Patent ID: 12188561

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With reference toFIG.1, a cross-sectional view of a high pressure offset seal10is shown. The seal10includes an outer annular insert12having a first diameter and an inner annular insert14having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The outer annular insert12and the inner annular insert14each include a first end12a,14aand an opposite second end12b,14band can be made from metal or plastic.

An elastomeric body16includes an outer portion16aover-molded on the outer annular insert12and an inner portion16bover-molded on the inner annular insert14. The inner portion16bfurther includes a seal lip18extending radially inward from the over-molded inner annular insert14. The elastomeric body16includes a webbing16cconnecting the outer portion16ato the inner portion16b. The webbing16ccan extend diagonally from a first end12aof the outer annular insert12to an opposite end14bof the inner annular insert14. The seal lip18can extend radially inward from the first end14aof the over-molded inner annular insert14. The elastomeric body16can include a various materials including but not limited to AEM, ACM, HNBR, VMQ and FKM.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, the elastomeric body16can further include a plurality of ribs22extending radially outward from the inner portion16bof the elastomeric body16along an interface between the webbing16cand the inner portion16bof the elastomeric body16. The ribs22can include a first portion22athat extends along an outer portion of inner portion16band a second portion22bthat extends along the webbing16cas shown. The plurality of ribs22can be circumferentially spaced around a perimeter of the inner portion16bof the elastomeric body16. The plurality of ribs22reduce the deformation of the webbing16cto acceptable levels to improve the pressure capabilities. In order not to hinder the offset capability of the webbing16c, the ribs22have a tiered geometry that allows the inside diameter portion of the seal lip20to hinge/turn so that the ribs are not over compressed in a maximum offset condition. The tiered shape of the ribs22also contains an additional pocket of material that reduces the strain in the rib when stretched. In the disclosed example embodiment, five ribs22are shown. However, more or fewer ribs22can be utilized. The ribs22expand the high pressure capability of the seal10.

The seal lip18can include a flap of elastomeric material that in an undeformed state extends diagonally inward from the first end14aof the inner annular insert14. A radially outward facing surface of the seal lip18can include an annular bead24thereon.

With reference toFIG.3, the seal10is shown assembled within a bore30of an outer member32and engaging an inner member34. It is noted that the seal10is shown superimposed within the outer member32in an undeformed state and it should be understood that the outer portion16awould be deformed inward and the seal lip18would be compressed between the inner member34and the inner annular insert14. The inner member34can include a shaft, a rod, a fuel injector, a spark plug tube or other member and includes a shoulder36. The first end14aof the inner annular insert14and the inner portion16bof the elastomeric body16are disposed against the shoulder36on the inner member34. The shoulder36is designed on the inner member34as a hard stop to prevent the axial movement of the inner diameter portion16bof the seal due to high pressure. The raised shoulder36can have an outer diameter greater than a diameter of the inner annular insert14. The seal lip18is compressed between the inner member34and the over-molded inner annular insert14. The annular bead24of the seal lip18increases the compression of the seal lip18.

The webbing16cis designed to allow for offset between the inner member34and the outer member32.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.