Split v-ring seal assembly

Abstract

A seal assembly includes an annular seal body positionable about a first member having a centerline, an axially extending seal lip positionable against a radial surface of a second member, two circumferential ends, and an outer circumferential surface. The outer circumferential surface extends outwardly a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the centerline. A first connecting member has teeth positioned between and connected to the teeth of the seal body to form a first attachment interface proximate the first end of the seal body. A second connecting member has teeth positioned between and connected to the teeth of the seal body to form a second attachment interface proximate the second end of the seal body. The first and second connecting members are connected to join the ends of the seal body to retain the seal assembly about the first member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to seals, and more particularly to seals for sealing radial surfaces. Background Technology

[0002] Seals for sealing radial surfaces, also known as "axial faces," are well-known. Typically, such seals comprise an annular body. This annular body is arranged around a first member and has a sealing lip for sealing the axial / radial surface of a second member. The second member is positioned around or near the first member. This type of seal is commonly referred to as a "V-ring seal." The V-ring seal comprises an annular body and axially extending lips spaced from the body by an annular groove, giving the seal a generally V-shaped cross-section. Such seals are typically manufactured in many different standard sizes, each designed to surround a first member such as a shaft of a specific size. Summary of the Invention

[0003] On one hand, the present invention is a seal assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member. The first member has an outer circumferential surface, and the second member is disposed around the first member, or adjacent to an end of the first member, and has a radial surface. The seal assembly includes an annular sealing body, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. The sealing body is disposed around the first member and has a centerline, an axially extending sealing lip capable of engaging with the radial surface of the second member, two circumferential ends, and an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of teeth extend outwardly from the outer circumferential surface and are spaced circumferentially around the centerline. The first connecting member has a plurality of spaced teeth. Each tooth of the first connecting member is located between a separate pair of adjacent teeth of the sealing body to define a first attachment interface near a first axial end of the sealing body. The first connecting member is attached to the sealing body at the first attachment interface. Furthermore, the second connecting member has a plurality of spaced-apart teeth. Each tooth of the second connecting member is located between an independent pair of adjacent teeth of the sealing body, defining a second attachment interface near the second circumferential end of the sealing body. The second connecting member is attached to the sealing body at the second attachment interface. The connection of the first and second connecting members enables the first and second circumferential ends of the sealing body to be connected, thereby holding the sealing assembly around the outer circumferential surface of the first member.

[0004] On the other hand, the present invention is a method for forming a sealing assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member. The second member is disposed around the first member or located near an end of the first member. The method comprises the following steps: molding a complete annular seal body having a centerline, an inner diameter, and an outer circumferential surface; providing first and second connecting members; calculating a reduction in the circumferential length of the complete seal body to reduce the inner diameter of the seal body to a desired value approximately equivalent to the outer diameter of the first member; removing an arcuate portion of calculated length from the seal body to form first and second circumferential ends such that the inner diameter of the seal body is reduced to the desired value when the first and second circumferential ends are connected to each other; attaching the first and second connecting members to the outer surface of the seal body; and connecting the first and second connecting members such that the first and second axial ends of the seal body are at least substantially adjacent to each other to maintain the seal body in an annular structure and having the desired inner diameter.

[0005] In a further aspect, the present invention is also a method for forming a sealing assembly, comprising the following steps: molding an integral annular seal body having an inner diameter, an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of teeth extending outward from the outer circumferential surface; providing first and second connecting members, each connecting member having opposite ends and a plurality of teeth spaced apart between the ends; calculating a reduction in the circumferential length of the molded seal body to reduce the inner diameter of the seal body to an ideal value; juxtaposing the first connecting member on the outer surface of the seal body such that each tooth of the first connecting member is located between an independent pair of adjacent teeth of the seal body to form a first attachment interface. The first connecting member, which is flush with the first connecting member, is connected to the sealing body. The second connecting member is flush with the outer surface of the sealing body, such that each tooth of the second connecting member is located between an independent pair of adjacent teeth of the sealing body to form a second attachment interface. The second connecting member, which is flush with the first connecting member, is connected to the sealing body. The distance between the inner end of the second attachment interface and the inner end of the first attachment interface is approximately equivalent to the calculated reduction in circumferential length. The sealing body is cut off near the inner end of the first attachment interface to form a first circumferential end of the sealing body. The sealing body is cut off near the inner end of the second attachment interface to form a second circumferential end of the sealing body, thereby removing a section of the sealing body with a length approximately equivalent to the calculated reduction in circumferential length. The first and second connecting members are connected such that the first and second circumferential ends of the sealing body are at least approximately adjacent to each other to maintain the sealing body in an annular structure and having an ideal inner diameter.

