Design and optimization of an O-ring retainer and dovetail groove for vacuum seals

Abstract

This work introduces an improved O-ring vacuum seal assembly. The design features a removable retainer seated in a dedicated housing on the sides of a dovetail groove, replacing the traditional venting slots. This retainer provides full lateral O-ring confinement, ensuring the O-ring consistently achieves the correct compression ratio for a reliable seal. Finite Element Analysis confirms the design provides superior and consistent contact stress. For high-voltage applications, the solid retainer eliminates venting slots, thereby preventing secondary plasma formation between electrically energized and grounded components. The retainer also simplifies maintenance by allowing easy O-ring installation and removal without specialized tools, which prevents damage to the O-ring and groove. Finally, the core dimensions of the dovetail groove are optimized to propose a new standard for high-performance vacuum seals.