SEALING

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing for sealing a gap between two surfaces. The sealing is formed by a massive elastomer layer (3a), preferably two-component silicone or two-component polyurethane which is cast in situ in a sealing space (3) permanently provided in at least one of the surfaces to be sealed. Upon the application of pressure to the sealing, this pressure produces in elastomer (3a) the deformation/expansion and/or elastomer displacement, whereby the elastomer achieves the sealing of a gap (5).

Description: Sealing The present invention relates to a sealing as set forth in the preamble of claim 1 for packing a gap between two surfaces. An object of the invention is to provide an activable sealing, particularly a hydraulic-oil or compressed-air or mechanically operated sealing, said sealing being capable of withstanding substantial pressures, even pressures of several hundred bars, but being well suit¬ able also for minor pressures. In the context of this application, compressed air refers not only to normal air but to all gases or gas mixtures. A sealing of the invention finds a plurality of applications e.g. in mechanical components having considerable pressure dif¬ ferences on different sides of a point to be sealed, e.g. flap and ball valves, pistons etc. This type of sealing can also be used e.g. for packing the joints of under¬ water tunnel elements and for sealing of various door and window structures, particularly in objects intended for marine conditions and in corresponding structures. In order to achieve this object, a sealing of the in¬ vention is characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing clause of claim 1. In view of the operation of a sealing of the invention it is essential that elastomer does not adhere to wall surfaces, thus allowing the displacement of elastomer - in an elastomer space and/or passages in a pressurized state to a reasonable extent. The behaviour of elasto¬ mer resembles that of a fluid in the sense that it is incompressible, the difference from a fluid being, how¬ ever, that elastomer is self-restoring after depress- urization. The preliminary tests have indicated that at a pressure of over 200 bars, e.g. in a passage having a diameter of circa 5 mm and a length of circa 500 mm, there occurs a nearly complete equalization of pressure throughout the entire passage. The non-adherence of elastomer to the walls of passages or elastomer spaces can be enhanced e.g. by the application of various lu¬ bricants which are compatible with any given elastomer. The elastomer passages/spaces must generally be worked to be larger than corresponding fluid passages. If necessary, elastoemr can nevertheless be bonded e.g. to a sealing layer of some harder material or, when using e.g. mechanical pistons, to the head of a piston by the application of an appropriate binder, such as e.g. Chemosil X 5201, available from e.g. Henkel AG (FRG) . The most significant ad vantage gained by a sealing of the invention is that the installation work will be facilitated as the sealing can be cast or molded to position in an already assembled device, thus avoiding damages to the sealing. In addition, after the mould¬ ing operation the sealing can be pressurized/adjusted to a desired pressure reading. Another advantage gained b a sealing of the invention is a considerable pressure resistance and, depending on selected materials, also a considerable heat resist¬ ance. Another advantage is that a system provided by the sealing and its pressurizing medium can be designed as a closed system, whereby e.g. possible spills of hydraulic oil can be reliably prevented. The invention will now be described with reference made to the accompanying drawings, in which: figs. 1 - 4 illustrate a few embodiments of a sealing of the invention, fig. 5 shows a pressurizing unit for the hydraulic oil used in a sealing of the invention, figs. 6a - 6c illustrate a few embodiments of "mechanical" pressurizing means used in a sealing of the in¬ vention, and figs. 7a and 7b show a combination of a sealing of the invention and a "mechanical" pressurizing means. Fig. illustrates the sealing of e.g. a rotatable shaft 1 against a body or jacket portion 2. In the embodi¬ ment of fig. 1, an elastomer layer 3a is fitted in a sealing space 3 whose edges are provided with inwardly directed protrusions 4. These protrusions 4 build therebetween a section A which is substantially narrower than the rest of the sealing space. The elastomer layer is directly moulded in situ on either side of the narrower section A, thus producing a massive sealing layer. Between the inner surface of sealing layer 3a and the bottom of sealing space 3 is provided a space 6a for hydraulic fluid 6 or compressed air or elastomer medium. On top of sealing