Patent ID: RE39973

Claim:
A metallic seal comprising: a first annular beam section having a first non-sealing surface and a first raised portion, said first raised portion having a first annular sealing surface facing in a first axial direction to contact a first member for creating a first annular sealing dam therebetween; a second annular beam section having a second non-sealing surface and a second raised portion, said second raised portion having a second annular sealing surface facing in a second axial direction, which is opposite to said first axial direction, to contact a second member for creating a second annular sealing dam therebetween; an annular inner surface extending between said first and second sealing surfaces to form a central passageway; an annular outer surface extending between said first and second sealing surfaces and spaced from said annular inner surface to form an annular column section of material extending substantially perpendicular between said first and second annular beam sections thereto; and one of said annular inner and outer surfaces having an annular recess extending in a substantially radial direction to at least partly define an effective minimum width of said annular column section, at least a part of said first sealing surface of said first raised portion and at least a part of second sealing surface of said second raised portion being axially aligned with said annular column section, said first and second non-sealing surfaces being axially aligned with said annular recess and extending radially from said one of said annular inner and outer surfaces having said annular recess.