Patent ID: 6866307
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for connecting first and second conduits to carry a fluid under pressure comprising: a first face attached around an open end of the first conduit; a pocket face attached around an open end of the second conduit and defining a pocket; wherein the first face is fastened to the pocket face such that the first face is substantially perpendicular to walls of the pocket and adjacent to an open end of the pocket; a gasket member slidingly engaged in the pocket and defining a passageway through a central portion thereof, the gasket member having a gasket face adjacent and substantially parallel to the first face and an opposite pressure face inside the pocket; at least one bias element exerting a bias force on the gasket member toward the first face; a pocket seal sealing an outer periphery of the gasket member to the walls of the pocket; a main gasket between the gasket face of the gasket member and the first face; wherein the pressure face of the gasket member is exposed to fluid carried by the conduits and an area of the gasket face between the main gasket and the passageway through the gasket member is exposed to fluid carried by the conduits; and wherein the pressure face of the gasket member has an area that is greater than the area of the gasket face between the main gasket and the passageway through the gasket member.