Abstract:
A gasket for sealing at least two objects includes a body and at least one extension extending from the body and forming at least one space partially surrounded by the extension and the body. The gasket is configured to be placed in a channel of one object having a channel width which is substantially equal to the gasket width. A tongue of the other object is pressed into the channel and contacts at least one sealing surface of the extension. The space allows for increased compressibility of the gasket thus maintaining a proper seal under varying conditions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to gasket systems, gaskets and other flow control devices used to prevent leakage of fluids from one area to another, where the gasket includes spaces or voids to maintain a seal despite varying conditions such as varying compressive forces. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Gaskets are shaped according the surfaces to be sealed. Typically, gaskets are used to seal two objects to prevent leakage of a fluid from one object to the other under compression. The seal is typically created by pinching the gasket between adjoining surfaces of the two objects. Certain types of gaskets have channels that fit over mating surfaces of the two objects to provide a seal therebetween. 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates such a conventional gasket system  100  where an H-shaped gasket  105  is shown separating a first object  110  from a second object  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , one end of each of the first and second objects  110 ,  120  mates or fits snugly into a corresponding mating channel of the H-shaped gasket  105  thus providing a seal between the two objects  110 ,  120  under compressive forces  130 ,  140 . 
         [0004]    Variations in the compressive forces may result in degradation of the seal, either when too little or too much compressive force is applied. Even when the objects  110 ,  120  are properly connected together or to other objects to be sealed, such as when bolted or screwed using the correct amount of torque to provide a desired uniform compressive forces  130 ,  140 , environmental changes affect and modify the compressive forces  130 ,  140  on the gasket  105  thus resulting in seal degradation. Environmental changes include changes in temperature, humidity, vibration, as well as aging of the gasket and other system elements such the fastening means, being via bolts, screws, rivets, adhesive and the like. 
         [0005]    In conventional gaskets, the tolerances for the amount and uniformity of the compressive forces  130 ,  140  needed for a good seal are relatively small or tight. Further, larger compressive forces may deform the gasket and degrade the seal. Typically, conventional gaskets and sealing systems are configured to provide a seal upon mating with an object where there are no spaces between the mated object and the gasket. That is, the interface between the mated object and the gasket is devoid of discontinuities, and is fully mated to provide a seal. In fact, discontinuities are considered defects on a gasket surface, such as scratches and holes in what otherwise is a single and uniform mated sealing surface of the gasket devoid of spaces. 
         [0006]    The single and uniform sealing surface of a conventional gasket requires relatively uniform compression for better sealing; otherwise some leakage may occur and cause damage, such as when the uniformity of the compressive forces changes due to environmental conditions and aging, for example. Thus, conventional gaskets suffer from seal degradation and leakage due to environmental conditions and aging. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for a better sealing system that provides a good seal, allows for larger tolerances in the compressive force and environmental conditions, and accepts a non-uniform compressive force without degradation of the seal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One object of the present systems and methods is to overcome the disadvantages of conventional gasket systems. 
         [0009]    This and other objects are achieved by gaskets, gasket systems and methods where, for example, the gasket seals at least two objects. The gasket includes a body and at least one extension extending from the body and forming at least one space partially surrounded by the extension and the body. The gasket is configured to be placed in a channel of one object having a channel width which is substantially equal to the gasket width. A tongue of the other object is pressed into the channel and contacts at least one sealing surface of the extension. Illustratively, the gasket system may be compressed by at least 30% and still provides a good seal. The space (surrounded by the extension and the body) allows for increased compressibility of the gasket thus maintaining a proper seal under varying conditions. 
         [0010]    Further areas of applicability of the present systems and methods will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawing where: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional gasket system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a gasket system according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A-3H  show various gaskets according to further illustrative embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The following description of certain exemplary embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. In the following detailed description of embodiments of the present systems and methods, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the described systems and methods may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the presently disclosed system and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present system. 
         [0016]    The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present system is defined only by the appended claims. The leading digit(s) of the reference numbers in the figures herein typically correspond to the figure number, with the exception that identical components which appear in multiple figures are identified by the same reference numbers. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known devices and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present system. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a gasket system  200  comprising a gasket  205  having at least one extension for seal mating, such as four extensions  260 ,  262 ,  264 ,  266  extending from a body  270  of the gasket  205 . The entire gasket  205  is inserted into a channel  212  of a first object  210  to be seal mated to a second object  220 . 
