Gasket Retention Systems and Methods

Abstract

A connection system for retaining and releasing a gasket, a retention mechanism for retaining the gasket with a hub, and methods for operating the same are provided. The connection system includes a hub that contains a profile configured to receive the gasket and a retention mechanism. The retention mechanism is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position and is biased toward the latched position. At least a portion of the retention mechanism is extended inwardly from the hub so as to retain the gasket with the hub when in the latched position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connection system for retaining and releasing a gasket, comprising:
 a hub comprising a profile configured to receive the gasket and a retention mechanism, wherein the retention mechanism is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position and is biased toward the latched position; and   wherein, when in the latched position, at least a portion of the retention mechanism is extended inwardly from the hub so as to retain the gasket with the hub.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retention mechanism further comprises a biasing mechanism configured to bias the retention mechanism toward the latched position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring selected from the group consisting of a compression spring, a wave spring, a Belleville spring, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retention mechanism comprises a slidable member movable between an extended position and a retracted position. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the slidable member is movable substantially orthogonally with respect to the axis of the hub. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the retention mechanism comprises a plurality of slidable members located radially about the hub. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the retention mechanism further comprises a retention pin movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; wherein the retention pin is biased toward the disengaged position; and wherein the slidable member is biased toward the extended position. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the hub further comprises a recess;   the retention pin protrudes from the recess when in the disengaged position; and   movement of the retention pin into the recess moves the retention pin toward the engaged position.   
     
     
         9 . A retention mechanism for retaining a gasket with a hub, the retention mechanism comprising:
 a slidable member movable between an extended position and a retracted position;   a retention pin movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the retention pin is biased toward the disengaged position;   wherein movement of the retention pin into the disengaged position moves the slidable member into the extended position; and   wherein movement of the retention pin into the engaged position moves the slidable member into the retracted position.   
     
     
         10 . The retention mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein movement of the retention pin into the disengaged position moves the retention mechanism into a latched position. 
     
     
         11 . The retention mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein movement of the retention pin into the engaged position moves the retention mechanism into an unlatched position. 
     
     
         12 . The retention mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the slidable member comprises an aperture formed therein and the retention pin is positioned through the aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The retention mechanism of  claim 9 , further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to bias the retention pin toward the disengaged position or the slidable member toward the extended position. 
     
     
         14 . The retention mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring mechanically coupled to the retention pin or the slidable member. 
     
     
         15 . The retention mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the slidable member is movable substantially orthogonally with respect to an axis of the hub. 
     
     
         16 . The retention mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein a direction of motion of the slidable member is substantially orthogonal to a direction of motion of the retention pin. 
     
     
         17 . A method for retaining and releasing a gasket, comprising:
 biasing a slidable member into an extended position, wherein the slidable member is extended radially inward from a hub;   retaining the gasket at least partially between the slidable member and the hub;   forcing the slidable member into a retracted position, wherein the slidable member retracts into the hub; and   releasing the gasket from the hub.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising biasing a retention pin into a disengaged position, thereby biasing the slidable member into the extended position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising forcing the retention pin into an engaged position, thereby forcing the slidable member into the retracted position. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising biasing the slidable member substantially orthogonally with respect to an axis of the hub.