Groove Structure On The Seal Or Part Patents (Class 277/641)
  • Patent number: 6962350
    Abstract: An insertable wear strip assembly is dimensioned for insertion into an associated cavity of an associated weatherseal. The wear strip assembly includes a generally U-shaped base portion having a base wall, and first and second sidewalls extending from the base wall for receiving the window glass. First and second compliant thin wall regions extend outwardly from the first and second sidewalls, respectively, for low friction, sliding engagement with the window glass. Optionally, the insertable wear strip is secured to the weatherseal via fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: David Harold Berry, John David Mullett, Don Kelvin Wallace
  • Patent number: 6962338
    Abstract: The invention provides a hermetic seal and a method of making a hermetic seal having the steps of providing a first member of a first material having a flange thereon, providing a second member of a second material having a slot thereon for accommodating the flange in said slot such that there is a gap between the slot and the flange, providing a sealant in the slot, and heating the sealant such that the sealant fills at least a portion of the gap between the flange and the slot for forming a hermetic seal therebetween. Advantageously, the slot and flange design of the inventive hermetic seal produces a three-dimensional compressive state of stress thereby providing a joint design of improved reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Inc.
    Inventor: Abdul Jaleel K. Moidu
  • Patent number: 6962351
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint assembly having a cylindrical sealing cap (1) housing (6, 6A) connected to the external case (4) of the joint assembly. The housing (6, 6A) may be comprised of plastic, aluminum, rubber, or other malleable material. The housing (6, 6A) has a ring shape, with a groove molded into the housing's external surface for receiving the larger diameter end of a sealing cap (1), the smaller diameter end of the sealing cap (1) is directly attached to the shaft of the ball and socket joint's spherical pin (2). The preferred embodiment of the housing (6) has a general “L” shape, and an alternative embodiment (6A) has a more linear shape. The sealing cap (1) ensures that the ball and socket are not contaminated during operation of the joint assembly. The ball and socket joint of the invention is primarily designed for motor vehicle applications, specifically, in automotive steering and suspension systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Ademilson Vlademir De Freitas
  • Patent number: 6959660
    Abstract: Access opening seal for attachment to the lip of an access opening having an exposed edge, particularly an access opening of a personal watercraft. The seal includes a top portion and a side portion and may further include a bottom portion with the side portion being between the top and bottom portions. The seal portions cooperate to define an interior surface and exterior surfaces. The seal may be affixed to the lip of an access opening with the interior surface of the top portion abutting the outer wall of a personal watercraft top deck or other structure and with the side portion positioned along and covering the exposed edge. Where a bottom portion is provided, the bottom portion abuts the inner wall of the top deck or other structure. The seal may be formed of a polymeric or other material and cooperates with a storage compartment and/or cover to form a watertight seal. The seal may be affixed to the lip of the access opening, with an adhesive or mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Darin R. Packebush
  • Patent number: 6942221
    Abstract: A sealed flange includes a seal (203 or 901) and a flange (201 or 801). The outer perimeter of a flange (201 or 801) has tabs (303 or 803) interspaced with notches (601 or 805). The outer perimeter of a seal (203 or 901) has spacers (305 or 903) interspersed with gaps (501 or 909). When the seal (203 or 901) is disposed along the outer perimeter of the flange (201 or 801), the tabs (303 or 803) fit in the gaps (501 or 909) of the seal (203 or 901) while the spacers (305 or 903) fit in the notches (601 or 805) of the flange (201 or 801). The outer perimeter of the sealed flange comprises the outermost edges of the tabs (303 or 803) of the flange (201 or 801) and the outmost edges of the spacers (305 or 903) of the seal (203 or 901).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Philip D. Keeley, John A. Serio
  • Patent number: 6942224
    Abstract: An inflatable seal member for providing a fluid-tight seal. The inflatable seal member is particularly well suited to sealing a processing chamber having pressurized fluids therein. Outward forces (exerted by air pressure) to the inner surfaces of the seal member counteract inward forces (exerted by fluid pressure) to the outer surfaces of the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Karl F. Ludwig, John C. Houston
  • Patent number: 6942452
    Abstract: A bypass duct sealing grommet, for sealing between an opening in a gas turbine engine bypass duct wall and the external surface of a projection extending through the opening, where the grommet has an annular body with a central aperture having an interior periphery adapted to sealingly engage the external surface of the projection. A first flange and second flanges define an external slot about an exterior periphery of the body adapted to receive and seal the bypass duct wall between the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Vittorio Bruno, Goli Hadi, Bryan Olver
