Abstract: A segmented seal (10) for sealing a first area bounded by the seal from an exterior area, is assembled from segments (12). Each segment includes a metal retainer plate (18) with resilient elements (20) (22) molded thereon. First ends (14) of the segments include tongue portions (34) which are accepted in groove portions (36) on second ends (16) of adjacent segments. Abutting surfaces of the resilient elements, and the tongue portions and groove portions, are tapered to extend at a parallel, acute angle to facilitate assembly. The tapered mating surfaces enable adjacent surfaces of the seal to be readily brought into initial contact. A solid abutting fit between adjacent segments and resilient elements is formed as the segments are aligned and secured. The construction is particularly useful in outer space environments where the seal may be readily assembled for use in connecting adjacent modules of a space craft, or disassembled.

Abstract: An elastomeric sealing device for sealing a fluid opening of passageway at the interface of two mateable parts comprises a bi-lobed elastomeric seal integrally molded on a relatively rigid retainer. The retainer is generally planar in construction with a peripheral load bearing portion that is clamped between the facing sealing surfaces of the mated parts, and an inwardly extending thinner flange portion which is imbedded in the molded bi-lobed seal. The bi-lobed seal is of unitary construction and has a first lobe which extends perpendicularly from one side of the retainer and is sized and shaped to be received in a recess or groove in the sealing surface of one of the mated parts. The seal has a second lobe which extends inwardly and transversely from the first lobe and is sized and shaped to form an interference fit with a boss on the other mated part.

Abstract: A self-centering seal for threaded fasteners and the like consists of a rigid, load-bearing retainer in the form of a ring having an elastomeric seal molded in place therein at the inner periphery. The seal is of tear drop shape in section having a portion which projects beyond the surfaces of the retainer, adjacent recessed portions and an inner tip portion with a relatively large radius of curvature. The diameter of the tip portion is sized to be an interference fit on the fastener shank so that the seal may be preassembled with the fastener.

Abstract: An adjustable elastomeric seal assembly for accommodating gap tolerances consists of a rubber seal supported by a retainer, the latter consisting of a substrate and a plurality of shims. The assembly is joined as an integral structure and the shims may be peeled individually to fit gap dimensions. Preferably, the substrate thickness equals the minimum gap dimension and together with the plural shims equals or exceeds the maximum gap dimension to provide several selectable combined thicknesses therebetween. The thickness of the rubber seal is greater than the maximum gap dimension but provides suitable sealing as well as the minimum dimension.

Abstract: A low temperature static seal assembly consisting of an elastomeric seal element combined in a gland having a reduced wall dimension at the high pressure side which provides a path for enhanced communication between the seal element and the viscous fluid. O-ring, lathe-cut and molded in place seals can be accommodated in this configuration.

Abstract: A two-part dual lip, reversible seal for gear cases and the like wherein a peripheral seal is to be established about a shaft which passes into the housing. Each part of the seal is of semi-circular configuration consisting of a metal retainer and an elastomeric sealing portion which is formed as an integral unit and which is positioned and retained in appropriate channels in the gear case. The elastomeric seal comprises dual sealing lips having a recess therebetween for charging with lubricant prior to assembly of the housing over the gears and shaft. Projection of the seal element at either end of its circumferential extent allows for controlled compression of the elastomeric material in engagement with the mating part of the seal and a continuous seal about the periphery of the shaft.

Abstract: A sealing sleeve for a rotary type valve is disclosed. The sealing sleeve is formed into a generally circular configuration and is disposed between the housing and the rotor of the valve to provide a firm seal therebetween. Apertures are provided in the periphery of the sleeve and are positioned therein to align with the rotor bores. The inner surface of the sleeve has a thin layer of elastomeric material chemically bonded thereto which terminates in a bead-like configuration about each aperture and on the interior thereof. This bead-like configuration provides a firm seal between the rotor bore and the housing ports eliminating the necessity of O-rings therebetween.

Abstract: Method for making a sealing device comprising a door or gasket of rigid material curved in one direction and straight in another, as in the form of a portion of a cylinder, and having convex and concave surfaces. Either or both such surfaces has a circumferentially continuous groove across the straight and curved portions that contains a molded in place packing of resilient material. The packing has a portion projecting from the groove and has a recess extending into the groove. The sides of the recess are either parallel to a transverse axis whose direction corresponds to the direction of travel of the mold members relative to each other when separating so that there are no undercuts in the packing material into which portions of the mold would project and prevent separation of the mold members after the molding operation without damaging the packing.

Abstract: A sealing device that is self-centering on a cylindrical part about which it is to be disposed is disclosed. The device is comprised of a metal plate and an elastomeric sealing member that is bonded to an aperture provided in the plate. The sealing member has an annular sealing portion with a radially inwardly extending spacer portion of reduced axial thickness and having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical part about which the sealing device is to be disposed. The elastomeric material is readily deformable and therefore the spacer portion of the sealing member will not mar or scratch the cylindrical part when mounted thereon. The spacer portion is sufficiently thick so that when the cylindrical part is inserted through the spacer portion and deforms the same to a larger inner diameter, the spacer portion will grip the cylindrical part and be sufficiently rigid so as to center the sealing portion radially about the part.

