Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE
ONE-PIECE METERING/BAFFLE INSERT FOR A GASKET
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to gasket
assemblies and, more particularly, to an insert for
mounting in an aperture of a standard size gasket. The
insert can either function as a baffle to completely block
the gasket aperture, or as a metering device which provides
a predetermined size aperture for precisely controlling
fluid flow therethrough.
Heretofore, gasket manufacturers have produced
standardized gasket designs and have modified these gaskets
by use of gasket attachments or inserts in order that a
single gasket design can be used in several different
applications. Gasket attachments typically are used to
either fully or partially block openings in a standard size
gasket, or to create additional sealing surfaces which
extend therefrom. By utilizing these gasket attachments,
the associated manufacturing costs can be substantially
reduced.
Fx~mrles of gasket inserts which can be used to
partially reduce the opening through a gasket aperture are
disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,1Z6,318 and 4,405,138.
Examples of gasket inserts which can be utilized to
completely block an opening in a gasket aperture are
disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,405,486 and 4,534,572.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is concerned with a one-piece
baffle/metering insert which is utilized to block or
partially restrict the flow of fluid through an aperture
formed in a gasket. The present invention is also
concerned with a unique method of securing the insert
within an associated gasket aperture. In the preferred
embodiments of the invention, the insert has been proposed
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for use as an EGR metering gasket or as a baffle in an
intake manifold gasket.
In particular, the insert is constructed of a single
piece of stainless steel sheet material and includes a
peripheral portion which generally corresponds to the shape
of the gasket aperture, and is adapted to sealingly engage
an edge surface of the gasket aperture. Further, the
insert includes a first pair of flanges for engaging one
surface of the gasket, and a second pair of flanges which
are crimped against the opposite surface of the gasket to
secure the insert to the gasket. The central portion of
the insert can either be adapted to function as a baffle
and completely block the gasket aperture, or it can be
provided with a predetermined aperture for precisely
metering fluid flow through the gasket aperture. In both
cases, the central portion of the gasket is provided with
an inner formed portion for increasing the overall strength
of the insert.
It has been found that a gasket insert having a single
piece construction of the present invention provides an
effective means of securing the insert to the gasket
aperture, while insuring that the entire peripheral portion
of the insert is in sealing engagement with the inner edge
portion of the gasket aperture.
The above, as well as other advantages of the present
invention, will become readily apparent to one skilled in
the art from reviewing the following detailed description
of the invention in conjunction with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a gasket assembly
including a gasket insert embodying the principles of the
present invention for use as a metering device in a engine
EGR system;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of
FIG. l;
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FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view generally
illustrating the manner in which the insert of FIG. 1 is
assembled with its associated gasket member;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a gasket assembly including
an alternate embodiment of a gasket insert embodying the
principles of the present invention for use as a baffle in
an intake manifold gasket;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of
FIG. 5; and
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view generally
illustrating the manner in which the insert of FIG. 5 is
assembled with its associated gasket member.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is shown a
gasket assembly 10 which uses an insert according to the
present invention which is designed to function as a
metering device. The particular gasket assembly shown in
FIGS. 1 through 4 is specifically designed for use as a
metering device in an automotive exhaust gas recirculation
(EGR) system. The gasket assembly 10 includes a main
gasket body 12 and a generally circular-shaped insert 14.
The insert 14 is provided with a central aperture 16 of a
predetermined size. Typically, the gasket 12 is
constructed of a graphite composite main portion 18, which
is reinforced with stainless steel members 20. The insert
16 is typically of a one-piece stainless steel
construction.
The gasket body 12 is provided with a central circular
aperture 22 for receiving the insert, and two smaller
diameter apertures 24a and 24b which are adapted to receive
conventional mounting bolts. As shown in FIG. 4, prior to
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being secured to the gasket body 12, the insert 14 is
formed to include a pair of radially extending flanges 26a
and 26b (parallel to the gasket body 12) and a pair of
upstanding or axially extending circular flanges 28a and
- 5 28b (perpendicular to the flanges 26a and 26b). The
central aperture 22 in the gasket body 12 is formed of a
diameter D which corresponds to the diameter of the
circular flanges 28a and 28b.
When assembling the gasket assembly 10, the flanges
28a and 28b of the insert 14 are inserted through the
aperture 22, and then are crimped downwardly against the
one surface 30 of the gasket member 12 to sealingly engage
the surface 30 by partially compressing it, as shown in
FIG. 2 at areas 31. The flanges 28a and 28b are crimped in
such a manner that the other flanges 26a and 26b partially
compress and sealingly engage the opposite surface 32 of
the gasket member 12, as shown in FIG. 3 at areas 33.
Since collectively the flanges 26a and 26b and 28a and 28b
surround the entire periphery of the insert, the insert
will be in sealing engagement with the gasket member 12
about its entire periphery. Thus, fluid flow through the
gasket aperture 22 will only be permitted through the
insert aperture 16. The insert can be provided with a
central, preformed portion 36 for increasing the strength
of the insert.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 8, there is shown an
alternate embodiment of an insert embodying the principles
of the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates a generally
rectangular-shaped insert 42 adapted to be placed and
sealingly secured within a rectangular aperture 44 formed
in a gasket member 46. The particular structure in FIGS. 5
through 8 is specifically adapted to block an opening in an
intake manifold gasket. This opening is typically provided
for coolant fluid flow between the cylinder heads and the
intake manifold in a conventional carburated engine. When
such cylinder heads are utilized in conjunction with a
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port fuel injected engine, there may be no need to
circulate cooling fluid through the rear intake runners and
thus, it is necessary to block these particular fluid
passageways if standard cylinder heads are used.
The insert of FIGS. 5 through 8 is secured within the
aperture of the gasket member 46 in a manner similar to the
insert 14 of FIGS. 1 through 4 is secured to its associated
gasket member. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the
insert 42 is provided with a pair of outwardly extending
flanges 48a and 48b and a pair of downwardly extending
flanges 50a and 50b. Collectively, the flanges 48a, 48b,
50a and 50b surround the entire periphery of the insert 42.
The insert 42 is also provided with preformed, recessed
areas 52a and 52b for increasing the overall strength of
the insert.
When assembling the insert 42, the insert is placed
into the aperture 44 such that the flanges 50a and 50b
project through the aperture. The flanges 50a and 50b are
then crimped against the one surface 54 of the gasket
member 46 to sealingly engage and partially compress the
surface 54, as shown in FIG. 6. When the flanges 50a and
50b are crimped, the opposite flanges 48a and 48b will
sealingly engage and partially compress the opposite gasket
surface 56, as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the
side walls 56a and 56b formed by the flanges 50a and 50b
sealingly engage the edge wall 57 of the aperture 44.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, the side walls 60a and 60b
of the flanges 48a and 48b sealingly engage coextensive
portions of the edge wall 57 of the aperture 44. Thus,
when assembled, the insert 42 is sealingly secured within
the gasket aperture 44 about its entire peripheral portion
to completely block fluid flow therethrough.
While the present invention has been illustrated and
described in what is considered to represent its preferred
embodiment, it will be appreciated that the invention can
be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and
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described. For example, the one-piece insert of the
present invention can be constructed of materials other
than stainless steel. Also, as illustrated in the two
different embodiments, the insert can assume various
configurations, depending on the particular gasket aperture
in which it is to be mounted.
