Dual-plane seal for fluid-tight conduit connection
AssigneeAutomotive Fluid Systems, Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Slais, Johnny R. Blankenship, Chhotubhai N. Patel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual-plane sealing configuration for a fluid-tight conduit connection that incorporates additional sealing areas and minimizes assembly misalignment. A gasket is mounted around a conduit, sandwiched between an end-form block and a receiver, and compressed therebetween using a fastener fitted through the end-form block and threaded into the receiver. The gasket has a formed pilot that pilots around the conduit and is sandwiched between the conduit and a chamfer in the receiver to establish a secondary seal. The gasket incorporates features such as a fold-over tab and a non-uniform embossment to counteract the cantilever behavior of the conduit connection.
Claims20
A fluid-tight conduit connection, comprising:
- a conduit;
- an end-form block having a conduit passage therethrough through which said conduit is entrapped;
- a planar seal having a formed pilot thereon with an aperture therethrough through which said conduit is fitted, said planar seal having a periphery;
- a receiver having a fluid passage therethrough into which said conduit is fitted, said planar seal being compressed between said receiver and said end-form block for establishing a primary seal, and said formed pilot extending into said receiver and being sandwiched between said conduit and said fluid passage to establish a secondary seal;
- and
- means for fastening said end-form block to said receiver such that said planar seal is further compressed to complete said fluid-tight conduit connection.
A fluid-tight conduit connection, comprising:
- a conduit having an end, an upset bead adjacent said end, and a circumferential groove therebetween;
- a circumferential seal mounting over said end and in said circumferential groove of said conduit;
- an end-form block having a fastening surface, a sealing surface, and a conduit passage therebetween, said conduit passage having a counterbore in said sealing surface through which said conduit extends and in which said upset bead of said conduit is entrapped;
- a planar seal having a formed pilot thereon with an aperture therethrough through which said end of said conduit passes, said planar seal having a periphery;
- a receiver having a fluid passage therethrough into which said end of said conduit is fitted, said circumferential seal being compressed by said fluid passage to establish a first primary seal, said planar seal being compressed between said end-form block and said receiver to establish a second primary seal, and said formed pilot extending into said receiver and being sandwiched between said conduit and said fluid passage to establish a secondary seal;
- and
- means for fastening said end-form block to said receiver, said fastening means mounting to said end-form block and said receiver such that said planar seal is further compressed to complete said fluid-tight conduit connection.
A fluid-tight conduit connection of teardrop shape with a fastener end and a conduit end opposite said fastener end, said fluid-tight conduit connection comprising:
- a conduit having an end and a circumferential groove adjacent said end;
- a circumferential seal mounted in said circumferential groove of said conduit;
- an end-form block having a fastening surface, a sealing surface opposite said fastening surface, and a conduit passage therebetween through which said conduit is entrapped;
- a planar seal having a front surface, a rear surface opposite said front surface, an aperture therebetween, and a formed pilot surrounding said aperture, said conduit being fitted through said aperture;
- a receiver having a sealing surface with a fluid passage therein into which said conduit is fitted, said circumferential seal being compressed by said fluid passage to establish a first primary seal, said planar seal being compressed between said sealing surface of said end-form block and said sealing surface of said receiver to establish a second primary seal, and said formed pilot extending into said receiver and being sandwiched between said conduit and said fluid passage to establish a secondary seal;
- and
- means for fastening said end-form block to said receiver such that said planar seal is further compressed to complete said fluid-tight conduit connection.
A planar seal comprising a front surface, a rear surface opposite said front surface, and an aperture therebetween, said planar seal further comprising a peripheral surface, a formed pilot surrounding said aperture and an embossment surrounding said aperture and following said peripheral surface, said formed pilot extending in a direction away from one of said front and rear surfaces, said formed pilot further providing a seal for a connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.