Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between fixed parts or static contact against... – Contact seal between parts of internal combustion engine
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-14
2001-04-24
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
C277S598000, C277S607000, C277S609000, C277S616000, C285S345000, C285S374000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220605
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to an exhaust manifold slip joint, and more particularly to a sleeve assembly having a positioning portion and locating portion that resiliently seal exhaust manifold sections.
BACKGROUND ART
Engine exhaust systems sustain thermal expansion during engine warm up from their engine start size to their engine operation size. The amount of thermal expansion between exhaust system elements is a function of: material properties; engine duty cycle; and ambient temperature. In many cases engine exhaust systems have been designed with a gap between joined elements to compensation for relative thermal expansion of the joined elements. This gap is sized to maintain tolerable stress levels between joined elements for relatively high levels of thermal expansion. Exhaust systems of this design may leak through the gaps when thermal expansion is less than the relatively high level.
Engineers are designing engines to operate over a wider horsepower range for the same application and for more diverse environments than has been previously done. Over the years engineers have discovered that current engines may operate at higher horsepower output levels by increasing combustion pressures. It is this increase in combustion pressure that has lead to higher exhaust temperatures for engines. The environment that engines are required to operate in has also been a factor for engineers to consider. Having a wider range of environments requires exhaust systems to handle different thermal expansion levels. In many cases engine exhaust systems have been improved by having a larger manifold and connecting flange for assembly of manifold sections. The larger the connecting flange, the greater will be the quantity of fasteners required to maintain proper sealing. The different materials used for fasteners compared to the exhaust manifold have lead to different rates of expansion and contraction which causes manifold cracking and fastener fatigue.
Improvements in fuel systems and electronics for engines have added capabilities of operating the engine at different load levels in a relatively short time span. For example, engines operating at high load levels will have a higher exhaust temperature than engines operating at a low load level. The ability to cycle between high and low load conditions will cause thermal expansion due to the fluctuation in exhaust temperatures. In many cases compensation for thermal expansion in exhaust manifolds may be improved by using a seal in combination with the flange. Prior techniques of compensation for thermal expansion is achieved by using seal rings. The seal rings that are known in the art have a tendency to fatigue and leak over time due to the harsh operating environment.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An exhaust manifold comprises a female manifold section and a male manifold section. The female manifold section has a bore defined by a curvilinear surface and a longitudinal axis. The male manifold section has a neck and a stop. The neck extends into the bore and the stop is spaced from the female manifold section. The male manifold section is in fluid communication with the female manifold section. A sleeve assembly has a positioning portion, a locating portion, and a body portion intermediate said positioning and locating portions. The positioning portion is disposed in sealing engagement with one of the manifold sections. The body portion is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. The locating portion is in resilient sealing engagement with the other manifold section.
An exhaust manifold for an engine. A female manifold section having a turbocharger mounting flange a bore defined by a curvilinear surface and a longitudinal axis. The turbocharger mounting flange has a generally flat mounting surface for connecting a turbocharger. The turbocharger is in fluid communication with the engine. The female manifold section is fastened to the engine. A male manifold section has a neck and a stop. The neck extends into the bore and the stop is spaced from the female manifold section. The male manifold section is fastened to the engine. The male manifold section is in fluid communication with the female manifold section. A sleeve assembly has a positioning portion, a locating portion, and a body portion intermediate said positioning and locating portions. The positioning portion is disposed in axially abuttable sealing engagement with one of the manifold sections. The body portion is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. The locating portion is in sealing engagement with the other manifold section.
A method of connecting an exhaust manifold having a female manifold section and a male manifold section with a sleeve assembly. The female manifold section has a bore defined by a curvilinear surface. The sleeve assembly has a positioning portion and a locating portion. The method comprises the steps of assembling the positioning portion in sealing axially abuttable relation with one of the manifold sections. Relatively axially sliding the manifold sections such that the male manifold section enters the bore and the locating portion sealingly engages the other of the manifold sections.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2327837 (1943-08-01), Williams
patent: 2630338 (1953-03-01), Snyder
patent: 3167324 (1965-01-01), Kratochvil
patent: 3871786 (1975-03-01), Rennerfelt
patent: 3985377 (1976-10-01), Ahola et al.
patent: 4269158 (1981-05-01), Berti
patent: 4313627 (1982-02-01), de Lange
patent: 4361331 (1982-11-01), Kohler
patent: 4383694 (1983-05-01), Fontana
patent: 4452462 (1984-06-01), Karr, Jr.
patent: 4778203 (1988-10-01), Bartholomew
patent: 5033756 (1991-07-01), Sixsmith et al.
patent: 5050914 (1991-09-01), Miyashita
patent: 5474336 (1995-12-01), Hoff et al.
patent: 5803512 (1998-09-01), Hollnagel
patent: 5938208 (1999-08-01), Yoshida et al.
Cain Larry G.
Caterpillar Inc.
Golden James B.
Knight Anthony
Peavey Enoch E.
LandOfFree
Slip joint connection for engine exhaust system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Slip joint connection for engine exhaust system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Slip joint connection for engine exhaust system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2531564