U.S. patent number RE34,874 [Application Number 07/945,828] was granted by the patent office on 1995-03-14 for seal with two sealing portions having flange receiving opening therebetween.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Precision Tube Bending, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth J. McGilp, Kenneth N. Minshull, Ira R. Newman.
United States Patent |
RE34,874 |
Newman , et al. |
March 14, 1995 |
Seal with two sealing portions having flange receiving opening
therebetween
Abstract
An integral ring-shaped seal adapted to be carried at the end of
a connector housing and provide two spaced-apart sealing portions,
said two spaced-apart sealing portions being connected by a web,
and said two spaced-apart sealing portions together with said web
providing therebetween an opening adapted to receive a flange
located in proximity to the end of the connector housing, at least
one of said two spaced-apart sealing portions having a cut-out
axially disposed away from said opening to provide increased
resiliency and wear resistance.
Inventors: |
Newman; Ira R. (Apple Valley,
CA), Minshull; Kenneth N. (Agoura, CA), McGilp; Kenneth
J. (Adelanto, CA) |
Assignee: |
Precision Tube Bending, Inc.
(Santa Fe Springs, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
27093811 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/945,828 |
Filed: |
September 16, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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641651 |
Jan 15, 1991 |
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Reissue of: |
673581 |
Nov 21, 1984 |
04565380 |
Jan 21, 1986 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
277/625; 277/615;
277/626 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16J
15/3204 (20130101); F16L 17/025 (20130101); F16L
17/035 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
17/00 (20060101); F16L 17/035 (20060101); F16L
17/025 (20060101); F16J 15/32 (20060101); F16J
015/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;277/178,166,183,205,27A,188A,227,DIG.6 ;285/231,232 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1039325 |
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Sep 1958 |
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DE |
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1121891 |
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Jan 1962 |
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DE |
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1958378 |
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Jan 1967 |
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DE |
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2947083 |
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May 1981 |
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DE |
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1015302 |
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Dec 1965 |
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GB |
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Other References
R H. Warring: "Seals and Sealing Handbook", Jul. 1986, pp.
317-318..
|
Primary Examiner: Cuchlinski, Jr.; William A.
Assistant Examiner: Cummings; Scott W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mueth; Joseph E.
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/641,651,
filed on Jan. 1, 1991, now abandoned, which is reissue of
06/673,581, filed Nov. 21, 1984, and patented as U.S. Pat. No.
4,565,581, on Jan. 21, 1986. .Iaddend.
Claims
We claim: .[.1. An integral ring-shaped seal adapted to be carried
at the end of a connector housing and provide two spaced-apart
sealing portions, said two spaced-apart sealing portions being
connected by a web, and said two spaced-apart sealing portions
together with said web providing therebetween an opening adapted to
receive a flange located in proximity to the end of the connector
housing, at least one of said two spaced-apart sealing portions
having a cut-out axially disposed away from said opening to provide
increased resiliency and wear resistance..]. .[.2. The construction
of claim 1 wherein said opening is a slot..]. .[.3. The
construction of claim 1 wherein there are two symmetric axial
cut-outs which open at opposite sides of the seal..]. .[.4. The
construction of
claim 1 wherein there is one axial cut-out..]. .[.5. The novel
combination comprising telescoping connector housing sections one
of which has an upstanding annular flange located in proximity to
its open end, and an integral ring-shaped seal carried at the end
of one of said connector housing, said seal having two spaced-apart
sealing portions, said two spaced-apart sealing portions being
connected by a web, and said two spaced-apart sealing portions
together with said web providing therebetween an opening, said
flange being received in said opening, at least one of said two
spaced-apart sealing portions having a cut-out axially disposed
away from said opening to provide increased resilency and wear
resistance..]. .[.6. The construction of claim 5 wherein the seal
has an L-shaped cross-section, one leg of which abuts the side of
the flange and the other leg abuts the surface of one of its sides
and the end of the flange on the other..]. .[.7. The construction
of claim 5 wherein said opening is a slot..]. .[.8. The
construction of claim 5 wherein there are two symmetric axial
cut-outs which open at opposite sides of the seal..]. .[.9. The
construction of claim 5 wherein there is one axial cut-out..].
