Channel-shaped Patents (Class 277/642)
  • Patent number: 7036825
    Abstract: A casing for a HVAC system in an automobile for moving air comprises a plurality of sections, each of which is molded of plastic material. The sections of the casing are connected and sealed to one another at a plurality of joints. The improvement resides in the tongue having a slot extending into the distal end thereof for splitting the tongue into first and second forks in frictional engagement with the side-walls of the groove. The forks are compressed together by the groove to narrow the slot from top to bottom to retain the tongue in the groove and to seal the sections together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Douglas Pettitt, Ronald A. Lemmon
  • Patent number: 7014195
    Abstract: A sealing profile between the body of a motor vehicle and a moveable window includes a receiving groove into which an edge side of the window, which side interacts with the sealing profile, enters during closure of the window, a profiled section forming the groove being subjected to deformation by the edge side until the sealing profile obtains it final shape. The profiled section has, on a side facing the window edge, a soft elastic sealing layer which is arranged on a harder supporting layer arranged behind it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Thomas Graf
  • Patent number: 6997677
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a steam turbine is provided. The method includes performing a finite element analysis to determine a cross-section of a sealing member, positioning the sealing member in a leakage path defined between an inner casing and an outer casing such that a leakage flow activates the sealing member. The apparatus includes a groove defined in a channel, a divider positioned in the channel such that a gap defined between the divider and the channel defines a leakage path, and a sealing member that extends at least partially within the groove and positioned to substantially prevent a flow though the leakage path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Munshi, Bernard Arthur Couture
  • Patent number: 6962338
    Abstract: The invention provides a hermetic seal and a method of making a hermetic seal having the steps of providing a first member of a first material having a flange thereon, providing a second member of a second material having a slot thereon for accommodating the flange in said slot such that there is a gap between the slot and the flange, providing a sealant in the slot, and heating the sealant such that the sealant fills at least a portion of the gap between the flange and the slot for forming a hermetic seal therebetween. Advantageously, the slot and flange design of the inventive hermetic seal produces a three-dimensional compressive state of stress thereby providing a joint design of improved reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Inc.
    Inventor: Abdul Jaleel K. Moidu
  • Patent number: 6942224
    Abstract: An inflatable seal member for providing a fluid-tight seal. The inflatable seal member is particularly well suited to sealing a processing chamber having pressurized fluids therein. Outward forces (exerted by air pressure) to the inner surfaces of the seal member counteract inward forces (exerted by fluid pressure) to the outer surfaces of the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Karl F. Ludwig, John C. Houston
  • Patent number: 6889985
    Abstract: A core metal insert is provided for reinforcing a weatherseal. The core metal insert has a generally U-channel shaped cross-section and has first and second tines extending from a longitudinally extending backbone strip. The tines are bent to provide the U-channel shaped cross-section. The backbone strip is preferably double-coined to provide first and second grooves, one along each face of the backbone strip. Double coining results in greater length extension of the core metal insert, and also provides for more reliable bending of the tines which are less prone to snap off due to bending stress. Preferably, the backbone strip is provided with a plurality of score marks on both of its opposing faces to facilitate reliable and consistent severance of the backbone strip along the score marks to provide discrete structural staples in the weatherseal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Scovil Hanna Corporation
    Inventor: Roy L. Bonds
  • Patent number: 6874218
    Abstract: A seal attachment fixture and method are provided for attaching a seal to an encapsulated gasket disposed on a work piece, for example, an automotive window assembly. The seal attachment fixture includes fixture members, which slidably move into contact with openable lip portions on the gasket, thus exposing a retention slot defined therein. With the gasket retention slot open, a seal is then inserted within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Pilkington North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Hicks, Thomas M. Lingle
  • Patent number: 6860719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing between an inner casing and an outer casing is provided. The method includes positioning a first sealing member in a leakage path defined between an inner casing and an outer casing such that leakage flow in a first direction activates the first sealing member, and positioning a second sealing member in the leakage path such that leakage flow in the first direction bypasses the second sealing member, and such that leakage flow in an opposite second direction activates the second sealing member. The apparatus includes a pair of circumferential grooves in a channel, a divider positioned in the channel that defines a leakage path, a first sealing member positioned to seal against a flow in the leakage path in a first direction, and a second sealing member positioned to seal against a flow in the leakage path in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Steven Sebastian Burdgick
