Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between fixed parts or static contact against... – Contact seal between parts of internal combustion engine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-16
2001-01-16
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, C277S598000, C277S594000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173966
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gaskets and gasket sealing mechanisms, and in particular, to an improved T-joint gasket assembly which does not require or use RTV sealant (i.e., Room Temperature Vulcanizing sealant or agent).
2. Description of Related Art
Gaskets are used to provide a leak proof seal between two engine parts or other devices. Typically, the parts being sealed include flat sealing surfaces which are adjacent to one another during use. The gasket is typically placed between the opposite surfaces of the two components and compressed between them to prevent the escape of a gas, fluid or other medium. Many different variations and structures have been used in the prior art for gaskets and their sealing arrangements.
A particular problem has arisen in prior art seals which are used at a T-joint. A T-joint occurs at the intersection of three sealing surfaces. Such a T-joint may be found between a front cover, an oil pan and an engine block in an automotive engine. Many of the prior art attempts at providing a seal for such a T-joint have either used a sealant, or caulking medium such as a RTV sealant, or have used key and hole arrangements having flat surfaces in an attempt to provide a leak proof seal environment.
The prior art attempts at sealing a T-joint have not been successful in terms of costs and problems with application. First, the sealing or caulking medium that is used such as RTV sealant is very costly, messy and difficult to service. RTV sealant has also been known to effect the seal environment by over filling the adjacent trench in which the gasket sits, thus providing a gap where fluid and/or gas may leak around the seal. Another problem is that the RTV sealant used in such seals hardens over time, and cracks, thus creating a leak around the sealing element.
The other type of seal arrangement is the key and hole which has flat surfaces that are prone to failure because of the relatively small amount of shift allowed in the mating components. This results in less than desirable interlocking and insufficient sealing between the T-joint elements.
Therefore, there has been a long need in the art for a T-joint seal that is easy to install, relatively inexpensive, and adapted to last much longer than the RTV sealant based seals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique T-joint gasket assembly, e.g., that does not require RTV sealant.
Another object of the invention is to provide a unique T-joint gasket assembly that includes a plurality of special sealing beads at the end of generally U-shaped horizontal gasket member, which sealing beads are specially adapted for sealing engagement with a vertically oriented gasket member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a seal assembly that limits the need for a secondary sealant at multiple joint interfaces.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a seal element that eliminates the need for an engine assembly line purge due to the hardening effect of RTV sealants.
A further object of the invention is to provide a seal assembly that enables reusability of gaskets in service.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a seal assembly that reduces the cost and improves the cleanliness of the engine assembly process.
One advantage of the present invention is that it will eliminate the need for secondary sealant in multiple joint interfaces.
Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that it enables the reusability of gaskets while in service.
There are also servicing difficulties with RTV type gaskets. This is because the RTV sealant adheres to the gaskets and causes tearing when disassembled for service work. This invention enables disassembly and assembly without damage of the gaskets, and does not require RTV in service applications.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it reduces costs and improves the cleanliness of the engine assembly process.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5222745 (1993-06-01), Akbar et al.
patent: 5618047 (1997-04-01), Betler
patent: 5662337 (1997-09-01), Surbrook et al.
patent: 6003878 (1999-12-01), Noble et al.
Boardman Thomas
Kraus Daivd Paul
Noble Lane
Dinnin & Dunn PC
Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
Knight Anthony
Peavey Enoch E
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