.[.10. The construction of claim 5 where one of said telescoping
sections has two adjacent "L" shaped flange sections, one of which
is received in said opening in the seal and the other positioned to
abut the end of said seal, both of said flange sections being
adhered to the cylindrical surface of said telescoping section..].
.[.11. The construction of claim 10 wherein the flanges are on the
interior of said telescoping section..]. .[.12. The construction of
claim 10 wherein the flanges are on the
exterior of said telescoping section..]. .Iadd.13. In the ducts of
commercial jet aircraft, the improvement comprising:
a novel combination forming part of said ducts and comprising
telescoping flexible connector housing sections one of which has an
upstanding annular flange located in proximity to the open end of
the connector housing, and an integral, flexible, fiber-reinforced
elastomeric ring-shaped seal carried at the end of one of said
connector housing, said seal having two spaced-apart sealing
portions, said two spaced-apart sealing portions being connected by
a web, and said two spaced-apart sealing portions together with
said web providing therebetween an opening, said flange being
received in said opening, at least one of said two spaced-apart
sealing portions having a cut-out axially disposed away from said
opening to provide increased resiliency and wear resistance, said
connector housing sections being adapted to undergo flex due to
thermal cycling and other stresses. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The
improvement of claim 13, wherein the seal has an L-shaped
cross-section, one leg of which abuts the side of the flange and
the other leg abuts the surface of one of its sides and the end of
the flange on the other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The improvement of
claim 13, wherein said opening is a slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The
improvement of claim 13, wherein there are two symmetric axial
cut-outs which open at opposite sides of the seal. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The improvement of claim 13, wherein there is one axial
cut-out. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The improvement of claim 13, wherein
one of said telescoping sections has two adjacent "L" shaped flange
sections, one of which is received in said opening in the seal and
the other positioned to abut the end of said seal, both of said
flange sections being adhered to the cylindrical surface of said
telescoping section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The improvement of claim
18, wherein the flanges are on the interior of said telescoping
section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The improvement of claim 18, wherein
the flanges are on the exterior of said telescoping section.
.Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various ring seals for use at the end of connector housing have
been used. Kramer U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,226 discloses an annular seal
ring having radially inner and radially outer sides defining
smoothly convex surfaces extending across the width thereof and
convex axial sides forming a pair of radially outer corners and a
pair of radially inner corners. Greenwald U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,727
pertains to a seal ring which in cross-section is essentially
U-shaped or J-shaped and having an elastomeric or garter spring
core. Kramer U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,726 relates to another flexible
seal member having an insert membrane embodied therein to provide
reinforcement of the balance of the flexible seal against
deformation and resistance to abrasion. The disclosure of Shire and
Newman U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,639 is characterized by two generally
ring shaped cells mounted in spaced side by side relationship at
the end of a connector housing. The outer seal is generally
circular in cross-section and includes a first leg, and a second
smaller leg connected together by a web portion. The end of the
connector tube is provided with formations for holding the seals in
the housing. These formations may include first and second
counterbores for positioning the inner seal in the end of the
connector housing. The base of the second counterbore is normally
in spaced relation to the inner side of the second leg to permit
the legs of the inner seal to flex when a pipe mounted in the
connector pivots or vibrates.
The basic purposes of these annular rings is to maintain a tight
seal over the wide range of temperatures and conditions encountered
in use. The environment encountered is typically that found in the
heating and air conditioning ducts of a modern commercial jet
transport airplane. The individual lengths of connector tube are
flexible due to thermal expansion and contraction, placing
substantial and repeated stress on the ring seals.
The prior patents discussed above treat the problem of seal wear
due to abrasion caused by repeated flexing in several ways. The
seals of the Kramer patents lack sufficient flexibility and have
been generally rejected for all practical purposes.
The other two patents endeavored to provide flexibility. However,
the seals disclosed therein are rather complex in manufacture
involving composite structures or a plurality of individual
components. In any case, the complexity creates opportunity for
error in manufacture and installation, as well as necessarily
involving high cost.
