Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between relatively movable parts – Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
Patent
1991-02-19
1992-04-07
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between relatively movable parts
Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
277 34, 277 343, 285 97, 285223, 285346, 285910, F16J 1546, F16L 2710
Patent
active
051021501
ABSTRACT:
An airtight, flexible joint is disclosed for the interfacing of two pressure vessels such as between the Space Station docking tunnel and the Space Shuttle Orbiter's bulkhead adapter. The joint provides for flexibility while still retaining a structural link between the two vessels required due to the loading created by the internal/external pressure differential. The joint design provides for limiting the axial load carried across the joint to a specific value, a function required in the Orbiter/Station tunnel interface. The flex joint comprises a floating structural segment which is permanently attached to one of the pressure vessels through the use of an inflatable seal. The geometric configuration of the joint causes the tension between the vessels created by the internal gas pressure to compress the inflatable seal. The inflation pressure of the seal is kept at a value above the internal/external pressure differential of the vessels in order to maintain a controlled distance between the floating segment and pressure vessel. The inflatable seal consists of either a hollow torus-shaped flexible bladder or two rolling convoluted diaphragm seals which may be reinforced by a system of straps or fabric anchored to the hard structures. The joint acts as a flexible link to allow both angular motion and lateral displacement while it still contains the internal pressure and the holds the axial tension between the vessels.
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Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Fein Edward K.
Folker James K.
Manning John R.
Schlorff Russell E.
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