Sliding compression air seal for removable electronic units

Claim 2

An air seal comprising: a base having a lower surface and an upper surface inclined with respect to said lower surface; said base having an opening from said lower to said upper surface for the passage of air; a first layer of elastomeric material attached to said upper surface positioned in a closed path around said opening; and a second layer of elastomeric material attached to the upper surface of said first layer of elastomeric material overlying said closed path around said opening.

Claim 3

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said opening is an elongated slot.

Claim 4

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said lower surface is inclined with respect to said upper surface in the range from 1° to 1.5°.

Claim 5

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said first layer of elastomeric material is conterminous with said opening.

Claim 6

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said first layer of elastomeric material includes silicone rubber.

Claim 7

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said first layer of elastomeric material is of medium hardness of approximately 40 durometer.

Claim 8

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said second layer of elastomeric material includes silicone rubber.

Claim 9

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said second layer of elastomeric material is softer than said first layer of elastomeric material.

Claim 10

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said second layer of elastomeric material is soft at approximately 10 durometer.

Claim 11

The air seal of claim 1 further including a coating on the upper surface of said second layer of elastomeric material to reduce friction.

Claim 12

The air seal of claim 10 wherein said coating includes fluorinated ethylene propylene.

Claim 13

The air seal of claim 1 further including a layer of elastomeric material on said lower surface positioned in a closed path around said opening.

Claim 14

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said first layer of elastomeric material has side walls which taper inwardly above said upper surface.

Claim 15

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said second layer of elastomeric material has side walls which taper inwardly above said first layer.

Claim 16

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said second layer of elastomeric material has a truncated cylindrical upper surface between two side walls.

Claim 17

The air seal of claim 1 wherein said closed path has two circular ends coupled by two straight lines opposite each other.

Claim 18

Apparatus for coupling air between a chassis having an air duct and a removable module having an air cavity comprising: means for engaging said module with said chassis including means for sliding said module along a path toward a predetermined position; an air seal extending from said chassis to said module when said module is in said predetermined position; said air seal including a base having a lower surface attached to said chassis and having an upper surface inclined with respect to said lower surface; said base having an opening from said lower to said upper surface for the passage of air; a first layer of elastomeric material attached to said upper surface positioned in a closed path around said opening; a second layer of elastomeric material attached to the upper surface of said first layer of elastomeric material overlying said closed path around said opening; said first and second layers of elastomeric material compressed below their normal height at times said module is in said predetermined position; first means for coupling said opening to said air duct; and second means for coupling said opening to said air cavity at times said module is in said predetermined position.

Claim 19

Apparatus for coupling air between a chassis having an air duct and a removable module having an air cavity comprising: means for engaging said module with said chassis including means for sliding said module along a path toward a predetermined position; an air seal extending from said chassis to said module when said module is in said predetermined position; said air seal including a base having a lower surface attached to said chassis and having an upper surface inclined with respect to said lower surface; said base having an opening from said lower to said upper surface for the passage of air; a first layer of elastomeric material attached to said upper surface positioned in a closed path around said opening; a second layer of elastomeric material attached to the upper surface of said first layer of elastomeric material overlying said closed path around said opening; said first and second layers of elastomeric material compressed below their normal height at times said module is in said predetermined position; first means for coupling said opening to said air duct; and second means for coupling said opening to said air cavity at times said module is in said predetermined position.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said second means for coupling includes a flat surface inclined with respect to the direction of sliding said module in contact with said second layer of elastomeric material and having an opening within said closed path at times said module is in said predetermined position.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said flat surface has beveled edges on said opening.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 17 further including a coating on the upper surface of said second layer of elastomeric material to reduce friction.