Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
A device for sealing a gap between a first space and a second space wherein the pressure exceeds, at least at times, the pressure in said first space, comprising first and second members respectively having first and second surfaces disposed at the opposite sides of and flanking said gap, the surfaces of one of said members having a recess extending substantially transversely of said gap; a seal mounted in said recess and including a deformable first section having a first side facing said gap and a second side located opposite said first side, a second section movably installed between said first section and the other of said members and having first and second portions respectively disposed nearer to said first and second spaces, and means for securing said second section to said one member so as to enable at least said second portion to move toward and away from said other member; a source of pressurized fluid; and means for admitting fluid from said source against said second side of said first section to thereby move said first side toward said gap and to thus effect the movement of at least said second portion of said second section into sealing engagement with the surface of said other member, said second section having a side facing away from said gap and being exposed to pressure in said second space in response to admission of pressurized fluid against said second side of said first section so that the pressure which is applied against said side of said second section maintains said second portion of said second section in sealing engagement with the surface of said other member as long as the pressure in said second space exceeds the pressure in said first space and regardless of whether or not pressurized fluid is evacuated from said second side of said first section subsequent to movement of said second section into sealing engagement with said other member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
323 words
A device for sealing a gap between a first space and a second space wherein the pressure exceeds, at least at times, the pressure in said first space, comprising first and second members respectively having first and second surfaces disposed at the opposite sides of and flanking said gap, the surfaces of one of said members having a recess extending substantially transversely of said gap; a seal mounted in said recess and including a deformable first section having a first side facing said gap and a second side located opposite said first side, a second section movably installed between said first section and the other of said members and having first and second portions respectively disposed nearer to said first and second spaces, and means for securing said second section to said one member so as to enable at least said second portion to move toward and away from said other member; a source of pressurized fluid; and means for admitting fluid from said source against said second side of said first section to thereby move said first side toward said gap and to thus effect the movement of at least said second portion of said second section into sealing engagement with the surface of said other member, said second section having a side facing away from said gap and being exposed to pressure in said second space in response to admission of pressurized fluid against said second side of said first section so that the pressure which is applied against said side of said second section maintains said second portion of said second section in sealing engagement with the surface of said other member as long as the pressure in said second space exceeds the pressure in said first space and regardless of whether or not pressurized fluid is evacuated from said second side of said first section subsequent to movement of said second section into sealing engagement with said other member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first section of said seal has spaced-apart first and second marginal portions extending transversely of said gap, and further comprising means for maintaining at least one of said marginal portions in sealing engagement with said one member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a web which is integral with said first section and with said first portion of said second section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first section is a hose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first section is a diaphragm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said one member has an additional surface remote from said gap and bounding a portion of said recess, said diaphragm having first and second marginal portions extending transversely of said gap and further comprising means for maintaining said marginal portions in sealing engagement with said additional surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first section has a deformable fold extending transversely of said gap, said fold being more pronounced when the pressure against said second side does not appreciably exceed the pressure against said first side and vice versa.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said fold has a bulge at said second side of said first section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said spaces surrounds the other of said spaces and said sections of said seal constitute circumferentially complete annuli between said spaces, said other member constituting a sheet which is movable between said spaces by way of said gap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as defined in claim 9, further comprising a housing including said one member and an additional member having a portion disposed behind the sheet in said gap, said housing defining said other space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said first section comprises a pair of spaced-apart circumferentially complete marginal portions, and further comprising means for maintaining said marginal portions in sealing engagement with said one member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as defined in claim 11, wherein said one member comprises several separable portions and said marginal portions are disposed between said separable portions, said means for maintaining said marginal portions of said first section in sealing engagement with said one member comprising fastener means which secures said separable portions of said one member to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as defined in claim 11, further comprising an annular insert disposed between said marginal portions and having at least one passage for admission of pressurized fluid against said second side of said first section or for evacuation of such fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said source contains a gaseous fluid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said seal consists of a single piece of elastomeric material.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
260 words
A device for sealing a gap between a first space and a second space wherein the pressure exceeds, at least at times, the pressure in said first space, comprising first and second members respectively having first and second surfaces disposed at the opposite sides of and flanking said gap, the surface of one of said members having a recess extending substantially transversely of said gap; a seal consisting of a single piece of elastomeric material and mounted in said recess, said seal including a deformable first section having a first side facing said gap and a second side located opposite said first side, a second section constituting a flap and movably installed between said first section and the other of said members and having first and second portions respectively disposed nearer to said first and second spaces, and means for securing said second section to said one member so as to enable at least said second portion to move toward and away from said other member, said securing means constituting a hinge between said sections; a source of pressurized fluid; means for admitting fluid from said source against said second side of said first section to thereby move said first side toward said gap and to thus effect the movement of at least said second portion of said second section into sealing engagement with the surface of said other member; and means for sealing said second side of said first section from said gap so that pressurized fluid which is admitted against said second side cannot leak into said gap.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
260 words
A device for sealing a gap between a first space and a second space wherein the pressure exceeds, at least at times, the pressure in said first space, comprising first and second members respectively having first and second surfaces disposed at the opposite sides of and flanking said gap, the surface of one of said members having a recess extending substantially transversely of said gap; a seal consisting of a single piece of elastomeric material and mounted in said recess, said seal including a deformable first section having a first side facing said gap and a second side located opposite said first side, a second section constituting a flap and movably installed between said first section and the other of said members and having first and second portions respectively disposed nearer to said first and second spaces, and means for securing said second section to said one member so as to enable at least said second portion to move toward and away from said other member, said securing means constituting a hinge between said sections; a source of pressurized fluid; means for admitting fluid from said source against said second side of said first section to thereby move said first side toward said gap and to thus effect the movement of at least said second portion of said second section into sealing engagement with the surface of said other member; and means for sealing said second side of said first section from said gap so that pressurized fluid which is admitted against said second side cannot leak into said gap.