Fluid sealing device

Claim 2

A seal for precluding leakage of pressurized medium comprising: an annular pressure loading element fabricated of a resilient and easily deformable material in the shape of a ring having, in its relaxed state, a circular cross-section configuration; and an annular ring fabricated of a relatively hard to deform material with respect to the material of said element, said annular ring in its relaxed state having the cross-sectional shape of an isosceles trapezoid modified so the inner surface of said annular ring, which is the largest parallel surface, includes a circular surface defining a concave annular channel of a cross-sectional diameter less than the length of the largest parallel surface, said annular channel receiving and retaining said pressure loading element.

Claim 3

The seal defined in claim 1 wherein: said annular pressure loading element has an outer diameter not greater than the ring diameter of said annular channel.

Claim 4

The seal defined in claim 1 wherein: said annular ring is constructed from tetrafluoro-ethylene material.

Claim 5

A sealed joint comprising: a first member having a first substantially flat surface; a second member having a second substantially flat surface and an annular groove confronting said first surface; and a fluid seal installed in said groove for precluding leakage of fluid intermediate said first and second flat surfaces, said fluid seal comprising an annular pressure loading element fabricated of a resilient and easily deformable material in the shape of a ring having its relaxed state a circular cross-sectional configuration, and an annular ring fabricated of a relatively hard to deform material and having a cross-sectional configuration which is symmetrical about an axially central radius, said annular ring including an outer ring portion and two side flanges integral with the inner periphery of said outer ring portion and extending radially inwardly therefrom, said flanges being spaced from each other to define an inwardly facing annular channel, said flanges being adapted to receive and retain said pressure loading element in said channel.

Claim 6

A sealed joint comprising: a first member having a first substantially flat surface; a second member having a second substantially flat surface and an annular groove confronting said first surface; and a fluid seal installed in said groove for precluding leakage of fluid intermediate said first and second flat surfaces, said fluid seal comprising an annular pressure loading element fabricated of a resilient and easily deformable material in the shape of a ring having its relaxed state a circular cross-sectional configuration, and an annular ring fabricated of a relatively hard to deform material and having a cross-sectional configuration which is symmetrical about an axially central radius, said annular ring including an outer ring portion and two side flanges integral with the inner periphery of said outer ring portion and extending radially inwardly therefrom, said flanges being spaced from each other to define an inwardly facing annular channel, said flanges being adapted to receive and retain said pressure loading element in said channel.

Claim 7

The sealed joint of claim 4 wherein: said annular groove includes a substantially flat bottom surface parallel to and spaced from said second substantially flat surface, a circularly concave radially inner surface perpendicular to said bottom surface, said circularly concave radially inner surface defining a first circle of a first diameter; and said annular ring includes a cylindrical outer surface, said cylindrical outer surface defining a second circle of a second diameter, said second diameter being slightly greater than said first diameter thereby effecting a slightly interference fit of the fluid seal in the annular groove.

Claim 8

The sealed joint of claim 4 wherein: said annular pressure loading element has an outer diameter not greater than the diameter of said annular channel.

Claim 9

The sealed joint of claim 4 wherein: each of said side flanges has a radially inner end and said flange inner ends in their unstressed condition, are spaced apart a distance greater than the separation between said bottom surface and said second substantially flat surface.

Claim 10

The sealed joint of claim 4 wherein: each of said side flanges has a radially inner end and said radially inner ends of said side flanges define a circle of a third diameter, said third diameter being slightly smaller than the outer diameter of said annular pressure loading element.