Title of Invention

SEAL ASSEMBLY

Abstract A seal assembly is disclosed including a support member, a first seal, a second seal spaced apart from the first seal, and a third seal, wherein the first seal militates against a leakage of fluid when an interior of an article to be sealed is subjected to at least one of temperatures below a predetermined temperature and pressures below a predetermined pressure, and the second seal and the hird seal militate against the leakage of fluid when the interior of the article to be ealed is subjected to at least one of temperatures above the predetermined emperature and pressures above the predetermined pressure.
Full Text FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to an article for storing a fluid. More particularly, the
invention is directed to a seal assembly adapted to cooperate with the article, which
militates against a leakage of the fluid when an interior of the article is subjected to
various temperatures and pressures.
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
[0002] Presently there are a variety of pressure vessels developed for use in
various applications, such as those designed to contain gases for use in fuel cells.
Fuel cells have been proposed as a clean, efficient and environmentally responsible
power source for electric vehicles and various other applications. One example of a
fuel cell is a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In the PEM type fuel cells,
hydrogen is supplied as a fuel to an anode of the fuel cell and oxygen is supplied as
an oxidant to a cathode of the fuel cell. Hydrogen is colorless, odorless, burns
without producing a visible flame or radiant heat, and is difficult to contain. A
common technique for storing hydrogen is in a lightweight, high pressure vessel
resistant to punctures.
[0003] Traditionally such vessels are divided into four types. A Type I vessel is a
metal vessel. A Type II vessel is also a metal vessel, the vessel having an outer
composite shell disposed on a cylindrical section thereof. A Type III vessel consists
of a liner produced from a metal such as steel and aluminum, for example, and an
outer composite shell that encompasses the liner and militates against damage
thereto. A Type IV vessel is substantially similar to the Type III vessel, wherein the
liner is produced from a plastic. Furthermore, a conceptual Type V vessel may be

developed, wherein the vessel is produced from a composite material. Each type of
vessel may include at least one boss disposed therein to receive a valve.
[0004] Typically, the valve disposed in the boss includes a valve housing having
an external groove terminating in an annular flange. The flange is formed on the
valve housing adjacent the groove to abut a liner of the vessel. An O-ring having an
inner surface and an outer surface is seated in the groove of the valve housing to
militate against a leakage of fluid from the vessel. The inner surface of the O-ring is
adapted to abut the groove to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The
outer surface is adapted to abut the liner to form a substantially fluid-tight seal
therebetween. During operation, an interior of the vessel is subjected to
temperatures below a predetermined temperature such as during defueling, for
example. The temperatures below the predetermined temperature cause the O-ring
to contract radially inwardly onto the valve housing. Accordingly, a passage is
formed between the outer surface of the O-ring and the liner, causing the leakage of
fluid therethrough.
[0005] In WO 2007079971, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety, a pressure vessel is disclosed for storing a liquid or gaseous media. The
pressure vessel includes a plastic core having at least one neck portion. The neck
portion of the core is disposed between a connecting ring and a supporting flange.
The connecting ring includes an annular groove formed therein to receive an O-ring.
The O-ring is adapted to be sealingly forced against the neck of the core in response
to changes in a pressure of an interior of the vessel. A disadvantage of the pressure
vessel is the O-ring contracts at lower temperatures to form a passage therethrough,
permitting a leakage of the media therefrom.
[0006] It would be desirable to produce a seal assembly which is capable of
militating against a leakage of fluid at various temperatures above and below a
predetermined temperature and pressures above and below a predetermined
pressure, wherein the effectiveness and reliability are maximized and cost thereof is
minimized.