[0006] In another aspect, the present invention is also a sealing assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member. The first member has an outer circumferential surface, and the second member is disposed around the first member or located near an end of the first member. The sealing assembly includes an annular sealing body, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. The sealing body is disposed around the first member and has a centerline, an axially extending sealing lip adaptable to a radial surface of the second member, two circumferential ends, and an outer circumferential surface. The outer circumferential surface extends outwardly with at least one of a plurality of projections spaced circumferentially around the centerline, and a plurality of recesses (or openings) spaced circumferentially around the centerline. The first connecting member has at least one of the spaced projections and a plurality of spaced recesses, each projection located within an individual recess of the sealing body, each recess accommodating an individual projection of the sealing body to define a first attachment interface near a first circumferential end of the sealing body. The first connecting member is connected to the sealing body at the first attachment interface. The second connecting member has at least one of a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions and a plurality of spaced-apart recesses, each protrusion located within an individual recess of the sealing body, and each recess accommodating an individual protrusion of the sealing body, thereby defining a second attachment interface near the second circumferential end of the sealing body. The second connecting member is connected to the sealing body at the second attachment interface. The connection of the first and second connecting members enables the first and second circumferential ends of the sealing body to be joined together, thereby securing the sealing assembly around the outer circumferential surface of the first member. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The above summary and detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood by reading them in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show exemplary embodiments that currently appear preferable. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific layouts and structures shown in the figures. In the following figures:

[0008] Figure 1 This is an axial cross-sectional view of the sealing assembly of the present invention, showing that the sealing assembly is disposed around the first member for sealing the second member;

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view (or three-dimensional view) of the sealing assembly.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified perspective view of the central section;

[0011] Figure 4This is a partially enlarged perspective view of the sealing assembly, showing the attached second connecting member;

[0012] Figure 5 This is a partial enlarged perspective view of the sealing assembly, showing the first connecting member with attachments;

[0013] Figure 6 This is a partial magnified perspective view of the seal.

[0014] Figure 7 This is an axial cross-sectional view of the sealing assembly;

[0015] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the connecting component blocks;

[0016] Figure 9 This is a side view of the connecting component block;

[0017] Figures 10A to 10D Figure 10 shows a step-by-step perspective view of one method of forming a sealing assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In the following description, certain terms are used for convenience only and not for limitation. The terms “inner,” “inward,” and “outer,” “outward,” respectively refer to directions pointing towards or away from the specified centerline or geometric center of the described component, their specific meanings being self-evident from the context. Furthermore, as stated herein, the terms “connected” and “linked” each have both a direct connection between two components without the involvement of any other components and an indirect connection between two components with the involvement of one or more other components. The terminology includes the specific terms mentioned above, their derivatives, and terms with similar meanings.

[0019] Now see the accompanying drawings, in which similar markings are used throughout to indicate similar parts. Figure 1-1 Image 0 shows a sealing assembly 10 used to seal between the first component 1 and the second component 2. The first component 1 has a central axis A. C The first member 1 has an outer circumferential surface 1a; the second member 2 is disposed around the first member 1, or adjacent to the end of the first member 1, and has a radial surface 2a. One of the members 1 and 2 is capable of revolving around axis A. CRotatable or pivotable. For example, the first component 1 can be a bearing inner ring, and the second component 2 can be an outer housing; the first component 1 can be a shaft, and the second component 2 can be a seal case, etc. The sealing assembly 10 mainly includes an annular sealing body 12 with two circumferential ends 12a, 12b and first and second connecting members 14, 16 respectively attached to the sealing body 12. The first and second connecting members 14, 16 can connect the circumferential ends 12a, 12b of the sealing body 12 by interconnection. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing body 12 and the first and second connecting members 14, 16 are made of an elastomeric material (preferably natural or synthetic rubber), but can also be made of any other suitable material. The sealing body 12 can be disposed around the first component 1, thereby connecting to the latter, and has a centerline L. C And an axially extended sealing lip 18 capable of sealingly adapting to the radial surface 2a of the second member 2. The sealing body 12 further has an inner circumferential surface 13A capable of sealingly adapting to the first member 1, an outer circumferential surface 13B opposite to the inner circumferential surface 13A, and a plurality of rings around the centerline L. C Protrusions 19 and / or recesses 21 are spaced apart on the circumference. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing body 12 has a plurality of axial teeth 20 extending outward from the outer circumferential surface 13B to provide the protrusions 19, and also has a plurality of axial channels 26 defined by independently paired adjacent axial teeth 20 to provide the recesses ( / openings) 21. Figure 6 ).

