Seal for a pressurized fluid clamp and fluid pressure connection arrangement

Abstract

Seal (10, 92), comprising: a sealing form comprising a first section (28) characterized by a cross-sectional view, wherein the first section (28) shows in the cross-sectional view: a substantially elongated body (40) characterized by a width (43) and a height (42); a first end (30) characterized by a height (32), a tip (34) which is conical in cross-sectional view, a width (36) which is enlarged in relation to the width (43) of the body (40), and a conical back (38) wherein the conical back (38) is integral with the body (40); and a distal second end (44) which is connected to the body (40); wherein the seal (10, 92) comprises a discrete number of second sections (46) positioned around the seal shape, and each discrete second section (46) is characterized by a cross-sectional view, wherein the second section (46) in the cross-sectional view has a tip (48) and a height (50) substantially corresponding to those of the first end (30), and a body characterized by a width substantially corresponding to the width (36) of the first end (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seal for a pressurized fluid interface and a fluid pressure connection arrangement.

[0002] A gasket is a mechanical seal that fills the space between joining surfaces, generally to prevent fluid from escaping from or into the joined objects while the gasket is under pressure. Gaskets allow for "suboptimal" joining of surfaces on machine parts without leakage by using the gasket to fill surface irregularities. Gaskets are commonly made from sheet materials or molding compounds such as paper, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, metal, or a plastic polymer. Such gaskets require the application of sealant directly to the gasket surface to function properly.

[0003] In situations where a connection between two components is pressurized, sealing such a connection becomes even more problematic. Furthermore, in such pressurized connections, any unintentional fluid leakage can lead to system failure. Typically, such a leak can cause further inconvenience by generating spilled fluid requiring cleanup. Therefore, the design and selection of a seal for a given application can prove critical to the reliability of the system and the satisfaction of its user.

[0004] US 4,192,520 A discloses a seal and a fluid pressure connection arrangement.

[0005] GB 2 461 483 A, JP 2007-085 473 A, EP 1 647 732 A2, JP 2006-029 364 A, WO 2007 / 007 612 A1 and US 2010 / 0102519 A1 each also reveal a seal.

[0006] DE 195 04 186 A1 discloses an axial seal with three one-piece manufactured sealing sections, which are designed as O-rings and are connected to each other by two webs.

[0007] US Patent 2010 / 0084827 A1 discloses a sealing ring for creating a liquid seal between two opposing surfaces. The body of the seal is designed to have a series of projections extending radially outward from its side faces.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide an improved seal which overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0009] A seal according to the invention comprises a sealing element with a first section characterized by a cross-sectional view. In the cross-sectional view, the first section comprises a substantially elongated body characterized by a width and a height, a first end characterized by a height, a tip, a width that is increased relative to the width of the body, and a conical back end. The conical back end is integral with the body. In the cross-sectional view, the first section further comprises a distal second end that is connected to the body.

[0010] The tip of the first section is conical in cross-sectional view, and the distal second end of the first section can be essentially spherical in cross-sectional view. The seal can be made of a compliant material. The seal can be configured to come into contact with a fluid, and the material can therefore be selected based on its chemical resistance to the fluid. The predetermined sealing profile can be designed as several interconnected O-rings.

[0011] The seal comprises a discrete number of second sections positioned around the seal shape, and each discrete second section is characterized by a cross-sectional view, wherein the second section in the cross-sectional view has a tip and a height substantially equal to those of the first end. Each discrete second section is further characterized by a body characterized by a width substantially equal to the width of the first end of the first section.

[0012] Furthermore, a fluid pressure connection arrangement and a method for sealing such a connection by means of the seal are disclosed.

[0013] The foregoing features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the present invention, will readily become apparent from the following detailed description of the best methods for carrying out the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seal for use in sealing a fluid pressure connection; Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the in Fig. 1 shown seal; Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown seals; Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fluid pressure connection including the one shown in Fig. 2 shown seal, which is assembled with a first second component; Fig. 5 is a schematic top view of a seal containing three interconnected O-rings with in Fig. 3 cross-sections shown; and Fig. 6 is a flowchart that shows a method for sealing a fluid pressure connection by using the in Fig. 1 and Fig. The seal shown in section 2 is illustrated.

