US009243712B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9.243,712 B2

Sahm et al. (45) Date of Patent: Jan. 26, 2016

(54) SEAL FORAVESSEL FILLED WITH FLUID (56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(75) Inventors: Dietmar Sahm, Reichshof (DE);
Eberhard Biermann, Ravensburg (DE); 1463,360 A * 7/1923 Foote ............................ 277/641
Josef Haupt, Tettnang (DE) 1,629,346 A * 5/1927 Larson ... 215/233
1,777.443 A * 10/1930 Mastin ... ... 277/648
(73) Assignee: IBS FILTRAN 1969,640 A * 8/1934 Curtin . ... 4,378
KUNSTSOFF-fMETALLERZUEGNSSE 3,334,774. A * 8/1967 Poltorak ........ 220,378
5,957,100 A 9, 1999 Frohwerk et al.
GMBH, Morsbach (DE) 6.543.787 B1 * 4/2003 Inciong ......................... 277/593
7,063,327 B2 * 6/2006 Salameh ....................... 277/590
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 2003/OO3775.6 A1 2/2003 Salameh
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 2007/OO 12271 A1 1/2007 Hilpert
2009/0217900 A1 9, 2009 Salameh
U.S.C. 154(b) by 1122 days.
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
(21) Appl. No.: 12/468,737
CA 659068 A 3, 1963
(22) Filed: May 19, 2009 CN 1133249 A 10, 1996
DE 1264144 A 3, 1968
DE 3815511 A1 11, 1989
(65) Prior Publication Data DE 3815511 C2 5, 1990
US 2010/O1263O4 A1 May 27, 2010 (Continued)
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data
German Office Action issued on Aug. 1, 2013 in counterpart German
May 20, 2008 (DE) ......................... 10 2008 O24 265 Applicaton No. 102008024265.9 (8 pages, in German).
(Continued)
(51) Int. Cl.
FI6. I5/10 (2006.01) Primary Examiner — Thomas Diaz
F02F II/00 (2006.01) (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Grossman, Tucker,
FO2F 7/00 (2006.01) Perreault & Pfleger, PLLC
(52) U.S. Cl. (57) ABSTRACT
CPC ............... FI6J 15/106 (2013.01); F02F II/00
(2013.01); F02F7/006 (2013.01); Y10T A seal for a fluid-fillable vessel of a gearing or motor is
74/2186 (2015.01) provided. The seal includes a first sealing body with a first
(58) Field of Classification Search inside sealing lip, with a first leg protruding from the sealing
CPC ........ F16J 15/104; F16J 15/106; F02F 11/00; body, at the distal end of which there is arranged a second
F02F 7/006; Y10T 74/2186 outer sealing lip which protrudes from the first leg. Reliable
USPC ............ 74/606 R. 606A, 607; 277/594, 639, sealing can thus beachieved and apparent leakiness of a fluid
277/642, 644,598,592: 123/90.38 vessel can be prevented at the same time.
See application file for complete search history. 20 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
 US 9.243,712 B2
Page 2

(56) References Cited JP 200635872 A 2, 2006

JP 2006-242203 A 9, 2006
WO O30O8290 A1 1, 2003
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS WO 2007093265 A1 8, 2007
DE 202005O10449 U1 12/2006
EP O860602 A1 8, 1998 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
EP 1288.476 A2 3, 2003
FR 2732741 A1 10, 1996 European Office Action issued on Jan. 31. 2013 in counterpart Euro
JP 1320374. A 12/1989 pean Application No. 09005768.8 (4 pages, in German).
JP O8277937 A 10, 1996
JP 20O2372152. A 12/2002 * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Jan. 26, 2016 Sheet 1 of 7 US 9.243,712 B2

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FIG. 1
U.S. Patent Jan. 26, 2016 Sheet 2 of 7 US 9.243,712 B2
U.S. Patent Jan. 26, 2016 Sheet 3 of 7 US 9.243,712 B2

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U.S. Patent Jan. 26, 2016 Sheet 4 of 7 US 9.243,712 B2
U.S. Patent Jan. 26, 2016 Sheet 5 Of 7 US 9.243,712 B2

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U.S. Patent Jan. 26, 2016 Sheet 6 of 7 US 9.243,712 B2

