Intermittent sealing device and method

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment disclosed herein relates to an articulatable sealing device. The device includes a plurality of seal elements each of which is urgable against a seal-surface, a fixing member tightenable about a perimeter of the seal elements, and a retractor in operable communication with the plurality of seal elements and able to move the plurality of seal elements in a desired direction.

1 . An articulatable sealing device, comprising: 
 a plurality of seal elements each of which is urgable against a seal-surface;    a fixing member tightenable about a perimeter of the seal elements; and    a retractor in operable communication with the plurality of seal elements and able to move the plurality of seal elements in a desired direction.    
   
   
       2 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one biasing member to urge the plurality of seal elements.    
   
   
       3 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor is engaged with the fixing member.  
   
   
       4 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor is engaged with at least one of the plurality of seal elements.  
   
   
       5 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein each seal element of the plurality of seal elements has an arcuate male edge and an arcuate female edge and the arcuate male edge is on a side of the seal element opposite the side with the arcuate female edge and the arcuate male edge of one seal element is engagable with the arcuate female edge of an adjacent seal element and is sealable thereto.  
   
   
       6 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein tightening of the fixing member around the perimeter of the plurality of seal elements fixes the seal elements to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a clamp actuator for tightening the fixing member about the perimeter of the plurality of seal elements.    
   
   
       8 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of seal elements are slidable relative to one another in response to the fixing member not being tightened.  
   
   
       9 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a seal guide for orienting the plurality of seal elements into a seal shape.    
   
   
       10 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of seal elements are shaped to form a desired seal line shape.  
   
   
       11 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of seal elements seal to one another forming a closed shape sealable to a duct.  
   
   
       12 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of seal elements are made of ceramic.  
   
   
       13 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , wherein the number of seal elements in the seal device is selected to minimize leakage between the seal device and a seal-surface.  
   
   
       14 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of push-rods sized to communicate the urging force of the at least one biasing member to the plurality of seal elements while preventing excess heat from reaching the at least one biasing member.    
   
   
       15 . The sealing device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one pull rod sized to communicate an urging force of the retractor to the fixing member while preventing excess heat from reaching the retractor.    
   
   
       16 . An articulatable sealing device, comprising: 
 a plurality of seal elements;    a fixing member for intermittently fixing the seal elements to one another;    a retractor for intermittently retracting the seal elements from contact with a seal-surface; and    at least one biasing member to urge each of the plurality of seal elements individually against a seal-surface.    
   
   
       17 . A method of intermittently sealing to a surface, comprising: 
 independently urging at least one of a plurality of seal elements toward a seal-surface;    intermittently clamping the plurality of seal elements to one another;    intermittently lifting the clamped plurality of seal elements away from the seal-surface; and    intermittently releasing the clamp to thereby allow the seal elements to independently move toward and seal against a seal-surface.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 sealing the plurality of seal elements to one another to form a perimeter defining a closed shape.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 moving the lifted and clamped seal elements relative to a seal-surface prior to releasing the clamp.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 individually shaping the plurality of seal elements to form a desired closed shape.