[0020] Furthermore, each of the first and second connecting members 14 and 16 has at least one complementary protrusion 19 and / or complementary recess 21 designed to engage with a corresponding structure of the sealing body 12. That is, each of the two connecting members 14 and 16 includes at least a protrusion 19 that can be placed in the recess 21 of the sealing body 12 or a recess 21 for receiving the protrusion 19 of the sealing body 12. Preferably, the first connecting member 14 has a plurality of spaced teeth 22 for providing the protrusion 19, and also has a plurality of channels 35 defined between the teeth 22 for providing the recess 21. Figures 8-9 Each tooth 22 of the first connecting member 14 is placed within a channel 26 between two independently paired adjacent teeth 20 of the sealing body 12. Figure 6 ), to define a first attachment interface AI1 near the first circumferential end 12a of the sealing body 12. Figure 1 , 7(and 10C). The first connecting member 14 is attached to the annular seal 12 at the first attachment interface AI1, preferably by means of a suitable adhesive or the like, but may also be attached by means of fasteners or any other suitable means.

[0021] Furthermore, the second connecting member 16 also has a plurality of spaced-apart teeth 24 for providing the protrusion 19, and a plurality of channels 37 defined between the teeth 24 for providing the recess 21. Figures 8-9 The teeth 24 of the second connecting member 16 are placed between pairs of adjacent teeth 20 of the sealing body 12 to define a second attachment interface AI2 near the second circumferential end 12b of the sealing body 12. Figure 10C The second connecting member 16 is attached to the annular seal 12 at the second attachment interface AI2, preferably by an adhesive or other suitable means (fasteners, thermal bonding, etc.).

[0022] Furthermore, the first and second connecting members 14 and 16 are connected to join the first and second ends 12a and 12b of the sealing body 12 together, thereby holding the sealing assembly 10 around the outer circumferential surface 1a of the first member 1. Preferably, when the connecting members 14 and 16 are connected, the first and second circumferential ends 12a and 12b of the sealing body 12 abut against each other. However, as an alternative, the ends 12a and 12b of the sealing body can also be separated by an intermediate member (e.g., an elastomeric spacer, not shown), especially when the inner diameter ID1 of the sealing body is significantly smaller than the outer diameter OD1 of the first member due to unintentional reasons during its formation, as discussed later. However, in general, the inner diameter ID1 of the formed sealing body is made smaller than the outer diameter OD1 of the first member by a certain amount to cause diametrical interference between the sealing body 12 and the first member, so that the sealing assembly 10 can be connected to the member 1 by friction.

[0023] As discussed in detail below, the seal 12 is preferably formed by “reducing” the integral seal 11 to a specific size (desired size) for the purpose of a specific application (i.e., to fit the outer diameter OD1 of the first member 1). That is, the seal 12, having a first inner diameter ID1 of an ideal value, is formed by cutting an arcuate portion 11a from a complete annular body 11 having a larger second inner diameter ID2, as shown below. Figure 10AAs shown. Furthermore, each of the first and second connecting members 14, 16 is preferably formed from separate, generally cuboid-shaped blocks 30, 32 (hereinafter referred to as "cuboid blocks" or "blocks"), each having elongated surfaces 31A, 33A, from which teeth 22, 24 of each of the first and second connecting members 14, 16 extend. Additionally, each cuboid block 30, 32 is curved so that the elongated surfaces 31A, 33A are juxtaposable against the curved outer circumferential surface 13B of the sealing body, thereby forming the attachment interfaces AI1, AI2 described above and further in detail below. Preferably, the connecting members 14, 16 can be attached to the molded sealing body 11 and then removed (e.g., by shearing) the arcuate portion 11a, or they can be attached to the sealing body 12 after removing the arcuate portion 11a. Having described the basic components and structure above, these and other parts of the sealing assembly 10 will be described in detail below.

