Methods and apparatus for flange sealing
US7159906B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L23/22
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention, can utilize a flange system incorporating metal sealing. In a further specific embodiment, the subject invention can utilize stainless steel sealing, where the flanges and seals are stainless steel. The subject seal may be made and released and remade multiple times. In a specific embodiment, the subject seal may be unaffected by heat extremes and more resistant to corrosive environments than copper and other soft metal seals. The subject invention can utilize sexless flanges, so as to avoid male/female design problems and can utilize infinitely rotatable flanges. The subject infinitely rotatable flanges eliminate bolt hole alignment problems, such that rotatable bolted flanges are not needed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.