INTERLOCKING SEAL

• US 20130057015A1
• Filed: 09/01/2011
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Allen, Todd E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,469,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/70
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/3224 capable of accommodating changes in distances or misalignment between the surfaces, e.g. able to compensate for defaults of eccentricity or angular deviations

Abstract

An interlocking seal assembly includes a panel having a first side and a second side and defining a hole. The seal assembly also includes an outer seal and an inner seal. A shaft extends through the outer seal, the inner seal, and the hole. The outer seal is mounted with respect to the panel such that the outer seal contacts the first side of the panel and thereby forms a first face seal around the hole. The inner seal is mounted with respect to the panel such that the inner seal contacts the outer seal and thereby forms a second face seal around the hole. The inner seal contacts the second side of the panel and thereby forms a third face seal around the hole.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a panel having a first side and a second side and defining a hole;

a seal assembly having an outer seal and an inner seal;

a shaft extending through the outer seal, the inner seal, and the hole;

wherein the outer seal is mounted with respect to the panel such that the outer seal contacts the first side of the panel and thereby forms a first face seal around the hole;

wherein the inner seal is mounted with respect to the panel such that the inner seal contacts the outer seal and thereby forms a second face seal around the hole; and

wherein the inner seal contacts the second side of the panel and thereby forms a third face seal around the hole.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft is selectively rotatable about an axis;

wherein the outer seal includes a first annular portion that contacts that first side of the panel to form the first face seal;

wherein the outer seal includes a second annular portion that extends through the hole; and

wherein the inner seal contacts the second annular portion to form the second face seal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outer seal includes a plurality of clips that extend through the hole and engage the panel to retain the outer seal to the panel;

and

wherein the clips abut the second annular portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outer seal defines a dead air cavity;

and

wherein the shaft extends through the dead air cavity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the outer seal includes a first bushing and a second bushing axially spaced apart from the first bushing;

and

wherein the shaft extends through the first and second bushings.

6. A vehicle comprising:

a dash panel assembly having a dash panel, an acoustic mat, and defining a hole;

wherein the dash panel defines a first surface of the dash panel assembly;

wherein the acoustic mat defines a second surface of the dash panel assembly;

a seal assembly having an outer seal and an inner seal;

a steering shaft extending through the outer seal, the inner seal, and the hole;

wherein the outer seal is mounted with respect to the dash panel such that the outer seal contacts the first surface and thereby forms a first face seal around the hole;

wherein the inner seal is mounted with respect to the dash panel such that the inner seal contacts the outer seal and thereby forms a second face seal around the hole; and

wherein the inner seal contacts the second surface and thereby forms a third face seal around the hole.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the steering shaft is selectively rotatable about an axis;

wherein the outer seal includes a first annular portion that contacts that first surface to form the first face seal;

wherein the outer seal includes a second annular portion that extends through the hole; and

wherein the inner seal contacts the second annular portion to form the second face seal.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the outer seal includes a plurality of clips that extend through the hole and engage the dash panel to retain the outer seal to the panel;

and

wherein the clips abut the second annular portion.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the outer seal defines a dead air cavity;

and

wherein the shaft extends through the dead air cavity.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the outer seal includes a first bushing and a second bushing axially spaced apart from the first bushing;

and

wherein the shaft extends through the first and second bushings.

11. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the dash panel at least partially defines a vehicle engine compartment;

and

wherein the acoustic mat at least partially defines a vehicle passenger compartment.