[0007] In concordance and agreement with the present invention, a seal
assembly which is capable of militating against a leakage of fluid at various
temperatures above and below a predetermined temperature and pressures above
and below a predetermined pressure, wherein the effectiveness and reliability are
maximized and cost thereof is minimized, has surprisingly been discovered.
[0008] In one embodiment, the seal assembly comprises a support member
having an outer surface; a first seal disposed on the outer surface of the support
member, the first seal having an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface;
and a second seal spaced apart from the first seal forming an interstice
therebetween, the second seal having an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing
surface, the interstice adapted to receive an article to be sealed therein.
[0009] In another embodiment, the sealing system comprises an article to be
sealed, the article having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a seal
assembly adapted to cooperate with the article to be sealed, the seal assembly
further comprising: a support member including a first portion and a second portion,
the second portion disposed on an outer surface of the first portion; a first seal
disposed on the outer surface of the first portion of the support member, the first seal
having an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the inner
sealing surface is adapted to abut the outer surface of the first portion of the support
member in response to at least one of temperatures below a predetermined
temperature and pressures below a predetermined pressure to form a substantially
fluid-tight seal therebetween, and the outer sealing surface is adapted to abut the
inner surface of the article to be sealed in response to at least one of temperatures
below the predetermined temperature and pressures below the predetermined
pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween; and a second seal
spaced apart from the first seal forming an interstice therebetween, the second seal

having an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the inner
sealing surface is adapted to abut the outer surface of the article to be sealed in
response to at least one of temperatures above the predetermined temperature and
pressures above the predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight seal
therebetween, the interstice adapted to receive the article to be sealed therein.
[0010] In another embodiment, the sealing system for a pressure vessel
comprises a vessel including at least one boss having an annular recess formed
therein; a valve having an annular recess formed therein disposed in the at least one
boss; a liner having at least one neck portion formed thereon disposed in the vessel
for containing a fluid, the at least one neck portion having an inner surface and an
outer surface; and a seal assembly adapted to cooperate with the liner and the
valve, the seal assembly further comprising: a support member including a first
portion and a second portion, the second portion disposed on an outer surface of the
first portion; a first seal disposed on the outer surface of the first portion of the
support member, the first seal having an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing
surface, wherein the inner sealing surface is adapted to abut the outer surface of the
first portion of the support member in response to at least one of temperatures below
a predetermined temperature and pressures below a predetermined pressure to
form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, and the outer sealing surface is
adapted to abut the inner surface of the at least one neck portion of the liner in
response to at least one of temperatures below the predetermined temperature and
pressures below the predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight seal
therebetween; a second seal disposed in the annular recess of the at least one boss
and spaced apart from the first seal to form an interstice therebetween, the second
seal having an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the inner
sealing surface is adapted to abut the outer surface of the liner in response to at
least one of temperatures above the predetermined temperature and pressures
above the predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight seal
therebetween, and the outer sealing surface is adapted to abut the annular recess of

the at least one boss in response to at least one of temperatures above the
predetermined temperature and pressures above the predetermined pressure to
form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween; and a third seal disposed in the
annular recess of the valve, the third seal having an inner sealing surface arid an
outer sealing surface, wherein the inner sealing surface is adapted to abut the
annular recess of the valve in response to at least one of temperatures above the
predetermined temperature and pressures above the predetermined pressure to
form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, and the outer sealing surface is
adapted to abut the at least one boss in response to at least one of temperatures
above the predetermined temperature and pressures above the predetermined
pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above features of the invention will become readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of the invention when
considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a pressure vessel having a seal
assembly disposed therein according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein a
first seal of the seal assembly militates against a leakage from the pressure vessel
when subjected to at least one of temperatures below a predetermined temperature
and pressures below a predetermined pressure; and
[0013] Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the pressure vessel illustrated in
Fig. 1, wherein a second seal of the seal assembly and a third seal of the seal
assembly militate against a leakage from the pressure vessel when subjected to at
least one of temperatures above the predetermined temperature and pressures
above the predetermined pressure.