layer 3a is preferably mount¬ ed a sealing means 5a, made of e.g. a harder elastomer, for effecting the actual sealing. Sealing means 5a is preferably vulcanized to be integral with sealing layer 3a. Operation of the sealing e.g. by means of a hydraul¬ ic fluid proceeds in a manner that hydraulic fluid 6 is pressurized by using a pressurizing unit 20, described later and shown in fig. 5, whereby the hydraulic fluid applies pressure to sealing layer 3a resulting in a dis¬ placement of the sealing layer outwards and, through the action of narrow section A, a deformation in seal- ing 3a as well as the orientation of forces created in sealing 3a substantially against protrusions 4. This deformation of sealing 3a together with the orientation of forces against protrusions 4 prevents the removal of sealing 3a from the sealing space under pressure. The movement of sealing layer 3a produces a pressure effect on the harder sealing means 5a urging it against body portion 2 so as to seal or pack a gap 5 between body portion and shaft portion. As the pressure exerted by hydraulic fluid is finished, said sealing 3a resumes its shape through the action of a return force produced by the effect of narrow section A. Naturally, in certain cases, the packing or sealing can be directly effected by means of sealing layer 3a. The embodiment of fig. 2 shows an example of the packing of a joint between two concrete elements 7, 8. In this embodiment, inside a sealing 9 there is built a space 10 for a pressure medium. This space is formed e.g. in a manner that around a non-reinforced two-component elas¬ tomer tube is directly cast in situ a sealing 9 or a prefabricated sealing 9 is provided in a hole extending therethrough with a non-reinforced two-component elas¬ tomer tube. Sealing 9 is placed or moulded in the seal¬ ing spaces made in both surfaces to be sealed. The seal¬ ing can be made pressure resistant by supplying said space 10 with a pressurized hydraulic fluid or compress¬ ed air or some elastomer medium, whereby the pressuriza- tion of hydraulic fluid can be effected e.g. by means of a pressurizing unit 20 shown in fig. 5. The embodiments of figs. 3a and 3b illustrate the use of a sealing of the invention for sealing a door. In this embodiment, a sealing space 14 is preferably designed as a dovetail groove in the edge of a door to extend around ς the entire periphery of a door. The sealing space 14 is fitted with a sealing layer 14a by casting it di¬ rectly in situ around a non-reinforced two-component elastomer tube 13, preferably near the bottom of seal¬ ing space 14, whereby the pressurization of said tube 13 with the application of a hydraulic fluid can be effected by means of a pressurizing unit shown in fig. 5. As-pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied therein, said tube 13 expands resulting in a deformation in elas¬ tomer layer 14a which, upon its outward expandion/ displacement,' seals a gap 12 between door 15 and jamb 16. Fig. 4 illustrates the use of a sealing of the inven¬ tion " in a flap valve. A flap 55 is normally sealed e.g. by means of a metal gasket 51 having a U-shaped cross-section. The performance of this gasket can be improved in accordance with the invention by casting an elastomer layer 52 in the groove.of metal gasket 51. The casting is preferably effected on top of an elas¬ tomer tube 53 fitted in the groove, said tube being connected with pressurization means for pressurizing the tube with an appropriate medium, such as hydraulic oil, compressed air or elastomer. On top of elastomer, layer 53 is preferably laid a sealing layer 54 which is made e.g. of harder elastomer. This solution can also be effected e.g. in a manner that an elastomer tube 53 fitted in the groove of a metal gasket matches in its cross-section substantially the size of said groove, the elastomer being only cast inside said tube while the tube serves as a means carrying said sealing layer 54. The pressurization of sealings of the invention is pre¬ ferably effected by means of a pressurizing unit 20 shown in fig. 5. The pressurizing unit 20 preferably comprises a bushing-like body portion 36, fitted with a bottom section 40 for building a cavity 26 inside said body portion 36. The bottom section 40 is provided with a protrusion 39, fitted with an externally thread¬ ing and extending outward of cavity 26. Protrusion 39 is provided with a hole extending into cavity 26 and preferably fitted with an internal flange 41 at the end of protrusion 39 away from cavity 26. The cavity 26 of body portion 36 includes a space 28 for hydraulic fluid 7 e.g. by means of an elastomeric membrane 21 and a massive elastomer layer 22. In order to connect sapce 28 to a tube 37, the bottom of cavity 26 is provided with a coupling 27, comprising a connector tube 30 which has