The present invention for the first time presents an integral
annular seal which provides excellent sealing, high flexibility and
resistance to abrasion. The seal of this invention is simpler to
make and install in a connector and is believed to represent a
significant advance over the seals of the prior art. It is to be
expected that this new seal will be widely adopted by the
commercial jet transport industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention comprises an integral ring-shaped
seal adapted to be carried at the end of a connector housing and
provide two spaced-apart sealing portions, said two spaced-apart
sealing portions being connected by a web, and said two
spaced-apart sealing portions together with said web providing
therebetween an opening adapted to receive a flange located in
proximity to the end of the connector housing, at least one of said
two spaced-apart sealing portions having a cut-out axially disposed
away from said opening to provide increased resiliency and wear
resistance.
This invention further comprehends the novel combination comprising
telescoping connector housing sections one of which has an
upstanding annular flange located in proximity to its open end, and
an integral ring-shaped seal carried at the end of one of said
connector housing, said seal having two spaced-apart sealing
portions, said two spaced-apart sealing portions being connected by
a web, and said two spaced-apart sealing portions together with
said web providing therebetween an opening, said flange being
received in said opening, at least one of said two spaced-apart
sealing portions having a cut-out axially disposed away from said
opening to provide increased resiliency and wear resistance.
Another feature of this invention is that the integral seal of this
invention is held in position by one flange which is received in an
opening of complementary size and shape within the seal, as stated
above. Preferably, a second or end flange is also provided, as
shown in the drawings. The flanges are "L" shaped and are usually
welded to the connector wall. The length of the leg of either or
both "L" shaped flanges abutting the connector wall can be cut to
any size before welding and thereby adjust the space between
flanges to accommodate any desired size of seal to vary the spacing
between flanges. This features is highly desirable in providing a
high degree of manufacturing flexibility and product variability
from identical standard "L" shaped elements and is itself an
improvement over the prior art.
It is an object of this invention to provide a novel annular ring
seal.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an integral
ring seal which is superior in manufacture and use than seals
heretofore known in this art.
A related object of this invention is to provide a novel
combination of connector sections and ring seal which is better
adapted to manufacturing control and field use conditions.
These and other objects and advantages will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the more detailed description which
follows, particularly when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following drawings are for purposes of illustration and further
explanation.
Turning to the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of two telescoping ends of
connector sections provided with one preferred embodiment of the
novel integral annular seal of this invention, and is adapted to a
ducting system which is in compression.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sealing ring shown installed in FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in section of the sealing ring of FIGS.
1 to 3.
FIG. 5 is a section taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 6A through 6L are views similar to FIG. 4, showing a number
of alternative embodiments of the ring seal of the present
invention.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the sealing ring shown as installed in
FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9--9 in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view in section of the sealing ring of FIGS.
7 to 9.
FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged section showing the sealing ring and
telescoping connector sections of FIG. 7.
FIGS. 12A to 12H are alternate embodiments of the sealing ring of
FIGS. 7 to 11.
FIGS. 13A to 13L are partial sectional views of various connector
ends provided with annular inwardly disposed flanges which are
adapted to receive any of the sealing rings of FIGS. 1 through
12.
FIG. 14 and an ensuing Figures relate to important alternative
embodiments of the invention wherein the annular flange is
outwardly extending from the exterior of a connector section and
the opening in the sealing ring is disposed so as to be able to
receive an outwardly extending flange. FIG. 14 is a sectional view
of one embodiment showing the sealing ring in the installed
position, and is adapted to a ducting system which is in
tension.
FIG. 15 shows in section another connector arrangement utilizing
the sealing ring of FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial section of the sealing ring of FIGS.
14 and 15.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial section of the sealing ring of FIG.
16 which has been installed as per FIGS. 15 and 15.
FIGS. 18A through 18L are alternative embodiments in partial
section of the sealing ring of FIGS. 14 to 17.