  • Patent number: 6854739
    Abstract: A sealing ring (12) has an annular principal body (15) responsible for its dimensional stability, such body having an annular groove on at least one axial side, in which groove a sealing body (16), consisting of rubber-elastic material, is held. The sealing body (16) has a sealing bead (24) projecting axially past the principal body (15). The capacity of the annular groove (25) is at least equal to the volume of the sealing body (16) so that the annular groove (25) is in a position of receiving the material of the sealing body (16) defining its sealing bead (24) during action on and deformation of the sealing bead (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Andreas Schleth, Winfried Schulz, Hans-Walter Brenner
  • Patent number: 6849233
    Abstract: A vacuum-sealable hatch that is vacuum sealed to a surface of a passthrough light sterilization device, and related methods of use, consists of a hatch body having at least a portion adapted to fit within an opening of the treatment chamber and a flexible piece attached to the hatch body. The flexible piece extends peripherally from the hatch body and includes a seating portion which is adapted to be vacuum sealed to a seating region of an interior surface of the treatment chamber. The hatch body and the flexible piece seal the treatment chamber from the outside environment, thereby preventing the free flow of microorganisms to and from the treatment chamber and the outside environment. In some variations, at least the seating portion of the flexible piece is transmissive to the light treatment such that surfaces underneath the seating region are treated by the light treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: PurePulse Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Bushnell, William M. Fries
  • Patent number: 6827354
    Abstract: A sealing system on a first structural element having a first through-opening, including a first closing flap rotatable about an axis for closing the first through-opening. The sealing system can be coupled to a second structural element. The first closing flap is provided with a first dynamic seal on the radial outer circumference thereof. An elastic seal is provided on the wall of the first through-opening and adjacent the first dynamic seal. The inner diameter of the elastic seal is smaller in the non-operated state than the outer diameter of the first closing flap. The first structural element is provided with a second closing flap which essentially matches the first closing flap and can be swivelled together with the first closing flap. The dynamic seal can be inflated radially towards the outside by means of inner pressure when the first closing flap is in the closing position and in such a way that the elastic seal is at least partially and radially displaced towards the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Glatt Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Cornelius, Heinz Pritzke
  • Patent number: 6769700
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for vehicle windscreens (10) comprises a profiled element (20) to be attached to a lower marginal area (12) of the windscreen. A spring member (25) serves for sealed locking engagement with a snapper fin (16) of a water box cover (14) and has a sealing lip (30), fitting between the bottom edge (13) of the windscreen and the upper edge (18) of the water box cover (14). The sealing lip 30 is substantially flush with external surfaces A and G and is bonded to, or integral with, an inclined surface (22) that projects outwardly from a supporting or wedge-shaped rib (21) and has a resiliently deformable, preferably wedge-shaped curved element which is clamped between, and supported by, the bottom edge (12) of the windscreen and the fin (16). The profiled element (20) and/or the sealing lip (30) can be composite elements which are soft on the outside and hard on the inside. Stiffeners 26 and 26′ increase the elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Elkamet Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Ortmüller, Günter Gründel
  • Patent number: 6702300
    Abstract: A high temperature sealing system is operative to seal an interface between adjacent hot structures and to minimize parasitic flow between such structures that move relative to one another in-plane or out-of-plane. The sealing system may be used to seal thrust-directing ramp structures of a reusable launch vehicle and includes a channel and a plurality of movable segmented sealing elements. Adjacent ramp structures include edge walls which extend within the channel. The sealing elements are positioned along the sides of the channel and are biased to engage with the inner surfaces of the ramp structures. The segmented sealing elements are movable to correspond to the contour of the thrust-directing ramp structures. The sealing system is operative to prevent high temperature thrust gases that flow along the ramp structures from infiltrating into the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Bruce M. Steinetz, Patrick H. Dunlap, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040036234
