Auxiliary O-ring gland
Disclosed are sealing apparatuses having a sealing gland for an O-ring, the sealing gland comprising a primary gland and an auxiliary gland located below the primary gland. The apparatuses may be utilized for filter cartridges in filter systems.
1. A sealing apparatus comprising:
(a) a substantially cylindrical base;
(b) an O-ring; and
(c) a sealing gland for the O-ring on a periphery of the base, the sealing gland comprising a primary gland and an auxiliary gland located below the primary gland;
wherein the O-ring sits in the sealing gland and the O-ring contacts a sealing surface that compresses the O-ring into the sealing gland to create a seal; and
wherein the auxiliary gland has a width (w), the auxiliary gland has a depth (d), the O-ring has a cross-sectional diameter (O), 0.3<w/O<0.8, and 0.2<d/O<0.4.
2. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the O-ring is substantially circular in cross-section.
3. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured for sealing against fluids.
4. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured for sealing against air.
5. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus exhibits at least about a 10% reduction in installation force in comparison to an apparatus not having an auxiliary gland over a range of percent compression of the O-ring from about 1% to about 25%.
6. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus exhibits at least about a 22% reduction in installation force in comparison to an apparatus not having an auxiliary gland over a range of percent compression of the O-ring from about 1% to about 25%.
7. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus exhibits at least about a 10% reduction in installation force in comparison to an apparatus not having an auxiliary gland over a range of percent compression of the O-ring from about 12% to about 22%.
8. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus exhibits at least about a 22% reduction in installation force in comparison to an apparatus not having an auxiliary gland over a range of percent compression of the O-ring from about 12% to about 22%.
9. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base, the sealing surface, or both have a hardness of at least about 60 Durometer A.
10. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the O-ring has a hardness of at least about 30 Durometer A.
11. A replaceable filter cartridge comprising the sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the O-ring contacts the sealing surface of a housing for a filter system that compresses the O-ring into the sealing gland to create a seal when the cartridge is inserted in the housing.
12. The cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the cartridge is an air filter cartridge, the filter system is an air filter system, and the sealing surface is a sealing ring.
13. A replaceable filter cartridge for a filter system, the cartridge comprising:
(a) substantially cylindrical filter media; and
(b) at least one sealing cap positioned at an end of the media, the sealing cap comprising a sealing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
(i) a substantially cylindrical base;
(ii) an O-ring; and
(iii) a sealing gland for the O-ring on a periphery of the base, the sealing gland comprising a primary gland and an auxiliary gland located below the primary gland;
wherein the O-ring sits in the sealing gland and the O-ring contacts a sealing surface of the filter system that compresses the O-ring into the sealing gland to create a seal when the cartridge is installed in the system; and
wherein the auxiliary gland has a width (w), the auxiliary gland has a depth (d), the O-ring has a cross-sectional diameter (O), 0.3<w/O<0.8, and 0.2<d/0<0.4.
14. The cartridge of claim 13 , wherein the sealing surface of the filter system is provided by a sealing ring, and the sealing ring, the base, or both have a hardness of at least about 60 Durometer A.
15. The cartridge of claim 13 , wherein the O-ring has a hardness of at least about 30 Durometer A.
16. An air filter cartridge for an air filter system, the cartridge comprising:
(a) substantially cylindrical filter media; and
(b) at least one sealing cap positioned at an end of the media and comprising a sealing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
(i) a substantially cylindrical base;
(ii) an O-ring; and
(iii) a sealing gland for the O-ring on a periphery of the base, the sealing gland comprising a primary gland and an auxiliary gland located below the primary gland;
wherein the O-ring sits in the sealing gland and the O-ring contacts a sealing surface of the filter system that compresses the O-ring into the sealing gland to create a seal when the cartridge is installed in the system; and
wherein the auxiliary gland has a width (w), the auxiliary gland has a depth (d), the O-ring has a cross-sectional diameter (O), 0.3<w/O<0.8, and 0.2<d/O<0.4.
17. The cartridge of claim 16 , wherein the base has a hardness of at least about 60 Durometer D.