FIG. 19 is analogous to FIG. 7, differing in that the flange is
outwardly rather than inwardly disposed on the connector end. FIG.
19 is a sectional view and shows another embodiment of this
invention with the seal installed.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged partial section of the seal of FIG. 19.
FIG. 21 shows the seal, in partial enlarged section, of FIGS. 19
and 20, installed.
FIGS. 22A through 22H are alternate embodiments in partial section
of the seal of FIGS. 19 through 21.
Considering the drawings in more detail, and using the embodiment
of FIGS. 1 to 5 for purposes of illustration, connector end
sections 10 and 12 telescope together as shown. Section 12 has two
inwardly directed annular flanges 14 and 16 which are affixed to
the body of section 12. The integral annular sealing ring 18 has
two spaced-apart portions 20 and 22 interconnected by web 24. The
opening 26 receives the flange 16. The portion 22 has a cut-out 28
which is axially disposed from opening 26.
When installed, the portion 22 is more resilient and flexible than
portion 24 due to the presence of cut-out 28. The integral ring 18
is composed of an elastomer which is reinforced with a fiberous or
filamentary material such as fiberglass. The entire ring 18 can be
made in one molding operation. The engagement of flange 16 with
opening 26 maintains the ring 18 in the proper position within the
connector end over virtually any and all ranges of operating
conditions. This structure has been found to be uniquely
.[.resistance.]. .Iadd.resistant .Iaddend.of abrasion and wear as
the connector ends 10 and 12 .[.intergo.]. .Iadd.undergo
.Iaddend.flex due to thermal cycling and other stresses. The
connector portions per se are normally made of titanium. However,
the specific materials of construction do not bear on the present
invention.
As can be seen in FIGS. 6A to 6L, the integral annular seal can
have a variety of cross-sectional configurations including the
embodiment wherein both portions which are interconnected by the
web have axially disposed cut-out at opposite sides of the
flange-receiving opening. The symmetrical configurations afford
greater flexibility than the asymmetrical configurations.
The embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 12 illustrate the case where the
flange-receiving opening and the axially displaced cut-out merge to
form an L-shaped integral annular ring which has one leg adapted to
abut the flange and the other leg adapted to abut the surface of
one connector end on one of its sides and the free end of the
flange on the other side.
The "L" shaped seal of FIGS. 7 through 12 is the same seal as shown
in FIGS. 19 through 22. Thus, this version is characterized by
exceptional versatility. It should also be noted that this seal
affords far greater sealing area than the "J" seals of the prior
art, and is superior in function and durability.
FIGS. 14 through 22 relate to the structure wherein the connector
ends 100 and 102 are telescoping. Connector end 100 has outwardly
disposed flanges 104 and 106. The integral annular seal 108 has two
spaced-apart portions 110 and 112 with interconnecting web 112. The
space 114 is adapted to receive flange 106. The axially disposed
cut-out 116 functions as described hereinabove.
As is illustrated by FIG. 15 in particular, the invention is
applicable to the full range of connector configurations.
The present invention provides numerous advantages some of which
are as follows:
1. Longer sealing edge surface which provides longer service
life.
2. Maintains its sealing capabilities under angulation and negative
pressure.
3. Construction allows greater side loads.
4. Seal will not roll during installation.
5. Even if seal is installed beyond its design limits the web
prevents the inner seal from disintegrating into the ducting
system.
6. Design does not allow seal to be put into housing
incorrectly.
7. Single seal design eliminates human error of omitting inner seal
during installation.
8. "C" area of seal will accommodate "O" ring for additional
squeeze if required, such as in cold air ducting.
9. Only required to stock one seal per joint, which is more cost
effective resulting in less inventory.
10. Dimensionally the joint is used in a compression and tension
system by changing the primary sealing surface of the seal from the
housing to the sleeve.
It is to be understood that the present invention allows the use of
the same general configuration of telescoping parts to be used in a
compression or tension system, or a system that is mixed
compression and tension.
It is also to be understood that the connector can be used as an
integral part of a duct or separately as a reducer.
Having fully described the invention, it is intended that it be
limited only by the lawful scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *