Seal surface configuration for fluid system components
View Patent ↗A seal system includes a first connector member, a second connector member, a gland structure, and a seal member. The first and second connector members include respective seal structures. The second connector member is configured for connection to the first connector member. The gland structure is defined by the first connector member and the second connector member, and is located between the first and the second seal structures. The seal member is at least partially positioned in the gland structure. The first and second seal structures are configured to deform the seal member into the gland structure in response to connection of the first connector member and the second connector member.
1. A seal system comprising:
a first connector member defining a longitudinal axis and an oblique face disposed at an acute internal angle defined between the oblique face and the an axial portion of the first connector member relative to the longitudinal axis, and including external threads;
a shank coupled to the first connector member and including a flange defining a first seal structure conforming to the oblique face;
a second connector member including internal threads configured for connection to the first connector member;
a gland structure coupled to the second connector and including a second seal structure defining an annular seal face arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a seal wall arranged substantially normal to the seal face; and
a seal member at least partially positioned in the gland structure,
wherein the first seal structure and the second seal structure are configured to deform the seal member therebetween and into the gland structure in response to connection of the first connector member and the second connector member.
2. The seal system of claim 1 wherein:
the first seal structure and the second seal structure are configured to deform the seal member away from the longitudinal axis in response to connection of the first connector member and the second connector member.
3. The seal system of claim 1 wherein:
the seal member includes an o-ring,
the o-ring defines a centerline that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, and
a contact point of the first seal structure against the o-ring is located between the centerline and the longitudinal axis.
4. The seal system of claim 1 wherein:
in further response to connection of the first connector member and the second connector member, the first seal structure and the second seal structure are configured to force the seal member against the annular seal face.
5. The seal system of claim 4 wherein:
in further response to connection of the first connector member and the second connector member, the first seal structure and the second seal structure are configured to force the seal member against the seal wall.
6. A connector system comprising:
a first connector member defining a first channel therethrough and a longitudinal axis, and including a first coupling portion and a first seal structure including a surface extending from the first channel at an acute internal angle defined between the surface and the first channel relative to the longitudinal axis;
a second connector member defining a second channel therethrough and including a second coupling portion configured to engage the first coupling portion to couple the first channel to the second channel, and a second seal structure extending from the second coupling portion and including an annular seal face arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a seal wall arranged substantially normal to the annular seal face; and
a seal member at least partially received by one of the first seal structure and the second seal structure,
wherein the first seal structure and the second seal structure are configured to deform the seal member away from the longitudinal axis when the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are engaged.
7. The seal system of claim 1 wherein:
the shank is formed of a different material than the first connector member.
8. The seal system of claim 1 wherein:
the shank is formed of a stamped metal.
9. The seal system of claim 1 wherein:
the acute internal angle is about seventy degrees.
10. The seal system of claim 1 wherein:
the annular seal face defines a second channel opening, and
the seal member is deformed away from the second channel opening.
11. The seal system of claim 1 wherein:
an angle formed between the annular seal face and the first seal structure is about thirty degrees.
12. The connector system of claim 6 wherein:
the annular seal face defines a channel opening, and the first seal structure and the second seal structure are further configured to deform the seal member away from the channel opening when the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are engaged.
13. The connector system of claim 6 wherein:
the annular seal face and the annular seal face and the seal wall define a gland structure, and
the first seal structure and the second seal structure are further configured to deform the seal member into the gland structure when the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are engaged.
14. The connector system of claim 6 wherein:
the seal member includes an o-ring,
the o-ring defines a centerline that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, and
in response to engagement of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion a contact point of the first seal structure against said o-ring is located between the centerline and the longitudinal axis.
15. The connector system of claim 6 wherein:
the acute internal angle is about seventy degrees.
16. The connector system of claim 6 wherein the first seal structure defines a curled edge configured to reduce turbulence in a fluid stream through the first channel and the second channel.
17. A method of manipulating a connector system comprising:
engaging a first coupling portion of a first connector member with a second coupling portion of a second connector member, the first connector member defining a first channel therethrough and including a surface extending from the first channel at an acute internal angle defined between the surface and the first channel, and the second connector member defining a second channel therethrough;
positioning a first seal structure extending from the first coupling portion and a second seal structure extending from the second coupling portion against a seal member at least partially received by a gland structure located between the first connector member and the second connector member and defining an annular seal face arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a seal wall arranged substantially normal to the annular seal face; and
moving the first seal structure toward the second seal structure to deform the seal member therebetween and into the gland structure to connect the first channel to the second channel.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein moving the first seal structure toward the second seal structure comprises:
rotating the first coupling portion relative to the second coupling portion to further engage the first coupling portion with the second coupling portion.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein:
deforming the seal member includes deforming the seal member away from the longitudinal axis.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein the annular seal face defines a channel opening through which the second channel extends, and the deformation of the seal member into the gland structure further comprises:
deforming the seal member away from the channel opening.