    Abstract: A vehicle door has inner and outer panel parts (5, 6) defining the hollow interior (16) of the door which supports a rigid frame (not shown) for a window glass (18) which slides into and out of the hollow interior (16) through a waist gap (20) formed by the upper marginal edges of the panel parts (5, 6). Inner and outer waist seals (22, 24) are mounted on the inner and outer panel parts (5, 6) for sealing against the window glass (18) along the waist gap (20). The outer waist seal (24) comprises flexible material (44), preferably extruded, which defines first and second channels (46, 48) facing in opposite directions. The first channel (46) embracingly grips the marginal edge of the outer panel part (6) to support the waist seal (24) in position. The second channel (48) embracingly grips interlocking legs of a decorative strip arrangement (56). The decorative strip arrangement (56) may comprise two separate parts (56A and 56B) presenting contrasting decorative appearances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Reimund Plottnik
  • Patent number: 6686052
    Abstract: A cooling plate provided with a cooling medium passage therein is formed by integrally joining a plurality of metal plates each having a cooling medium passage forming groove on a joining surface thereof. An anodic oxide film is formed on at least the cooling medium passage forming groove on the joining surface, and the plurality of metal plates are integrally joined each other by a friction agitation joining method. This enhances corrosion resistance of the cooling medium passage, resulting in an improved durability and extended life, which enables uniform cooling performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Showa Denko, K.K.
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Jogan, Kiyoshi Tada
  • Patent number: 6672595
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure controllable packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Jong Peter Park
  • Patent number: 6655914
    Abstract: A casing cover is used in separating a motor assembly and a pump assembly from each other in a pump device. The casing cover has a cylindrical wall portion having a motor-side positioning portion disposed on one of an inner and outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall portion for being fitted to a member of the motor assembly, and a pump-side positioning portion disposed on the other of an inner and outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall portion for being fitted to a member of the pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Miyazaki, Hiroshi Uchida, Kenichi Kajiwara
  • Patent number: 6623832
    Abstract: A sealing strip, such as for fitting to the frame of a door opening in a motor vehicle body, comprises a longitudinally extending channel-shaped mounting portion incorporating a channel-shaped reinforcing carrier. The hollow tubular longitudinally extending sealing portion is attached to the outside of the mounting portion. When such a strip is bent to follow curves in the door frame, the increased tension in the mounting portion at the curves can cause the sealing portion to move inwardly of the curve so as partially the bridge across the curve. In order to avoid this, the sealing strip, and particularly the mounting portion are longitudinally compressed at positions corresponding to the positions where curves are to be formed in the strip. This local longitudinal compression helps to maintain the sealing portion in its correct attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: GenCorp Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Greven
  • Patent number: 6547254
    Abstract: A seal structure in an engine, including a seal member interposed between a cylinder head having a slanting face portion at least at an intermediate portion of its upper end face to which a valve-operating cam chamber opens, and a head cover coupled to the upper end face of the cylinder head by a bolt to close the valve-operating cam chamber. The head cover has a fit wall portion formed thereon and fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the valve-operating cam chamber, and the seal member is mounted in a seal groove provided in an outer peripheral surface of the fit wall portion to come into close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder head. Thus, an interference can be provided equally at various portions of the seal member irrespective of the number of bolts used, and the seal member can always exhibit a good seal function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Ito, Takao Nishida, Tetsuya Arai, Shigeki Edamatsu
  • Patent number: 6505839
    Abstract: There are disclosed a first gasketed cover which has excellent sealing properties and comprises a cover body composed of a thermoplastic resin and a gasket composed of a thermoplastic elastomer and integrated with the cover body; a second gasketed cover which has excellent sealing properties and is capable of preventing the generation of noises due the vibration of the cover and which comprises a cover body, a gasket composed of an elastic body and integratedly attached to the cover body, and a member composed of the elastic body of a type same as or different from that in the gasket and integratedly installed on at least part of the cover body plane portion excluding the gasket portion; an electronic equipment cover which is capable of preventing pressure difference between the inside and the outside thereof and which comprises a cover body and a membrane composed of an elastic body and installed on a hole placed on the plane portion of the cover body, in which the cover body is integrated with the membrane;
