Pressure-assisted linear seal
US10836515B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
- William R. Doggett
- Timothy S. Roach
- Jerry E. Warren
- Judith J. Watson
- Thomas C. Jones
- Richard K Bird
- Vincenzo M. Le Boffe
- William M. Langford
- Lana P. Hicks-Olson
- Samuel James
- Clarence E. Stanfield
- Alberto Makino
- Bryan C. Yount
- Khadijah I. Shariff
- Molly M. Selig
- Douglas A. Litteken
- Winfred S. Kenner
- David F. Moore
- Danny J. Lovaglio
- Laura A. Leybold
- Earl T. Hall
- James E. Phelps
- Arlon B. Sullivan
- Fred M. Whitehead
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2018 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/2227
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inflatable pressure structure includes an airtight flexible membrane having collapsed and inflated configurations. The inflatable pressure structure includes an elongated pressure-assisted seal that is configured to selectively seal an opening in the airtight flexible membrane. The pressure-assisted seal includes first and second seal components that sealingly engage one another and prevent escape of gas from inside the airtight flexible membrane. The airtight flexible membrane, when inflated, generates a force transverse to the pressure-assisted seal tending to pull the first and second seal components apart. Pressurized gas inside the airtight flexible membrane causes the first and second seal components to more securely engage one another whereby a force transverse to the pressure-assisted seal does not disengage the first and second seal components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.