[0014] Regarding the drawings where the same reference numerals denote the same components, it shows Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view and Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of a seal 10. The seal 10 is designed to be inserted into a suitable channel of a receiving component for sealing a fluid pressure connection, and in particular for sealing when such a connection exhibits a large clearance variation. A connection is said to typically exhibit a large clearance variation when the design and / or manufacturing tolerances of the joining components become a significant percentage of the thickness of the seal used. In such a situation, under maximum material conditions of the joining components (i.e., when such components are at their maximum permissible size), the actual compression of the seal in the assembled connection can exceed approximately 20–35% of its thickness, leading to excessive stress on these components. Conversely, under minimum material conditions of the joining components (i.e., when such components are at their maximum permissible size), the actual compression of the seal in the assembled connection can exceed approximately 20–35% of its thickness, leading to excessive stress on these components.If such components are at their permissible minimum size, the sealing pressure at the seal may be too low to retain pressurized fluid without leakage, which can lead to various functional problems.

[0015] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the seal 10 has a predetermined, generally uniform O-ring contour or shape 12, characterized by an overall height 14 and a diameter 16. The seal 10 comprises a substantially uniform wall 18, which is integrally connected to an enlarged section 20. The seal 10 further comprises three segments 22 formed with the wall 18, extending inward toward the center of the O-ring shape 12 and outward from the O-ring shape. The segments 22 are designed to transition seamlessly into the enlarged section 20. Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the seal 10, with the direction of the cross-sectional view in Fig. The first section 28 is characterized by arrows 3. An arrow 24 cuts through the wall 18 to expose a first section 28. The first section 28 comprises a first end 30, characterized by a height 32, a substantially spherical tip 34, a width 36, and a conical back 38. The first section 28 further comprises a substantially uniform elongated body 40, characterized by a height 42 and a width 43, such that the width 36 is increased relative to the width 43. The body 40 is integral with the conical back 38. The first section 28 further comprises a substantially spherical distal second end 44. The tip 34 and the second end 44 have a substantially spherical shape, so that they can each have effective contact with the surfaces of the joining components during the sealing of the fluid pressure connection.

[0016] An arrow 26 cuts through section 22, exposing a second section 46. The second section 46 comprises an essentially spherical conical tip 48, which is essentially equivalent to the tip 34. The second section 46 further comprises an essentially uniform body 48, characterized by a height 50 and also by a width 36, i.e., equal to the width of the first end 30. The second section 46 also comprises a narrow section 52, characterized by a width 43, i.e., equal to the width of the body 40. Thus, the second section 46 lacks a conical back end, which characterizes the first section 28, so that the body 48 can serve to effect an interference fit with an joining component when the seal 10 is assembled with it.The tip 48 and the narrow section 52 have essentially spherical end shapes, which essentially correspond to those of the tip 34 and the second end 44.

[0017] Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a fluid pressure connection 60, which is located in Fig. Figures 1-3 show and describe above a seal 10, comprising a first component 62 and a second component 76. The first component 62 comprises a first surface 64. A channel 66 is arranged on the first surface 64 and is characterized by a profile that complements the profile 12 of the seal 10 for receiving the seal during assembly of the connection 60. The channel 66 is also characterized by a channel height 68. The channel height 68 is less than the height 42 of the seal 10, so that the height 42 is compressed when the connection 60 is assembled. The channel 66 is further characterized by an insertion chamfer 70, which is designed to complement the conical rear surface 38 of the seal 10. The first component 62 additionally comprises a first internal fluid passage 72 with an outlet 74 on the first surface 64, such that the outlet 74 is surrounded by the channel 66.

