SEALING ASSEMBLY WITH DEFORMABLE FLUID-CONTAINING CORE

摘要

The invention generally provides a sealing assembly (50) with a deformable portion (60) and a core (62) at least partially disposed within the deformable portion (60) that can be radially expanded to engage an adjacent surface (14) and effect a seal. In one embodiment, the core (62) is a fluid-containing core that preferably comprises a compressible fluid and the deformable portion (60) comprises a deformable metal. The core (62) can retain an amount of stored energy and adjust to changing conditions that otherwise might affect the seal integrity. The core (62) can be sealed within the deformable portion (60) and can be compressed by a force applied to the deformable portion (60) to cause radial expansion. The core (62) can also be coupled to a piston which can apply a force to fluid within the core to cause the radial expansion necessary to effect sealing.