Abstract: A sealing device comprising a door or gasket of rigid material curved in one direction and straight in another, as in the form of a portion of a cylinder, and having convex and concave surfaces. Either or both such surfaces has a circumferentially continuous groove across the straight and curved portions that contains a molded in place packing of resilient material. The packing has a portion projecting from the groove and has a recess extending into the groove. The sides of the recess are either parallel to a transverse axis whose direction corresponds to the direction of travel of the mold members relative to each other when separating so that there are no undercuts in the packing material into which portions of the mold would project and prevent separation of the mold members after the molding operation without damaging the packing.

Abstract: A sealing device for preventing fluid leakage between a screw and a nut threaded thereon. The thread on the screw includes a cylindrical crest and a helical rounded groove. The device includes an annular elastomeric member having inner and outer peripheral surfaces. The inner peripheral surface includes an axially extending sealing surface which engages the thread crest and a radially inwardly extending sealing projection which engages the thread groove. A relatively rigid support member is radially aligned with the axially extending sealing surface for resisting radially inward deflection thereof. The support member is discontinued at a location aligned with the sealing projection, so that the sealing projection can be radially inwardly deflected by fluid pressure to tightly seal against the thread groove.

Abstract: A sealing washer for a socket head cap screw and the like characterized in that an elastomeric sealing ring within a rigid annular retainer has integral portions extending into radial channels in one side of the retainer. The sealing washer herein is further characterized in that the rigid annular retainer is made of relatively thin sheet stock which has folded over integral tabs to double the thickness of the retainer and to define channels on one side of the retainer which are filled with elastomeric material radiating from the elastomeric sealing ring within the retainer.

Abstract: A packing ring of resilient material for down hole sealing of oil well casing against high fluid pressure. The ring is in the general form of a U cup with inner and outer lips. The outer lip is relatively thick and has an outer corner rounded to a large radius that merges with a concave radius on the radially outer surface of the lip to more easily pass over projections and imperfections in surfaces to be sealed by the lip. The inner corner of the outer lip is also rounded to facilitate entry of fluid between the lips for pressing the lips into sealing contact with the surfaces to be sealed. The invention includes the assembly of the packing ring with a sleeve or other part upon which the ring is mounted, the ring being bonded to such part and having a large radius at one end where it is bonded so as to make the bond more secure.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing between a screw and a nut threaded thereon. The device is particularly suitable for sealing a ball type screw wherein the thread on the screw includes a helical rounded groove and wherein the thread crest is a cylindrical surface. The device is mounted in a recess of the nut and includes an annular elastomeric member having on its inside surface ribs to seal against the screw thread crests and a projection to seal the groove. The radially outer portion of the elastomeric member is generally U shaped with radially extending ribs axially spaced to provide a recess therebetween.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sealed joint and a gasket therefor in which the gasket comprises a metal plate with an opening therethrough and with a sealing member of resilient material mounted on the metal plate within the opening and attached to the metal plate about a portion only of the periphery of the sealing member, the remaining portion of the periphery being unattached and preferably slightly spaced from the plate. The joint includes a pair of members to be sealed, one of the members having a central opening and also having another opening that is in register with an opening through the resilient sealing member. The members to be sealed have faces for clamping a thickened portion of the metal plate and also for sealingly contacting the resilient sealing member. The space between the plate and the unattached portion of the sealing member acts as a heat barrier to minimize transfer of heat emanating from the central opening from the plate to the sealing member.

Abstract: A static joint in which stationary members are sealed by a gasket and wherein the gasket has a first member of elastomeric deformable material and a second member of rigid material, the deformable member having a sealing portion and a retainer portion, the rigid member being embedded within the retaining portion and of a height more than 60% of the height of the retaining portion to limit deformation of the first member. The rigid member is chemically bonded to the elastomeric member to inhibit movement or extrusion of the elastomeric material from between the rigid member and the members being sealed under heavy clamping pressure.

Abstract: A sealed joint between two members. The joint utilizes a gasket that includes a rigid plate having a generally U shaped corrugation therein that forms a recess in one face of the plate and a raised rib on the other face. The face having the raised rib has a layer of elastomeric material thereon on opposite sides of the rib for sealing engagement with one of the members. Elastomeric material is also contained within the recess for sealing engagement with the other member. One of the members may have a recess for receiving the gasket and the depth of the recess may be greater than the axial thickness of the rigid plate at the corrugation whereby the members do not impose axial compression on the corrugation when the joint is tight. In another form of the invention, the rigid plate may have another corrugation spaced from the first corrugation and of slightly greater axial length.