an internal hole and one end of which is provided with an expansion 31 and the other end with a threaded portion 32. The coupling further includes a separate "bead" portion 33 and a separate sleeve portion 34. The coupling 27 is assembled in a manner that the bottom of membrane 21 carries a tubing section 35 which is pushed on top of the connector tube expansion 31 to ex¬ tend beyond said expansion in the longitudinal direction. This is followed by placing said bead portion 33 on top of connector tube -30 from the end facing said threaded portion 32 and pushing it on top of tubing section 35 into the abutment with expansion 31. The bead portion 33 is preferably designed to include internal cones at both ends thereof. This is followed by placing said sleeve portion 34 on top of connector tube 30 from the threaded end 32 and pushing it against bead portion 33 in a manner that said tubing section 35 is retained between bead 33 and sleeve 34. Finally, said connector tube 30 is fastened to body portion 36 by means of a nut 38 to be fastened to said threaded portion 32 ex¬ tending through the hole of protrusion 39, said nut be- ing tightened to a suitable tightness. The elastomer layer 22 surrounds membrane 21 completely up to coupling. 27. The section between layer 22 and the outer surface of body portion 36 further includes a piston 23 and be¬ tween piston 23 and layer 22 there is also a gasket 25, made e.g. of teflon or copper. In addition, the unit 20 preferably includes a plunger 24 which extends through piston 23 and gasket 25 into elastomer layer 22. The inner end of plunger 24 is provided with an enlargement 24a for improved adherence to layer 22. The movement of piston 23 and plunger 24 is effected e.g. by means of hydraulic or pneumatic or mechanical or the like conventional equipment. The space 28 can also be form¬ ed in a manner that the coupling member 27 is mounted on body portion 36 without any separate membrane 21 and its tubing section. This is followed by placing in cavity 26 an element made of e.g. stearine or a similar material, which serves as a- mould for space 28. This is followed by casting an elastomer layer 22 in the cavity and this layer is kept under pressure until it is solidified. Being under pressure, the elastomer penetrates into a gap between the conical surfaces of bead portion 33 and sleeve portion 34 setting in its position. After the elastomer is set, the stearine block formed in space 28 is melted by heating for drain¬ ing the stearine out along the internal hole of connect¬ or tube 30. Finally, the pressurizing unit is attached to a cavity built e.g. in a separate body element 42, the bottom of said cavity being provided with a thread¬ ed hole for protrusion 39, whereby said threaded hole can be sealed in a conventional manner, e.g. by means of a teflon strip. The bottom of the threaded hole in the cavity of body element 42 is further provided with a hydraulic tube 37 which can be further connected to a tube internal of the sealing e.g. by means of the above- described coupling 27. This arrangement is capable of providing a closed assembly in a manner that the hydraul¬ ic oil in the system is contained in a passage confined at any given time by massive elastomer layers and thus, in practice, there are no holes for spills to occur. Figs. 6a-6c illustrate some embodiments for mechanical pressurizing media used in sealings of the invention. In this connection, a mechanical pressurizing medium means that a pressurizing element (e.g. a piston, a rod or the like) produces a pressure effect directly in the elastomer or elastomer medium which makes up a sealing layer. On the other hand, the elastomer medium can join directly with said sealing layer or through the intermediary of hydraulic oil, whereby the system can be referred to as hydro-mechanical, thus corresponding in principle to the hydraulic oil pressurizing unit shown in fig. 5. In' the embodiment shown in fig. 6a, a pressure medium 61 comprises an outer piston member 68 provided with a threaded portion 62 and having inside it an inner piston 64. The inner piston 64 is operated e.g. by means of a screw member 66, said screw member being connected to outer piston 68 with a threading 63 through a spacer block 65. ' The screw member 66 is further provided with an operating head 67. The inner piston can also be operated e.g. by means of an eccentric or some other per se known mechanical element. The outer piston member 68 is used for fixing the pressure medium 61 e.g. to the body section of a piece to be sealed, and it also serves as an initial pressure adjuster. The inner pis- tion 64 performs the actual pressurization. The front surface of outer piston 68 facing the elastomer space or medium is preferably provided with a groove 69, the inner edge of outer piston 68 