[0024] See now Figure 1 and 5 ~7, the sealing body 12 preferably includes a body portion 40. The body portion 40 has a generally rectangular axial cross section, providing inner and outer circumferential surfaces 13A, 13B of the sealing body. The sealing body portion 40 has two opposing axial ends 40a, 40b, and a sealing lip 18 extends axially and radially outward from one of the axial ends 40a, with each of the plurality of teeth 20 extending axially between the two axial ends 40a, 40b. Furthermore, the sealing lip 18 is generally truncated conical in shape, having an inner radial end 18a integrally formed with the body portion 40 and an outer radial end 18b capable of engaging with the radial surface 2a of the second member 2. An annular groove 42 is formed between the sealing lip 18 and the body portion 40.

[0025] like Figure 6 As most clearly shown, each tooth 20 of the seal 12 preferably has a flat outer end face 20a and a pair of concave side surfaces 23A, 23B, so that a generally semi-circular axial channel 26 is defined between each pair of adjacent teeth 12 for the reasons described above, which will be described in further detail later. Furthermore, each of the plurality of teeth 20 of the seal 12 is preferably spaced apart from each adjacent tooth 20 by a spacing distance D. S The interval distance D SCorresponding to the width of the teeth 22 or 24 of each connecting member, as discussed later. Furthermore, the main body 40 of the sealing body 12 preferably includes a radial flange 44 extending outward from the outer circumferential surface 13B near the second axial end 40b of the sealing body. With this structure, the flange 44 closes one end of each channel 26, which helps to retain the connecting members 14, 16 during connection to the first and second attachment interfaces AI1, AI2.

[0026] See now Figure 5 , 8 And 9, the elongated blocks 30, 32 of the first and second connecting members are preferably bent or curved (albeit relatively shallow) when attached to the sealing body 12, and are arranged such that the elongated surfaces 31A, 33A become inner circumferential surfaces, as Figure 5 This is shown most clearly. Furthermore, each elongated block 30, 32 further has outer circumferential surfaces 31B, 33B opposite in direction to the inner circumferential surfaces 31A, 33A, first axial ends 30a, 32a and second axial ends 30b, 32b opposite in direction to the first axial ends 30a, 32a, inner circumferential ends 30c, 32c and outer circumferential ends 30d, 32d opposite in direction to the inner circumferential ends 30c, 32c. The terms "inner circumferential ends" 30c, 32c are intended to indicate that when the connecting members 14, 16 are connected to each other, these ends 30c, 32c abut against each other (or at least are adjacent to each other), while the "outer circumferential ends" 30d, 32d are located at the outer ends of the connected members 14, 16 after connection.

[0027] Furthermore, the teeth 22 and 24 of each of the first and second connecting members 14 and 16 protrude from the inner circumferential surfaces 31A and 33A of the elongated blocks 30 and 32 of each connecting member, extending between the first and second axial ends 30a and 30b and 32a and 32b of the elongated blocks, respectively. The teeth 22 and 24 are spaced apart between the inner and outer circumferential ends 30c and 30d and 32c and 32d of the elongated blocks, respectively, so that each pair of adjacent teeth 22 and 24 defines an axial passage 35 and 37, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, each tooth 22 and 24 of each of the first and second connecting members 14 and 16 has a spacing D less than or equal to the tooth 20 of the sealing body 12. S ( Figure 6 The thickness T) T ( Figure 9 Furthermore, each connecting member's teeth 22, 24 have a generally semi-circular cross-sectional shape, positioned within an independent axial channel 26 of the sealing body 12, abutting against the side surfaces 23A and 23B of a pair of adjacent teeth 20 of the sealing body 12, as shown below. Figure 5This is most clearly demonstrated. With such an interlocking 20 / 22 or 20 / 24 structure, the connected adhesion surfaces AI1, AI2 can withstand much greater circumferential stress (e.g., hoop shear) than a “flat” adhesion interface. In particular, compared to an interface formed by two “flat” surfaces, the greater adhesion of the bonded interfaces AI1, AI2 stems from both the much larger bonding surface area of ​​each interface AI1, AI2 over a given circumferential length and the stronger ability of the interlocking teeth 20 / 22 and 20 / 24 to resist circumferential stress compared to the adhesive layer itself.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the elongated blocks 30 and 32 of each of the first and second connecting members 14 and 16 further include holes 34 and 36 extending between the two circumferential ends 30c and 30d and 32c and 32d of each elongated block 30 and 32, respectively. In this manner, the sealing assembly 10 preferably further includes a fastener 38 that passes through the holes 34 and 36 of each connecting member elongated block 30 and 32 and is configured to connect the first and second connecting members 14 and 16, such as... Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Figure 10D. Specifically, the fastener 38 is preferably a conventional bolt, having a head 38a abutting against the outer circumferential end 30d or 32d of one of the elongated blocks 30, 32 and a threaded portion 38b extending outward from the other circumferential end 32d, 30d. The nut 39 is screw-fitted to the threaded portion 38b of the bolt, thereby allowing the connecting members 14, 16 and the circumferential ends 12a, 12b of the sealing body connected to the connecting members to be releasably connected. Because the connecting member elongated blocks 30, 32 attached to the sealing body have a relatively shallow curvature, and the preferred elastomeric material of the connecting members 14, 16 is elastic, the fastener 38 can still be inserted through the aligned holes 34, 36 despite the degree of curvature of the holes 34, 36.