[0014] The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and
illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The description and drawings serve to
enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
[0015] Figs. 1 and 2 show a seal assembly 6 adapted to cooperate with an article
to be sealed 8 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment
shown, the seal assembly 6 is disposed in a pressure vessel 10 such as a Type IV
vessel and a Type V vessel, for example. The vessel 10 includes a liner 14 adapted
to contain a pressurized fluid (not shown) and an outer composite shell 16 that
encompasses the liner 14 and militates against damage thereto. In the embodiment
shown, the article to be sealed 8 is at least one neck portion 18 of the liner 14. The
article to be sealed 8 includes an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 22.
Although the article to be sealed 8 in the embodiment shown is produced from a
plastic material, it is understood that other materials can be used as desired.
[0016] The vessel 10 is provided with at least one boss 24 for receiving a valve
25 therein. The at least one boss 24 includes an annular recess 26 formed therein.
The at least one boss 24 can be produced from any conventional material such as a
metal, for example, wherein the material has a coefficient of thermal expansion less
than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the material used to produce the article to
be sealed 8. It is understood that the term "coefficient of thermal expansion" used
herein refers to a rate of expansion of a material in response to a heating and a rate
of contraction of the material in response to a cooling. The seal assembly 6 is
disposed in the boss 24 adjacent the valve 25.
[0017] The seal assembly 6 includes a ring-shaped support member 29, a first
seal 30, and a second seal 32. The second seal 32 is spaced apart from the first
seal 30 to form an interstice 34 therebetween. The interstice 34 is adapted to receive
the article to be sealed 8 therein. The support member 29 is generally circular in

cross-sectional shape having a passage 36 formed therethrough to facilitate fluid
communication between an interior 28 of the vessel 10 and the valve 25. The
support member 29 can be produced from any conventional material such as a
metal, for example, wherein the material has a coefficient of thermal expansion less
than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material used to produce the article
to be sealed 8. The support member 29 includes a first portion 38 and a second
portion 42 adapted to be joined therewith. It is understood that the first portion 38
and the second portion 42 can be joined by any conventional means such as a
fastener, glue, threads, and the like, for example.
[0018] The first portion 38 of the support member 29 includes an outer surface 39
having an annular flange 44 formed thereon. The outer surface 39 terminates in an
annular shoulder 45 having an outer circumference adapted to abut the article to be
sealed 8. The outer surface 39 is adapted to receive the first seal 30 and the second
portion 42 of the support member 29 thereon. The annular flange 44 includes a first
surface 46 and a second surface 48. The first surface 46 is adapted to abut the
article to be sealed 8 and the second surface 48 is adapted to abut the valve 25. As
shown in Fig. 1, an annular gap G is formed between the first surface 46 of the
annular flange 44 and the article to be sealed 8 in response to at least one of
temperatures below a predetermined temperature and pressures below a
predetermined pressure. In the embodiment shown, the predetermined temperature
is in a range of -80 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius and the predetermined
pressure is in a range of 0.1 MPa to 87.5 MPa. It is understood that the
predetermined temperature can be any temperature as desired and the
predetermined pressure can be any pressure as desired. The second portion 42 of
the support member 29 is adapted to militate against a displacement of the first seal
30.
[0019] The first seal 30 is generally circular in shape and adapted to be received
on the outer surface 39 of the support member 29. The first seal 30 includes an
inner surface having an inner sealing surface 52 and an outer surface having an

outer sealing surface 54. As shown in Fig. 1, the inner sealing surface 52 of the first
seal 30 is adapted to abut the outer surface 39 of the support member 29 in
response to at least one of temperatures below the predetermined temperature and
pressures below the predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight seal
therebetween. The outer sealing surface 54 of the first seal 30 is adapted to abut
the article to be sealed 8 thereon in response to at least one of temperatures below
the predetermined temperature and pressures below the predetermined pressure to
form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.
[0020] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the inner sealing surface 52 of the first seal 30 is
adapted to abut the outer surface 39 of the support member 29 in response to at
least one of temperatures above the predetermined temperature and pressures
above the predetermined pressure. An annular gap H is formed between the outer
sealing surface 54 of the first seal 30 and the article to be sealed 8 in response to at
least one of temperatures above the predetermined temperature and pressures
above the predetermined pressure. In the embodiment shown, the first seal 30 is
produced from a metal material having a coefficient of thermal expansion less than
the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material used to produce the article to be
sealed 8. It is understood that the first seal 30 can be produced from any
conventional material as desired.
[0021] The second seal 32 is generally circular in shape and adapted to be
received in the annular recess 26 of the at least one boss 24. The second seal 32
includes an inner surface having an inner sealing surface 56 and an outer surface
having an outer sealing surface 58. As shown in Fig. 1, the inner sealing surface 56
of the second seal 32 is adapted to abut the article to be sealed 8 in response to at
least one of temperatures below the predetermined temperature and pressures
below the predetermined pressure. An annular gap J is formed between the outer
sealing surface 58 of the second seal 32 and the annular recess 26 of the at least
one boss 24 in response to at least one of temperatures below the predetermined
temperature and pressures below the predetermined pressure.

