Hybrid superelastic shape memory alloy seal

• US 20020113380A1
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ITN Energy Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ITN Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Clark, Cary R.
• Application Number:
  US09/773,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20020113380A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 277/650
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/121 with metal reinforcement

Abstract

A hybrid super-elastomeric seal and method for making same wherein a super-elastic shape memory alloy spring is embedded in an elastomeric material in order to overcome the tendency of the seal to undergo compression set due to time or harsh environment.

Claims

1. A hybrid super-elastomeric seal comprising a body of elastomeric material and a super-elastic shape memory alloy embedded within said body of elastomeric material.

2. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric material is compressible and tends to resume its original size and shape.

3. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 2, wherein said elastomeric material is a natural material or a polymer.

4. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 3, wherein said natural material is rubber.

5. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 3, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of butadiene, fluoro-silicone, silicone, neoprene, nitrile and Viton.

6. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 5, wherein said polymer is silicone.

7. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 1, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is a nickel-titanium alloy.

8. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 1, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is in a shape that provides tensility, compression or bending.

9. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 8, wherein said shape is a spring element.

10. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 9, wherein said spring element is in a form selected from the group consisting of helical and c-section.

11. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 8, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is in a form selected from the group consisting of wire, ribbon, sheet and rod.

12. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 1, wherein said hybrid super-elastomeric seal is in the form selected from an O-ring and gasket.

13. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 1, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy has the property of reversible martensitic phase transformation.

14. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 13, wherein said property of reversible martensitic phase transformation utilizes stress cycling.

15. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 1, wherein said seal reduces compression set failure.

16. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 1, wherein said seal provides improved recoverable strain capacity for repeatedly maintaining sealing force.

17. The hybrid super-elastomeric seal of claim 1, wherein said seal provides constant seal force after compression sets.

19. The seal system of claim 18, wherein said seal system is scalable to any size.

20. The seal system of claim 19, wherein said seal system comprise static seals.

21. The seal system of claim 20, wherein said static seals is selected from the group consisting of hatches and doors.

22. The seal system of claim 21, wherein said seal system is a hatch system.

23. The seal system of claim 22 comprising a hatch door, a hatch door receiving frame and a hybrid super-elastomeric seal.

24. The seal system of claim 23, wherein said seal is carried continuously around the entire circumference of the hatch door to seal the hatch system.

25. The seal system of claim 23, wherein said seal is carried continuously around the entire circumference of the hatch door receiving frame to seal the hatch system.

26. The seal system of claim 23, wherein said seal is carried continuously around the entire circumference of both the hatch door and the hatch door receiving frame to seal the hatch system.

28. The seal system of claim 27, wherein said dynamic seals is selected from the group consisting of actuators, hydraulics, pneumatics and valves.

29. The seal system of claim 18, wherein said seal further comprises a body of elastomeric material and a super-elastic shape memory alloy embedded within said body of elastomeric material.

30. The seal system of claim 29, wherein said elastomeric material is compressible and tends to resume its original size and shape.

31. The seal system of claim 30, wherein said elastomeric material is a natural material or a polymer.

32. The seal system of claim 31, wherein said natural material is rubber.

33. The seal system of claim 31, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of butadiene, fluoro-silicone, silicone, neoprene, nitrile and Viton.

34. The seal system of claim 31, wherein said polymer is silicone.

35. The seal system of claim 29, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is a nickel-titanium alloy.

36. The seal system of claim 29, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is in a shape that provides tensile, compression, torsion or bending.

37. The seal system of claim 36, wherein said shape is a spring element.

38. The seal system of claim 37, wherein said spring element is in a form selected from the group consisting of helical and c-section.

39. The seal system of claim 36, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is in a form selected from the group consisting of wire, ribbon, sheet and rod.

40. The seal system of claim 18, wherein said hybrid super-elastomeric seal is in the form selected from an O-ring and gasket.

41. The seal system of claim 29, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy has the property of reversible martensitic phase transformation.

42. The seal system of claim 41, wherein said property of reversible martensitic phase transformation utilizes stress cycling.

43. The seal system of claim 29, wherein said seal reduces compression set failure.

44. The seal system of claim 29, wherein said seal provides improved recoverable strain capacity for repeatedly maintaining sealing force.

45. The seal system of claim 29, wherein said seal provides constant seal force after compression sets.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said embedding step comprises the steps of:

installing the super-elastic shape memory alloy spring element in a curing fixture;

pouring elastomeric material into said curing fixture, wherein said spring is embedded in the elastomer; and

allowing the elastomeric material to solidify to form said hybrid super-elastomeric seal.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein said embedding step comprises the steps of:

preforming the elastomer in a cast; and

assembling the hybrid super-elastomeric seal.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein said preforming step comprises forming an elastomer portion such that the shape memory alloy spring element will fit in the elastomer.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein said assembling step comprises the step of placing said shape memory alloy spring element in said elastomer.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step of sealing said shape memory alloy spring element with additional elastomer.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein said elastomeric material is compressible and tends to resume its original size and shape.

53. The method of claim 46, wherein said elastomeric material is a natural material or a polymer.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein said natural material is rubber.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of butadiene, fluoro-silicone, silicone, neoprene, nitrile and Viton.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein said polymer is silicone.

57. The method of claim 46, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is a nickeltitanium alloy.

58. The method of claim 46, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is in a shape that provides tensile, compression or bending.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein said shape is a spring element.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said spring element is in a form selected from the group consisting of helical and c-section.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy is in a form selected from the group consisting of wire, ribbon, sheet and rod.

62. The method of claim 46, wherein said hybrid super-elastomeric seal is in the form selected from an O-ring and gasket.

63. The method of claim 46, wherein said super-elastic shape memory alloy has the property of reversible martensitic phase transformation.

64. The method of claim 46, wherein said property of reversible martensitic phase transformation utilizes stress cycling.

65. The method of claim 46, wherein said seal reduces compression set failure.

66. The method of claim 46, wherein said seal provides improved recoverable strain capacity for repeatedly maintaining sealing force.

67. The method of claim 46, wherein said seal provides constant seal force after compression sets.

18. A seal system comprising a frame, a receiving frame and a hybrid super-elastomeric seal.

27. The seal system of claiml9, wherein said seal system comprise dynamic seals.

46. A method of manufacturing a hybrid super-elastomeric seal comprising the steps of:

forming the super-elastic shape memory alloy to a desired geometry;

subjecting the super-elastic shape memory alloy to heat treatment; and

embedding the super-elastic shape memory alloy spring element in an elastomer.