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A flexible metal seal assembly for isolating one or more fluids in an operative region of a machine comprises a first flexible metal seal and a second flexible metal seal arranged in series, allowing the additional exertion of a spring bias. The inner surface of the first flexible metal seal is rest

A flexible metal seal assembly for isolating one or more fluids in an operative region of a machine comprises a first flexible metal seal and a second flexible metal seal arranged in series, allowing the additional exertion of a spring bias. The inner surface of the first flexible metal seal is restrainably and hermetically attached to the outer surface of a metallic coupler, while the outer surface of the second flexible metal seal is restrainably and hermetically attached to the inner surface of the metallic coupler. Amongst other applications, the assembly may be used in a valve seal, or in an engine fuel pump, where it serves to isolate lubricating oil from fuel, or one fluid from a region, where one fluid may be present on an actuator that reciprocates within the second flexible metal seal or outside of the first flexible metal seal.

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1. A flexible metal seal assembly configured for use in hermetically isolating at least one fluid within an operative region of a machine, said flexible metal seal assembly comprising: a first flexible metal seal configured to be positioned within said operative region, said first flexible metal sea

1. A flexible metal seal assembly configured for use in hermetically isolating at least one fluid within an operative region of a machine, said flexible metal seal assembly comprising: a first flexible metal seal configured to be positioned within said operative region, said first flexible metal seal having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, a first diameter and a first spring constant; andat least a second flexible metal seal configured to be positioned within said operative region, said second flexible metal seal having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, a second diameter and a second spring constant;at least a first substantially rigid metallic coupler having a substantially cylindrical shape, said metallic coupler having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end,at least a first portion of said metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the inner surface of said first flexible metal seal, and at least a second portion of said metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the outer surface of said second flexible metal seal, said first portion of said metallic coupler being closer to the bottom end of said metallic coupler than said second portion of said metallic coupler,said outer surface of said first flexible metal seal being configured to create an outer containment region for containing a first volume of fluid within said operative region of said machine,said inner surface of said second flexible metal seal being configured to create an inner containment region for containing a second volume of fluid,said first and second flexible metal seals being concentric about a common longitudinal axis, and cooperating with one another to alternatively extend and compress simultaneously, in series,each of said first and second flexible metal seals being configured to serve as a biasing member, at least during operation, relative to the movement of a reciprocating actuator located within said operative region, said actuator being positioned substantially along said common longitudinal axis,the compression of said first flexible metal seal occurring during the compression of said second flexible metal seal, and the extension of said first flexible metal seal occurring during the extension of said second flexible metal seal,said first volume of fluid contained in said outer containment region being hermetically isolated from, and not in fluid communication with, said second volume of fluid contained in said inner containment region,said first and second flexible metal seals jointly describing a dual seal configured to preclude the migration of a first fluid located within said operative region. 2. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first diameter of said first flexible metal seal is larger than said second diameter of said second flexible metal seal. 3. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 2, in which said second flexible metal seal is configured to be fully telescopically received within said first flexible metal seal. 4. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 2, in which said second flexible metal seal is configured to be partially telescopically received within said first flexible metal seal. 5. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 2, in which said second portion of said metallic coupler is restrainably and hermetically attached to the top end of said second flexible metal seal and said first portion of said metallic coupler is restrainably and hermetically attached to the bottom end of said first flexible metal seal, said top end of said second flexible metal seal being incapable of deflecting axially beyond said bottom end of said first flexible metal seal, rendering the second flexible metal seal incapable of being telescopically received within said first flexible metal seal. 6. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first and second flexible metal seals each comprise fluid impervious bellows elements. 7. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first fluid is a machine lubricant. 8. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 7, in which said machine lubricant is oil. 9. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said at least one fluid further comprises a second fluid, located within said operative region, isolated from contact with said first fluid by said flexible metal seal assembly. 10. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 9, in which said second fluid is diesel fuel. 11. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first spring constant and said second spring constant combine in series to form an equivalent spring constant that exerts a spring bias force. 12. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 11, in which the reciprocating actuator is a piston driven by a cam follower, and the spring bias force is configured to be exerted against the piston in a fuel pump for a diesel engine. 13. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 11, in which the spring bias force is configured to be exerted against a valve seal. 14. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said second portion of said metallic coupler is restrainably and hermetically attached to the top end of said second flexible metal seal. 15. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first portion of said metallic coupler is restrainably and hermetically attached to the bottom end of said first flexible metal seal. 16. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first flexible metal seal, said metallic coupler and said second flexible metal seal are made from one of the following alloys: stainless steel, Inconel, nickel, copper and bronze. 17. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which the ratio between said first spring constant and said second spring constant ranges from about 1.2:1 to about 3:1. 18. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which the ratio of axial deflection of said first flexible metal seal and said second flexible metal seal ranges from about 33% to about 83%. 19. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said metallic coupler is restrainably and hermetically attached to each of said first and second flexible metal seals by welding. 20. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said metallic coupler is restrainably and hermetically attached to each of said first and second flexible metal seals by brazing. 21. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which the invention further comprises: a third flexible metal seal configured to be positioned within said operative region, said third flexible metal seal having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, a third diameter and a third spring constant; anda second substantially rigid metallic coupler having a substantially cylindrical shape, said second metallic coupler having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end,said first, second and third flexible metal seals being positioned concentrically about a common longitudinal axis, and cooperating with each other to alternatively extend and compress simultaneously, in series,at least one of said first, second and third spring constants being different from another of said first, second and third spring constants,each of said first, second and third flexible metal seals being configured to serve as a biasing member relative to the movement of a reciprocating actuator located within said operative region, positioned substantially along said common longitudinal axis,the compression of said first, second and third flexible metal seals occurring simultaneously, and the expansion of said first, second and third flexible metal seals occurring simultaneously,said first, second and third flexible metal seals jointly describing a triple seal configured to preclude the migration of a first fluid within said operative region. 22. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 21, in which said first diameter of said first flexible metal seal is larger than said second diameter of said second flexible metal seal, and said second diameter of said second flexible metal seal is larger than said third diameter of said third flexible metal seal, at least a first portion of said second metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the inner surface of said second flexible metal seal, and at least a second portion of said second metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the outer surface of said third flexible metal seal, said first portion of said second metallic coupler being positioned closer to the bottom end of said second metallic coupler than said second portion of said second metallic coupler. 23. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 21, in which said first diameter of said first flexible metal seal is larger than said second diameter of said second flexible metal seal, and said second diameter of said second flexible metal seal is substantially equal to said third diameter of said third flexible metal seal, at least a first portion of said first metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the inner surface of said first flexible metal seal, and at least a second portion of said second metallic coupler also being restrainably and hermetically attached to the inner surface of said first flexible metal seal at a position substantially opposite said first portionsaid first metallic coupler being attached restrainably and hermetically to the outside top end of said second flexible metal seal, and said second metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the outside bottom end of said third flexible metal seal. 24. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first diameter and said second diameter are substantially equal in dimension. 25. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first spring constant is different from said second spring constant. 26. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which said first spring constant is the same as said second spring constant. 27. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 1, in which the fluid in said first volume of fluid is different than the fluid in said second volume of fluid. 28. A flexible metal seal assembly configured for use in hermetically isolating at least one fluid within an operative region of a machine, said flexible metal seal assembly comprising: a first flexible metal seal configured to be positioned within said operative region, said first flexible metal seal having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, a first diameter and a first spring constant; anda second flexible metal seal configured to be positioned within said operative region, said second flexible metal seal having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, a second diameter and a second spring constant;a first substantially rigid metallic coupler having a substantially cylindrical shape, said metallic coupler having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end,at least a first portion of said metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the inner surface of said first flexible metal seal, and at least a second portion of said metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the outer surface of said second flexible metal seal, said first portion of said metallic coupler being closer to the bottom end of said metallic coupler than said second portion of said metallic coupler,said outer surface of said first flexible metal seal being configured to create an outer containment region for containing a first volume of fluid within said operative region of said machine,said inner surface of said second flexible metal seal being configured to create an inner containment region for containing a second volume of fluid,said first and second flexible metal seals being concentric about a common longitudinal axis, and cooperating with one another to alternatively extend and compress simultaneously, in series,each of said first and second flexible metal seals being configured to serve as a biasing member at least during the movement of a reciprocating actuator located within said operative region, positioned substantially along said common longitudinal axis,the compression of said first flexible metal seal and the compression of said second flexible metal seal occurring simultaneously, and the expansion of said first flexible metal seal and said second flexible metal seal occurring simultaneously,said first and second flexible metal seals jointly describing a dual seal configured to preclude the migration between said first volume of fluid isolated within said outer containment region and said second volume of fluid isolated within said inner containment region,said first and second flexible metal seals each comprising fluid impervious bellows elements,wherein said first volume of fluid is a lubricant, and said second volume of fluid is a fuel. 29. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 28, in which said second flexible metal seal is configured to be at least partially telescopically received within said first flexible metal seal. 30. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 28, in which said first spring constant is different from said second spring constant. 31. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 28, in which said first spring constant is the same as said second spring constant. 32. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 28, in which the fluid in said first volume of fluid is different than the fluid in said second volume of fluid. 33. A flexible metal seal assembly configured for use in hermetically isolating at least one fluid within an operative region of a machine, said flexible metal seal assembly comprising: a first flexible metal seal configured to be positioned within said operative region, said first flexible metal seal having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, a first diameter and a first spring constant; anda second flexible metal seal configured to be positioned within said operative region, said second flexible metal seal having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, a second diameter and a second spring constant;a first substantially rigid metallic coupler having a substantially cylindrical shape, said metallic coupler having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end,at least a first portion of said metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the inner surface of said first flexible metal seal, and at least a second portion of said metallic coupler being restrainably and hermetically attached to the outer surface of said second flexible metal seal, said first portion of said metallic coupler being closer to the bottom end of said metallic coupler than said second portion of said metallic coupler,said outer surface of said first flexible metal seal being configured to create an outer containment region for containing a first volume of fluid within said operative region of said machine,said inner surface of said second flexible metal seal being configured to create an inner containment region for containing a second volume of fluid,said first and second flexible metal seals being concentric about a common longitudinal axis, and cooperating with one another to alternatively extend and compress simultaneously, in series,each of said first and second flexible metal seals being configured to serve as a biasing member, at least during the movement of a reciprocating actuator located within said operative region, positioned substantially along said common longitudinal axis,the compression of said first flexible metal seal and the compression of said second flexible metal seal occurring simultaneously, and the expansion of said first flexible metal seal and said second flexible metal seal occurring simultaneously,said first and second flexible metal seals jointly describing a dual seal configured to preclude the migration between said first volume of fluid isolated within said outer containment region and said second volume of fluid isolated within said inner containment region,said first and second flexible metal seals each comprising fluid impervious bellows elements,said first and second flexible metal seals jointly describing a dual seal assembly, wherein said first spring constant and said second spring constant combine to form an equivalent spring constant that is configured to exert a spring bias force against a valve seal. 34. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 33, in which said first spring constant is different from said second spring constant. 35. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 33, in which said first spring constant is the same as said second spring constant. 36. The flexible metal seal assembly according to claim 33, in which the fluid in said first volume of fluid is different than the fluid in said second volume of fluid.