Apparatus for sealing an annular space

Claim 2

In sealing apparatus: an inner member; an outer member surrounding said inner member and spaced therefrom to define an annular space therebetween; and seal means in said annular space and including an annular body of elastomeric material, an axially deformable metallic ring of axially undulant form having inner and outer annular portions embedded in said annular body and respectively inwardly and outwardly deformable toward said inner member and said outer member upon axial deformation of said ring to sealingly engage said annular body with said inner and outer members.

Claim 3

In sealing apparatus as defined in claim 1; stop means engageabLe by said seal means to prevent axial movement of one end of said seal means whereby axial force imposed on the other end of said seal means effects said axial deformation of said ring.

Claim 4

In sealing apparatus as defined in claim 1; first stop means on one of said members engaged by second stop means on said seal means to prevent axial movement of one end of said seal means whereby axial force imposed on the other end of said seal means effects said axial deformation of said ring.

Claim 5

In sealing apparatus as defined in claim 1; stop means engageable by said seal means to prevent axial movement of one end of said seal means whereby axial force imposed on the other end of said seal means effects said axial deformation of said ring; a member at said other end of said seal means and shiftable along said members; and means for shifting said shiftable member toward said stop means to deform said ring and annular body between said stop means and axially shiftable member.

Claim 6

In sealing apparatus: an inner member; an outer member surrounding said inner member and spaced therefrom to define an annular space therebetween; and seal means in said annular space and including an axially deformable metallic ring of axially undulant form having inner and outer annular portions respectively inwardly and outwardly deformable into sealing relation with said inner member and said outer member upon axial deformation of said ring; first stop means on one of said members engaged by second stop means on said seal means to prevent axial movement of one end of said seal means whereby axial force imposed on the other end of said seal means effects said axial deformation of said rings; said second stop means having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending lock fingers, said first stop means including a recess in said one member for receiving said fingers, and said other member having means for deforming said fingers laterally into said recess.

Claim 7

In sealing apparatus: an inner member; an outer member surrounding said inner member and spaced therefrom to define an annular space therebetween; and seal means in said annular space and including an axially deformable metallic ring of axially undulant form having inner and outer annular portions respectively inwardly and outwardly deformable into sealing relation with said inner member and said outer member upon axial deformation of said ring; first stop means on one of said members engaged by second stop means on said seal means to prevent axial movement of one end of said seal means whereby axial force imposed on the other end of said seal means effects said axial deformation of said rings; said second stop means having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending lock fingers, said first stop means including a recess in said one member for receiving said fingers, and said other member having means for deforming said fingers laterally into said recess.

Claim 8

In a sealing device: an axially extended malleable metallic ring having axial undulations forming an inner circumferentially continuous crest and an outer circumferentially continuous crest respectively inwardly and outwardly deformable toward opposing cylindrical walls in response to axial deformation of said ring, and an annular body of elastomeric material in which said metallic ring is embedded, whereby inward and outward deflection of said crests sealingly engages said annular body with the opposing cylindrical walls.

Claim 9

In a sealing device: an axially extended malleable metallic ring having axial undulations forming an inner circumferentially continuous crest and an outer circumferentially continuous crest respectively inwardly and outwardly deformable toward opposing cylindrical walls in response to axial deformation of said ring, and an annular body of elastomeric material in which said metallic ring is embedded, whereby inward and outward deflection of said crests sealingly engages said annular body with the opposing cylindrical walls.

Claim 10

In a sealing device as defined in claim 6; a plurality of circumferentially spaced lock fingers extending axially from said ring, said lock fingers being deformable laterally for locking engagement with a companion member.

Claim 11

In a sealing device: an axially extended malleable metallic ring having axial undulations forming an inner circumferentially continuous crest and an outer circumferentially continuous crest respectively inwardly and outwardly deformable toward opposing cylindrical walls in response to axial deformation of said ring; a plurality of circumferentially spaced deformable lock fingers extending axially from said ring, said lock fingers being deformable laterally for locking engagement with a companion member.

Claim 12

In a sealing device: an axially extended malleable metallic ring having axial undulations forming an inner circumferentially continuous crest and an outer circumferentially continuous crest respectively inwardly and outwardly deformable toward opposing cylindrical walls in response to axial deformation of said ring; a plurality of circumferentially spaced deformable lock fingers extending axially from said ring, said lock fingers being deformable laterally for locking engagement with a companion member.