Patent ID: 7905497

Claim:
A fluid coupling assembly having a ring seal and retainer assembly making a sealed joint between first and second axially mating opposed surfaces having fluid passageways, wherein said ring seal is adapted to be compressed and decompressed in the axial direction, the fluid coupling assembly comprising: first and second opposed blocks, said first block having a first counterbore defining an inner diameter and a recessed first mating surface, and said first block having a first passageway axially aligned with said counterbore, said second block having a second mating surface opposed to said first matting surface and said second block having a second passageway opposed to said first passageway; an annularly shaped ring seal having an axially aligned hole and substantially uncovered first and second axial end surfaces, said ring seal positioned between said first and second blocks so that said first and second axial end surfaces engage and form a seal with said first and second blocks' axially opposed first and second mating surfaces to allow for gas or fluid passage through said first passageway, through said ring seal hole and through said second passageway; a retainer having a circular sidewall substantially circumnavigating said ring seal, said retainer including a first arcuate flange extending at least partially around said retainer and extending radially outward substantially adjacent to one of said ring seal's axial end surfaces so as to provide said ring seal and retainer assembly with a substantially increased radius substantially adjacent to one of said ring seal's axial end surfaces, said first arcuate flange having a concave inner side and a convex outer side positioned within said first counterbore to engage said first counterbore's inner diameter.