Patent ID: 6609717
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
A gasket comprising:a carrier body having a first surface, a second surface, and service apertures defining edges that extend from the first surface of the carrier layer to the second surface of the carrier layer; elastomeric beads circumscribing said service apertures, the elastomeric beads being bonded to said edges of said carrier body and overlapping said edges to extend partially over the first and second surfaces of the carrier layer, wherein said carrier body comprises a thermoplastic material and said elastomeric beads comprise a fluoroelastomer material; a plurality of primary crush limiters molded into said carrier body; a plurality of bolt holes, each bolt hole positioned next adjacent one of said service apertures, each bolt hole having one of said crush limiters at least partially surrounding said bolt hole; a set of secondary crush limiters, said secondary set of limiters positioned symmetrically between said apertures, spaced from said bolt holes; and a plurality of flexible alignment grommets, each grommet defined by a frustum shaped body comprising a plurality of converging trapezoidal-shaped petals that form converging walls adapted to flexibly collapse together, wherein each of said alignment grommets is integrally connected to said carrier body of said gasket, wherein each of said alignment grommets defines an axis orthogonal to said planar carrier body, wherein each of said alignment grommets comprises a cylindrical post that extends through a locator aperture within said carrier body, and wherein radially extending spokes connect said carrier body to said post to permit flexing of said post.