Venting plug for engine coolant filling
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsCurtis Graham, Jonathan Eggemeyer, Taylor Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A venting plug assembly for sealing a coolant channel and venting air therefrom is disclosed. The coolant channel defines an open portion to receive the venting plug assembly. The venting plug assembly includes an outer sealing element with an annular portion configured for sealing engagement with the open portion of the coolant channel. The venting assembly further includes an inner sealing element configured for sealing engagement with the annular portion of the outer sealing element. The inner sealing element is configured to move relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element to allow air to vent from the coolant channel through the outer sealing element.
Claims20
A venting plug assembly for sealing a coolant channel and venting air therefrom, the coolant channel defining an open portion to receive the venting plug assembly, the venting plug assembly comprising:
- an outer sealing element having an annular portion configured for sealing engagement with the open portion of the coolant channel;
- an inner sealing element configured for sealing engagement with the annular portion of the outer sealing element, wherein the inner sealing element is configured to move relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element to allow air to vent from the coolant channel through the outer sealing element;
- the outer sealing element further including a base portion defining an aperture extending through the base portion along a longitudinal axis of the outer sealing element, and the annular portion including an interior surface having at least one recessed portion formed therein and extending along the longitudinal axis of the outer sealing element for the venting of air through the outer sealing element;
- and
- a face seal located axially between the inner sealing element and the outer sealing element,
- wherein the inner sealing element is positioned at a first location relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element where the face seal blocks fluid communication between the aperture and the at least one recessed portion to block the venting of air from the coolant channel, and is movable to a second location relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element where the face seal does not block fluid communication between the aperture and the at least one recessed portion to allow the venting of air from the coolant channel.
A process for installing a venting plug assembly in a coolant channel, the coolant channel defining an open portion to receive the venting plug assembly, the process comprising:
- providing an outer sealing element, the outer sealing element having a base portion defining an aperture extending through the base portion along a longitudinal axis of the outer sealing element and an annular portion including an interior surface having at least one recessed portion formed therein and extending along the longitudinal axis of the outer sealing element for the venting of air through the outer sealing element;
- sealing the outer sealing element within the open portion of the coolant channel;
- providing an inner sealing element;
- and
- sealing the inner sealing element within the annular portion of the outer sealing element at least in part by forming a face seal axially between the inner sealing element and the outer sealing element,
- wherein the inner sealing element is configured to move relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element from a first location where the face seal blocks fluid communication between the aperture and the at least one recessed portion to block the venting of air from the coolant channel, to a second location where the face seal does not block fluid communication between the aperture and the at least one recessed portion to allow air to vent from the coolant channel through the outer sealing element.
An engine comprising:
- an engine block having a plurality of cylinders, a coolant channel defining an open portion to receive a venting plug assembly for sealing the coolant channel and venting air therefrom in the engine, wherein the venting plug assembly comprises:
- an outer sealing element having an annular portion sealed within the open portion of the coolant channel;
- and
- an inner sealing element sealed within the annular portion of the outer sealing element, wherein the inner sealing element is configured to move relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element to allow air to vent from the coolant channel through the outer sealing element;
- the outer sealing element further including a base portion defining an aperture extending through the base portion along a longitudinal axis of the outer sealing element, and the annular portion including an interior surface having at least one recessed portion formed therein and extending along the longitudinal axis of the outer sealing element for the venting of air through the outer sealing element;
- a face seal located axially between the inner sealing element and the outer sealing element,
- wherein the inner sealing element is positioned at a first location relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element where the face seal blocks fluid communication between the aperture and the at least one recessed portion to block the venting of air from the coolant channel, and is movable to a second location relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element where the face seal does not block fluid communication between the aperture and the at least one recessed portion to allow the venting of air from the coolant channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.