Patent · US Expired

Leak resistant plug assembly

US4436117A · kind A · utility

37Cited by
14References
13Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1982
Grant dateMar 13, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF28F11/02
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A plug assembly which is resistant to loosening in response to thermal expansion and contraction is provided. The plug assembly comprises a deformable sleeve which is closed at one end and open at its opposite end to provide a chamber which receives a wedge slidable with respect to an expandable ring mounted in the chamber adjacent its open end. When pulled axially, the wedge expands the ring which, in turn, expands the sleeve radially outward into engagement with the inner wall of the item to be plugged. A retainer surrounds the out-pulled wedge and cooperates with a nut and threads on the wedge to tension the same and thereby apply continuous outward pressure to the sleeve. Preferably, the outer periphery of the sleeve is provided with a series of alternating edges and grooves which cut through any scale which may be present on the inner surface of the plugged item.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.