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Youichi Nishimuro, Shinichi Toyosawa, Kunio Machida
  • Patent number: 6502832
    Abstract: A glass run portion and an inner weather strip of a door are made integral with each other via a molded portion. A seal lip portion is provided on the molded portion which is adapted to contact an inner side of a window glass and to continuously connect a laterally inner seal lip of the glass run portion with a seal lip of the inner weather strip. Owing to this, seal lines of both the glass run portion and the inner weather strip are made continuous with each other via a seal line of the seal lip portion which contacts the inner side of the window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhito Goto, Yuzuru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6485028
    Abstract: An improved multi-layer gasket for an internal combustion engine comprises an inner spacer layer sandwiched between top and bottom surface layers. The inner spacer layer provides cylinder openings designed to correspond with each cylinder bore in the engine block. Channels cut in the spacer layer extend outwardly from each cylinder opening. A combustion-sealing member formed with tabs extending outwardly from the circumference of the sealing member is received into each cylinder opening and orientated with each tab residing in a channel. Each tab is embossed at its distal end and eyeletted with an eyelet to the top and bottom layers. Tabs retain the sealing member in the cylinder opening, positively locate the sealing member over the cylinder bores on the engine block during installation and permit the sealing member to float in the cylinder bore during operation of the engine independently of the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Ray Dean Smith
  • Patent number: 6485029
    Abstract: An inflatable sealing device is used to seal a door, such as a shutter door in a submarine, when the door is closed. The inflatable sealing device includes a seal retainer positioned around the opening through a structure, such as a submarine hull or other type of wall. An inflatable seal is positioned with a retainer cavity within the seal retainer. The inflatable seal includes a seal periphery and a seal tip extending from the seal periphery. The seal periphery preferably has an elliptical cross section in a deflated state and a circular cross section in an inflated state such that the seal tip extends into a gap to seal the door when the inflatable seal is pressurized and inflated. The seal tip retracts into the seal retainer when the inflatable seal is deflated. A pressure actuator, such as a bellows, is used to pressurize the inflatable seal using an actuating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul E. Moody, John A. Schwemin, Michael R. Ryerson
  • Patent number: 6481927
    Abstract: An assembly and method of joining a pipe with a catch basin, the catch basin having an apertured side wall, the assembly and method including providing an elastomeric ring having an annular hollow expansion space, a foam injection port, a flow checking inflation valve for resesting fluid back flow within the foam injection port, and having a slide stop extending outwardly from the elastomeric ring; inserting the elastomeric ring into the catch basin's aperture; inserting an end of the pipe through the elastomeric ring; and injecting a closed cell resilient foam through the fluid injection port for expansion within the expansion space, the expansion driving the ring's annular inner and outer surfaces inwardly and outwardly, forming a seal spanning between the pipe and the catch basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Lester Kent Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6478308
    Abstract: Door edge seal and retainer assemblies, particularly adapted for swing doors of motor truck and similar cargo containers, include elongated channel shaped retainer parts adapted to be mounted on the panel edges of the cargo container doors and comprising generally channel shaped members adapted to be secured to the panel edges. One or more elongated seal lip parts are integrally joined to the retainer part and may be cut away to provide access to one or more slots formed on the retainer part to receive flanges of replacement seal lip members for mounting the replacement seal lip members on the retainer parts without removing them from the panel edge in the event of damage to the original seal lip parts. The integral seal lip parts and retainer parts are preferably coextruded of polyvinylchloride wherein the lip parts are more flexible and of a lower hardness than the retainer part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. McMillin, Alfred T. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 6460861
    Abstract: A flexible elongated seal for use in sealing the interface between a window frame and the corresponding window glass of a vehicle. The flexible elongated seal has a rigid reinforcement embedded within a portion of it and a flexible wire mesh reinforcement embedded within a different portion of it. The portion of the flexible elongated seal that is reinforced by the rigid reinforcement is very stiff which has advantages, but it cannot be bent along its length to conform to curved portions of a perimeter of the window frame. The portion of the flexible elongated seal that is reinforced by the wire mesh reinforcement is slightly less stiff than the portion reinforced by the rigid reinforcement, but it can be bent along its length to enable it to conform to curved portions of the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Raymond R Castner
