Expanding hollow metal rings

• US 20050052025A1
• Filed: 09/09/2004
• Published: 03/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLS
• Original Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLS
• Inventors: Imrich, Kenneth J., Peacock, Harold B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,503,594 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/381.100
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/068 the packing swelling under working conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/164 the sealing action depending on movements; pressure difference, temperature or presence of leaking fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/002 actuated by temperature variation thermo-electric F16K31/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/10 Means for stopping flow from or in pipes or hoses F16L29/00, F16L37/28 take precedence; valves F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1624 Destructible or deformable element controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1963 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7737 Thermal responsive

Abstract

A sealing device that may expand more planar dimensions due to internal thermal expansion of a filler material. The sealing material is of a composition such that when desired environment temperatures and internal actuating pressures are reached, the sealing materials undergoes a permanent deformation. For metallic compounds, this permanent deformation occurs when the material enters the plastic deformation phase. Polymers, and other materials, may be using a sealing mechanism depending on the temperatures and corrosivity of the use. Internal pressures are generated by either rapid thermal expansion or material phase change and may include either liquid or solid to gas phase change, or in the gaseous state with significant pressure generation in accordance with the gas laws. Sealing material thickness and material composition may be used to selectively control geometric expansion of the seal such that expansion is limited to a specific facing and or geometric plane.

Claims

1. A thermally expansive structure having rigid sides and at least one thinner, deformable surface, said structure having a sealed void space containing a fluid which expands to deform said deformable surface in response to temperature.

2. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 1 which is inserted and locked into a pipe by thermal expansion.

3. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 1 which is applied around one or more pipes.

4. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 3 which engages two pipes and holds them together.

5. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 1 which is a gasket.

6. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 1 which activates a gate valve by forcing a gate into a pipe.

7. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 3 which acts as a spool valve when heated.

8. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 6 which expands reversibly.

9. A thermally expansion structure according to claim 6 which expands irreversibly.

10. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 1 which is a deformable metal.

11. A thermally expansive structure according to claim 1 which is a deformable non-metal.