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FIG. 9
U.S. Patent Jan. 26, 2016 Sheet 7 Of 7 US 9.243,712 B2
 US 9,243,712 B2
1. 2
SEAL FORAVESSEL FILLED WITH FLUID residual quantities of fluid are pressed out of the sealing
groove. Despite a reliable sealing, the problem of apparent
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED leakiness occurs again, so that laborious and mostly Super
APPLICATIONS fluous cleaning processes are performed.
This application claims priority to German Patent Appli SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
cation No. 102008024265.9, filed on May 20, 2008, and
entitled “A Seal For A Vessel Filled With Fluid, the disclo Embodiments of the present invention provide a seal with
sure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its which a reliable sealing of parts of a fluid vessel to be joined
entirety. 10
is achieved, with the apparent leakiness as described above no
longer occurring during operation, after filling or after mount
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
ing of the fluid vessel. Other embodiments of the present
invention provide a fluid vessel with such a seal.
The present invention relates to a seal for a fluid-fillable In accordance with an embodiment of the present inven
vessel of a motor or a gearing and a fluid vessel with Such a 15
tion, a seal for a fluid-fillable vessel or a gearing or motor
seal.
comprises a first sealing body for reliable sealing between the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION fluid vessel parts to be joined with a first inside sealing lip,
with a first leg protruding outwardly from the sealing body,
When mounting a vessel that can be filled with a fluid or a which leg can extend in the region of a sealing gap between
cover Such as a cylinderhead cover oran oilpan made of metal the fluid vessel parts, at the distal end of which there is formed
or plastic, elastomeric seals are preferably used for sealing the a second outer sealing lip which protrudes from the first leg
individual components. The function of such a seal is not only and which enables sealing of the outer edge of the vessel
separating the fluid from certain areas. In addition, such a seal parts, so that no fluid can penetrate the sealing gap from the
should also bridge a gap which occurs between the compo 25 outside, and medium disposed between the inside sealing lip
nents to be connected. Such a gap can beformed by inevitable and the outside sealing lip can move to the outside.
production tolerances during the mounting process or by A reliable sealing between the fluid vessel parts to be
deformation as a result of thermal, mechanical or other influ connected is achieved by the first sealing body. A first leg
ences during the use of a vessel, a cover or a trough. protruding from the first sealing body can be arranged in Such
When using fluid vessels it is inevitable that a sealing gap 30 away that it extends in the region of a sealing gap between the
will occur between the components of such a fluid vessel to be fluid vessel parts. The second outer sealing lip at the distal or
connected, which gap reaches from the edge of the vessel to outer end of the leg enables sealing of the outer edge of the
the seal and has a height of more than 0.1 mm. This leads to the vessel parts, so that no fluid can penetrate into a sealing gap
consequence that as a result of the capillary effect in the from the outside. If fluid needs to be refilled into the vessel
sealing gap a medium can penetrate the vessel from the out 35 and residual quantities remain in a sealing gap, they no longer
side. When Such a sealing gap is inspected visually, the reach the outside as a result of the second outer sealing lip, so
impression is given that the seal is perfect although the seal that the impression of apparent leakiness can no longer arise.
perse offers reliable sealing between the inside and outside Although residual quantities can be pressed into a sealing gap
space. Such an apparent tightness can hardly be distinguished during the mounting of fluid vessel parts, they will no longer
from actual leakiness. 40 move to the outside because the second outer sealing lip will
An additional problem can arise when a vessel filled with prevent any leaking of the fluid. As a result of the first leg
fluid is to be filled subsequently from the outside via a filling protruding from the sealing body in combination with a sec
device or opening with the respective fluid. Depending on the ond outer sealing lip protruding from the same, any apparent
position or the constructional configuration of this filling leakiness is reliably prevented.
device or the opening it is inevitable that a residual quantity of 45 Preferably, the first inside sealing lip and the second outer
the Supplied fluid will reach the sealing gap during or after a sealing lip are oriented in the same direction. In Such an
filling process. Although the used seal will reliably seal the embodiment, a region is formed between the sealing lips
area from the inside of the vessel to the outside of the vessel, which can hold residual quantities of fluid as in an interme
the impression might be given again due to the fluid present in diate storage. Any fluid stored there will thus neither enter the
the sealing gap that there is a leakage. Such an apparent 50 interior of the vessel nor will leave the vessel. No apparent
leakiness leads to the consequence that efforts are made to leakiness can be assumed from the outside.
remove the residual quantities of fluid from the sealing gap. The first sealing body can also be arranged as a leg, so that
This mostly occurs by complex and costly cleaning processes the seal substantially has the shape of an L. The leg of the
where it is acted upon the sealing gap from the outside. One sealing body can be inserted well into a sealing groove, so that
example for Such a cleaning process is cleaning by means of 55 easier mounting of the seal in a part of the vessel is enabled.
a high-pressure jet. The leg of the sealing body and the first leg protruding from
The problem of apparent leakiness can further occur when the same further enable a relatively large area in which fluid
a vessel which is already filled with fluid and comprises can collect as in an intermediate storage. The second outer
