U.S. patent application number 09/774927 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-01 for anti-extrusion ring for use in conjunction with a vehicle solenoid valve.
Invention is credited to Moreno, Alejandro, Reuter, David Fredrick.
Application Number | 20020100890 09/774927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25102718 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020100890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moreno, Alejandro ; et
al. |
August 1, 2002 |
ANTI-EXTRUSION RING FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VEHICLE SOLENOID
VALVE
Abstract
An anti-extrusion ring for use in conjunction with a vehicle
solenoid valve has a plano-concave cross-section. The
anti-extrusion ring is used to support a seal that seals the
interface between a solenoid valve and a bore within a valve
fitting. When the solenoid valve is installed in the valve fitting,
a bore-to-ring interference area is formed between the bore and the
anti-extrusion ring and a debris capture area is formed above the
bore-to-ring interference area. Thus, when the anti-extrusion ring
controllably fractures during installation of the solenoid valve
with the bore or due to vibration, debris from the ring will be
captured in the debris capture area and prevented from entering a
fluid system in which the vehicle solenoid valve is used. Moreover,
the anti-extrusion ring deforms in a such a manner that accounts
for the accumulation of the manufacturing tolerances of the
solenoid valve and its corresponding fitting and in such a manner
that allows the solenoid valve to maintain its center and proper
alignment within its corresponding fitting. As such, extrusion of
the "O" ring is reduced or eliminated.
Inventors: |
Moreno, Alejandro; (El Paso,
TX) ; Reuter, David Fredrick; (Beavercreek,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARGARET A. DOBROWITSKY
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Legal Staff, Mail Code: 480-414-420
P.O. Box 5052
Troy
MI
48007-5052
US
|
Family ID: |
25102718 |
Appl. No.: |
09/774927 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/129.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F15B 13/0821 20130101;
F15B 13/0892 20130101; B60T 8/3675 20130101; F15B 13/0828 20130101;
F15B 13/0835 20130101; B60T 8/363 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
251/129.15 |
International
Class: |
F16K 031/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An anti-extrusion ring having a piano-concave cross-section for
use in conjunction with a vehicle solenoid valve.
2. The anti-extrusion ring of claim 1, further comprising the
vehicle solenoid valve, wherein the solenoid valve includes a
filter forming a seal contact face, a seal surrounding the solenoid
valve in contact with the seal contact face, and the anti-extrusion
ring is installed around the solenoid valve such that it is
sandwiched between the seal and a flange.
3. The anti-extrusion ring of claim 2, wherein the anti-extrusion
ring is installed in a bore such that a bore-to-ring interference
area is formed between the bore and the anti-extrusion ring and a
debris capture area is formed above the bore-to-ring interference
area.
4. A solenoid valve connection, comprising: a valve fitting formed
with a bore; a solenoid valve disposed within the bore, the
solenoid valve including a filter formed with a seal contact face;
a flange installed around the solenoid valve to hold the solenoid
valve within the bore; a seal disposed around the solenoid valve in
contact with the seal contact face; and an anti-extrusion ring
sandwiched between the flange and the seal, the anti-extrusion ring
being configured such that a bore-to-ring interference area is
formed between the bore and the anti-extrusion ring and a debris
capture area is formed above the bore-to-ring interference
area.
5. The solenoid valve of claim 4, wherein the anti-extrusion ring
includes at least one curved surface.
6. The solenoid valve of claim 5, wherein the curved surface is "C"
shaped.
7. The solenoid valve of claim 4, wherein the anti-extrusion ring
includes at least one slanted surface.
8. The solenoid valve of claim 7, wherein the slanted surface is
"K" shaped.
9. A fluid connection comprising: a fluid fitting formed with a
bore; a fluid device disposed within the bore, the fluid device
including a first physical member and a second physical member
installed there around; a seal disposed around the fluid device in
contact with the second physical member; and an anti-extrusion ring
sandwiched between the first physical member and the seal.
10. The fluid connection of claim 9, wherein the anti-extrusion
ring includes at least one curved surface.
11. The fluid connection of claim 10, wherein the curved surface is
"C" shaped.
12. The fluid connection of claim 9, wherein the anti-extrusion
ring includes at least one slanted surface.
13. The fluid connection of claim 12, wherein the slanted surface
is "K" shaped.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to devices used to seal
vehicle fluid systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many of today's vehicles include numerous fluid based
systems that incorporate several pressure modulators, e.g.,
solenoid valves, that control the flow of hydraulic fluid therein.
As but one example, an anti-lock braking system, used to maintain
vehicle control during extreme braking, is capable of modulating
the pressure in the wheel brake cylinders in order to keep the
wheels from slipping on the roadway during harsh braking
conditions.