being formed with a lip portion 70 for preventing the passage of elastomer be¬ tween inner piston 64 and the internal surface of outer piston 68 as said inner piston 64 extends beyond said front surface of outer piston 68. The inner piston 64 is provided with a corresponding lip portion 61 for pre¬ venting the passage of elastomer between inner and outer piston as said piston 64 is positioned inside outer pis¬ ton 68. At its end facing the elastomer, said inner piston 64 can be designed e.g. wedge-shaped for a more uniform distribution of the pressure applied to elasto¬ mer. Fig. 6b illustrates a pressure medium similar to that of fig. 6a but fitted with a spring 72 which compensates for variations in the volume/pressure of elastomer caused by variations of temperature. This type of volume/pressure control can also be achieved by control- ing the temperature e.g. by means of electric resistances or the like. Fig. 6c illustrates an embodiment, comprising a plural¬ ity of different size pistons connected successively to each other. For example a screw thread is used for providing a body section 100 with a spacer block 101, fitted with a first piston or rod 102. The first piston acts on a first elastomer layer 103 which trnsmits the pressure to a second piston 104, having a surface area substantially larger than that of said first piston 102. The surface of second piston 104 facing away from first elastomer layer 103 is provided with a third piston 105, having a surface area substantially smaller than that of said second piston 104. The third piston 105 pro¬ duces an increased pressure on a second elastomer layer 106 inside an inner tube 107, said piston assembly serv¬ ing as a pressure booster or amplifier. The direction of amplification depends on the ratio of the piston surface areas to each other. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, for example, a second elastomer layer 106 is included in elastomer space 3 for pressurizing a sealing layer 3a therein. In this case, ' the elastomer layer 106 is preferably made of the same elastomer as sealing 3a and cast as an integral compound. Figs. 7a and 7b illustrate a combination of a mechanic¬ al pressurizing means and a sealing. Fig. 7a- shows the combination in an initial position and fig. 7b in an activated position. The closed system shown in figs. 7a and 7b comprises a pressurizing element and a seal¬ ing assembly connected with a body section 87, said body section being preferably formed of two components mounted one after the other in axial direction. The pressurizing element comprises a cylinder member 86, fixed with a screw threading to a body section 80. Inside said cyliner member 86 is fitted a piston 83 provided with a threaded portion 84. The bottom of a threaded hole in body section 80 is provided with a tapered elastomer space 87 for elastomer medium. The front surface of cylinder member 87 abutting said elas- . tomer space 87 is provided with a gasket member 88 for preventing the passage of elastomer into a gap between piston 84 and cylinder member 86 and into a gap between cylinder member 86 and body section 80. The elastomer medium is connected with a passage 89 to sealing space 3. The sealing assembly comprises a sealing layer 3a as well as a sealing member 5a of a harder material. The assembly of figs. 7a and 7b can be put together e.g. in a manner that sealing member 5a is placed in position between the halves of body section 80, followed by join¬ ing the body section halves together, e.g. by means of a screw connection (not shown) . This is followed by fitting cylinder member 86 in its position and by carrying out elastomer casting with the help of piston 84 for laying the elastomer in its location. Thus, the elastomer medium comprises the same material as seal¬ ing layer 3a. Sealing layer 3a can also be cast sepa¬ rately e.g. by providing separate casting gates lead¬ ing into sealing space 3 and by blocking passage 89 e.g. with a wax plug that can be removed after the seal¬ ing layer is set. The wax plug can be removed e.g. by vapourization or by using appropriate chemicals. In this case, the ' medium can also comprise a hydraulic oil, whereby the sealing layer is cast first, the wax plug is removed, passage 89 is filled with oil and an elastomer layer is cast in medium-elastomer space 87. The pressurization of sealings of the invention can also be effected e.g. by supplying into a space in the seal¬ ing some pressurized two-component material which is allowed to set prior to the removal of pressure. Thus, the sealing can be maintained in activated state for a continuous sealing effect. The sealing assembly can naturally be different from those described above. For example, in the case shown - in fig. 1, the sealing can be fitted in jacket member 2 instead of shaft 1.

