US Patent 8006749 Seal for tubular heat exchanger

Seal for tubular heat exchanger comprising groove with an inner edge; tongue of the diaphragm having front face extending in the radial direction and inner edge parallel to the axis of the channel; the face extending beyond the radial width of the groove in inward direction and overlapping the face of the shoulder of the channel in which the groove being provided. The tongue of the diaphragm being thus kept away from entering the groove; the diaphragm having flexibility to permit deflection of the tongue, the tongue of the diaphragm being loaded from outer side by the internal compression ring, the said internal compression ring being loaded in turn by the threaded push bolts/rods being fitted in the threaded holes on periphery of the threaded lock ring. This load is ultimately transferred to the joint between the gasket and face to achieve leak-proof joint.