Abstract:
An expandable washer apparatus is formed from a resilient elastomeric annular body having an opening therethrough, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an external cylindrical surface. A plurality of cavities extend around the external cylindrical surface. A plurality of cavity sidewalls are associated with the plurality of cavities, the plurality of sidewalls expanding outward to increase the external cylindrical surface circumference when pressure is applied to the upper and lower surfaces.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is directed to sealing washers, and more specifically to sealing washers that expand in circumference when compressed. 
         [0002]    A common and recurring issue in fluid connections is leakage. For example, in garden hoses leaks at hose fittings coupling a hose to another hose, a spigot, or nozzle, for example, commonly leak water. The hoses themselves may not always leak, but in many cases the connecting hardware leaks water. Commonly, such connections will leak water regardless of how tightly the two parts, namely the male hose fitting and female hose fitting, of the connection are threaded together. This is largely attributed to the fact that the manufacturers of hoses and other related equipment having female hose fittings generally use one of two main types of washers in the connections, flat or O-ring washers. Such flat or O-ring washers are generally made from natural rubber or plastics. 
         [0003]    While the materials of traditional washers may be different, both are similar in size and shape and both have serious shortcomings. The natural rubber washers may work at first, but as time goes on, they become brittle, and can even crack. This often results due to natural rubber being subjected to high pressure water and widely varying temperatures. For example, a garden hose that is left full of water out in the summer&#39;s sun, can become extremely hot. This hot water accelerates the breakdown of the natural rubber. Plastic washers commonly have similar performance and can break down after being subjected to high pressures and/or temperatures for an extended period. Furthermore, such washers may become less effective over longer periods of use even without being subject to high pressures and/or temperatures. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, the design of hose washers for years has been the same as a common metal washer. Such washers generally comprise a basic, flattened cylinder, or an o-ring. 
         [0005]    Since hoses use threads on their male and female fittings to enable connections, the threads themselves are many times the source of a water leak. Commonly a shoulder portion of the female hose fitting, or the end portion of a male fitting, have an uneven or otherwise imperfect surface that will contact the main seating area of the washer. In some cases, the hose washer itself has an imperfect seating area. In other cases, dirt or debris may be present in or on the female or male fittings, or on the hose washer itself. In such situations, the main seating area of the hose washer may not properly seal, allowing water to bypass the seal and makes its way out of the connection via the hose connection threads. 
         [0006]    Such leaks in some situations may cause a minor nuisance, but in many cases leaks can also present safety concerns, can result in potential property damage (particularly if the hose is used in an interior of a business or residence), and can result in wasted water. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing enhanced sealing in fluid connections. 
         [0008]    The present disclosure provides, in various aspects, an expandable washer apparatus, comprising a resilient elastomeric annular body having an opening therethrough, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an external cylindrical surface. In one embodiment, a plurality of cavities extend around the external cylindrical surface. A plurality of cavity sidewalls are associated with the plurality of cavities, the plurality of sidewalls expanding outward to increase the external cylindrical surface circumference when pressure is applied to the upper and lower surfaces. One or more of the plurality of cavity sidewalls extend from the upper surface toward the lower surface at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the upper surface, and in some cases the sidewalls are not linear, but instead curve away from the upper and/or lower surface, and may also curve away from the external cylindrical surface. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the plurality of cavities comprise a first plurality of cavities extending around an upper portion of the external cylindrical surface, and a second plurality of cavities extending around a lower portion of the external cylindrical surface. Each of the first plurality of cavities in such an embodiment may comprise parallel top and bottom walls and parallel sidewalls, and each of the second plurality of cavities may comprise parallel top and bottom walls and parallel sidewalls. An intermediate strip may extend around the external cylindrical surface, formed from the bottom walls of the first plurality of cavities and the top walls of the second plurality of cavities. In some embodiments, the sidewalls of the first plurality of cavities extend from the upper surface to the intermediate strip at a first slope relative to the upper surface, and the sidewalls of the second plurality of cavities are arranged at a slope that is different than the first slope. The sidewalls of the first cavities and the sidewalls of the second cavities, in some embodiments, form a herringbone pattern around the external cylindrical surface. 