[0003] A typical anti-lock brake system can include several
solenoid valves to control the hydraulic fluid pressure in the
individual components, e.g., a master cylinder, and a plurality of
wheel cylinders. Usually a solenoid valve is installed between the
master cylinder and each wheel cylinder. In order to prevent fluid
leaking from the ABS, a seal must be included between the solenoid
valve and the corresponding bore in which the valve is inserted.
The seal also isolates the parts, i.e., the valve and the
corresponding fitting in which it is installed, from each other.
The seal must operate under extremely harsh conditions, e.g.,
extreme temperatures, corrosive fluids, extreme vibration, and high
fluid pressures. Elastomer seals supported by nylon back-up rings
have been used in the harsh conditions described above.
Unfortunately, component tolerances can produce radial clearances
between the back-up ring outer diameter or back-up ring inner
diameter and adjacent surfaces and these radial clearances can lead
to seal extrusion. Additionally, while the valve is being inserted
in its corresponding bore and during the life of the valve, the
seal back-up ring can fracture unpredictably and uncontrollably and
lead to seal extrusion, which can ultimately lead to leakage and
failure of the valve.
[0004] The present invention has recognized the above-mentioned
prior art drawbacks, and has provided the below-disclosed solutions
to one or more of the prior art deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An anti-extrusion ring has a plano-concave cross-section and
is used in conjunction with a vehicle solenoid valve. In a
preferred embodiment, the solenoid valve includes a filter that
forms a seal contact face. A seal surrounds the solenoid valve
adjacent to the seal contact face. The anti-extrusion ring is
installed around the solenoid valve such that it is sandwiched
between the seal and a flange. Preferably, the anti-extrusion ring
is installed in a bore such that a bore-to-ring interference area
is formed between the bore and the anti-extrusion ring and a debris
capture area is formed above the bore-to-ring interference
area.
[0006] If the anti-extrusion ring fractures during the installation
of the solenoid valve or during the life of the solenoid valve,
debris capture area prevents any debris from entering the fluid
system in which the solenoid valve is installed. Moreover, the
anti-extrusion ring deforms in such a manner to account for
variations in the outer diameter of the solenoid valve and
variations in the inner diameter of the fitting due to the
predetermined manufacturing tolerances of these parts. As such,
extrusion of the seal due to high fluid pressure is reduced or
eliminated.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a solenoid valve
includes a valve fitting that forms a bore. Disposed within the
bore is a solenoid valve that forms a seal contact face. A flange
is installed around the solenoid valve to hold the solenoid valve
within the bore and a seal is disposed around the solenoid valve in
contact with the seal contact face. An anti-extrusion ring is
sandwiched between the flange and the seal. In this aspect of the
present invention, the anti-extrusion ring is configured such that
a bore-to-ring interference area is formed between the bore and the
anti-extrusion ring and a debris capture area is formed above the
bore-to-ring interference area.
[0008] In still another aspect of the present invention, a fluid
connection includes a fluid fitting that is formed with a bore. A
fluid device is disposed within the bore and includes a first
physical member and a second physical member installed there
around. A seal is disposed around the fluid device in contact with
the second physical member. Moreover, an anti-extrusion ring is
sandwiched between the first physical member and the seal.
[0009] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a solenoid valve
connection;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a detail view of the seal configuration as
indicated by box 2 in FIG. 1; and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid connection that
includes an alternative anti-extrusion ring.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a solenoid valve connection
is shown and generally designated 10. FIG. 1 shows that the valve
connection 10 includes a solenoid valve 12 that is installed a
correspondingly sized and shaped fitting 14. As shown in FIG. 1,
the fitting 14 is formed with a bore 16 having an upper portion 18,
a medial portion 20, and a lower portion 22. Moreover, the fitting
14 forms at least one inlet port 21 and at least one outlet port
23. The solenoid valve 12 defines a distal end 24 that is sized to
fit into the lower portion 22 of the bore 16. Around the distal end
24 of the solenoid valve 12 is a high pressure fluid chamber 26.