components which are rigidly connected and sealed with each sealing lip reliably prevents that fluid collected in an interme
other is dismounted as a result of a maintenance measure. 60 diate storage can reach the outside.
During Such a dismounting process, residual quantities of the According to a further embodiment of the invention, a
fluid reach a sealing groove and the adjacent outer flange area second sealing body protrudes from the first leg which con
of the vessel. It is common practice that after the completed nects the first sealing body and the second outer sealing lip
maintenance all components to be mounted again will be with each other. Fluid which has collected between the first
manually cleaned from residual quantities of the fluid. During 65 inside sealing lip and the second outer sealing lip as an inter
the Subsequent mounting of the components, these compo mediate storage can be prevented to flow along the circum
nents are pressed tightly together with the seal, so that ference of the vessel. When several such second sealing bod
 US 9,243,712 B2
3 4
ies are provided, chambers can beformed which are delimited The function of the seal inaccordance with the invention in
by a first sealing body, a second sealing body and a second a fluid vessel is shown in greater clarity in FIG.8. It shows a
Sealing lip. vessel 20 with bottom part 21 and upper part 22 of the vessel
as well as a seal in accordance with the invention in the state
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS when mounted between the two vessel parts 21, 22. In order
to prevent apparent leakiness, it is relevant in the seal in
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a seal, inaccordance accordance with the invention that a second outer sealing lip
with a first embodiment of the present invention; 6 is provided at the end of the first leg 4 which prevents fluid
FIG.2 shows a cross-sectional view of a seal, inaccordance from reaching the first inside sealing lip 3 from outside of a
with a second embodiment of the present invention; 10 vessel (see reference numeral 28). This applies conversely in
FIG.3 shows a cross-sectional view of a seal, inaccordance the same manner in that fluid is prevented by means of the
with a third embodiment of the present invention; second outer sealing lip 6 from reaching a region 28 outside of
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a seal, inaccordance the vessel from the inside 26 of the vessel or the chamber 9.
with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; When the first inside sealing lip 3 is inserted in a groove 23
FIG.5 shows a cross-sectional view of a seal, inaccordance 15 of a fluid vessel 20 in accordance with FIG. 8 and is arranged
with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; adjacent to the inside side wall of the bottom part 21 of the
FIG. 6 shows a perspective sectional view of the fourth vessel, the second outer sealing lip 6 can be arranged at the
embodiment of the seal; edge 29 of a flange 24 of the bottom part 21 of the vessel. No
FIG. 7 shows a top view of a part of the fourth embodiment fluid can enter the interior 26 of the vessel from the outside
of the seal; region 28 as a result of the second outer sealing lip 6. Any fluid
FIG. 8 shows a sectional side view of a first embodiment of supplied from the outside will collect at an outer edge 30 in
the fluid vessel; the embodiment of the fluid vessel 20 as shown in FIG. 8 and
FIG.9 shows a sectional side view of a second embodiment especially there at an edge 25. It is able to drip off there, so
of the fluid vessel; that it is no longer located in the region of the sealing gap.
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a seal, in accordance 25 Since the elastically arranged first leg 4 of the seal will pro
with a further embodiment of the present invention. trude from the first sealing body 2 and the first leg 4 will
provide sealing in the region of the separating plane 27
DETAILED DESCRIPTION between the bottom part 21 and the upper part 22 of the vessel
in the mounted State, no sealing gap will be formed in this
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a seal 1 in accordance 30 region of the separating plane 27.
with the invention, comprising a first sealing body 2 and an When the upper part 22 and the seal 1 are mounted after
associated sealing lip 3. A first leg 4 protrudes from the maintenance, such that the parts are compressed, fluid resi
sealing body 2, with a second sealing lip 6 being provided at dues in the groove 23 can collect in a chamber 9. The second
the distal end 5 of the first leg 4. As is shown in FIG. 1, the outer sealing lip 6 will prevent that this fluid will reach the
sealing body 2 can have a round shape, or, as in the embodi 35 outer region 28, so that the impression of apparent leakiness
ment as shown in FIG. 2, a cornered shape as an extension of is prevented.
the first leg. It is further also possible that the first inside FIG. 7 shows a top view of a seal 1 according to FIG. 4,
sealing lip 3 is arranged in a direction opposite of the second with the seal 1 comprising several chambers 9. In addition, a
outer sealing lip 6, as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, a groove bore 10 is provided between the first inside sealing lip 3 and
for the first sealing lip 3 can be provided in an upper part of the 40 the outer second sealing lip 6, through which a mounting
vessel and an additional groove for the second sealing lip 6 in screw 40 with a sleeve 41 can be pushed for example (see FIG.
a bottom part of the vessel. 9).
Principally, the seal in accordance with the invention can The many features and advantages of the invention are
have any shape along the progression of its circumference, apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is
which shape is preferably adjusted to the shape of the fluid 45 intended by the appended claims to cover all such features
vessel to be sealed. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the seal and advantages of the invention which fall within the true
inaccordance with the invention for a fluid vessel whose cross spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous
section is circular at least in the region to be sealed. modifications and variations will readily occur to those
As is shown in FIG. 4, the first sealing body 2 can also be skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the
arranged as a leg 7. This is advantageous because the leg 7 can 50 exact construction and operation illustrated and described,
be inserted easily into a groove and there is only a small and, accordingly, all Suitable modifications and equivalents
likelihood that the seal 1 will slip during mounting. This also may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the invention
applies to the embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, with the first
sealing body not only comprising a first inside sealing lip 3, What is claimed is:
but also an additional sealing lip 31 which are opposite of 55 1. A seal comprising a bottom part of a vessel, the bottom
each other. part configured to form the seal with a top part of the vessel,
In the case of circumferential sealing lips 3 and 6, a region the seal comprising:
9 is formed between these sealing lips in which fluid that is a groove of the bottom part of the vessel; and
possibly present can be collected or stored, as shown in FIG. a sealing lip configured to be inserted into the groove of the
6 which shows a perspective view in a twisted representation 60 bottom part,
of the fourth embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 4. wherein the sealing lip comprises an inside sealing lip
In order to prevent that the fluid present in the region 9 can having an end region contacting the groove when the
move laterally in an unhindered way, a boundary can be sealing lip is inserted into the groove,
created with a second sealing body 8. In the case of two wherein the sealing lip further comprises an outside sealing
second sealing bodies 8 which are arranged at a distance from 65 lip having an end region contacting a flange of the bot
each other, a chamber is formed which delimits any present tom part of the vessel when the sealing lip is inserted into
fluid in region 9 to a relatively small Zone. the groove,
 US 9,243,712 B2
5 6
wherein a chamber is formed between the sealing lip and wherein the sealing lip further comprises an outside sealing
the bottom part of the vessel when the end region of the lip having an end region contacting a flange of the bot
inside sealing lip contacts the groove and the end region tom part of the vessel when the sealing lip is inserted into
of the outside sealing lip contacts the flange, and the groove,
wherein the chamber is configured to collect fluid in the wherein a chamber is formed between the sealing lip and
groove to prevent the fluid collected in the chamber from the bottom part of the vessel when the end region of the
reaching an outer region of the vessel. inside sealing lip contacts the groove and the end region
of the outside sealing lip contacts the flange, and
2. The seal of claim 1, wherein a portion of the inside wherein the chamber is configured to collect fluid in the
Sealing lip forms a perpendicular angle with a portion of the 10 groove to prevent the fluid collected in the chamber from
outside sealing lip. reaching an outer region of the vessel.
3. The seal of claim 1, wherein the outside sealing lip is 12. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 11, wherein a
located at an edge of the flange of the bottom part of the portion of the inside sealing lip forms a perpendicular angle
vessel. with a portion of the outside sealing lip.
4. The seal of claim 3, wherein a location of the outside 15
13. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 11, wherein the
sealing lip is farther from a center of the vessel relative to a outside sealing lip is located at an edge of the flange of the
location of the inside sealing lip from the center of the vessel. bottom part of the vessel.
5. The seal of claim 4, wherein the sealing lip comprises an 14. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 13, wherein a
elastic material. location of the outside sealing lip is farther from a center of
6. The seal of claim 4, wherein the prevention of the fluid the vessel relative to a location of the inside sealing lip from
the center of the vessel.
from reaching the outer region of the vessel reduces an
impression of a leak from the outer region of the vessel. 15. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 14 wherein the
7. The seal of claim 4, wherein an outer edge of the top part sealing lip comprises an elastic material.
of the vessel extends beyond an edge of the bottom part of the 16. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 14, wherein the
vessel. 25
prevention of the fluid from reaching the outer region of the
8. The seal of claim 4, wherein the inside sealing lip is Vessel reduces an impression of a leak from the outer region
configured to prevent fluid collected in the groove from of the vessel.
escaping from the groove. 17. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 14, wherein an
9. The seal of claim 8, wherein the outside sealing lip is outer edge of the top part of the vessel extends beyond an edge
configured to prevent fluid collected in the groove from 30
of the bottom part of the vessel.
escaping from the groove. 18. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 14, wherein the
10. The seal of claim 9, wherein the outside sealing lip is inside sealing lip is configured to prevent fluid collected in the
further configured to prevent fluid from the outer region of the groove from escaping from the groove.
Vessel from entering an inner region of the vessel. 19. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 18, wherein the
11. Abottom part of a vessel, the bottom part configured to 35
outside sealing lip is configured to prevent fluid collected in
form a seal with a top part of the vessel, the bottom part the groove from escaping from the groove.
comprising: 20. The bottom part of the vessel of claim 19, wherein the
a groove configured for insertion of a sealing lip, outside sealing lip is further configured to prevent fluid from
wherein the sealing lip comprises an inside sealing lip the outer region of the vessel from entering an inner region of
having an end region contacting the groove when the the vessel.
sealing lip is inserted into the groove,