[0018] The second component 76 comprises a second surface 78. The second component 76 also includes a second internal fluid passage 80 with an outlet 82 on the second surface 78, such that the outlet 82 is surrounded by the seal 10 when the assembly of the fluid pressure connection 60 is complete. During the assembly of the fluid pressure connection 60, when the seal 10 is inserted into the channel 66, the width 36 of the second section 46 is elastically compressed with the channel as a result of an interference fit. Such elastic compression of the width 36 serves to provide reliable retention of the seal in the channel. After the seal 10 is inserted into the channel 66 and the first component 62 is assembled with the second component 76, the second surface 78 is arranged substantially parallel to the first surface 64, while a gap 84 remains between the first and second surfaces 64 and 78.Furthermore, in such an assembly, the second surface 78 presses the seal 10 against the first component 62, so that the height 42 of the first section 28 and the entire second section 46 are pressed against the channel. In such an assembly, the first end 30 of the first section 28 is also pressed against the insertion ramp 70 of the channel 66, thereby sealing the fluid pressure connection 60.

[0019] The seal 10 is preferably made of a compliant, spring-like material such as rubber or silicone. The material for the seal 10 is preferably selected to be chemically resistant to a specific fluid, for example, lubricant or coolant, with which the fluid pressure connection is to come into contact and / or which it is to retain. Although, as in Fig. Figures 1-4 show that the profile 12 of the seal 10 is essentially that of a single O-ring, but this does not preclude the possibility that the seal profile comprises a number of interconnected O-rings. Such a shape of interconnected O-rings can be formed by a suitable manufacturing process, such that each individual O-ring would have a first and second section 28, 46, as shown in Fig. 3 shown and described above.

[0020] A schematic top view of a fluid pressure connection 90, comprising a seal 92 with three interconnected O-rings, is shown in Fig. Figure 5 shows that such a design of a seal 92 can be advantageous, wherein each of the first and second components 62 and 76 comprises three corresponding internal fluid passages which, when the fluid pressure connection 90 is assembled, form three pairs of passages 93 and 94, 95 and 96, and 97 and 98, which are to be sealed. The passages 93, 95, and 97 are contained in the first component 62, and the passages 94, 96, and 98 are contained in the second component 76, as shown in Figure 5. Fig. Figure 4 shows this schematically. Each passage 93, 95, and 97 has an outlet on the first surface 64, and each passage 94, 96, and 98 has an outlet on the second surface 78. The seal 92 is therefore designed such that each outlet 93–98 of the multiple inner fluid passages is surrounded by an O-ring of the seal.

[0021] Since each loop or O-ring is intended to surround and seal a fluid passage in the joining components, the specific number of loops required is essentially determined by the number of fluid passages to be sealed. Furthermore, nothing precludes the profile from having any other loop shape, such as an oval.

[0022] In Fig. 6 shows a method 100 for sealing the fluid pressure connection 60 using the seal 10 and is described below with reference to Fig.The process is described in sections 1-4. The method begins in section 102 and comprises inserting the seal 10 into the channel 66 of the first component 62, such that the outlet 74 of the first inner fluid passage 72 is surrounded by the channel. After inserting the seal 10 into the channel 66, the process advances to section 104. In section 104, the process comprises assembling the first component 62, together with the inserted seal 10, with the second component 76, such that the second surface 78 is arranged substantially parallel to the first surface and the outlet 82 of the second inner fluid passage 80 is surrounded by the seal 10.

[0023] After field 104, the method advances to field 106. In field 106, the method comprises pressing the seal 10 against the channel 66 of the first component 62 by means of the second surface 78 of the second component 76. The method 100 ends in field 108, where the fluid pressure connection is completely sealed when the seal 10 is pressed against the channel 66 and the first end 30 of the first section 28 of the seal is pressed against the insertion chamfer 70. Pressing the seal 10 against the channel 66 of the first component 62 is typically achieved by means of suitable fasteners, for example, screws or bolts, to achieve the desired force at the interface between the seal 10 and the first and second components 62, 76.