  • Patent number: 6942225
    Abstract: A seal to seal a gap between two cooperating components is disclosed. The seal includes a grip rail attachable to the first component. The grip rail has opposite edge portions to which multiple latching regions are attached. A base having opposite sides is positioned adjacent to the grip rail. Multiple counter latching regions that engage with the latching regions are positioned along one side of the base. A sealing profile adapted to engage the second component is mounted on the other side of the base. A first sealing lip is formed along one counter latching region, and a second sealing lip is formed on the sealing profile. Both sealing lips project outwardly for engagement with the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K. H. Badje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Gentemann, Michael Koch
  • Patent number: 6883807
    Abstract: A turbine seal closure mechanism for sealing an opening in a turbine component or between one or more turbine components. The turbine seal may include a main body having a longitudinal axis positioned transverse to the axial direction of the turbine and having at least one arm for sealing the main body to a surface of a turbine component and configured to fit within a recess in a turbine component. The turbine seal may also have one or more arms coupled to a side of the main body opposite to the first side having arms attached thereto for sealing the turbine seal to another turbine surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Seimens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: Jan P. Smed
  • Patent number: 6869082
    Abstract: An improved turbine spring clip seal for directing gases to be mixed with fuel in a combustor basket. The turbine clip seal may include an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing or the outer housing, or both, may include one or more tapered leaves forming a portion of the spring clip seal. At least one leaf may include a flared end for limiting gas from passing through the slots in the spring clip seal. In at least one embodiment, the turbine clip seal may include a center sealing member positioned between the inner and outer housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Parker
  • Patent number: 6854737
    Abstract: In a sealing apparatus (1a) for an expansion joint (2) between two structure bodies (4) with a flexible bridging unit (13a) and two anchoring units (8a) which are arranged on opposite sides of the expansion joint (2) and each comprises an integral flange (9a) which can be connected with the associated structure body and a lapped flange (10a) which can be secured by a clamping element (11a) to the integral flange (9a) in the manner of a dovetail connection, with the bridging unit being connectable with the anchoring units in such way that it is clamped between the integral flange (9a) and the lapped flange. The clamping element (11a) substantially has the same strength as the integral flange (9a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: MIGUA Fugensysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Fieger, Andreas Trawicki
  • Patent number: 6837498
    Abstract: One part of an assembly has one wall with a face-end groove in which a rubber-elastic seal is disposed. In the unstressed state, the seal protrudes past two groove cheeks of the groove. The groove cheek toward the outside is provided with a luglike protrusion while the groove cheek toward the inside has a lesser height than the groove cheek and is wedge-shaped in cross section. The protrusion of the outside groove cheek together with the seal forms a sealing device, whose action in the stressed state is based on the one hand on the plastic deformation of the protrusion on a face of a second part and on the other on the high pressure of the seal in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Fluck, Philipp Spies
  • Patent number: 6827354
    Abstract: A sealing system on a first structural element having a first through-opening, including a first closing flap rotatable about an axis for closing the first through-opening. The sealing system can be coupled to a second structural element. The first closing flap is provided with a first dynamic seal on the radial outer circumference thereof. An elastic seal is provided on the wall of the first through-opening and adjacent the first dynamic seal. The inner diameter of the elastic seal is smaller in the non-operated state than the outer diameter of the first closing flap. The first structural element is provided with a second closing flap which essentially matches the first closing flap and can be swivelled together with the first closing flap. The dynamic seal can be inflated radially towards the outside by means of inner pressure when the first closing flap is in the closing position and in such a way that the elastic seal is at least partially and radially displaced towards the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Glatt Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Cornelius, Heinz Pritzke
  • Patent number: 6802513
    Abstract: A sealing profile serves to seal a casing with respect to a cover disk of a lamp. The sealing profile is inserted into a groove on the casing having a groove base. The sealing profile has a seal section which includes lateral contact surfaces and interacts with the cover disk, a connection section and a foot section which is provided with lateral retaining lips and a retaining groove. The foot section has a strip which interacts sealingly with the groove base. When the sealing profile is in the relaxed state, the strip is disposed entirely within the retaining groove. When inserting the sealing profile into the groove the retaining lips are pivoted towards and pressed against the ribs of the lateral surfaces of the connection section, wherein the strip is pressed with a portion of its cross-sectional surface out of the retaining groove into contact with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Bädje GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Heiko Ranzau
  • Patent number: 6776422
    Abstract: An O-ring is made of elastomeric material. It lies in a plane. The O-ring has a circular radial axial section. The O-ring is provided with a concentric slot that extends perpendicular to the plane from a surface of the ring to a point past the center of the circular axial section. The O-ring conforms to confined spaces by bending and closing the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: William W. Toy
  • Patent number: 6769697
    Abstract: There is provided a gasket comprising a sealing portion and a deformation stopper portion. When the gasket is placed between adjacent surfaces to be sealed of two objects, the sealing portion is engaged by the adjacent surfaces. The deformation stopper portion is engaged by the adjacent surfaces of the objects when the sealing portion has been deformed by a predetermined amount by the adjacent surfaces, thereby preventing excessive deformation of the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignees: Ace Inc., Motoyama Eng. Works, Ltd., TFC Corporation, Isono Mfg. Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Ishikawa, Osamu Uchisawa, Toshikatsu Meguro, Hideo Tsukazaki, Tatsuhito Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040140628
    Abstract: A bumper device for use in muffling or deadening the sound created by a door closing against a cabinet includes a bumper device body defining a base, a ring-shaped portion, and a concentrically positioned, conical shaped center portion that further defines an indentation at a top end. A channel is formed between the ring-shaped portion and the conical center portion. In use, the indentation at the top end of the conical shaped center portion and the channel serve to trap the sound created by the door closing against the cabinet, thereby reducing if not eliminating the undesirable noise created by the door closing against the cabinet. The shape and configuration of the ring-shaped and center portions prevent the door from contacting the cabinet even when the door is closed with a considerable amount of force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Bradley J. Haymond
  • Patent number: 6760986
    Abstract: A license plate cover has a transparent plastic frame and an elastomeric gasket. The frame includes a periphery and an inner side for disposal adjacent to a license plate. The elastomeric gasket is disposed on the inner side near the periphery of the frame. The gasket includes first and second elongate compression ribs which protrude inwardly from the inner side of the frame to different degrees thereby forming a surface that receives a beveled license plate. The elastomer making up the gasket may be furnished with a colorant such that a colored peripheral band is visible through the frame from the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: David F. MacNeil
  • Patent number: 6761360
    Abstract: A gasket for interposition between a first and an opposing second interface surface of a sealing assembly. The gasket includes a generally planar retainer and a generally annular elastomeric member supported on the retainer. The retainer has an inner and an outer perimeter which together define an closed geometric shape which is registrable about a periphery of one of the first and second surfaces of the sealing assembly. The elastomeric member has a sealing portion, and a concentric retaining portion which is generally-upstanding relative to the retaining portion. The sealing portion is configured to be compressible axially intermediate the first and second interface surfaces for effecting one or more fluid-tight seals therebetween. The elastomeric member, in turn, has oppositely disposed first and second axial surfaces. One of the first and second axial surfaces defines a margin of the retaining portion sized to interferingly engage the periphery when the gasket is mounted coaxially thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Ray J. Hammi
  • Publication number: 20040108661
    Abstract: Sealing strip made of a substantially incompressible material for sealing between a first and a second component part which have been joined together. The sealing strip is intended to be inserted into a groove present on the first component part, where the sealing strip exhibits a substantially constant width along the main portion of its length and at least one protrusion on the sealing strip. The sealing strip in this portion is intended to be pinched into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventor: Ulf STEFANSSON
  • Patent number: 6740809
    Abstract: An enclosure for electronic components has a chassis, a cover mountable to the chassis, and a face plate mountable to the chassis/cover sub-assembly. The top side of the cover has a generally U-shaped groove running along three sides to receive a friction-fitted gasket that forms a portion of the environmental seal for the enclosure. Each end of the groove has a J-shaped portion within which the gasket loops back on itself. The bottom of each J-shaped portion is open on the cover's front side, such that the side of the gasket will protrude beyond the front side of the chassis/cover sub-assembly, thereby providing a portion of the seal when the face plate is mounted onto the chassis/cover sub-assembly. The J-shaped portions account for contraction of the gasket due to strain relief after the gasket is placed in the groove and provide increased frictional force that further inhibits such strain relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: Phillip L. Vacheron
