Method maintains cleanliness of joint-sealing surfaces under dust-laden conditions. This is accomplished by keeping seal and sealing surface covered with sliding plastic rings, which slide out of the way when a joint is seated

Nevin, R. S., Sr.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1973
	 B73-10416 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Langley Research Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Container Seal for Dusty Environment 
.
A method has been devised to maintain the cleanli-
ness of joint-sealing surfaces under dust-laden conditions. 
This is accomplished by keeping the seal and the sealing 
surface covered with sliding plastic rings, which slide 
out of the way when a joint is seated. 
This technique was designed to meet the requirements 
for a remotely-controlled sample container, which could 
be covered and sealed reliably in an atmosphere laden 
with dust and micrometer-sized particles. The method 
could be used in other applications where integrity of 
the seal and the sealing surface must be maintained 
throughout the engagement of a joint. 
Figure 1 shows the sample container-cup assembly 
and the cap assembly in the open position. A standard 
0-ring, inserted in a groove in the cap assembly, 
Sliding Plastic Ring B	 Sliding Plastic Ring A 
0-Ring 
Cup Assembly	 Cap Assembly 
Figure 1. Open Position 
provides the basic seal and is protected by sliding plastic 
ring A. The sealing surface for the 0-ring on the cup 
assembly is protected by sliding plastic ring B. When 
the cap is placed on the cup, shoulder Y of the cup 
engages plastic ring A and simultaneously shoulder X of 
the cap engages plastic ring B. As the cap and cup
Displaced Plastic Ring B
Displaced Plastic Ring A 
/	 0-Ring 
Cup Assembly	 Cap Assembly 
Figure 2. Sealed Position 
assemblies are pushed together, both plastic rings slide 
away to uncover the clean 0-ring and sealing surface. 
Figure 2 shows the cup and cap assemblies in the 
sealed position. 
Note: 
No further documentation is available. Specific ques-
tions, however, may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Langley Research Center 
Mail Stop 139-A 
Hampton, Virginia 23665 
Reference: B73-10416 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: R. S. Nevin, Sr., of

Martin Marietta Corp.

under contract to

Langley Research Center 
(LAR-10962) 
Category 07 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
.
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Container seal for dusty environment

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