[0029] Using the preferred fastener 38 described above, the fastener 38 can be removed from the first and second connecting members 14, 16 to remove the sealing assembly 10 from the first member 1. Therefore, the sealing assembly 10 can be both mounted around the member 1 during the assembly of the first member 1 into a machine or other end application (a process that may prevent the assembly of the complete seal) and easily removed from the member 1 in the assembled state. However, the connecting members 14, 16 can also be removably or permanently connected together in any other suitable manner, for example, by using another type of fastener, giving the elongated blocks 30, 32 interlocking projections and recesses, or by using rivets through the elongated blocks 30, 32.

[0030] See Figures 10A to 10D The sealing assembly 10 of the present invention is preferably formed in the following manner. First, a complete annular sealing body 11 is manufactured by molding, giving it a large second inner diameter ID2 and a plurality of teeth 20 spaced apart on the entire circumference of the sealing body 11, such as... Figure 10A As shown. By forming teeth 20 around the entire circumference, the connecting members 14, 16 can be attached to any desired location around the sealing body 11. However, the teeth 20 can also be provided only on a portion of the periphery of the sealing body, or on two or more discrete portions (these candidate options are not shown). The connecting members 14, 16 can also be formed or provided as flat cuboid blocks 30, 32 with connecting member teeth 22, 24, as... Figure 8 and 9 As most clearly shown above, the reduction in the circumference (i.e., perimeter) of the complete seal 11 is calculated to reduce the inner diameter of the seal 12 to approximately the same as the outer diameter OD1 of the first component 1. Figure 1 The ideal value (or expected value) of ).

[0031] After this calculation, the length L is calculated. C The arcuate portion 11a is removed from the sealing body 12 to form the first and second circumferential ends 12a, 12b of the sealing body, thereby reducing the inner diameter of the sealing body to the ideal value ID1 when the first and second ends 12a, 12b of the sealing body are subsequently joined together. A preferred method is to attach the first and second connecting members 14, 16 to the complete sealing body 11 before removing the arcuate portion 11a (preferably by attaching the first connecting member 14 to the integral sealing body 11, and then attaching the second connecting member 16 to the sealing body 11 at a point spaced apart from the first connecting member), such as... Figure 10BThis is shown most clearly. Specifically, the position of the second connecting member 16 is such that the distance D between its inner circumferential end 32c and the inner circumferential end 30c of the first connecting member 14 is... R Roughly equivalent to the calculated reduction in circumference L of the seal 11 C ,like Figure 10B As shown. When attaching the connecting members 14, 16, each connecting member 14, 16 is flush with and placed alongside the outer surface 13B of the sealing body 12, so that each tooth 22 or 24 of each of the first and second connecting members 14, 16 is between an independent pair of adjacent teeth 20 of the sealing body 12, as described above.

[0032] By attaching the connecting members 14 and 16 in this manner, the arcuate portion 11a can be defined from the rest of the sealing body 11, and then the arcuate portion 11a can be removed from the sealing body 11 by cutting it near the inner circumferential end 30c of the first connecting member 14 and near the inner circumferential end 32c of the second connecting member 16. However, the ideal arcuate portion 11a can also be removed by cutting one or both of the connecting members 14 and 16 (i.e., cutting the connecting members 14 and 16 between the long block ends 30c, 30d and / or the long block ends 32c, 32d) and cutting the sealing body 12 together, especially when it is desired to "shorten" the circumferential length of the connecting members 14 and 16 (e.g., for the purpose of reducing mass), or when the spacing between the connecting members 14 and 16 after attachment is less than the desired value. Alternatively, the arcuate portion 11a of the sealing body can also be removed by first selecting a spacing D on the sealing body 11. R The two points are then cut off at these two points to remove the seal body 11, thereby forming a seal body 12 with an ideal total length between the two ends 12a and 12b. Then, the first connecting member 14 is attached to the seal body 12 near the first circumferential end 12a of the seal body, and the second connecting member 16 is attached to the seal body 12 near the second circumferential end 12b of the seal body.

