Seal With Integrated Shroud for Androgynous Docking and Berthing

Sunday, August 01 2010

Seal prevents gas leakage between the pressurized module and its external environment.

A specially configured seal system (see figure) has been developed and produced that provides a barrier to gas leakage between a pressurized module and its external environment. The seal system includes a shroud covering that both protects the sealing surface from its environment when not in use and retracts to expose the sealing surface when engaged. The seal system is constructed and arranged to mate with a replicate seal system or with a flat surface. When mated with a replicate seal system, the seal system functions when the two sealing surfaces are aligned or misaligned. The seal system can operate over a wide range of temperatures, limited only by the glass transition and melt temperatures of the material from which the sealing surface is manufactured.

The Shroud Covering protects the sealing surface from the environment when not in use (top) and retracts when mated (bottom).
The Shroud Covering protects the sealing surface from the environment when not in use (top) and retracts when mated (bottom).
This work was done by Christopher C. Daniels of The University of Akron for Glenn Research Center. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Mechanics/Machinery category.

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to:
Office of Technology Transfer
The University of Akron
 Akron, Ohio 44325-2103
 (330) 972-7840
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Refer to LEW-18442-1, volume and number of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number.

This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).

Seal With Integrated Shroud for Androgynous Docking and Berthing (reference LEW-18442-1) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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