Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to sealing devices and, more particularly, to devices for sealing intersecting joints. In one embodiment, the invention provides a device for sealing intersecting joints, the device comprising: a compliant central body; a first compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body; a second compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body at a first angle relative to the first compliant leg, wherein each of the first compliant leg and the second compliant leg comprises a blind bore into which a length of o-ring, c-seal, or other geometric-type seal material may be inserted.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/521,502, filed 9 Aug. 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Numerous devices are known for which one or more seals are required to seal joints in the device. Pumping devices, vacuum devices, engines, jointed delivery channels (e.g., hoses, tubing, etc.), reservoir chambers for liquid and/or gaseous materials, storage vessels, etc. all require some type of seal in order to function properly. As the positive or negative pressure at which such devices operate is increased, the need for proper sealing similarly increases if the device is to function properly, if at all. 
     The designs of many such devices, if otherwise unconstrained, would include two or more intersecting joints that must be sealed. Often, however, the feasibility of forming proper seals of intersecting joints proves more difficult than redesigning the device itself to avoid such intersecting joints, even where such redesign results in a relatively less desirable, less efficient, and/or more costly design. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a device for sealing intersecting joints, the device comprising: a compliant central body; a first compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body; a second compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body at a first angle relative to the first compliant leg, wherein each of the first compliant leg and the second compliant leg comprises a blind bore into which a length of o-ring, c-seal, or other formed seal shape material may be inserted. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a device for sealing intersecting joints, the device comprising: a first compliant portion; a second compliant portion intersecting with the first compliant portion at an angle, wherein each of the first compliant portion and the second compliant portion comprises a through bore into at least one of which an o-ring, c-seal, or other formed seal shape may be inserted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a side cross-sectional view of the crossed seal body of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of a crossed seal body according to still another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  show, respectively, perspective and side cross-sectional views of a crossed seal body according to still another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  show, respectively, perspective and side cross-sectional views of a crossed seal body according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body according to still another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body  100 . In some embodiments of the invention, the crossed seal body comprises a compliant elastomeric or deformable (permanently or non-permanently) material, such as a molded rubber, a molded elastomer, or a molded plastic. As used herein, the term “compliant” shall mean capable of adopting an altered size, shape, and/or orientation in response to an exerted force, including an exerted positive or negative pressure. Any of a number of materials may be employed in forming a crossed seal body according to embodiments of the invention. 
     For example, plastics, both thermoset (e.g., silicone) and thermoform (e.g., polypropylene, PVC) plastics are suitable for use in some embodiments of the invention. In other embodiments of the invention, metals can be formed, stamped, rolled, machined, or molded to form a crossed seal body. Metals are useful, for example, where the crossed seal body, in use will be exposed to high temperatures (i.e., temperatures above which plastics, rubbers, or other elastomers may be used). In still other embodiments of the invention, ceramic materials may be useful in forming the crossed seal body. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, composite materials may be employed. For example, fiberglass materials, including glass-filled nylons may be employed. Other composite materials, such as rubber- or silicon-coated metals may be useful. The material chosen in any particular case will depend, in part, for example, on the material of the device to be sealed and the material of the o-ring to be used in conjunction with the crossed seal body. 
     Crossed seal body  100  is shown having a first portion  10  and a second portion  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , first portion  10  and second portion  20  are substantially perpendicular, although this is not necessary. Indeed, one advantage of the crossed seal body  100  according to various embodiments of the invention is the freedom to accommodate seals intersecting each other at any angle. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , crossed seal body  100  may be employed in sealing joints that meet substantially perpendicular to each other, with a first joint terminating at a second joint. 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 1A , first portion  10  is shown having a first leg  12  and a second leg  14 . Second portion  20 , on the other hand, comprises a single leg. Another advantage of crossed seal bodies according to embodiments of the invention is that any number of legs may be included, depending upon the particulars of the intersecting seals. 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 1A , each leg includes a bore opening  12 A,  20 A at its distal end.  FIG. 1B  shows a cross-sectional side view of crossed seal body  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1B , each leg  12 ,  14 ,  20  further includes a termination  12 B,  14 B,  20 B, respectively, at its proximal end, where a central body  40  of the material of crossed seal body  100  lies. As such, each leg  12 ,  14 ,  20  comprises a blind bore into which a free end of an o-ring may be inserted. One skilled in the art will recognize, of course, that such embodiments of the invention require that an o-ring of suitable size for insertion into the blind bore be cut. Alternatively, a length of material otherwise suitable for use in an o-ring may be used in conjunction with a crossed seal body according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     It should be noted, of course, that while many applications in which embodiments of the invention may be employed will utilize o-rings having circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shapes, and that crossed seal bodies according to embodiments of the invention will similarly have circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shapes, this is not essential. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable or necessary to seal a device using an o-ring and crossed seal body having non-circular cross-sections. Such cross-sections may be square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, dove tailed, or irregular in shape. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body  200  according to another embodiment of the invention in which crossed seal body  200  includes a first portion  110 , a second portion  120 , and a third portion  130 , each of which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the other two. First portion  110  includes a first leg  112  and a second leg  114 , second portion  120  includes a first leg  122  and a second leg  124 , and third portion  130  includes a first portion  132  and a second portion  134 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of a crossed seal body  300  according to another embodiment of the invention. Here, a first portion  210  and a second portion  220  cross non-perpendicularly within the same plane, forming an obtuse angle α and an acute angle β. A central body  240  lies at the intersection of first portion  210  and second portion  220 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body  400  according to yet another embodiment of the invention, in which a second portion  320  and a third portion  330  are each substantially perpendicular to a first portion  310  but form an obtuse angle γ with respect to one another. 
     In the embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the various portions of a crossed seal body are shown having substantially the same diameters, such that similarly sized o-rings or o-ring materials may be used in each. This is not necessary or essential, however. Numerous situations may arise that require the sealing of intersecting joints of differing dimensions.  FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body  500  according to another embodiment of the invention in which a first portion  410  has a diameter greater than a second portion  420 .  FIG. 5B  shows a cross-sectional side view of crossed seal body  500  in which the differing diameters of first portion  410  and second portion  420  may be observed. In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , second portion  420  is shown forming an obtuse angle δ with respect to first portion  410 , although this is neither necessary nor essential. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body  600  according to still another embodiment of the invention. Here, first portion  510  and second portion  520  do not comprise blind bores, as in the embodiments described above. Rather, first portion  510  and second portion  520  include through bores  550 ,  552 , respectively, into which at least one intact (i.e., uncut) o-ring may be inserted.  FIG. 6B  shows a cross-sectional side view of first portion  510  in which through bore  550  may be more easily seen. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body  700  according to another embodiment of the invention. As in  FIG. 6A , first portion  610  and second portion  620  include through bores  650 ,  652 , respectively. 
     Crossed seal bodies according to embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with corresponding o-rings or o-ring materials, permit the sealing of intersecting joints, as described above. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to secure the o-ring or o-ring material within the crossed seal body using a suitable adhesive. In other circumstances, this may be unnecessary, as pressurization of the device or vessel not only seals the intersecting joints, but also secures the o-ring or o-ring material into the crossed seal body. This pressure-induced securing of the o-ring or o-ring material and the crossed seal body is enhanced by the compliant, elastomeric or malleable nature of the crossed seal body. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any related or incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.