[0033] In either case, the connecting members 14 and 16 are preferably attached to the sealing body 12 using an adhesive at the attachment interfaces AI1 and AI2, so that the teeth 22 or 24 of the connecting members are connected between pairs of adjacent teeth 20 of the sealing body 12. As described above, as an alternative, the connecting members 14 and 16 may also abut against the sealing body 11 / 12 to form interfaces AI1 and AI2, and then be fastened to the sealing body 11 / 12 by fasteners, thermal fusion, or other means. As a further candidate, both the sealing body 12 and the connecting members 14 and 16 may be formed without teeth, and the connecting members 14 and 16 may be attached by abutting their inner surfaces 31A and 33A against the outer surface 13B of the sealing body, and then by any suitable means (e.g., adhesive bonding, fasteners, etc.).

[0034] Once the seal 12 is formed with attached connecting members 14, 16, the final sealing assembly 10 is formed by connecting the connecting members 14, 16, such that the first and second circumferential ends 12a, 12b of the seal are at least substantially adjacent to each other, and the seal 12 maintains a generally annular structure having an ideal inner diameter value ID1 that is substantially equivalent to the outer diameter OD1 of the first member 1. As described above, the first and second connecting members 14, 16 are preferably connected by passing a fastener 38 through each of them and then screwing a nut 39 onto the end 38b of the fastener 38. In most cases, the seal 12 with the connecting members 14, 16 is assembled around the first member 1 before the first and second connecting members 14, 16 are connected with the fastener 38, which is particularly advantageous when the first member 1 is included in a machine or other device.

[0035] However, the sealing assembly 10, which is already connected by connecting members 14 and 16, can also be connected by inserting one end of the first member 1 (not shown) into the hole 15 of the sealing body 12, and then connecting the sealing assembly 10 along the central axis A. C The seal is shifted until it is positioned at the ideal location on the outer surface 1a of the first component and assembled onto the first component 1. In either case, the inner surface 13A of the seal 12 preferably engages with the outer surface 1a of the first component with sufficient friction to connect the sealing assembly 10 to the first component 1, especially when the first component 1 can revolve around the central axis A. C In the case of pivoting or rotating, the sealing assembly 10 can also be rotated around axis A. C Pivoting or rotating.

[0036] Although the sealing assembly 10 is shown and described in the specific embodiment as having both the sealing body 12 and the first and second connecting members 14, 16 having protrusions 19 in the form of teeth 20, 22, 24 and recesses 21 in the form of channels 26, 35, 37, the sealing assembly 10 may also have any other suitable combination of protrusions 19 and recesses 21. For example, the sealing body 12 may be formed having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, independent columnar protrusions, conical protrusions, etc. (not shown), which are received in suitably shaped recesses (not shown) extending into the interior of the connecting blocks 30, 32, or vice versa. The invention includes any combination of protrusions 19 and recesses 21 that allows the first and second connecting members 14, 16 to mate with the outer circumferential surface 13D of the sealing body to form the sealing assembly 10 described in detail above.

[0037] The sealing assembly 10 of the present invention has many advantages over known sealing assemblies. First, by simply cutting a calculated length from the sealing body 11 to obtain the desired final size, a series of sealing assemblies 10 with different inner diameters ID1 can be formed from a single molded sealing element 11. Furthermore, by having connecting members 14, 16 that are detachably connected, the sealing assembly 10 can be easily assembled onto the component 1: by “wrapping” the sealing body 12 with the unconnected connecting members 14, 16 at the desired position on surface 1a around the first component 1, and then connecting the connecting members 14, 16 as described above. Moreover, the sealing assembly 10 can also be easily removed from the first component 1 by disconnecting the connecting members 14, 16, for example, by unscrewing the nut 39 and removing the fastener 38, and then “unwrapping” the sealing body 12 from the first component 1. Finally, by providing attachment interfaces AI1 and AI2 formed by the interlocking teeth 20 / 22 and 20 / 24 respectively, the connecting members 14 and 16 are able to withstand, for example, a larger circumferential force caused by the thermal expansion of the first member 1, without falling off the seal 12 due to the fracturing of the adhesive connection between the connecting members 14 and 16 and the seal 12.