         [0010]    The resilient elastomeric annular body is formed from a silicone material according to some embodiments. In other embodiments, the resilient elastomeric annular body has a hardness between about 40 and 70 durometer. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an expandable washer apparatus, comprising a resilient elastomeric annular body having an opening therethrough, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an external cylindrical surface. One or more cavities are present in the external cylindrical surface, and a resilient elastomeric skin covers the one or more cavities. The resilient elastomeric skin expands outward to increase the external cylindrical surface circumference when pressure is applied to the upper and lower surfaces. The one or more cavities may be filled with a fluid, gel or one or more gasses. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments of this aspect, the one or more cavities comprise a first plurality of cavities extending around an upper portion of the external cylindrical surface, and a second plurality of cavities extending around a lower portion of the external cylindrical surface. Each of the first plurality of cavities may comprise parallel top and bottom walls and parallel sidewalls, and each of the second plurality of cavities may comprise parallel top and bottom walls and parallel sidewalls. An intermediate strip may be formed from the bottom walls of the first plurality of cavities and the top walls of the second plurality of cavities. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of an expandable sealing washer according to an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side plan view of an expandable sealing washer according to an embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a horizontal cross-sectional illustration of an expandable sealing washer according to an embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a vertical cross-sectional illustration of an expandable sealing washer according to an embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a side plan view of an expandable sealing washer according to an embodiment; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a side plan view of an expandable sealing washer under compression according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    This description provides examples, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements. 
         [0021]    Thus, various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that aspects and elements described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. It should also be appreciated that the following exemplary embodiments may individually or collectively be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify their application. 
         [0022]    The present disclosure relates to an expandable sealing washer which addresses and overcomes of the shortcomings commonly associated with traditional sealing washers. Various exemplary embodiments allows for irregular or deformed connection surfaces. Various examples provide a circular, flattened ring shape from both the top and bottom. The vertical edge of the washer includes features that enhance sealing capabilities of the washer. In some exemplary embodiments, the vertical edge, also referred to as the external cylindrical surface, includes a series of cavities formed in a symmetrical pattern designed for both opposing crushing forces and gas or liquids containment. The cavities effectively form a series of cells or sections. The walls of these cells, in various embodiments, are thin and flexible, allowing them to conform to the threads on the inside of a threaded connection. when the washer is compressed. 
         [0023]    For example, a user may insert the expandable sealing washer into a threaded hose opening and tighten the connection. This places an opposing crushing force on both of the generally flat sides of the washer. The washer is formed from a material that is firm, yet pliable and this allows it to expand in diameter. As the expandable sealing washer diameter increases, the symmetrical cells push outwards and conform to the threads on the inside of a threaded connection. In some embodiments, the washer is formed from a silicone type rubber that resists extreme heat, cold and cracking. The symmetrically designed external cylindrical surface, combined with silicone materials, makes such an expandable sealing washer an enhanced sealing mechanism for use in connections on pipes or hoses where a simple flat washer may have been used traditionally. Such a washer may be used in traditional hose connections commonly found in residential structures, as well as other fluid or gas connections that may be found in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. 
         [0024]    With reference now to  FIGS. 1-4 , a washer  100  of one exemplary embodiment is described. The washer  100  includes an external cylindrical surface  105 , and has an opening therethrough formed from interior surface  110 . While illustrated as a vertical surface, the exterior cylindrical surface  105  may by non-vertical, or raduised, and still function in a manner as described herein. An upper surface  115 , and a lower surface  120  form main seating surfaces for the washer  100 . A plurality of cavities  125  extend around the external cylindrical surface  105 . The cavities  125  in this embodiment are formed of symmetrically arranged sidewalls  130 , and have a top wall  135  and a bottom wall  140 . The bottom wall  140  of the cavities  120 , in this embodiment, form an annular ridge that extends around an intermediate portion of the external cylindrical surface  105 . 