Moreover, a flange 28 that is sized to fit into the upper portion
18 of the bore 16 surrounds the solenoid valve 12. The outer
periphery of the flange 28 engages the upper portion 18 of the bore
16 to support the solenoid valve 12 within the fitting 14.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the solenoid valve 12 includes a filter
30 that forms a seal contact face 31. An elastomeric seal 32 having
a round cross-section, i.e., an "O" ring, surrounds the solenoid
valve 12 such that it maintains contact with the seal contact face
31 during insertion of the valve 12 into the fitting 14. Under
pressure, the seal 32 will move slightly upward, looking at FIG. 1,
and contact with the seal contact face 31 will be lost. In turn, an
anti-extrusion ring 34 is sandwiched between the flange 28 and the
seal 32. As intended by the present invention, the anti-extrusion
ring 34 supports the seal 32 and prevents it from being extruded
from the bore 16.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows that the solenoid valve 12 is formed with at
least one inlet port 33 and at least one outlet port 35. Thus, when
the valve 12 is installed in the fitting 14 as shown the inlet port
33 of the solenoid valve 12 communicates with the inlet port 21 of
the fitting and the outlet port 35 of the solenoid valve 12
communicates with the outlet port 23 of the fitting 14. As shown in
FIG. 1, a lip seal 37 circumscribes the distal end 24 of the
solenoid valve 12. The lip seal 37 isolates the inlet ports 21, 33
from the outlet ports 23, 35.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, details concerning the
anti-extrusion ring 34 can be seen. FIG. 2 shows that the
cross-section of the anti-extrusion ring 34 is plano-concave. More
specifically, the anti-extrusion ring 34 includes at least one
curved, e.g., concave, surface 36. FIG. 2 shows that the curved
surface 36 has a backwards "C" shape. More broadly, the
anti-extrusion ring 34 includes at least one surface 36 which is
not a straight parallel surface relative to the fitting 14. As
shown in FIG. 3, the anti-extrusion ring 34a can include an
inwardly-slanted surface 36a that has a backwards "K" shape.
Moreover, FIG. 3 shows that the anti-extrusion ring 34a can be used
to back up an "O" ring 32a between nearly any first physical member
28a and any second physical member 30a that are part of a
pressurized fluid device 12a installed in a pressurized fitting 14a
formed with a bore 16a.
[0017] Returning to FIG. 2, when the anti-extrusion ring 34 is
installed in the bore 16, component tolerances are such that a
bore-to-ring interference area 38 is formed between the bore 16 and
the anti-extrusion ring 34. Owing to the curved surface 36, above
the bore-to-ring interference area 38 is a debris capture area 40.
The debris capture area 40 can be further formed by a slanted inner
surface 42 of the fitting 14 that tapers away from the
anti-extrusion ring 34. Thus, due to the curved surface 36,
fracture of the anti-extrusion ring 34 during installation of the
solenoid valve 12 in the fitting 14, or during the useful life of
the valve connection 10, occurs in a controlled manner. In other
words, if the anti-extrusion ring 34 fractures, debris from the
ring 34 will be captured in the debris capture area 40 and
prevented from entering the high pressure fluid chamber 26 and the
fluid system in which the anti-extrusion ring is used 12.
[0018] Additionally, the anti-extrusion ring 34 will readily deform
at the bore-to-ring interference area 38 to account for variations
in the outer diameter of the solenoid valve 12 and variations in
the inner diameter of the fitting 14 due to the predetermined
manufacturing tolerances of these parts. It is to be understood
that any force on the anti-extrusion ring 34 is distributed around
the anti-extrusion ring 34 at the bore-to-ring interference area 38
and as the anti-extrusion ring 34 deforms, its center is maintained
and the solenoid valve 12 remains properly aligned within the valve
fitting 14.
[0019] With the configuration of structure described above, it is
to be appreciated that the anti-extrusion ring for use in
conjunction with a vehicle solenoid valve provides a means for
supporting an elastomeric seal in a valve connection. The shape of
the anti-extrusion ring 34, i.e., the piano-concave cross-section,
creates a debris capture area 40 when installed in a fitting 14.
Thus, any debris from the anti-extrusion ring 34 is prevented from
entering the fluid system in which the present invention is
installed. Moreover, the anti-extrusion ring deforms in a such a
manner that accounts for the accumulation of the manufacturing
tolerances of the solenoid valve 12 and its corresponding fitting
14. The anti-extrusion ring also deforms in such a manner that
allows the solenoid valve 12 around which it is installed to
maintain its center and proper alignment of the valve 12 within its
corresponding fitting 14. As such, extrusion of the "O" ring 32 due
to high fluid pressure within the solenoid valve connection 10 is
reduced or eliminated.
[0020] While the ANTI-EXTRUSION RING FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A
VEHICLE SOLENOID VALVE as herein shown and described in detail is
fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the
invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently
preferred embodiment of the present invention and thus, is
representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated
by the present invention, that the scope of the present invention
fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to
those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present
invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the
appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular
is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so
stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and-functional
equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred
embodiment that are known or later come to be known to those of
ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by
reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.
Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address
each and every problem sought to be solved by the present
invention, for it is to be encompassed by the present claims.
Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present
disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of
whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly
recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed
under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. section 112, sixth paragraph,
unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means
for."
* * * * *