US 4,823,836 AGranted

Dampers with leaf spring seals

OwnerLothar Bachmann, William F. Kochinventors

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Abstract

A leaf spring seal to effect sealing contact between such members as a damper blade and a frame consists of a set of leaf springs having their inner portions held together by clamping components of which one is a bar and the other the inner portion of a ledge. Either the ledge or the bar may be a part of whichever member is to be provided with the seal with the other member then provided with a seat. The outer leaf spring portions of the leaf springs are all inclined in the same direction and to the same extent relative to their inner portions and decrease in width with the outer leaf spring portion of maximum width and in sealing contact with the seat when the seal and seat are in engagement with the leaf spring set then tensioned. The outer portion of the ledge is inclined in the same direction as the outer leaf spring portions and engages one of them to maintain the leaf spring set tensioned at least until the seal and the seat are engaged. Appropriate seal lengths consist of a series of shorter lengths with the leaf springs and clamping components thereof connected to the seal carrying member in a manner enabling thermal expansion forces to be accommodated.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A damper including a first member having a port, a second member in the form of a blade movable into and out of an operative position relative to the margins of the port, a seat and a seal, one of the members provided with the seat, the seal attached to the other member, said seat and seal disposed and dimensioned for mutual engagement in said operative position and in said operative position sealing the members against leakage between them throughout the length of the seal, said seal comprising a set of leaf springs, and clamping components including a clamping bar and a ledge including an inner clamping portion, each of the leaf springs bent along a lengthwise line to establish inner and outer portions having the same angular relationship, the inner portions between the clamping bar and the inner portion of the ledge, the outer portions progressively narrower, at least the outer portion of maximum width dimensioned and disposed to include a section for engagement with or by the seat, with the leaf spring set then to be tensioned, and clamping connectors extending through and clamping the inner leaf spring portions to said bar and inner ledge portion, the ledge inclined in the same direction as the outer leaf spring portions and disposed and dimensioned to engage an outer leaf spring portion and hold the leaf spring set tensioned at least until said operative position is reached.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.