US 7,510,167 B2
Isolation damper and method of forming airtight seal
Timothy E. Malki, Palm Springs, Calif. (US); and Daniel R. Olson, Irvine, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Daniel Environmental, Co. LLC, Los Angeles, Calif. (US)
Filed on May 03, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/122,130.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/567913, filed on May 03, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2005/0242317 A1, Nov. 03, 2005
Int. Cl. F16K 5/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 251—317  [251/304; 251/308; 251/314] 42 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An isolation damper capable of forming a seal, comprising:
an annular frame that defines an inner aperture and has an inner annular surface;
a multi-component flexible seal member that is at least partially embedded within the annular frame and that extends around the inner annular surface of the annular frame, wherein the flexible seal member is an elastomer, and wherein the flexible seal member is fixed in position relative to the annular frame such that the flexible seal member is incapable of translation relative to the annular frame, and wherein the multi-component flexible seal member includes:
a first seal component; and
a second seal component,
wherein a durometer value of the first seal component is greater than a durometer value of the second seal component, and
a shaft that extends across the inner aperture of the annular frame; and
a blade that is coupled to the shaft and that is rotatable between open and closed positions,
wherein the second seal component is embedded within the annular frame, the first seal component covers the second seal component, is partially embedded in the annular frame, and has an exposed surface for contacting the blade;
wherein an outer circumferential edge of the blade sealingly engages the flexible seal member when the blade is in the closed position, thereby forming the seal; and
wherein the annular frame further defines a first groove toward a first end of the inner annular surface and a second groove toward a second end of the inner annular surface, a first portion of the seal member being positioned within the first groove and a second portion of the seal member being positioned within the second groove.