Patent ID: 9409455
Filing Date: 2016-08-09
CPC Classification: B60C,B60S,F16J,F16L,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A selectably engaged rotary union comprising: a stator body; a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator body, the stator body surrounding a portion of the rotor and having a plurality of grooves, each of the plurality of grooves configured as a separate channel for transferring a fluidic medium between the stator body and the rotor; and a plurality of sealing elements affixed to the stator body and disposed between the stator body and the rotor, a gap being present between the plurality of sealing elements and the rotor; wherein the plurality of sealing elements are configured to selectably close the gap so as to produce a temporary seal between the stator body and the rotor enabling a transfer of the fluidic medium, and wherein the plurality of sealing elements are inflatable, the plurality of sealing elements being configured to selectably close the gap by being selectably inflated.