[0022] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the inner sealing surface 56 of the second seal 32
is adapted to abut the article to be sealed 8 in response to at least one of
temperatures above the predetermined temperature and pressures above the
predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The
outer sealing surface 58 of the second seal 32 is adapted to abut the annular recess
26 of the at least one boss 24 in response to at least one of temperatures above the
predetermined temperature and pressures above the predetermined pressure to
form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the
second seal 32 is produced from a plastic material having a coefficient of thermal
expansion similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material used to
produce the article to be sealed 8. It is understood that the second seal 32 can be
produced from any conventional material as desired.
[0023] In the embodiment shown, the valve 25 includes an annular recess 60
formed therein. The annular recess 60 is adapted to receive a third seal 62 therein.
The third seal 62 is generally circular in shape and includes an inner surface having
an inner sealing surface 64 and an outer surface having an outer sealing surface 66.
As shown in Fig. 1, the inner sealing surface 64 of the third seal 62 is adapted to
abut the annular recess 60 of the valve 25 in response to at least one of
temperatures below the predetermined temperature and pressures below the
predetermined pressure. An annular gap K is formed between the outer sealing
surface 66 of the third seal 62 and the at least one boss 24 in response to at least
one of temperatures below the predetermined temperature and pressures below the
predetermined pressure.
[0024] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the inner sealing surface 64 of the third seal 62 is
adapted to abut the annular recess 60 of the valve 25 in response to at least one of
temperatures above the predetermined temperature and pressures above the
predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The
outer sealing surface 66 of the third seal 62 is adapted to abut the at least one boss
24 in response to at least one of temperatures above the predetermined temperature

and pressures above the predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight
seal therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the third seal 62 is produced from a
plastic material having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to the coefficient of
thermal expansion of the material used to produce the article to be sealed 8. It is
understood that the third seal 62 can be produced from any conventional material as
desired.
[0025] Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the seal assembly 6 in use. In the embodiment
shown, the at least one neck portion 18 is produced from high density polyethylene
(HDPE) having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 0.000059 to 0.000125
inch/inch/degrees Celsius. Further, the boss 24, the support member 29, and the
first seal 30 are produced from a steel material having a coefficient of thermal
expansion of 0.000010 to 0.000020 inch/inch/degrees Celsius. The second seal 32
and the third seal 62 are produced from a plastic material having a coefficient of
thermal expansion of 0.000025 to 0.000200 inch/inch/degrees Celsius.
[0026] Accordingly, when the interior 28 of the vessel 10 is subjected to at least
one of temperatures below the predetermined temperature and pressures below the
predetermined pressure as shown in Fig. 1, the at least one neck portion 18 of the
liner 14, the second seal 32, and the third seal 62 are caused to contract more than
the boss 24, the support member 29, and the first seal 30. Thus, the contraction of
the at least one neck portion 18 causes the gap G to be formed between the annular
flange 44 of the support member 29 and the at least one neck portion 18. The inner
surface 20 of the at least one neck portion 18 is caused to abut the outer sealing
surface 54 of the first seal 30, militating against the leakage of fluid from the vessel
10. Simultaneously, the contraction of the first seal 30 causes the inner sealing
surface 52 of the first seal 30 to abut the outer surface 39 of the support member 29,
militating against the leakage of fluid from the vessel 10. Further, the contraction of
the second seal 32 causes the gap J to be formed between the outer sealing surface
58 of the second seal 32 and the annular recess 26 of the at least one boss 24. The
inner sealing surface 56 of the second seal 32 is also caused to abut the at least one