[0024] When assembled in this way, the fluid pressure connection 60 can create a robust connection even in the event of a large fluctuation in the gap 84 formed between the first and second surfaces 64 and 78. While the stacked dimensions of the first and second components 62, 76 are on the high side of the tolerance, the gap 84 is held permanently within permissible pressure limits by the seal 10, so that the first and second components are not overloaded. Conversely, while the stacked dimensions of the first and second components 62, 76 are on the low side of the tolerance, the seal 10 is sufficiently compressed so that it can always withstand the fluid pressure transmitted between the passages 72 and 80.

Claims

[1] Seal (10, 92), comprising: a sealing form comprising a first section (28) characterized by a cross-sectional view, wherein the first section (28) shows in the cross-sectional view: a substantially elongated body (40) characterized by a width (43) and a height (42); a first end (30) characterized by a height (32), a tip (34) which is conical in cross-sectional view, a width (36) which is enlarged in relation to the width (43) of the body (40), and a conical back (38) wherein the conical back (38) is integral with the body (40); and a distal second end (44) which is connected to the body (40); wherein the seal (10, 92) comprises a discrete number of second sections (46) positioned around the seal shape, and each discrete second section (46) is characterized by a cross-sectional view, wherein the second section (46) in the cross-sectional view has a tip (48) and a height (50) substantially corresponding to those of the first end (30), and a body characterized by a width substantially corresponding to the width (36) of the first end (30). [2] Seal according to claim 1, wherein the distal second end (44) of the first section (28) is substantially spherical in cross-sectional view. [3] Seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal (10, 92) is formed from a flexible material. [4] Seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal (10, 92) is designed to come into contact with a fluid and the material is selected based on its chemical resistance to the fluid. [5] Seal according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined sealing profile is designed as several interconnected O-rings. [6] Fluid pressure connection arrangement (90), comprising: a seal (10, 92) with a seal shape comprising: a first section (28) characterized by a cross-sectional view, wherein the first section (28) in the cross-sectional view has a substantially elongated body (40) characterized by a width (43) and a height (42), a first end (30) characterized by a height (32), a tip (34) which is conical in the cross-sectional view, a width (36) which is enlarged with respect to the width (43) of the body (40), a conical back (38) and a distal second end (44) which is connected to the body (40), wherein the conical back (38) is integral with the body (40); a first component (62) with a first surface (64) and a channel (66) arranged on the first surface (64) to accommodate the seal (10, 92), wherein the channel (66) is characterized by a channel height (68) and by a channel profile designed to complement the seal shape, wherein the channel (66) further comprises an insertion ramp (70) designed to complement the conical back (38), and wherein the first component (62) further comprises a first inner fluid passage (72) having an outlet (74) on the first surface (64), such that the outlet (74) of the first inner fluid passage (72) is surrounded by the channel (66); and a second component (76) with a second surface (78) and a second internal fluid passage (80) which has an outlet (82) on the second surface (78); where: when the seal (12, 92) is inserted into the channel (66) and the first component (62) is assembled with the second component (76), the second surface (78) is arranged substantially parallel to the first surface (64), the outlet (82) of the second inner fluid passage (80) is surrounded by the channel (66), and the second surface (78) of the second component (76) presses the seal (12, 92) against the first component (62), so that the height (42) of the body (40) of the first section (28) is pressed against the channel (66), and the first end (30) of the first section (28) is pressed against the insertion ramp (70) to seal the fluid pressure connection; wherein the seal (10, 92) comprises a discrete number of second sections (46) positioned around the seal shape, and each discrete second section (46) is characterized by a cross-sectional view, wherein the second section (46) in the cross-sectional view has a tip (48) and a height (50) substantially corresponding to those of the first end (30), and a body characterized by a width substantially corresponding to the width (36) of the first end (30). [7] Fluid pressure connection arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the distal second end (44) of the first section (28) is substantially spherical in cross-sectional view.

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