Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between fixed parts or static contact against... – Contact seal between parts of internal combustion engine
Reexamination Certificate
1996-09-09
2001-05-15
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between fixed parts or static contact against...
Contact seal between parts of internal combustion engine
C277S595000, C277S594000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231049
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates generally to an improved gasket, and more specifically, a composite gasket with a novel load stabilizing rib therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gaskets are used in many different applications to seal a joint between two objects in fluid communication with each other. Typically, gaskets are generally plate-like members which outline the cross-section of the two objects and are compressed therebetween to effectuate a seal. However, often, gaskets are exposed to a wide variety of forces and temperatures which can cause the gaskets to fail. Further, it is not uncommon that uneven loads are applied at different locations of the gasket. Such uneven loads frequently cause failure of the gasket to seal which results in leaks, etc. Accordingly, there has always been the desire to enhance the sealability of a gasket.
There have been various efforts made to enhance the sealability of gaskets in the past. However, such efforts usually depend on the specific application or use of a particular gasket in a particular situation.
For example, the past various patents disclose various gaskets for use in engines, especially internal combustion engines. U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,910 to Udagawa discloses a gasket in which both a hard seal coating and a soft seal coating are applied to the main plate of the gasket to effectuate a seal. The hard seal coating is applied to the plate entirely around the hole to be sealed and is then covered by the soft seal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,110 to Inamura discloses a metal gasket with fluid hole sealing services. The gasket contains circular bends which entirely surround the fluid holes and which are directly compressed to effectuate a seal therearound.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,613 to Udagawa discloses a steel laminate gasket which comprises three plates laminated with each other. The outer plates contain beads which are directly compressed to seal around the cylinder hole in an internal combustion engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,046 to Udagawa discloses a steel laminate gasket with two plates, each having a bead which surrounds the hole to be sealed. The steel laminate gasket is used for an internal combustion engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,421 issued to McDowell, et al. discloses a method of making a gasket having roller coated secondary seals. The gasket contains an embossment which surrounds an opening. The embossment is then roller coated with a sealant material which is cured to an improved seal.
None of the above-mentioned prior art patents disclose or suggest the use of a stabilizing rib disposed along one or more sides of a gasket which distribute a more even load around the gasket to achieve maximum compression in the sealing surfaces of the gasket. Accordingly, the present invention provides an inexpensive, easy to manufacture, composite gasket which, among other things, distributes an even load around the gasket to help achieve maximum compression and effectuate an improved seal. The present invention likewise prevents creepage or cold flow and supports further compression of the gasket material thereby allowing the seal to work, even where bolt torque is relaxed from operating conditions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a composite gasket with a load stabilizing rib. The gasket comprises a four-sided metal flange with rounded corners. Two parallel sides of the flange include bolt holes at their respective ends and center. A graphite sealing surface is suitably attached around the inside perimeter of the metal flange, on both sides.
A load stabilizing rib is formed in the metal flange along the sides without the bolt holes. The rib could be along all four sides to ensure a greater seal by preventing the creeping of the gasket material. This stabilizing rib produces a more even load distribution in the graphite sealing surface by forcing down the rib and creating a mechanical force through the metal portion of the gasket, transferring force through the composite material, i.e. the graphite. As a result, the graphite sealing surface maintains an increased compression about the entire sealing surface, and achieves maximum compression of the graphite along the ribs. The improved seal resulting from the present invention allows the use of lower bolt torques to prevent bolt failure and eliminate high stressing or sheering forces on the bolts.
The stabilizing rib is designed to create a new force across the sides of the gasket that are missing center bolts. By collapsing the rib upon installation, the bolt torque is more evenly distributed along the side that was mis-designed without a center bolt. The rib acts as a lever, raising a mechanical force through the composite material and sealing the flanges. The present invention is also advantageous in mis-applied installations, where the design may have correct loading, but the components are improperly assembled or fastened.
Accordingly, it is the principle object of the present invention to provide an improved gasket.
It is a further object of the invention to increase sealability of a gasket.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a load stabilizing rib in a gasket.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide means for increasing compression in a composite exhaust gasket.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved gasket that seals in mis-designed applications and under an uneven load and helps hold torque to the corner bolts.
It is yet another object of the invention to create and redistribute a new sealing force or load by using the bolt torque.
Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3567234 (1971-03-01), Skrycki
patent: 4140323 (1979-02-01), Jacobs
patent: 4325559 (1982-04-01), Czernik et al.
patent: 4351534 (1982-09-01), McDowell
patent: 4397472 (1983-08-01), Czernik
patent: 4471968 (1984-09-01), Schlaupitz
patent: 4721315 (1988-01-01), Ueta
patent: 4743421 (1988-05-01), McDowell et al.
patent: 4830698 (1989-05-01), DeCore et al.
patent: 4861046 (1989-08-01), Udagawa
patent: 5092613 (1992-03-01), Udagawa
patent: 5149110 (1992-09-01), Inamura
patent: 5150910 (1992-09-01), Udagawa
patent: 5280928 (1994-01-01), Ueta et al.
patent: 5421594 (1995-06-01), Becerra
patent: 5431418 (1995-07-01), Hagiwara et al.
patent: 5549307 (1996-08-01), Capretta et al.
patent: 5690342 (1997-11-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5695203 (1997-12-01), Udagawa
patent: 627581 (1994-12-01), None
patent: 58-200860 (1983-11-01), None
patent: 0125461 (1985-07-01), None
patent: 0261757 (1987-11-01), None
patent: 1079471 (1989-03-01), None
patent: 3134376 (1991-06-01), None
DePumpo Daniel G.
Master Packing & Rubber Company
Patula & Associates P.C.
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