| 摘要 |
<p>An interface seal (50) between a gas flow line within a support surface (20) for a pod and a flow valve mounted within the pod. The kinematic coupling between a pod and support surface aligns a pair of inlet and outlet valves on a bottom surface of the pod with a corresponding pair of inlet and outlet holes in the support surface, through which gas may be injected into and removed from the pod, respectively. The interface according to the various embodiments of the invention provides a durable seal (52) substantially preventing leakage between the pod and support surface while at the same time being compatible with kinematic couplings. In embodiments of the invention, the seal (50) is thin and flexible, and expands into engagement with the pod to establish the seal. This type of interface seal will not interfere with the proper seating of the pod on the kinematic pins. Moreover, in a relaxed state, embodiments of the interface seal extend only a small distance above the support surface, and have no edges that are capable of catching on the pod as the pod is loaded or removed at low angles.</p> |
