Joint and seal system for air transfer tubes

• US 5,474,337 A
• Filed: 03/20/1995
• Issued: 12/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Sandkamp, John D., Nepsund, Larry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US08/406,645
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 285/8, 285/345, 285/177, 285/7, 285/94, 285/231, 285/339, 285/910, 285/423
• US Class Current: 285/345
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/03 placed in the socket before connection F16L21/022, F16L21/025 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/91 Gaskets

Abstract

Assembly is described for providing a radial seal between two air conduit members. The assembly generally comprises a first conduit member having seal retainer thereon and, second conduit member having a tubular section which is inserted into the seal retainer, during formation of the radial seal. The seal retainer comprises a retainer trough having a removable and replaceable seal ring positioned therein.

Claims

1. An assembly for providing a radial seal between two air conduit members;

said assembly comprising;

(a) a first conduit member having an open end including a seal retainer thereon;

said seal retainer including a retainer trough;

(i) said retainer trough having at least three sidewalls;

said three sidewalls comprising a front wall adjacent said open end, a rear wall and a frusto-conical sidewall extending therebetween;

said frusto-conical sidewall increasing in diameter from said front wall to said rear wall

(b) a compressible seal ring operably positioned within said retainer trough;

said seal ring, when in an uncompressed state, comprising elastomeric material and having;

(i) first, second and third outside walls including first and second opposite end walls;

said first wall engaging said front wall, said second wall engaging said rear wall and said third wall engaging said frusto-conical sidewall;

(ii) an inner surface defining a central aperture therethrough;

said seal ring inner surface being stepped, in decreasing diameter, in a direction of extension from said first end wall to said second end wall;

(iii) said seal ring third outside wall being opposite said seal ring inner surface and having a frusto-conical configuration of increasing outside diameter in a direction of extension from said first end wall to said second end wall;

(iv) said seal ring being sized to fit between said trough front and rear walls, in use.

(c) a second conduit member having a tubular section constructed and arranged for insertion through said open end and through said seal ring central aperture when said seal ring is nested within said retainer trough;

said tubular section being sized to cause compression of said seal ring sufficiently for formation of a radial seal with said seal ring inner surface, when said second conduit tubular section is inserted through said seal ring central aperture;

(i) said retainer trough being sized to receive said compressible seal ring without compression of said seal ring in a direction between said seal ring inner surface and said seal ring outside wall, before said second conduit member is operably inserted into said seal ring central aperture.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said first end wall of said seal ring is substantially parallel to said second end wall of said seal ring.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said seal ring inner surface includes a beveled edge directed to intersect one of said end walls.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said seal ring inner surface includes a beveled edge directed to intersect one of said end walls.

5. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said seal ring is non-adhesively secured within said retainer trough; and

,

(b) said seal ring is non-mechanically connected to said retainer trough.

6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said seal ring comprises a urethane foam material.

7. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said second conduit member tubular section has a smooth outer tubular surface, where it engages said seal ring inner surface, in use.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said seal ring is sized and configured to compress at least about 10%, in cross-sectional dimension, along at least a portion thereof, when said second conduit member tubular section is inserted through said seal ring central aperture, during formation of the radial seal.

9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said first conduit member comprises an air intake conduit for a ventilation system; and

,

(b) said second conduit member comprises a joint extension between said first conduit member and an air filter.

10. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said first conduit member includes an internal seat; and

,

(b) said second conduit member tubular section is sized and configured to engage said internal seat, when said tubular section is inserted through said seal ring central aperture to form the radial seal.

11. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said second conduit member tubular section has a first inside diameter; and

,

(b) said first conduit member has a tubular section with a second inside diameter;

said second inside diameter being no smaller than said first inside diameter;

(i) said second conduit member tubular section being constructed and arranged to abut said first conduit member tubular section, when said second conduit member tubular section is inserted through said seal ring central aperture to form the radial seal.

12. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said seal ring inner surface includes a silicone mold release thereon.