the thickness of the body portion between said cavity and one wall is of uniform thickness and much thinner than the body portion from said cavity to the opposite wall surface of said body, an O-ring; said O-ring juxtaposed said thin body portion formed by said cavity and lying along the wall surface of said fluidcontaining means; a fluid passage in said body connected with said cavity for admitting a fluid under pressure to said cavity in said body; and whereby pressure applied within said cavity forces said O-ring in sealing contact with a fluid-containing means positioned relative to said pressure seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A pressure seal for sealing a spacing between said seal and a fluid-containing means positioned relative thereto; which comprises: a body; said body made of a flexible material; at least one cylindrical cavity of uniform size within said body; said cavity lying within said body near one wall surface such that the thickness of the body portion between said cavity and one wall is of uniform thickness and much thinner than the body portion from said cavity to the opposite wall surface of said body, an O-ring; said O-ring juxtaposed said thin body portion formed by said cavity and lying along the wall surface of said fluidcontaining means; a fluid passage in said body connected with said cavity for admitting a fluid under pressure to said cavity in said body; and whereby pressure applied within said cavity forces said O-ring in sealing contact with a fluid-containing means positioned relative to said pressure seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pressure seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said body is cylindrical, and said cavity within said body is near the outer surface of said body and coaxial therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pressure seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said body is tubular, and said cavity within said body is near the inner wall of said body and coaxial with said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A pressure seal as claimed in claim 3, wherein, said tubular body includes at least two spaced cavities within said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pressure seal as claimed in claim 4, wherein, said body includes at least two body sections of different diameter, and a cavity within each different diameter body section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pressure seal as claimed in claim 1, in which, said body includes a passage therein for evacuating said body which is sealed by said pressure seal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-26 | 1974-10-26 | 1975-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-26 | 1978-10-26 | 1979-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-26 | 1982-10-26 | 1983-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |