초록 ▼

An extreme-temperature annular sealing element and a sealing device using such a sealing element is provided herein. The annular sealing element (10) is composed of a flexible expanded graphite body (14) with a protective metallic sheath (12) over a portion of the outer surface of said flexible expa

An extreme-temperature annular sealing element and a sealing device using such a sealing element is provided herein. The annular sealing element (10) is composed of a flexible expanded graphite body (14) with a protective metallic sheath (12) over a portion of the outer surface of said flexible expanded graphite body. One end surface (24) of the flexible expanded graphite body is exposed so that the annular sealing element can resiliently respond under repetitive loading and unloading pressures. The metallic sheath is thick enough to be durable yet thin enough to permit the flexible graphite body to resiliently yield and conform to a rotatable opposed member, such as a ball valve.

대표청구항 ▼

An extreme-temperature annular sealing element adapted to form a seal between a rotatable opposed member having a partial spherical sealing surface and a body member comprising: a flexible expanded graphite body having an outer surface, said flexible expanded graphite body being an annular member, s

An extreme-temperature annular sealing element adapted to form a seal between a rotatable opposed member having a partial spherical sealing surface and a body member comprising: a flexible expanded graphite body having an outer surface, said flexible expanded graphite body being an annular member, said outer surface of said flexible expanded graphite body having an outer end surface, and an annular contact surface adapted for sealing contact with said rotatable opposed member, said outer end surface of said flexible expanded graphite body comprising a body member contact surface adapted for sealing contact with said body member, said annular contact surface being a curved surface with a radius substantially to conform to said rotatable opposed member, said flexible expanded graphite body being sufficiently resilient to conform and yield under pressure between said rotatable opposed member and said body member, and a metallic protective sheath affixed to a portion of said outer surface of said flexible expanded graphite body, said metallic protective sheath being affixed to said annular contact surface of said flexible expanded graphite body, said metallic protective sheath having a thickness adapted to withstand sliding contact with said rotatable opposed member and adapted to permit said flexible expanded graphite body to resiliently yield to seal said sheath against said rotatable opposed member, said body member contact surface of said outer end of said flexible expanded graphite body being at least partially exposed and adapted for sealing contact with said body member to resiliently yield under pressure between said body member and said rotatable opposed member, said flexible expanded graphite body and said metallic protective sheath being able to withstand temperatures greater than about 500°F. and less than about -100°F.