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US 8,783,133 B2Granted
Seal protector assembly
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorKelly Pietras
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seal protector assembly is provided. The seal protector assembly includes an expandable cylinder for protecting a seal. A plug or cap is removably attached to the expandable cylinder. After shipment of the transmission, the plug or cap is removed. Once any potential damage to the seal during assembly has passed, the expandable cylinder is then removed.
Claims19
A device for covering an annular seal in an opening of a transmission, the device comprising:
- a flexible annular ring having a first end that extends radially and defines an opening coaxial with an axis and a surface that extends axially from the first end, wherein the annular ring includes first and second sides that extend axially from the first end, wherein the first and second sides overlap such that the annular ring is radially compressible and radially expandable to fit within the opening of the transmission to cover the annular seal;
- and
- a cap disposed at least partially within the opening of the annular ring, wherein the cap has a diameter that radially expands the annular ring to seal the surface to the annular seal.
A device for covering an annular seal in an opening of a transmission, the device comprising:
- a flexible, frusto-conical annular ring having a first end that extends radially and defines an opening coaxial with an axis and a surface that extends axially from the first end, wherein the annular ring includes first and second sides that define a break that extends axially through the first end and the surface, wherein the first and second sides overlap such that the annular ring is compressible and expandable and is sized to fit within the opening of the transmission to cover the annular seal;
- and
- a cap attached to the flexible annular ring by a flexible tether, wherein the cap is disposed at least partially within the opening of the annular ring, wherein the cap has a diameter that radially expands the annular ring to seal the surface to the annular seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.