Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between fixed parts or static contact against... – Contact seal between parts of internal combustion engine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2001-11-20
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between fixed parts or static contact against...
Contact seal between parts of internal combustion engine
C277S591000, C277S609000, C277S616000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318734
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to gaskets. More particularly, the resent invention relates to a gasket having an integral support that is suitable for use with a heat shield in a high-temperature environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gaskets are often used as a layer of material placed between contact surfaces or parts needing a sealed joint. Gaskets are commonly employed to prevent the escape of gas or leakage between two contact surfaces that are bolted together, a task that is difficult to accomplish in high-temperature, high-pressure environments, such as that of an internal combustion engine. A common application involves the placement of a metallic gasket between a cylinder head and an exhaust manifold. Another application involves gasket placement between the exhaust manifold and an exhaust pipe flange. Gaskets for either application are considered high temperature gaskets, and more particularly exhaust manifold gaskets, since the gaskets provide an exhaust seal that is intended to prevent the byproducts of combustion exiting the engine from escaping into the engine compartment of a vehicle.
Because exhaust from an engine is extremely hot, heat shields are commonly incorporated into the exhaust system to protect other underhood components from excessive temperature and to help protect people from burns and other injuries that could result from physical contact with the system. In general, such heat shields are formed from a corrosion-resistant metal, such as aluminized steel, which is die-formed to conform generally to the shape of a manifold while providing air space between the components. In some instances, a multi-layer heat shield may be used to further improve the heat resistance and to provide a sound damping effect.
Such manifold-type gaskets are typically installed by positioning the gasket between a first mating component, such as a cylinder head, and a second mating component, such as an exhaust manifold. Apertures formed in the gasket are then aligned with the corresponding apertures formed in the mating components. Commonly, a threaded fastener is then passed through the select apertures of the first mating component and gasket to engage a corresponding threaded aperture formed in the second mating component. A heat shield is then usually incorporated into the assembly and secured in a conventional manner.
In a number of known assemblies, a heat shield is attached to various components, such as engine components, using a plurality of separate fasteners, tabs and spacers. In other applications, the heat shield is attached to a component, such as a cylinder block, with a sealing material. However, both of those methods necessarily involve the use of additional fastening components and/or sealing materials that can often be lost or dislodged, causing misalignment and less secure assemblies. Furthermore, such conventional heat shield assembly methods often involve more complicated and time-consuming positioning and assembly procedures.
Based upon such limitations, there exists a need in the industry for an improved gasket that provides support for a heat shield assembly in an efficient, reliable and economic manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes the limitations associated with currently available gaskets. Moreover, the invention is particularly useful in connection with gasket-heat shield assemblies for high-temperature environments, such as an internal combustion engine. A principal feature of the present invention is the inclusion of an integral support as a part of a gasket. The integral support is designed to retain a portion of a heat shield without requiring additional components or sealing materials. With such a design, the user can fasten the heat shield to a component without adding unnecessary or complicated fastening elements, thereby minimizing the number of elements to be included in the assembly. Thus, a significant advantage is provided over systems wherein additional components or assembly steps can lead to misalignment and more time-consuming and less effective retention. Further, because additional parts are not necessary to secure the support, a gasket constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention can be installed in the gasket-heat shield assembly with accurate positioning and alignment in a timely, cost-effective and more efficient manner.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a gasket having an integral support is provided that is suitable for use in connection with a gasket-heat shield assembly. In addition to a gasket, a typical gasket-heat shield assembly also includes a heat shield and first and second mating components. In practice, the first and second mating components will have at least one corresponding connection aperture and at least one fluid flow aperture, although a plurality of each type of aperture is possible, and generally preferred.
The gasket, which is typically formed from steel, stainless steel, copper, or a combination metal, is comprised of a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is typically planar in nature and includes at least one connection aperture and at least one fluid flow aperture. The connection aperture and fluid flow aperture of the gasket will generally correspond to one or more respective apertures in the first and second mating components when the gasket is incorporated into a gasket-heat shield assembly. The upper portion of the gasket is located on top of the lower portion and includes an integral support having a receiving cavity. The receiving cavity is generally configured to receive and retain a portion of a heat shield.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a gasket such as the type previously described further includes integral formations, such as darts and/or buttons that extend into and/or from the surface of the receiving cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the integral formations on the surface of the integral support generally correspond to similar formations in the heat shield to further improve the horizontal positioning and retention of the heat shield within the receiving cavity.
In addition to the construction of an improved gasket, the present invention also discloses an improved method for installing a gasket and heat shield in a gasket-heat shield assembly. This method utilizes the advantages derived from such an improved gasket to provide an improved method for construction of a gasket-heat shield assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2867464 (1959-11-01), Crampton
patent: 4612767 (1986-09-01), Engquist
patent: 4699232 (1987-10-01), Nebu et al.
patent: 5233832 (1993-08-01), Moore, III
patent: 5347810 (1994-09-01), Moore, III
patent: 5529313 (1996-06-01), Malks
patent: 6161875 (2000-12-01), Yamaji et al.
patent: 6231050 (2001-05-01), Raden
Dana Corporation
Knight Anthony
Peavey Enoch E.
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
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