[0038] The foregoing detailed description of representative, non-limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is intended only to teach those skilled in the art to implement the present teachings at a preferred level, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each additional feature and teaching disclosed above can be used alone or in combination with other features and teachings to provide an improved sealing assembly. Moreover, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the foregoing detailed description may not be necessary to implement the invention in the broadest sense, but are merely specific descriptions of representative embodiments of the invention for illustrative purposes. In addition, the various features of the representative embodiments described above, as well as the various independent and dependent claims hereinafter, can also be combined in a manner not specifically and explicitly enumerated to provide additional useful implementations of the present teachings.

Claims

1. A sealing assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member, the first member having an outer circumferential surface, the second member being disposed around the first member or adjacent to an end of the first member and having a radial surface, the sealing assembly comprising: An annular seal body, which can be disposed around a first member, has a centerline, an axially extending sealing lip capable of engaging a radial surface of a second member, two circumferential ends, an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of teeth extending outward from the outer circumferential surface and spaced circumferentially around the centerline. A first connecting member has a plurality of spaced-apart teeth, each tooth of the first connecting member being located between two adjacent teeth of the sealing body, such that a first attachment interface is defined near the first circumferential end of the sealing body, and the first connecting member is attached to the sealing body at the first attachment interface. as well as The second connecting member has a plurality of spaced teeth, each tooth of the second connecting member being located between two adjacent teeth of the sealing body, such that a second attachment interface is defined near the second circumferential end of the sealing body, the second connecting member being attached to the sealing body at the second attachment interface, the first connecting member and the second connecting member being connected to connect the first and second circumferential ends of the sealing body and to maintain the sealing assembly around the outer circumferential surface of the first member.

2. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing body has a first inner diameter, which is formed by cutting off an arcuate portion from a complete annular body having a larger second inner diameter; Each of the first and second connecting members is formed by an independent, generally cuboid block with an elongated surface. The teeth of each of the first and second connecting members extend from the elongated surface of the cuboid block, and each cuboid block is bent such that the elongated surface can be flush with the outer circumferential surface of the seal.

3. The sealing assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the first and second connecting members includes an elongated block having inner and outer circumferential surfaces, first and second axial ends, and two opposing circumferential ends. Teeth of each of the first and second connecting members protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the respective connecting member block, such that they extend between the first and second axial ends of the elongated block and are spaced apart between the first and second circumferential ends of the elongated block.

4. The sealing assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The elongated blocks of each of the first and second connecting members also include holes extending between the two circumferential ends of the elongated blocks; and The sealing assembly also includes holes penetrating the elongated blocks of each connecting member and is configured as fasteners to connect the first and second connecting members.

5. The sealing assembly as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The fasteners can be removed from the first and second connecting members to detach the sealing assembly from the first member.

6. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: When the first and second connecting members are connected, the first and second circumferential ends of the seal abut against each other or are separated by an intermediate member.

7. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing body also has an inner circumferential surface capable of sealingly engaging with the first component.

8. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing body includes a main body having a generally rectangular axial cross section and providing an outer circumferential surface for the sealing body. The main body also has two opposing axial ends and an inner circumferential sealing surface capable of engaging with the outer circumferential surface of the first member. The sealing lip extends outward from one axial end of the main body, and each of a plurality of teeth extends between the two axial ends of the main body.

9. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The sealing lip is generally truncated conical in shape, having an inner radial end integrally formed with the main body and a free outer radial end capable of engaging with the second component, defining an annular groove between the sealing lip and the main body.

10. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing body has first and second axial ends spaced apart along a centerline and oriented in opposite directions, and each of a plurality of teeth extends axially between the first and second axial ends; and Each of the first and second connecting members includes an elongated block having first and second axial ends facing opposite directions, and each of the plurality of teeth of each connecting member extends axially between the first and second axial ends of the elongated block of each connecting member.

11. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Each tooth of the seal has a flat outer end face and a pair of concave side surfaces, thus defining a roughly semi-circular axial channel between each pair of adjacent teeth; and Each tooth of the first and second connecting members has a generally semi-circular cross-sectional shape and is positioned within an independent axial channel of the seal body, abutting against the lateral curved surfaces of a pair of adjacent teeth of the seal body.

12. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the first and second connecting members is approximately arc-shaped.

13. The sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of teeth in the sealing body forms a gap with each of its adjacent teeth, and each tooth in each of the first and second connecting members has a thickness less than or equal to the gap.

