Resilient elastomer and metal retainer gasket for sealing between curved surfaces

Abstract

A gasket assembly for interposition between a mating, mutually-opposed pair of curved surfaces. The gasket includes a resilient retainer formed of a metal material and having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter defining an enclosed geometric shape which extends in a normal state of said gasket within a first plane to a first diametric extent along a first axis, and to a second diametric extent along a second axis disposed within said first plane generally perpendicular to said first axis. The retainer is flexible in the first and second diametric extents within one or more planes generally perpendicular to the first plane. At least one generally annular seal element is supported on the retainer to extend coaxially along at least a portion of the inner or outer perimeter thereof. Each of the seal members has oppositely-disposed first and second radial sealing surfaces configured for abutting, sealing contact with a corresponding one of the interfaces surfaces. With the gasket assembly being interposed between the interface surfaces, each of the seal elements is compressible axially. In such stressed state of the gasket assembly, and with one or more fluid-tight seals being effected between the interface surfaces, the retainer is made to curvably conform to the curvatures of the interface surfaces. However, upon being removed from compression between the interface surfaces, the gasket assembly substantially recovers to its normal state from its stressed state.