         [0018]    The width  207  of the gasket  205  is substantially the same or slightly less than the width  214  of the channel  212 , so that the gasket  205  fits snuggly into the channel  212 . The height  208  of the gasket  205  is less than the height  216  of the channel  212 . Of course, the gasket width  207  and/or gasket height  208  may be the same or more than the channel width  214  and/or channel height  216 , respectively, in the case where the gasket  205  is made of highly deformable material that allows enough compression (under the compressive force(s)  280 ,  282  applied on the gasket  205  by a tongue  222  of the second object  220 , for example), so that the entire compressed gasket  205  totally fits inside the channel  212 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  also shows the tongue  222  of the second object  220 , where the tongue  222  fits into the channel  212  of the first object  210 . The width  224  of the tongue  222  is substantially the same or slightly less than the width  214  of the channel  212  to allow insertion of the tongue  222  into the channel  212  to provide the compressive force(s)  280 ,  282  over contacting surfaces of the gasket  205 , namely the top or mating surfaces  290 ,  294  of the gasket extensions  260 ,  264 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , there is at least one space, where two spaces  250 ,  255  are shown, for example, between the gasket  205  and the channel  212 , and/or between the gasket  205  and the tongue  222 . It should be noted that since space  250  between the gasket extensions  260 ,  264  reduces the mating surface between the gasket and the tongue  222 , less compressive force is needed to provide the desired compression of the gasket  205  as compared to a gasket having no space  250 . For example, assume the mating surfaces  290 ,  294  of the gasket  250  are one fifth of a gasket having no space  250  (where the entire top surface of the gasket is the mating surface and receives a compressing force), and the desired amount of compressive force (e.g., forces  280 ,  282 ) is 1 Newton. To achieve the same compression using a gasket having no space  250 , i.e., a gasket have five times larger mating surface as compared to the gasket  205  with the space  250 , then the needed compressing force is also approximately five times, namely 5 Newtons. Thus, the gasket  205  having the space  250  allows for reduction of the compressive force needed to achieve a desired compression. In operation, typically the compressive force is approximately in the range of 20 to 40 Newtons, such as approximately 25-35 Newtons, and the gasket  205  is compressed approximately 25% to 35%. In an illustrative example where the gasket height  208  is approximately 3 mm-6 mm, then the gasket may compress up to approximately 0.2 mm-2.4 mm and maintain a proper seal. 
         [0021]    Illustratively, the gasket  205  has an H-shape, but it should be understood that the gasket may have any shape, such as a U-shape, an L-shape, a T-shape and/or a ‘plus sign’ shape (as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D  for example), so long as there is at least one space between the gasket  205 , the channel  212 , and/or tongue  222 . The space may be continuous or discontinuous and may be any shape, and may include spaces within the gasket itself, such as bubbles or voids  257  of any shape and/or size, uniform or non-uniform, disperse throughout the gasket material being any material which is deformable and/or resilient, such as rubber or silicon rubber, for example. Illustratively, the gasket system may be compressed by at least 30% and still provides a good seal. 
         [0022]    The spaces  250 ,  255  may also have any shape and/or size by having different shaped/sized gasket body  270  and/or extensions  260 ,  262 ,  264 ,  266 . Illustratively, FIG.  2  shows a gasket body  270  having a uniform width and/or shape, but may also have a varying width and/or shape including curved or wavy widths and/or shapes, as shown in the illustrative examples in  FIGS. 3E-3H . Similarly, the extensions  260 ,  262 ,  264 ,  266  and their mating surfaces  290 ,  294 ,  296 ,  298  may have any width and/or shape, whether uniform or varying, in any combination. It should be understood that the various shaped gaskets  205  may be placed in the channel  212  in any desired way, such as an upright T instead of the inverted T shown in  FIG. 3C , for example. 
         [0023]    It should also be understood that the gasket, sealing systems and methods are applicable in many situations where a seal is desired, such as between two or more objects. Of course, as it would be apparent to one skilled in the art, any fastening means may be used to connect the two objects  210 ,  220  such as screws, bolts, rivets and/or adhesive. 
         [0024]    Further, it is to be appreciated that any one of the above embodiments or processes may be combined with one or with one or more other embodiments or processes to provide even further improvements in sealing systems and methods. 
         [0025]    Finally, the above-discussion is intended to be merely illustrative of the present system and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Thus, while the present system has been described in particular detail with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it should also be appreciated that numerous modifications and alternative embodiments may be devised by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the broader and intended spirit and scope of the present system as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0026]    In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that:
       a) the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or acts that those listed in a given claim;   b) the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements;   c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope;   d) several “means” may be represented by the same or different items or structures or functions;   e) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or separated into further portions unless specifically stated otherwise; and   f) no specific sequence of acts or steps is intended to be required unless specifically indicated.