Patent ID: 9169930
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: F01D,F16F,F16J,H05K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A seal assembly, comprising: a sealing element defining a longitudinal axis and comprising: a longitudinal center portion and first and second longitudinal side portions; an array of resilient arcuate fingers extending from the first longitudinal side portion and curving partially around the longitudinal axis of the sealing element; and a depressor portion extending from the second longitudinal side portion toward the arcuate fingers of the sealing element; a retainer defining a longitudinal channel in which the sealing element is retained and comprising: a longitudinal base; and first and second resiliently deformable opposed longitudinal side walls, each of the first and second side walls extending from the base to an upper edge, wherein the side walls and the base define the channel in which the sealing element is retained, and wherein the channel has an entrance opening defined between the upper edges of the first and second side walls; wherein the first and second side walls of the retainer are resiliently deformed by the sealing element retained in the channel; and wherein the sealing element is retained in the channel in a position in which the depressor portion and the arcuate fingers extend outside of the entrance opening in a position in which the depressor portion is configured to force the sealing element resiliently against the side walls of the retainer in response to a compressive load applied to the depressor portion, wherein once installed, the sealing element maintains the resilient deformation of the side walls without assistance.