  • Publication number: 20040080123
    Abstract: A circular seal (19) for the end face of a substantially cylindrical canister, the seal (19) having a substantially rectangular cross-section, and a recess (21) in one side thereof to reduce the area of said cross-section. In use the recessed area (21) of the seal (19) constitutes a weakened portion which will blow out elastically to relieve excess pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Philip Edward Tonkin
  • Patent number: 6726978
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is the development of a support strip, which lends a seal, made from a rubber material, a stiffness adequate for production and assembly, has good extension and compression properties, has an adequate mobility in order to be able to follow the given directional curves of the chassis components and lends the seal a clamping force sufficient for a secure and durable seating of the seal on the attachment flange of the chassis components. Said aim must be achieved with the proviso of a lowest possible weight and low production costs for said support strip. The aim is achieved by means of an asymmetric arrangement of short (2) and long (3) wedge-like recesses and slots (4) in the support strip as in FIG. 1, permitting a low weight and low production costs in fulfilling the said aims. The invention further relates to an asymmetric strip which can be used as reinforcing support for a seal made from rubber material in chassis production of automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Saar Gummi GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Sehr
  • Patent number: 6712366
    Abstract: An improvement in a seal assembly of the type including a seal element retained by a seal housing, where one of the seal element and the seal housing is constructed from a compressible material, where the seal element includes a seal engagement surface and where the seal housing includes a housing engagement surface. The improvement includes at least one of the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface defining a depression for providing an isolated gap between the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Cargill
  • Publication number: 20040036232
    Abstract: One part 11 of an assembly 10 has one wall 16 with a face-end groove 20, in which a rubber-elastic seal 27 is disposed. In the unstressed state, the seal 27 protrudes past two groove cheeks 22 and 25 of the groove 20. The groove cheek 22 toward the outside is provided with a luglike protrusion 23, while the groove cheek 25 toward the inside has a lesser height than the groove cheek 22 and is wedge-shaped in cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Tobias Fluck, Philipp Spies
  • Publication number: 20040036233
    Abstract: A sealing ring (12) has an annular principal body (15) responsible for its dimensional stability, such body having an annular groove on at least one axial side, in which groove a sealing body (16), consisting of rubber-elastic material, is held. The sealing body (16) has a sealing bead (24) projecting axially past the principal body (15). The capacity of the annular groove (25) is at least equal to the volume of the sealing body (16) so that the annular groove (25) is in a position of receiving the material of the sealing body (16) defining its sealing bead (24) during action on and deformation of the sealing bead (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: FESTO AG & Co.
    Inventors: Andreas Schleth, Winfried Schulz, Hans-Walter Brenner
  • Patent number: 6695319
    Abstract: An indexing safety gasket (1) designed to be mounted in the lid of a pressure cooker for the purpose of providing sealing at pressure between the lid and the pan of the pressure cooker, the gasket being characterized in that it includes at least one outer notch (25) in its periphery, and means for fastening the gasket (1) relative to the lid so as to index rotation of the gasket (1) to rotation of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Jean-Marie Anota, Eric Chameroy
  • Patent number: 6672595
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure controllable packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Jong Peter Park
  • Patent number: 6672597
    Abstract: Sealing strip (1) for sealing a joint (23) between a frame profile (12), for example a window-frame profile, and a wall (15), having an elastically resilient foam strip (2) which is accommodated in a compressed state in a tear-open wrapper (3), which allows recovery of the foam strip (2). The tear-open wrapper (3) comprises a plastic sheet (F) which encloses the foam strip (2) and, at the same time, forms a tear-off flap (4) extending in longitudinal direction of the sealing strip (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Illbruck GmbH
    Inventors: Fritz Irrgeher, Rüdiger Daniel, Hubert Hilger
  • Publication number: 20030209865
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure controllable packing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Jong Peter Park
  • Patent number: 6623014
