Patent ID: 6651988
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B64C,F16F,F16J,Y10S

Abstract:
A seal assembly for use in sealing a void between a hollow first member having a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical second member coaxially disposed at least in part within and moveable relative to the first member, the second member having an outer surface radially spaced from the first member inner surface, the second member having an annular peripheral groove axially defined by a first shoulder and a second shoulder, the seal assembly comprising:an annular seal member comprising PTFE resin and having an inner edge and an outer edge, the seal member adapted to be disposed in the groove in the second member so that the inner edge surface of the seal member contacts the second member, and the outer edge surface contacts the inner surface of the first member, placing the first and second members in tight sealing contact; an annular first backing ring adapted to be disposed substantially in the groove and between the seal member and the first shoulder; an annular second backing ring adapted to be disposed substantially in the groove and between the seal member and the second shoulder; and an annular compression spring adapted to be disposed substantially in the groove and between the first backing ring and the first shoulder, wherein the second member's axial alignment can differ over a range of angles from that of the first member while allowing movement of the second member and the spring exerts force axially between the shoulders to compress the seal member, impelling the seal member to increase in dimension radially and maintain the tight sealing contact between the respective inner and outer surfaces of the first and second members.