Seal for adjacent plates

Claim 2

In combination, the sealing arrangement comprising: a first plate having first and second parallel edges; a second plate in adjacent closely spaced parallel relationship to the first plate having first and second edges substantially opposite the first and second edges of the first plate; a flexible seal disposed in the space between the first and second plates having enlarged tapered first end and an inflatable, tubular second end, the first end being in contact with and extending outward beyond the first edges of the first and second plates and the second end being adjacent to and extending outward beyond the second edges of the first and second plates; and valve means in the seal for inflating the second end of the seal whereby the tube expands into contact with the second edges of the first and second plates thereby forming secondary sealing interfaces and drawing the first end of the seal inward toward the space between the first and second plates to form primary sealing interfaces.

Claim 3

The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of the tubular end of said seal prior to inflation is beyond the second edges of said first and second plates.

Claim 4

The arrangement of claim 2 wherein the enlarged tapered portion of said seal is solid.

Claim 5

The arrangement of claims 2 or 3 further including means located between said first and second plates for testing the pressure in one of the chambers formed between said seal and one of said plates.

Claim 6

The arrangement of claim 2 wherein said seal has an elongated substantially solid shank portion intermediate the first and second ends of said seal.

Claim 7

The arrangement of claims 1 or 5 wherein said second plate includes channel means defining the first and second edges of said second plate.

Claim 8

The arrangement of claim 5 further including means located between said first and second plate substantially opposite said shank for testing the pressure in the chamber formed between the primary and secondary sealing surfaces.

Claim 9

In combination, an arrangement for sealing a first flange to an opposite substantially parallel second flange against liquid pressure exerted transversely from above the flanges, comprising: a plate located between and substantially parallel to the first and second flanges, each end of said plate being spaced apart from the respective opposite flange and having upper and lower edges opposite the upper and lower edges of the respective opposite flange; flexible seals one between said plate and the first flange and the other between said plate and the second flange, each seal having a substantially solid, enlarged, tapered first end and an inflatable, tubular second end, the first end of said seals being in contact with and extending above the upper edges of one end of said plate and respective flange, and the second end of said seals being adjacent to and extending below the lower edges of one end of said plate and respective flange; and valve means in each of said seals for inflating the second end whereby the tube may be expanded into contact with the opposite lower edges of said plate and said first and second flanges respectively to form secondary sealing interfaces and to draw the tapered portion of said seal inward toward the space between said plate and said first and second flanges to form primary sealing interfaces therebetween.

Claim 10

In combination, an arrangement for sealing a first flange to an opposite substantially parallel second flange against liquid pressure exerted transversely from above the flanges, comprising: a plate located between and substantially parallel to the first and second flanges, each end of said plate being spaced apart from the respective opposite flange and having upper and lower edges opposite the upper and lower edges of the respective opposite flange; flexible seals one between said plate and the first flange and the other between said plate and the second flange, each seal having a substantially solid, enlarged, tapered first end and an inflatable, tubular second end, the first end of said seals being in contact with and extending above the upper edges of one end of said plate and respective flange, and the second end of said seals being adjacent to and extending below the lower edges of one end of said plate and respective flange; and valve means in each of said seals for inflating the second end whereby the tube may be expanded into contact with the opposite lower edges of said plate and said first and second flanges respectively to form secondary sealing interfaces and to draw the tapered portion of said seal inward toward the space between said plate and said first and second flanges to form primary sealing interfaces therebetween.

Claim 11

The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the longitudinal axis of the tubular ends of each of said seals prior to inflation is below the lower edges of said respective plate and flange.

Claim 12

The arrangement of claim 9, wherein each of said seals has an elongated substantially solid shank portion intermediate the tapered and tube ends.

Claim 13

The arrangement of claim 10, wherein said plate includes channel means which define the upper and lower edges of said plate for contacting said seals.

Claim 14

The arrangement of claim 8, further includes means fixedly attached to said plate for adjusting the orientation of said plate relative to said flanges.

Claim 15

The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said orientation means includes cantilevered arms extending above each of said flanges, said arms having leveling means for interacting with the upper surface of each of said flanges.

Claim 16

The arrangement of claim 13, wherein said adjusting means includes means for carrying each seal, said carrying means permitting transverse movement of said seal relative to said plate.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the thickness between the upper and lower edges of the first end of said plate is the same as the thickness of said first flange, and the thickness between the upper and lower end of the second end of said plate is the same as the thickness of said second flange.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the longitudinal axis of the tubular end of each of said seals prior to inflation is below the lower edge of the respective end of said adjacent plate.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said plate includes channel means defining the upper and lower edges of said plate.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said plug includes means attached to said plate for adjusting the orientation of said plate relative to said flanges.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said orientation means include cantilevered arms extending above each of said flanges, said arms having leveling means for interacting with the upper surface of each of said flanges.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said adjusting means includes means for carrying each seal, said carrying means permitting transverse movement of said seal relative to said plate.