    Abstract: In said joint, at least one first lip (17) protrudes towards the inside of a tubular profiled section from a part which is adjacent to the opening panel or frame with which it is used. At least one second lip (18) protrudes towards the inside of the tubular profiled section in the direction of the first lip (11) from the opposite portion of the wall thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: BTR Sealing Systems
    Inventor: Ange Martin
  • Patent number: 6623832
    Abstract: A sealing strip, such as for fitting to the frame of a door opening in a motor vehicle body, comprises a longitudinally extending channel-shaped mounting portion incorporating a channel-shaped reinforcing carrier. The hollow tubular longitudinally extending sealing portion is attached to the outside of the mounting portion. When such a strip is bent to follow curves in the door frame, the increased tension in the mounting portion at the curves can cause the sealing portion to move inwardly of the curve so as partially the bridge across the curve. In order to avoid this, the sealing strip, and particularly the mounting portion are longitudinally compressed at positions corresponding to the positions where curves are to be formed in the strip. This local longitudinal compression helps to maintain the sealing portion in its correct attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: GenCorp Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Greven
  • Publication number: 20030164595
    Abstract: An enclosure for electronic components has a chassis, a cover mountable to the chassis, and a face plate mountable to the chassis/cover sub-assembly. The top side of the cover has a generally U-shaped groove running along three sides to receive a friction-fitted gasket that forms a portion of the environmental seal for the enclosure. Each end of the groove has a J-shaped portion within which the gasket loops back on itself. The bottom of each J-shaped portion is open on the cover's front side, such that the side of the gasket will protrude beyond the front side of the chassis/cover sub-assembly, thereby providing a portion of the seal when the face plate is mounted onto the chassis/cover sub-assembly. The J-shaped portions account for contraction of the gasket due to strain relief after the gasket is placed in the groove and provide increased frictional force that further inhibits such strain relief.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Andrew Corporation, a Delaware corporation
    Inventor: Phillip L. Vacheron
  • Publication number: 20030160398
    Abstract: The invention provides a hermetic seal and a method of making a hermetic seal having the steps of providing a first member of a first material having a flange thereon, providing a second member of a second material having a slot thereon for accommodating the flange in said slot such that there is a gap between the slot and the flange, providing a sealant in the slot, and heating the sealant such that the sealant fills at least a portion of the gap between the flange and the slot for forming a hermetic seal therebetween. Advantageously, the slot and flange design of the inventive hermetic seal produces a three-dimensional compressive state of stress thereby providing a joint design of improved reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Abdul Jaleel K. Moidu
  • Patent number: 6547254
    Abstract: A seal structure in an engine, including a seal member interposed between a cylinder head having a slanting face portion at least at an intermediate portion of its upper end face to which a valve-operating cam chamber opens, and a head cover coupled to the upper end face of the cylinder head by a bolt to close the valve-operating cam chamber. The head cover has a fit wall portion formed thereon and fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the valve-operating cam chamber, and the seal member is mounted in a seal groove provided in an outer peripheral surface of the fit wall portion to come into close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder head. Thus, an interference can be provided equally at various portions of the seal member irrespective of the number of bolts used, and the seal member can always exhibit a good seal function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Ito, Takao Nishida, Tetsuya Arai, Shigeki Edamatsu
  • Patent number: 6536777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid connector for sealing an interface between first and second fluid passages in a plasma processing apparatus. The fluid connector includes a first end member having a first geometry. The first geometry is arranged to substantially seal a first mating region of the first fluid passage. The fluid connector further includes a second end member having a second geometry. The second geometry is arranged to substantially seal a second mating region of the second fluid passage and the second geometry is configured differently than the first geometry. The fluid connector additionally includes an opening that extends through the first end member and the second end member through which a fluid may pass for use by the, semiconductor processing apparatus so as to fluidly couple the first fluid passage to the second fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Fangli J. Hao, Eric H. Lenz, Keith E. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6523833
    Abstract: A ring-shaped low load seal attached into a ring-shaped dovetail groove having an opening portion, a first side wall face, a second side wall face, and a bottom wall face. This seal has a trileaf cross-sectional configuration composed of a first arc portion, a second arc portion, a protruding portion, and a concave portion disposed between the first arc portion and the second arc portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd., SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Ishigaki, Mamoru Fukuda, Yasuyuki Nishimura, Kazumasa Nishida
