Rotary coupling and seal combination

Claim 2

A rotary coupling and seal combination comprising: a disclike seal formed of a nonporous, slippery and abrasive resistant material having a relatively high tensile strength and capable of low pressure deformation without cold flow; first and second tubular members arraNged in telescoping relation and having an annular gap separating the same to permit rotation of one relative to the other, one of said members including a generally radially disposed face and a curved surface interposed between the face and at least a portion of the peripheral surface of said one member adjacent the other member, said other member including means for gripping and holding said seal slightly displaced from the plane of said face with a portion of said seal sealingly engaging said curved surface and being deflected thereby so that said seal spans said annular gap and is free from engagement with said peripheral surface of said one member; and means for holding said first and second tubular members in assembled relation.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein said radially disposed face is planar.

Claim 4

In the combination of claim 1, said seal being formed of a series of thin annular elements having a total thickness equal to the desired thickness of the seal.

Claim 5

In the combination of claim 3 wherein said seal elements are of polyethylene terephthalate.

Claim 6

In the combination of claim 3 wherein said seal elements are of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 7

A rotary coupling and seal combination comprising a pair of tubular members rotatable one with respect to the other, structure for connecting said members together including a pair of spaced-apart elements fixed with respect to each other, one of said members having a planar sealing face and a curved shoulder between said face and the outer perimeter of said one member, and an annular seal member having an outer part held between and by said spaced-apart elements, the seal member being provided with an inner part engaging a portion of said curved shoulder and deflected thereby whereby fluid in said coupling is sealed by the gasket and the engagement with said curved shoulder, the inner part of said seal member being urged flat against said planar sealing face and around at least a portion of said curved shoulder by the pressure of said fluid, said seal member being of compressible and deformable material.

Claim 8

A rotary coupling and seal combination comprising a pair of tubular members rotatable one with respect to the other, structure for connecting said members together including a pair of spaced-apart elements fixed with respect to each other, one of said members having a planar sealing face and a curved shoulder between said face and the outer perimeter of said one member, and an annular seal member having an outer part held between and by said spaced-apart elements, the seal member being provided with an inner part engaging a portion of said curved shoulder and deflected thereby whereby fluid in said coupling is sealed by the gasket and the engagement with said curved shoulder, the inner part of said seal member being urged flat against said planar sealing face and around at least a portion of said curved shoulder by the pressure of said fluid, said seal member being of compressible and deformable material.

Claim 9

A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said seal member is composed of a plurality of plies of material of a material such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Claim 10

An improved rotary coupling joint for two conduits to permit movement of said conduits relative to each other comprising: first and second conduit members in assembled relation defining a continuous central opening, the first conduit member having a generally cylindrical outer surface terminating at one end in a planar end face with an arcuate corner extending between said end face and said cylindrical outer surface; generally flat sealing means capable of deformation under low pressure without cold flow mounted in the first and second conduit members assembly and terminating inwardly at the end face of the first conduit member to define a central opening and being mounted slightly displaced from the plane of said end face so that the inner terminal end thereof is slightly deflected against the arcuate corner of the first conduit member to define a stressed condition in the sealing means thereby defining an initial sealing condition in the sealing means to prevent the passage of fluid between the end face and the sealing means; and means to hold the first and second conduit members in assembled relation.

Claim 11

An improved rotary coupling joint for two conduits to permit movement of said conduits relative to each other comprising: first and second conduit members in assembled relation defining a continuous central opening, the first conduit member having a generally cylindrical outer surface terminating at one end in a planar end face with an arcuate corner extending between said end face and said cylindrical outer surface; generally flat sealing means capable of deformation under low pressure without cold flow mounted in the first and second conduit members assembly and terminating inwardly at the end face of the first conduit member to define a central opening and being mounted slightly displaced from the plane of said end face so that the inner terminal end thereof is slightly deflected against the arcuate corner of the first conduit member to define a stressed condition in the sealing means thereby defining an initial sealing condition in the sealing means to prevent the passage of fluid between the end face and the sealing means; and means to hold the first and second conduit members in assembled relation.