Annular Sealing Device
An annular seal comprising a metallic ring having a cross section. The cross section includes an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height. A spaced apart pair of sealing arms extend axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface. The arcuate sealing surface may be convex, for example. The spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion. A sealing system comprises a plurality of interconnected metallic rings wherein the body portion engages the sealing arms of an adjacent metallic ring.
1 . An annular seal, comprising:
a metallic ring having a cross section including:
an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height;
a spaced apart pair of sealing arms extending axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface; and
wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion.
2 . The seal according to claim 1 , wherein the arcuate sealing surfaces are convex.
3 . The seal according to claim 1 , wherein the axial height of the body portion is greater than the radial width.
4 . The seal according to claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms defines a first groove and further comprising a second groove formed between the spaced apart pair of sealing arms.
5 . The seal according to claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms define an axial groove having sidewalls and a bottom, wherein the bottom has a concave shape.
6 . The seal according to claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms define an axial groove having sidewalls and a bottom, wherein the bottom comprises two converging surfaces.
7 . The seal according to claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms defines a groove having an axial groove depth and wherein the axial height of the body portion is greater than the axial groove depth.
8 . The seal according to claim 7 , wherein the arcuate sealing surfaces are convex.
9 . The seal according to claim 8 , wherein the axial height of the body portion is greater than the radial width.
10 . The seal according to claim 9 , further comprising a second groove formed between the spaced apart pair of sealing arms.
11 . A sealing system, comprising:
a plurality of interconnected metallic rings each having a cross section including:
an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height;
a spaced apart pair of sealing arms extending axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface; and
wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion.
12 . The sealing system according to claim 11 , wherein the body portion engages the sealing arms of an adjacent metallic ring.
13 . The sealing system according to claim 11 , wherein the arcuate sealing surfaces are convex.
14 . The sealing system according to claim 11 , wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms defines a first groove and further comprising a second groove formed between the spaced apart pair of sealing arms.
15 . The sealing system according to claim 14 , wherein the body portion engages the first groove of an adjacent metallic ring.
16 . The sealing system according to claim 11 , wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms defines a groove having an axial groove depth and wherein the axial height of the body portion is greater than the axial groove depth.
17 . The sealing system according to claim 16 , wherein the body portion engages the groove of an adjacent metallic ring.
18 . The sealing system according to claim 17 , wherein the arcuate sealing surfaces are convex.
19 . The sealing system according to claim 18 , further comprising a second groove formed between the spaced apart pair of sealing arms.
20 . A method of closing a gap between components, comprising:
providing a first metallic ring having a cross section including:
an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height;
a spaced apart pair of sealing arms extending axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed convex sealing surface; and
wherein the spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion; and
inserting the first metallic ring into the gap.
21 . The method of closing a gap between components according to claim 20 , further comprising inserting a second metallic ring into the gap and engaging the body portion of the second metallic ring with the sealing arms of the first metallic ring.
22 . The method of closing a gap between components according to claim 20 , further comprising inserting a second metallic ring into the gap and engaging the body portion of the first metallic ring with the sealing arms of the second metallic ring.