         [0025]    Thus, in this embodiment, cavities  125 , and their associated sidewalls  130 , and top and bottom walls  135 ,  140 , are arranged a symmetrical herringbone pattern that has open faced cells spaced radially along the external cylindrical surface  105  of the expandable sealing washer  100 . In an alternate embodiment, the open facing cells or sections are ‘skinned’ over or covered with a thin layer of pliable material, such as silicone material. This creates small sealed, yet flexible, cells or sections. As the expandable sealing washer  100  diameter increases, the symmetrical herringbone pattern of the sidewalls  130  conform to the threads on the inside of a threaded connection. The cells or sections can simply be hollow and use the trapped air inside each section to expand the thin outer cell wall, or they can be filled with a flexible silicone type gel (or other type of gel or fluid) that expands and contracts as the expandable sealing washer diameter increases. In either case, as the threaded connection is loosened, the expandable sealing washer  100  diameter decreases, allowing for easier removal from the fitting in which the washer is seated. The washer  100 , in one embodiment, is formed from a silicone material and has a hardness of between 40 and 70 durometer. In one embodiment, the washer  100  is formed of silicone material and has a hardness of about 60 durometer. Such a hardness allows the washer  100  to be suitably pliable allowing for the external cylindrical surface  105  to expand in diameter when the washer  100  is compressed, yet providing sufficient stiffness to withstand the shear forces present when, for example, hose male and female fittings are threaded together. 
         [0026]    While  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a washer having two symmetrically arranged rows of cavities, numerous different variations are possible that achieve the results described above. For example, a single row of cavities may be present, or more than two rows of cavities may be present. The rows of cavities may be arranged in an offset manner, where sidewall ends may not necessarily be aligned between upper and lower rows of cavities. Furthermore, cavities may take numerous different shapes and sizes. 
         [0027]    With reference now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , an exemplary washer  100   a  is illustrated in an uncompressed state ( FIG. 5A ) and in a compressed state ( FIG. 5B ). When the washer  100   a  is uncompressed, according to this embodiment, the washer  100   a  has a height A, as indicated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . When the washer  100   a  is compressed, it has a compressed height B, as indicated in  FIG. 5B . Compression may occur through the threading of a male and female fitting together, for example, with the fittings applying pressure to the upper surface  115  and lower surface  120 . The washer  100   a,  in some embodiments, may be compressed by up to 10% of the uncompressed washer height A. This is a greater compression than provided by typical traditional hose washers or O-rings, which commonly specify a compression of no more than 5%. Furthermore, due to the cellular structure of the external surface, such levels of compression may be obtained with a relatively low amount of torque being applied to, for example, a female threaded hose fitting. 
         [0028]    As the washer  100   a  is compressed, the exterior cylindrical surface  105  increases in circumference. The increase in external cylindrical surface  105  circumference will force the external cylindrical surface against, for example, the threads of a female hose fitting, thereby enhancing the seal between the male and female fittings. Thus, in cases where the washer  100   a  is located in a female fitting, the external surface  105  circumference increases up to the amount permitted by the sidewalls of the female fitting that the external surface  105  comes into contact with. As can further be observed from the illustrations in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in this embodiment sidewalls  130  extend from top walls  135  at an angle θ. When the washer  100   a  is compressed, the angle between sidewalls  130  and top walls  135  is reduced to angle φ. The angle θ may be a fairly wide range of angles other than 90 degrees and achieve the described functions. Furthermore, as mentioned above, sidewalls  130  need not necessarily be linear, and may be radiused or piecewise linear, for example. 
         [0029]    It should be noted that the devices discussed above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various features or components as appropriate. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be emphasized that technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are exemplary in nature and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0030]    Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known structural elements and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. 
         [0031]    Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.