ANNULAR PRELOADED SEAL FOR A SLIDING PISTON IN CYLINDRICAL TANK

Abstract

A peripheral sliding seal for sealing the liquid propellant in a cylindrical tank 10 containing a piston 14 for positive expulsion of the liquid propellant. The seal comprises a peripheral inward flange member 16 around the piston periphery adjacent the inner wall of the tank, an annular pressure ring 18 bonded to the flange member 16 and forming several recesses therewith, one recess containing a compliant sealing ring 20 and the other containing a shear seal 32 bonded both to the flange member 16 and to the entrance head 12 of the tank. The bonds prevent internal and external leakage of the liquid fuel during storage. Pressurization of the piston 14 permits the piston 14 to move and breaks the shear seal 32. The compliant-ring seal slides with the piston 14, the compliant ring 20 being pressed against the inner wall of the tank by resilient fingers 34 of the pressure ring 18 to form a sliding seal.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1IRWIN E. ROSMAN