Patent ID: 6177644
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A method of forming a snappable metal seal ring of separable semicircular segments of a predetermined diameter comprising the steps of:providing an annular metal ring workpiece;wire electric discharge cutting transversely through said ring workpiece at a first circumferential location to separate said ring at said location and thereby form a first set of two adjacent ends, forming by said cutting a circumferentially extending shoulder on the radially inner portion of one of said adjacent ends and an opposite circumferentially extending shoulder on the radially outer portion of the other of said adjacent ends; andwire electric discharge cutting transversely through said ring workpiece at a second circumferential location diametrically opposite said first circumferential location, to separate said ring at said second location and thereby form a second set of two adjacent ends, forming by said cutting at said second location a circumferentially extending shoulder on the radially inner portion of one of said second set of adjacent ends and an opposite circumferentially extending shoulder on the radially outer portion of the other of said second set of adjacent ends;said cutting steps forming a pair of semicircular ring segments and including forming of interfitted, radially oriented, concave and convex surfaces on said first and second shoulders at said first and second locations to create a snappable interference fit at said locations and thereby allow said ring segments to be snap fitted together to form the seal ring separable into said separate ring segments as necessary.