neck portion 18 of the liner 14. As illustrated, the contraction of the third seal 62
causes the gap K to be formed between the outer sealing surface 66 of the third seal
62 and the at least one boss 24. The inner sealing surface 64 of the third seal 62 is
caused to abut the annular recess 60 of the valve 25.
[0027] When the interior 28 of the pressure vessel 10 is subjected to at least one
of temperatures above the predetermined temperature and pressures above the
predetermined pressure as shown in Fig. 2, the at least one neck portion 18 of the
liner 14, the second seal 32, and the third seal 62 are caused to expand more than
the boss 24, the support member 29, and the first seal 30. Thus, the expansion of
the at least one neck portion 18 causes the gap H to be formed between the outer
sealing surface 54 of the first seal 30 and the at least one neck portion 18. The inner
sealing surface 52 of the first seal 30 is caused to abut the outer surface 39 of the
support member 29. Simultaneously, the expansion of the second seal 32 causes
the outer sealing surface 58 of the second seal 32 to abut the annular recess 26 of
the at least one boss 24, militating against the leakage of fluid from the vessel 10.
The inner sealing surface 56 of the second seal 32 is caused to abut the at least one
neck portion 18 of the liner 14, militating against the leakage of fluid from the vessel
10. Moreover, the expansion of the third seal 62 causes the inner sealing surface 64
of the third seal 62 to abut the annular recess 60 of the valve 25, militating against
the leakage of fluid from the vessel 10. The outer sealing surface 66 of the third seal
62 is also caused to abut the at least one boss 24, militating against the leakage of
fluid from the vessel 10.
[0028] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily
ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from
the spirit and scope thereof, make various changes and modifications to the
invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A seal assembly comprising:
a support member having an outer surface;
a first seal disposed on the outer surface of the support member, the first
seal having an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface;
and
a second seal spaced apart from the first seal forming an interstice
therebetween, the second seal having an inner sealing surface and
an outer sealing surface, the interstice adapted to receive an article
to be sealed therein.
2. The seal assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the support
member includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion
disposed on the outer surface of the support member.
3. The seal assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the outer sealing
surface of the first seal is adapted to abut the article to be sealed in
response to at least one of temperatures below a predetermined
temperature and pressures below a predetermined pressure to form a
substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.
4. The seal assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the inner sealing
surface of the second seal is adapted to abut the article to be sealed in
response to at least one of temperatures above the predetermined
temperature and pressures above the predetermined pressure to form a
substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.

5. The seal assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the inner sealing
surface of the first seal is adapted to abut the support member in response
to at least one of temperatures below the predetermined temperature and
pressures below the predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-
tight seal therebetween.
6. The seal assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the
predetermined temperature is in a range of -80 degrees Celsius to 85
degrees Celsius and the predetermined pressure is in a range of 0.1 MPa
to 87.5 MPa.

7. The seal assembly according to Claim 1, further comprising a valve
adapted to cooperate with the article to be sealed, the valve having an
annular recess for receiving a third seal formed therein.
8. The seal assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the support
member is produced from a material having a coefficient of thermal
expansion less than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material used
to produce the article to be sealed.
9. The seal assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the support
member, the first seal, the second seal, and the article to be sealed are
produced from at least one of a metal and a plastic.
10. The seal assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the article to be
sealed is a liner of a vessel.

11. A sealing system comprising:
an article to be sealed, the article having an inner surface and an outer
surface; and
a seal assembly adapted to cooperate with the article to be sealed, the
seal assembly further comprising:
a support member including a first portion and a second portion, the
second portion disposed on an outer surface of the first
portion;
a first seal disposed on the outer surface of the first portion of the
support member, the first seal having an inner sealing
surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the inner
sealing surface is adapted to abut the outer surface of the
first portion of the support member in response to at least
one of temperatures below a predetermined temperature and
pressures below a predetermined pressure to form a
substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, and the outer
sealing surface is adapted to abut the inner surface of the
article to be sealed in response to at least one of
temperatures below the predetermined temperature and
pressures below the predetermined pressure to form a
substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween; and
a second seal spaced apart from the first seal forming an interstice
therebetween, the second seal having an inner sealing
surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the inner
sealing surface is adapted to abut the outer surface of the
article to be sealed in response to at least one of
temperatures above the predetermined temperature and
pressures above the predetermined pressure to form a

substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, the interstice
adapted to receive the article to be sealed therein.
12. The sealing system according to Claim 11, wherein the article to
be sealed is a liner of a pressure vessel.
13. The sealing system according to Claim 11, further comprising a
valve adapted to cooperate with the article to be sealed, the valve having
an annular recess for receiving a third seal formed therein.
14. The sealing system according to Claim 11, wherein the
predetermined temperature is in a range of -80 degrees Celsius to 85
degrees Celsius and the predetermined pressure is in a range of 0.1 MPa
to 87.5 MPa.
15. The sealing system according to Claim 11, wherein the support
member is produced from a material having a coefficient of thermal
expansion less than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material used
to produce the article to be sealed.
16. The sealing system according to Claim 15, wherein the support
member, the first seal, the second seal, and the article to be sealed are
produced from at least one of a metal and a plastic.

