Patent ID: 6422574
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: F01P

Abstract:
A seal assembly comprising:(a) a circumferentially uninterrupted annular ferrule formed as a rigid, one piece construction, said ferrule having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, (b) a circumferentially uninterrupted annular elastomeric seal surrounding said ferrule, (c) a pair of annular mounting rings each formed as a rigid one piece construction comprising an open ended tubular section having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, said outer diameter having an uninterrupted circumferential groove, an uninterrupted circumferential elastomeric seal installed into said groove, said seal in said groove being of sufficient cross section to protrude slightly beyond said outer diameter of said tubular section, a radially extending flange section immovably attached to the end of said tubular section opposite to said open end, said flange section extending radially both inwardly and outwardly from said tubular section, said flange section also having a rearward face and a forward face, said rearward face attaching to said end of tubular section, said forward face being directionally opposite to said rearward face, said forward face providing a surface for said elastomeric seal surrounding said ferrule to press and seal against, said radially extending flange also having a radially centered through hole, said through hole substantially aligned with the longitudinal center line of said tubular section allowing passage of fluid therethrough, (d) a pair of adjacent members each comprising a rigid structure rigidly affixed, internal passages for conveyance of fluid, at least one substantially flat external surface, a passage connecting to said internal passages and terminating upon said external surface, said external surface with said terminating external passage being spaced apart and substantially parallel with that of said adjacent member, said terminating end of said external passage of each said member being opposed and substantially aligned with each other, (e) said annular mounting rings each having an overall longitudinal length which is less than the distance between said spaced apart parallel surfaces of said adjacent members, thereby allowing easy installation of same between said members, (f) said open end of said tubular section of each said annular mounting ring placed into said external passage of each said opposing member thus providing positioning of said annular mounting rings, said circumferential elastomeric seal in said groove upon said tubular section forming a static seal between said annular mounting rings and each corresponding said member, (g) a clamping means circumferentially surrounding said elastomeric seal surrounding said ferrule for applying a clamping force thereon to expand the sidewalls thereof outwardly away from each other and into sealing contact with said forward surface of said radially extending flange section of each said annular mounting ring thereby forming a convenient, leak proof conduit between said members.