(19)
(11) EP 0 405 731 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
17.07.1991 Bulletin 1991/29

(43) Date of publication A2:
02.01.1991 Bulletin 1991/01

(21) Application number: 90305026.8

(22) Date of filing: 10.05.1990
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: F16J 15/48, F16J 15/32
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT DE FR GB NL

(30) Priority: 30.06.1989 US 374475

(71) Applicant: COOPER INDUSTRIES INC.
Houston Texas 77002 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Hoes, Larry M.
    Spring, Texas 77379 (US)
  • Hynes, Joseph H.
    Houston Texas 77069 (US)

(74) Representative: Jackson, Peter Arthur 
GILL JENNINGS & EVERY Broadgate House 7 Eldon Street
London EC2M 7LH
London EC2M 7LH (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Annular seal


    (57) The improved annular sea (10) of the present invention provides a seal across an annular space between facing cylindrical surfaces (20, 24) and includes an outer annular ring (26), and an inner annular ring (28). The gap between the outer annular ring(26) and the inner annular ring (28) is suitably sealed at (27, 29) at one-end thereof so that the open end is open to admit pressure which is to be sealed between the two rings. An outer sealing element (36) is provided on the exterior of the outer annular ring, and an inner sealing element (38) on the interior of said inner annular ring so that pressure exerted between the annular rings urges them apart and their sealing elements against the surfaces of the annular space. In another form of the invention three annular rings are provided with one end of the inner and outer rings being sealing to the end of the intermediate ring and with sealing elements on the exterior of the outer ring and on the interior of the inner ring so that the sealing elements are urged into sealing engagement with the surfaces of the annular space. Another form of the invention includes annular rings which vary in thickness from one end to the other so that they may have greater or less flexibility as needed to provide a response to the pressure responsive movements of the inner and outer members.







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