  • Patent number: 6505839
    Abstract: There are disclosed a first gasketed cover which has excellent sealing properties and comprises a cover body composed of a thermoplastic resin and a gasket composed of a thermoplastic elastomer and integrated with the cover body; a second gasketed cover which has excellent sealing properties and is capable of preventing the generation of noises due the vibration of the cover and which comprises a cover body, a gasket composed of an elastic body and integratedly attached to the cover body, and a member composed of the elastic body of a type same as or different from that in the gasket and integratedly installed on at least part of the cover body plane portion excluding the gasket portion; an electronic equipment cover which is capable of preventing pressure difference between the inside and the outside thereof and which comprises a cover body and a membrane composed of an elastic body and installed on a hole placed on the plane portion of the cover body, in which the cover body is integrated with the membrane;
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Youichi Nishimuro, Shinichi Toyosawa, Kunio Machida
  • Patent number: 6494465
    Abstract: A seal for hydraulic assemblies operating at high temperatures having adaptations (19, 20, 49, 50) for low pressures sealing and configured to move across the gap to be sealed at higher pressures with an angled base on a slope (23, 44) or a cup shape (73, 74) nested into a groove (72). The seal at the point of the gap being an elastic, metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: John Wentworth Bucknell
  • Patent number: 6494466
    Abstract: A seal used for a valve housing for a rotatable valve is received in an internal annular groove in the valve housing. The seal has the form of a resilient ring with an annular interior surface, an annular exterior surface, and axially opposite first and second circular end surfaces that extend radially between the annular interior surface and the annular exterior surface. The first and second circular end surfaces of the ring have annular lobes that project axially from the first and second end surfaces. The ends of the lobes are rounded. The annular groove of the valve housing has a center axis, a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls extending around the center axis. Slots are formed in the side walls of the groove. The lobes of the ring extend into the slots of the groove. The lobes of the seal and the slots of the groove are non-congruent and form voids between the seal and the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6494464
    Abstract: A sealable enclosure including a base and a cover attachable to the base, the base and cover have respective mating surfaces, wherein the base and cover form a chamber there between when the cover is attached to the base. A compliant gel sealant is disposed on the mating surface of one of the base and cover for environmentally sealing the chamber, with a visual indicator provided for determining that the chamber is sealed. In one preferred embodiment, the visual indicator comprises a non-opaque window formed in the cover, and a non-opaque tongue extending from the mating surface of the cover, the tongue aligned with the window such that a line of sight is provided through the respective window and tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation, Aqua-Seal International Limited
    Inventors: Daniel A. Chandler, David W. Curry
  • Patent number: 6464232
    Abstract: A sealing device is disclosed comprising a least one sealing leaf maintained axially in position by a retaining bracket which comprises a first end bearing on the sealing leaf and a bent-back second end engaged in a groove in a structural element. The sealing leaf is preferably retained radially in position by lugs which are bent so as to engage below lugs provided on the retaining bracket. When the sealing device comprises at least two adjacent sealing leaves placed edge to edge, the device also comprises a cover sheet so disposed between the sealing leaves and the retaining bracket as to cover the joint between the two adjacent leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Monteurs d'Aviation “Snecma”
    Inventors: Marc Roger Marchi, Jean-Pierre Louis Mareix, Patrice Rosset
  • Patent number: 6446979
    Abstract: A thermal barrier for extremely high temperature applications consists of a carbon fiber core and one or more layers of braided carbon fibers surrounding the core. The thermal barrier is preferably a large diameter ring, having a relatively small cross-section. The thermal barrier is particularly suited for use as part of a joint structure in solid rocket motor casings to protect low temperature elements such as the primary and secondary elastomeric O-ring seals therein from high temperature gases of the rocket motor. The thermal barrier exhibits adequate porosity to allow pressure to reach the radially outward disposed O-ring seals allowing them to seat and perform the primary sealing function. The thermal barrier is disposed in a cavity or groove in the casing joint, between the hot propulsion gases interior of the rocket motor and primary and secondary O-ring seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Bruce M. Steinetz, Patrick H. Dunlap, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6439581
