Redundant seal for pressure vessels
US4848806A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S277/91
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A space vehicle booster has a lower section and an upper section forming a joint with a seal assembly enclosing a closed cavity. The seal assembly has an upper flange joined to the upper section, and has a lower flange joined to the lower section, and has a collar disposed between the flanges. The flanges are joined by bolts, which slightly compress the collar. The collar has a blind slot, which opens into the closed cavity and which separates an upper collar portion from a lower collar portion. The pressurized gas in the closed cavity urges the upper collar portion against the upper flange and urges the lower collar portion against the lower flange. The collar has an inner pair of "O" rings and an outer pair of "O" rings. Upper and lower chambers are disposed between the "O" rings. A passageway to the chambers has an exterior opening for evacuating the chambers for testing the integrity of the seals prior to launch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.