17. A sealing system for a pressure vessel comprising:
a vessel including at least one boss having an annular recess formed
therein;
a valve having an annular recess formed therein disposed in the at least
one boss;
a liner having at least one neck portion formed thereon disposed in the
vessel for containing a fluid, the at least one neck portion having an
inner surface and an outer surface; and
a seal assembly adapted to cooperate with the liner and the valve, the
seal assembly further comprising:
a support member including a first portion and a second portion, the
second portion disposed on an outer surface of the first
portion;
a first seal disposed on the outer surface of the first portion of the
support member, the first seal having an inner sealing
surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the inner
sealing surface is adapted to abut the outer surface of the
first portion of the support member in response to at least
one of temperatures below a predetermined temperature and
pressures below a predetermined pressure to form a
substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, and the outer
sealing surface is adapted to abut the inner surface of the at
least one neck portion of the liner in response to at least one
of temperatures below the predetermined temperature and
pressures below the predetermined pressure to form a
substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween;
a second seal disposed in the annular recess of the at least one
boss and spaced apart from the first seal to form an
interstice therebetween, the second seal having an inner

sealing surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the
inner sealing surface is adapted to abut the outer surface of
the liner in response to at least one of temperatures above
the predetermined temperature and pressures above the
predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight
seal therebetween, and the outer sealing surface is adapted
to abut the annular recess of the at least one boss in
response to at least one of temperatures above the
predetermined temperature and pressures above the
predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight
seal therebetween; and
a third seal disposed in the annular recess of the valve, the third
seal having an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing
surface, wherein the inner sealing surface is adapted to abut
the annular recess of the valve in response to at least one of
temperatures above the predetermined temperature and
pressures above the predetermined pressure to form a
substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, and the outer
sealing surface is adapted to abut the at least one boss in
response to at least one of temperatures above the
predetermined temperature and pressures above the
predetermined pressure to form a substantially fluid-tight
seal therebetween.
18. The sealing system according to Claim 17, wherein each of the
support member and the at least one boss are produced from a material
having a coefficient of thermal expansion less than a coefficient of thermal
expansion of a material used to produce the liner of the vessel.

19. The sealing system according to Claim 18, wherein the support
member, the first seal, the second seal, the third seal, the at least one
boss, and the liner are produced from at least one of a metal and a plastic.
20. The sealing system according to Claim 17, wherein the
predetermined temperature is in a range of -80 degrees Celsius to 85
degrees Celsius and the predetermined pressure is in a range of 0.1 MPa
to 87.5 MPa.

A seal assembly is disclosed including a support member, a first seal, a second seal spaced apart from the first seal, and a third seal, wherein the first seal militates against a leakage of fluid when an interior of an article to be sealed
is subjected to at least one of temperatures below a predetermined temperature and pressures below a predetermined pressure, and the second seal and the hird seal militate against the leakage of fluid when the interior of the article to be ealed is subjected to at least one of temperatures above the predetermined emperature and pressures above the predetermined pressure.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=B4cWH/uSb3j/gu7ZNe28RA==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==


Patent Number 279987
Indian Patent Application Number 179/KOL/2009
PG Journal Number 06/2017
Publication Date 10-Feb-2017
Grant Date 06-Feb-2017
Date of Filing 02-Feb-2009
Name of Patentee GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Applicant Address 300 GM RENAISSANCE CENTER DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MARKUS LINDNER MAINZER STRASSE 68 MAINZ, GERMANY 55124
PCT International Classification Number F16H25/24; F16J15/16
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 12/029,492 2008-02-12 U.S.A.