  • Patent number: 6385984
    Abstract: A receiving recess groove for a waterproof member is formed on a separation surface of a bottom portion in a unit case of a vertical-split type constituted by at least two case members having the separation surface, along the separation surface. A rod-like waterproof member having an elasticity is received within the receiving recess groove in a compressed state. Then, in the unit case, a storage gap positioned in an inner wall surface side of the unit case among gaps with respect to the waterproof member within the receiving recess groove and through which a water enters from the inner portion of the unit case, and a communicating portion for communicating with the inner portion of the unit case are respectively provided at both end portions of the receiving recess groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Kyouji Aoki
  • Patent number: 6361858
    Abstract: A mounting for a cooking surface held at its periphery by at least one support part comprising a fiberglass reinforced duromer or thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of an unsaturated polyester resin, a melamine resin, a phenol resin, and an epoxy resin, wherein the fiberglass reinforcement are glass fibers having a length of 15 mm to 65 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Horst Stedron, Bernd Schulteis
  • Patent number: 6354604
    Abstract: A sealing assembly on a constant velocity universal joint which comprises an outer joint part with at least one aperture at an axial end, an inner joint part having a driveshaft connected thereto and being inserted into said outer joint part, and further comprising rolling members effective between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and serving the transmission of torque. The sealing assembly includes at least one sheet metal element having an annular face, which rests on an end face of the outer joint part, with the outer joint part and the sheet metal element being clamped to one another. A first face—the annular face or the end face—has a surface structure, with planar contact faces and grooves provided therein. The respective other face—the annular face or the end face—forms a planar counter face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Lobro GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Nicolai
  • Patent number: 6349946
    Abstract: A sealing member to seal the opening in the side wall of a chamber such as a catch basin through which a laterally extending member such as a drain pipe is positioned and connected. The sealing gasket comprises an annular ring having a cylindrical bore to receive such drain pipe for example, an annular groove cut into the annular ring which divides the portions adjacent the groove into a first annual flange on one side of the groove and a second annular flange on the opposite side of the groove. The sealing gasket is made of a flexible compressible material. It is worked into the opening to be sealed by flexing the gasket in such a way as to insert the peripheral edge of the wall surrounding the opening into the annular groove, whereupon one of the annular flanges is in sealing bearing relationship against the outer surface of the wall around the opening and the other annular flange is in sealing bearing relationship against the inner surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: John K Daugherty
  • Patent number: 6338492
    Abstract: A sealing system for large-surface thin parts to be interconnected, used for the mutual sealing of separating plates, in particular of bipolar plates with interposed ion-exchange membrane units (MEA) in fuel cells. The system uses sealing elements made of polymer material, in which the individual sealing elements, injected into recesses, form an integral unit with the respective associated bipolar plate. Provision is made between the side walls of the sealing elements and the adjacent walls of the recesses for free spaces or gaps to accommodate the elastic sealing material which spreads during the compression. The sealing elements only partially fill the recesses or gaps and the height (H) of the sealing elements are greater than the depth (T) of the recess or gaps before the compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Herman Schilling, Eberhard Bock, Günter Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6273433
    Abstract: A thin layer of a magnetizable coating is extruded or coextruded onto a external surface portion of a tubular sponge bulb seal for an automotive door or hatch. The coating is of a thickness, location on the seal and formulation to be selectively magnetized to provide a desired magnetic force level to optimize the balance between effective sealing and ease of door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: The Standard Products Company
    Inventor: Zuoxing Yu
  • Patent number: 6231055
    Abstract: An article includes an object and a sealing member. The object includes a cavity formed therein. The sealing member includes sealant and a carrier to which the sealant is attached. At least one of the carrier and the object includes attachment means whereby the carrier is configured to be attached to the object such that at least a portion of the sealant is retained within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Francis Dams, Dirk Roosen
  • Patent number: 6176493