    Abstract: An improved sealing structure for a mixing valve of hot and cool water is disclosed. A first trench with an approximate V shape is formed on the upper surface of the lower wall along the peripheral rim of the water inlets and water outlet and is retained with a proper distance with the peripheral rim of the water inlets and water outlet. A second trench with an approximate inverse V shape is formed on the bottom surface along the peripheral rim of the water inlets and water outlet and is retained with a proper distance with the peripheral rim of the water inlets and water outlet. The shape of the first trench is completely symmetric to the second trench on the lower wall of the casing. A sealing ring is installed between the surface of the lower wall of the casing and the bottom surface of the fixing disk and has a symmetric shape with respect to the aforesaid trenches. Thus, the sealing ring can be engaged with the two trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Chia-Bo Chang
  • Publication number: 20020093148
    Abstract: An arrangement for improved thermal and/or electrical coupling between parts disposed in electronic device processing equipment is provided. In an illustrated embodiment, an improved coupling between a chamber liner and a chamber wall is provided which can be utilized in semiconductor processing equipment. The arrangement includes a compressible coupling or gasket which is compressed between a wedge ring and the chamber wall. The chamber liner is coupled to the wedge ring, so that the chamber liner is coupled to the chamber wall by way of the wedge ring and compressible coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Stephen N. Golovato, Arthur H. Laflamme, Jay R. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6402159
    Abstract: A dielectric gasket (10) includes an outer annular disk (50) and an inner annular disk (56) both formed, at least in part, from electrically non-conducting materials. A seal (54) is disposed between an inside diameter (58) of the outer annular disk (50) and an outside diameter (62) of the inner annular disk (56). The outer annular disk (50), the inner annular disk (56), and the seal (54) operate to form an insulating barrier of electrically non-conducting material between adjacent pipe flanges (12, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Gary A. Kohn
  • Patent number: 6386545
    Abstract: A plug is provided for sealing a port of a downhole tool or other device. In one aspect, the plug includes a disk that has an upper surface, a lower surface and an annular groove in the lower surface. The annular groove has an inner wall and a outer wall. An annular seal member is positioned in the annular groove. An annular member is positioned in the annular groove between the annular seal member and the and the outer wall to retain the annular seal member in the annular groove. A member is provided that has least one external thread for engaging the at least one internal thread of the port whereby rotation of the member in a given direction moves the disk toward and compresses the annular seal member against the bottom surface. The plug provides excellent fluid sealing capability with a short axial dimension suitable for small O.D. and thin-walled tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Robert W. Evans
  • Patent number: 6367813
    Abstract: A sealing disk which is provided with a contour with which a contour or a face of a component on which the disk is to be disposed, is associated in complementary fashion. For premounting of the disk fixed on the component, the disk has a securing part, which is deformed for assembly and is deformed into an undercut or recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Braun, Matthias Eisenmenger, Jurgen Frasch
  • Patent number: 6361049
    Abstract: A method of sealing at least a first seal surface to a second seal surface comprises the steps of placing a flexible ring member between the first and second seal surfaces and juxtaposing the first and second seal surfaces. The flexible ring member is compressed between the first and second seal surfaces. Thereafter, the flexible ring member is expanded into at least one of a first recessed area in the first seal surface and a second recessed area in the second seal surface, with at least one of the first and second recessed areas having a plurality of spaced apart pressure points that contact the ring member. This method of sealing assures that when the O-ring (flexible ring) permanently sets over time, it takes the shape that makes the seal effective for a long time under high temperature, high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Fidel M. Joco
  • Patent number: 6362548
    Abstract: A housing member for an actuator assembly for adjusting the orientation of a mirror element in a mirror assembly provides integral weather seals and noise dampeners. The weather seals and noise dampeners are injection molded with or onto a base wall of the housing member to thereby form seals and dampeners that have superior adhesion or mechanical retention to the housing member and, therefore, are not subject to degradation from noise. In addition, the integral seals and dampeners reduce the time and cost of assembling and servicing the actuator assembly. The housing member includes a base wall, and a sidewall which connects to the base wall and extends around the perimeter of the base wall. The side wall includes connectors for securing the first housing to the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lee Bingle, David Kevin Willmore, Robert E. Schnell