Patent ID: 6880863

Claim:
A flexible coupling for transferring a pressurized gas between a first conduit and a second conduit comprising: a hollow annular inner member defining a spherically curved, convex, seal receiving surface and an annular seal ring assembly retainer groove which opens outwardly on said convex surface; a hollow annular outer member mounted over said inner member and defining a spherically curved, concave seal receiving surface which conforms to and which is spaced from said convex surface, said convex surface and said concave surface being movable relative to one another about a common center point, said outer member further defining a first annular seal ring assembly retainer groove which opens inwardly on said concave surface in opposition to said convex surface; an annular end cap being connected to said outer member and having an end wall which encloses one end of said outer member and which, in combination with said outer member, defines a second annular seal ring assembly retainer groove which opens inwardly in opposition to said convex surface; a series of seal ring assemblies, a different one of said assemblies being disposed in each said groove, each of said assemblies including at least one seal ring which projects out of a corresponding one of said grooves and which contains a bearing surface which conforms to and which engages an opposing one of said seal receiving surfaces; and wherein said seal ring assembly retainer groove that opens outwardly on said convex surface is located in between said first and second annular seal ring assembly retainer grooves that open inwardly in opposition to said convex surface.