    Abstract: A novel side seal assembly for a slide gate is provided that essentially comprises a seal member having first, second and third mutually spaced sections formed integral with a base section, the first and second sections defining a slide-receiving channel and the second and third sections defining a tapered wedge-receiving channel, said second section being capable of flexing away from said first section toward said third section under a flexing force applied thereto; a tapered wedge member for disposition in said wedge-receiving channel; and attachment means for attaching said seal member and said wedge member to a gate slide guide, said attachment means including fastener means for retaining said wedge member at a selected depth in said wedge-receiving channel, said wedge member acting on said said second and third sections to produce a flexing force that causes said second section to flex toward said first section whereby to cause said first and second sections to engage and form a watertight sliding seal w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: George E. Whipps
  • Patent number: 6161841
    Abstract: This invention discloses, as a manufacture, a vehicle O ring fuel cap gasket having a diagonally inverted modified C shape cross section and a groove extending for the full circumference of the O ring and in cross section the groove edges extend downward, with one or first edge extending downward to about 4 o'clock position and the other or second edge extending downward to about 7:30 o'clock, to provide a groove opening extending diagonally upwards for a depth of about 2.2.times. to about 2.5.times. the thickness T-T' of the back of the C shape, and optional ridges on the outer circumference, the inner circumference, or the top of the O ring, and the O ring formed of an elastomer having a Shore A hardness about 50 to 60 and ultimate elongation range of 200% to 315%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Richard J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6089575
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a direct-controlled cartridge valve in an insertion bore, which valve is arranged in a hydraulic system of a device for varying the valve timing of an internal combustion engine wherein to avoid leakages between the individual annular chambers (20, 21, 22) in the insertion bore (23) resulting from the radial clearance between the annular webs (8, 9, 10) of the cartridge (5) and the bore wall (24) of the insertion bore (23), the annular webs (8, 9, 10) on the outer peripheral surface (6) of the cartridge (5) are made with a smaller diameter than the insertion bore (23) and additionally comprise annular grooves (14, 15, 16) into which annular sealing elements (17, 18, 19) made of a shear-resistant material are inserted, and leakages between the sealing elements (17, 18, 19) and the cartridge (5), as also leakages between the sealing elements (17, 18, 19) and the bore wall (24) of the insertion bore (23) are sealed by a static radial force resulting from the pre-stress of the sealing el
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Rainer Ottersbach, Andreas Strauss
  • Patent number: 6076836
    Abstract: A sealing system for a closing flap in a passage orifice of a facility where, in a coupled position, the closing flap rests in parallel against an identical closing flap on another facility in a sealing plane and cooperates therewith in such a way that the interiors of the two facilities are connected to one another. In a closed position, the individual closing flap has a seal on its circumference for sealing off an associated passage orifice. At least one of the two cooperating closing flaps has, on its circumference, a groove which is delimited on both sides by annular legs. A first leg delimits the groove toward the interior of the respective facility and extends near to the sealing surface of the passage orifice. The second leg is radially shortened relative to the first leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Glatt Systemtechnik Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bretschneider, Willibald Kuhnemund
  • Patent number: 6065757
    Abstract: A flywheel housing adapted for use with an engine. The engine has a cylinder block and the cylinder block defines a mating portion. The flywheel housing has a groove with an elastomeric seal disposed therein. The groove has an arcuate portion and a pair of leg portions and is in sealing engagement with the mating portion. The principle use is for flywheel housing made of aluminum, however any flywheel housing that has thermal stresses or encounters vibrational loads will benefit from this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin P. Schneider, Eric D. Hardin, David L. Oedewaldt
  • Patent number: 5950368
    Abstract: An improved access lid assembly is provided for a subsurface chamber used to service aircraft. A lift assembly is provided for elevating the lid upwardly from an opening in a surrounding mounting frame disposed atop the subsurface chamber while maintaining the lid in a horizontal disposition. A hinge assembly connects the lift assembly to the lid at a peripheral location thereon on the underside of the lid, without any connection to the peripheral edge of the lid. The hinge assembly allows the lid to rotate about a horizontal axis to an open position through an arc of at least ninety degrees. By avoiding any connection to the peripheral edges of the lid, an elastomeric, annular seal can be mounted to completely encircle the lid and provide a water-tight barrier about the access opening. The seal is mounted between the upper and lower surfaces of the lid within a groove, preferably with a dovetail connection, to securely grip and hold the seal upon the edge of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Dabico, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Bradford