Claims: Claims 1. A sealing for sealing a gap between two surfaces, said sealing or a part thereof being formed by a massive elastomer layer (3a, 9a, 14a) , preferably two-component silicone or two-component polyurethane whereby, as the sealing is subjected to pressure mechanically and/or through the action of a hydraulic fluid and/or.compress¬ ed air, such pressure produces the displacement and/or deformation/expansion of elastomer whereby the elastomer achieves the sealing of a gap (5, 11, 12), c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that said sealing layer (3a, 9a, 14a) is cast in situ in a sealing space (3, 14) provided in at least one of the surfaces to be sealed. 2. A sealing as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the sealing layer (3a, 9a, 14a) is cast in situ in a manner that it does not adhere to the walls of sealing space (3, 14), said sealing layer (3a, 9a, 14a) being able to displace in the sealing space. 3. A sealing as set forth in claim 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the sealing space is provided with at least one point narrower than the rest of the seal¬ ing space, said point being located in the region be¬ tween pressurizing side and sealing side, whereby the pressure applied to sealing (3a) from inside sealing space (3) produces the displacement and/or deformation of sealing (3a) and the orientation of forces produced in sealing (3a) substantially against the walls of said narrow point for thus preventing the detachment of seal¬ ing (3a) from sealing space (3) under pressure and, furthermore, the narrow point serves to produce a force returning sealing (3a) to its position at the end of pressure effect. 4. A sealing as set forth in claim 3, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that elastomer layer (3a) is cast in situ in sealing space (3) whose edge(s) is provided with an inward-directed protrusion (4) for producing in sealing space (3) a point (A) substantially narrower than the rest of the sealing space. 5. A sealing as set forth in any of claims 1 - 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the elastomer layer (3a) is further provided with a separate sealing mem¬ ber (5a) , for example of a harder elastomer, metal or a like sealing material, said sealing member (5a) being set in position prior to the casting of elastomer (3a) . 6. A sealing as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that inside said sealing (9, 14a) is provided a space (10, 13) for hydraulic fluid, compress¬ ed air or elastomer medium by casting the sealing in situ around- a non-reinforced, two-component elastomer tubing or by placing a non-reinforced, two-component elastomer tubing inside the sealing, the pressurization of said space (10, 13) or tubing being effected respect¬ ively by means of a hydraulic fluid pressurizing unit (20) , a pneumatic device or a mechanical pressurizing medium. 7. A sealing as set forth in claim 6, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that said hydraulic fluid pressurizing unit (20) comprises a body section (36) provided with a bottom section (40) , whereby a cavity (26) is formed inside said body section (36), the bottom section (40) being fitted with a protrusion (39) provided with an external threaded portion, said protrusion (39) being provided with a hole extending into said cavity (26), that said cavity (26) is provided with a space (28) for hydraulic fluid (7) by means of a massive elasto¬ mer layer (22) and/or a membrane (21), and that in order to connect space (28) to a hydraulic tube (37) leading to said intra-sealing space (10, 13), the bottom of cavity (26) is provided with a coupling (27) substantially in a hole inside protrusion (39) . 8. A sealing as set forth in claim 7, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that between elastomer layer (22) and the mouht of cavity (26) is fitted a piston (23) which is separated by means of a gasket (25) from elastomer layer (22) , said piston (23) and gasket (25) being penetrated by a plunger (24) into elastomer layer (22) . 9. A sealing as set forth in claim 8, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the inner end of plunger (24) is provided with an enlargement (24a) for maintaining plunger (24) in engagement by means of elastomer layer (22) .during the oppositely directed movements of said piston. 10. A sealing as set forth in any of claims 1 - 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that pressurization of the sealing is effected b means of a mechanical pressuri¬ zing medium, said pressurizing medium being directly contacted with a sealing layer or elastomer medium which, in turn, is in direct contact with the sealing layer. 11. A sealing as set forth in claim 10, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the pressurizing medium is used hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically, mechanical¬ ly or by some other per se known technique.

Inventors: RINNE ERKKI, RINNE, ERKKI
Applicants: RINNE ERKKI, RINNE, ERKKI
Application year: 1990
Main classification: F16J15
IPC codes: F16J15, F16K1