14. A method for forming a sealing assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member, the second member being disposed around the first member or located near an end of the first member, the method comprising the steps of: A complete annular seal is molded, giving the seal a centerline, an inner diameter, and an outer circumferential surface; Provide first and second connecting members; Calculate the reduction in the circumference of the complete seal body to reduce the inner diameter of the seal body to an ideal value that is approximately equivalent to the outer diameter of the first component; Remove the arc-shaped portion of calculated length from the seal body to form the first and second circumferential ends, and reduce the inner diameter of the seal body to the ideal value when the first and second circumferential ends are connected to each other; The first and second connecting members are attached to the outer surface of the seal; as well as The first and second connecting members are connected such that the first and second circumferential ends of the seal are at least substantially adjacent to each other to maintain the seal in an annular structure and have an ideal inner diameter.

15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that: The steps of attaching the first and second connecting members include attaching the first connecting member to the sealing body, and then attaching the second connecting member to the sealing body such that the inner end of the second connecting member is approximately spaced from the inner end of the first connecting member by a calculated reduction distance along its circumference; and The step of removing the arcuate portion from the seal includes cutting the seal near the inner end of the first connecting member and cutting the seal near the inner end of the second connecting member.

16. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that: The sealing body is installed around the first member before the first and second connecting members are connected.

17. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that: The sealing body has a plurality of teeth that extend outward from the outer surface of the sealing body and are spaced around the center line on the circumference; Each of the first and second connecting members has multiple teeth; and The step of attaching each connecting member to the seal body includes flushing and placing each of the first and second connecting members on the outer surface of the seal body such that each tooth of each of the first and second connecting members is located between two adjacent teeth of the seal body.

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that: The step of attaching each of the first and second connecting members to the sealing body further includes engaging the teeth of each of the first and second connecting members with adjacent teeth of the sealing body; and The step of connecting the first and second connecting members includes inserting fasteners through each of the first and second connecting members.

19. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that: The step of removing the arcuate portion from the seal body includes cutting the seal body at two locations along the circumference of the seal body where the calculated reduction amount is obtained.

20. A method of forming a sealing assembly, comprising the following steps: A molded complete annular seal body has an inner diameter, an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of teeth extending outward from the outer circumferential surface; First and second connecting members are provided, each connecting member having two opposite ends and a plurality of teeth spaced apart between the two ends; Calculate the reduction in circumferential length of the molded seal body to reduce the inner diameter of the seal body to the ideal value; The first connecting member is flush with and placed on the outer surface of the sealing body, such that each tooth of the first connecting member is located between two adjacent teeth of the sealing body, thereby forming a first attachment interface, and the flush-placed first connecting member is attached to the sealing body. The second connecting member is flush with and placed on the outer surface of the sealing body, such that each tooth of the second connecting member is located between two adjacent teeth of the sealing body, thereby forming a second attachment interface, and the flush-placed second connecting member is attached to the sealing body, with the inner end of the second attachment interface separated from the inner end of the first attachment interface by a distance approximately equivalent to the calculated reduction in circumference. The seal is cut off near the inner end of the first attachment interface to form a first circumferential end of the seal, and the seal is cut off near the inner end of the second attachment interface to form a second circumferential end of the seal, such that a section of the seal is removed with a length approximately equivalent to the calculated reduction in circumferential length. and The first and second connecting members are connected such that the first and second circumferential ends of the seal are at least substantially adjacent to each other, and the seal is kept in an annular structure with an ideal inner diameter.

21. A sealing assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member, the first member having an outer circumferential surface, the second member being disposed around the first member, or located near an end of the first member, and having a radial surface, the sealing assembly comprising: An annular seal body, which can be disposed around a first member, has a centerline, an axially extending sealing lip capable of engaging a radial surface of a second member, two circumferential ends, an outer circumferential surface, at least one of a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the outer circumferential surface and spaced apart around the centerline on the circumference, and a plurality of recesses spaced apart around the centerline on the circumference. A first connecting member has at least one of a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions and a plurality of spaced-apart recesses, each protrusion being located in an independent recess of a sealing body, each recess accommodating an independent protrusion of a sealing body, such that a first attachment interface is defined near a first circumferential end of the sealing body, and the first connecting member is attached to the sealing body at the first attachment interface. The second connecting member has at least one of a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions and a plurality of spaced-apart recesses, each protrusion being located in an individual recess of the sealing body, each recess accommodating an individual protrusion of the sealing body, such that a second attachment interface is defined near a second circumferential end of the sealing body, the second connecting member being attached to the sealing body at the second attachment interface, the first and second connecting members being connected to connect the first and second circumferential ends of the sealing body and hold the sealing assembly around the outer circumferential surface of the first member.

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