  • Patent number: 5944324
    Abstract: Shaped articles made of brittle material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, for example designed as glass or glass-ceramic plates, are typically encapsulated with a holding frame made of plastic, which is produced by directly encapsulating the edges of the shaped article with plastic by injection moulding. In order to avoid stress concentrations in the shaped article, which inevitably form as a consequence of the differences in thermal expansion and the material-dependent shrinkage behaviour, according to the invention shrinkage-absorbing elements are embedded between the holding frame and the shaped article, which elements additionally ensure a permanently elastic bearing of the shaped articles when used in practice and provide sufficient sealing during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Glaswerke, Schott
    Inventors: Bernd Schultheis, Dietrich Busch, Thomas Heisner, Herwig Scheidler
  • Patent number: 5941537
    Abstract: A static seal includes first and second spaced apart walls having a gap therebetween for channeling a pressurized fluid. The first wall includes a recessed seat facing the second wall defined by spaced apart first and second faces joined together at a base. A seal insert is loosely disposed in the seat and is trapped therein by the first and second faces. The first and second faces are shorter than the insert to project a top of the insert above the seat and below the second wall for initially promoting flow of the fluid over the insert top to deploy the insert in abutting contact with both the second face and the second wall to seal the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: General Eletric Company
    Inventors: Thomas T. Wallace, Valentine R. Boehm, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5915697
    Abstract: A seal assembly having a flexible cloth seal which includes a shim assemblage surrounded by a cloth assemblage. A first tubular end portion, such as a gas turbine combustor, includes a longitudinal axis and has smooth and spaced-apart first and second surface portions defining a notch therebetween which is wider at its top than at its bottom and which extends outward from the axis. The second surface portion is outside curved, and a first edge of the cloth seal is positioned in the bottom of the notch. A second tubular end portion, such as a first stage nozzle, is located near, spaced apart from, and coaxially aligned with, the first tubular end portion. The second tubular end portion has a smooth third surface portion which surrounds at least a portion of the first tubular end portion and which is contacted by the cloth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bharat Sampathkumar Bagepalli, Joseph Charles Taura, Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Mehmet Demiroglu, Daniel Ross Predmore
  • Patent number: 5868397
    Abstract: A retaining structure for a flexible O-ring which is used for sealing a gap between an electrical device and an electrical connector to be mounted directly on an electrical device, comprises a pressing projection provided on an inner peripheral wall of an O-ring-receiving groove for a connector housing, and a notch portion provided for an outer peripheral wall of the O-ring-receiving groove on the opposite side of the pressing projection, wherein an O-ring inserted into the O-ring-receiving groove is held by engagements by contacting portions defined by a pointed end of the pressing projection and oppositely disposed contacting portions P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 on an outer peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiko Kuboshima, Shinichi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 5860746
    Abstract: A sealed roll bearing of a roll which has neck sleeves of high strength, preferably shrunk onto the roll necks of the roll, wherein the flanges of a profiled sealing ring sealingly engage over the end portions of the neck sleeve facing the end faces of the roll bodies and at least over portions of the end phases of the roll bodies. The flanges of the profiled sealing rings engaging over the end faces of the roll bodies are connected to the end faces of the roll bodies and the flanges of the profiled sealing rings engaging over the end portions of the neck sleeves surround the flanges of the profiled sealing rings engaging over the end portions of the neck sleeves so as to form a narrow gap, wherein the narrow gap is sealed by means of at least one sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Konrad Roeingh, Matthias Tuschhoff, Karl-Friedrich Muller
  • Patent number: 5839881
    Abstract: A ceiling fan housing includes a cylindrical member having an upper and outer peripheral flange and a cover having a lower and outer peripheral flange. A disc includes an upper and a lower surfaces each having a peripheral groove for engaging with the peripheral flanges of the cylindrical member and the cover. The disc is made of shock absorbing material for absorbing shocks and vibrations that may be generated in the ceiling fan. The disc includes two or more curved members secured together by ribs and slots so as to form the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Jack Yu