Patent ID: 9243715
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: F15B,F16J

Claim Text:
1. A fluid seal assembly, comprising: (a) a seal element of compliant material; and (b) a seal carrier comprising one or more seal carrier elements defining a sealing face with a seal-receiving groove interrupting the sealing face; wherein: (c) the seal-receiving groove has opposing groove-defining walls, each of which has a proximal end at the sealing face and a distal end; (d) the groove-defining walls serve as seal contact surfaces, with at least one of the seal contact surfaces converging inwardly to narrow the seal-receiving groove toward the distal end; (e) the seal-receiving groove has a depth and a breadth suitable for receiving the seal element with the seal element projecting past the sealing face when compressed to be in contact with the seal contact surfaces; (f) the depth of the seal-receiving groove exceeds the maximum penetration of the seal element such that an inner pressure chamber is formed toward the distal end of the seal contact surfaces; and (g) a port extends from the sealing face through the seal carrier to the inner pressure chamber, such that the sealing face is in fluid communication with the inner pressure chamber.