GB2241025A - Steel laminate gasket with reduced hole - Google Patents

Abstract

A steel laminate gasket is installed between two engine parts of an internal combustion engine having at least one fluid hole. The gasket comprises at least first and second plates (11, 10) the first plate having a hole (11a) smaller than the fluid hole and the second plate having a hole (10a) equal to that of the fluid hole. A ring plate (12) is formed to have a hole (12a) with a size equal to the hole (11a) of the first plate, and a stepped portion (12b) around the fluid hole, and is situated in and around the fluid hole. A cover member (13) is situated to cover holes of the ring plate (12) and the first plate (11). The ring plate (12) enhances rigidity of the plate inside the fluid hole and seals around the fluid hole. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE Steel Laminate Gasket With Reduced Hole

pcckgroupl of thp Iption and Related Art Statement

The p7;esept invention relates to a steel laminate gasket With g 4:equceq hole for regul4ting flow rate of fluid passing thorethrough.

To an internal combustion engine, there are provided fluid pass4Wes for Water and oil. In particular, the water and oil passages are. formed inside a cylinder block and cylinder he4d, pLnd Whgn the engine is operated, water and oil circulate through the rpspectiVe passages in the cylinder block and c ylinder bea4.

When the cylinder block and cylinder head are ggpemplod, 4 g4g]eet is installed therebetween to prevent leakag of fluid at 4 copp@cting portion.

the 4U'POIDGbilC- industry, one kind of engine is installed p diffprent plodels 'of cars to reduce manufacturing cost of an ongipp. n this case, a cylinder block and cylinder head in one engine arp 1R4pufactured in the same manner. Although the engine s the s4me, its installation condition is diff@rent in each model of car, Thorefore, small design changes of engines are reqqirpq n thq respective models. For example, the amounts of cooling water and oil circulating_ through the engine and the distribution rates of cooling water and oil inside the engines may pp ch4qgeq in the respective models.

The cylinder hgad and cylinder block are made of cast metal. Thprefore, the cylinder head and cylinder block are not ch4nged, but lppteacl 4 c -, 4Aset- installed between the cylinder head and cylinder plock is changed. For example, if. the cylinder h@a4 qpg cylp4er block are provided with a large water hole, a small hole jp forp@4 in the gasket to reduce flow rate of water. In gome eaq"f Wi -4t@y holes in the cylinder block and cylinder h944 are pqIy@ly closed by the gasket.

A steel laminelte gasket is formed of a plurality of thin steel p14t@s. If the size of the Water hole is reduced in a steal aTaingt:p c of the steel plates igust jas:Ke-t, at least one extepO Into the water hole. As 4 result, there arise some technical propleps. Namely, if one plate extends into the Wgter holpi ginco the plate is very thin, the.plate may bend by p:@ sup@ Pt flowip(j water, thereby reducing its sealing ability. if more than one of the steel plates extend into a water hole, water enters pto spqces between the plates. In a steel laminate Waslet, It p Very difficult to seal around fluid holes, especially - if the gasket partly extends into a fluid hole.

Tn jap44@g@ Utlity Model Application No. 53532/88 filed on April ?2 l8Q, g @teel laminate gasket comprises at least three plates, Wbppeip af. least two plates extend partly into a Water holq- Thq lower or piddl@ plate includes a bead inside the Water holp, qp4 1 coVp-ro4 together with the upper plate by a coVer PPPP@V- Algoi orOM04 the water hole, the upper plate and laiddlo plgto lpclq4@ # pt- gpped portion and a bead, respectively, to seal gromnq too W4tor hole.

The qA.5k@t qq oxplained above operates well as intended.

UOWOyorf if g gtrong sealing pressure is required around the W4PP 7A010f the above gasket is not appropriate. - Also, since the the above gasket requires a minimum of three plates, it cannot be used in a thin gasket.

4ccopOIpcjlyf on@ object of the present invention is to 4 i i pl:ovicle a sy."1 laminate gasket having a reduced f luid hole, Whpr@1p lpaXeg@ of fluid is substantially prevented.

notheF piaj@ct of the invention is to provide a steel #TQtp@tp gasket a ptateg above, Wherein strong sealing pressure s 0)3tqineq Pro4P9 4 Water hole In a thin gasket.

4k t4fther object of the invention is to provide a steal l4min4te 94sket 4g @tateo abovei wherein deformation of the steel plate due tq fluiq tipw Is substantially prevented.

t stll further object of the invention is to provide a pt@@1 lamqgt@ qgsket as stated above, which can be manufactured Pipiply 9p4 1.4s@q for g long period of time.

Further oojpcts and advantages of the invention Will be gppar@nr- froTq the following description of the invention.

Summary of th@ nvontion

In 4ecor44pca With the invention, a steel laminate gasket is ipstgllg4)DetWpgn tWo engine parts of an internal combustion pqqne b4Vpq gt least one fluid hole therein. The gasket covappg@p 4t ggpt tWo base plates, i.e. first and second plates.

The f rg;t pgte- ncludes a hole smaller than the fluid hole of the @nginlp. Thq pe-cond plate is situated above the first plate, D4 ipcll44ps hole corresponding to the fluid hole of the pnqinp an4 g 0944 ground the hole.

The qqsKet further includes a ring plate situated aroun4 the flqi4 hol@ of the ongine. The ring plate is provided with 4 hole pmqley tbqn the hole of the engine #s in the first plate apd 4 @epp94 poriton @ituated outside the fluid hole of the engine.

holo of the ring plate and first plate, e4 covey P0101:)0r iq t4 t@4 to prevent fluid from entering into a space betWeeq thq rpg plate and the first plate.

The ring plate extends to cover the head on the second plate 4roqn4 t-hp g144 hole of the engine. Namely, the ring plate Is opV gitm4te4 ip gipcl around the fluid hole. The bead on the speop4 plate and the stepped portion of the ring member seal groUD4 the fluid hole.

In th@ present invention, the first plate'extends Into the fluid hole of the engine, and the ring plate supports the first plate ipsiclka V-he fluid hole and secils around the fluid hole. Accor4Ingly, #lthough the gasket is basically formed of two plates, flgi4 floWing through the fluid hole can be restrained Viithout c4q.,ing 94luage to the gasket.

4A1SOf thq Ptepped portion of the ring plate and the bead on the second plat.@ securely seal around the fluid hole whep the. gasat j., tghteppo. Especially, since the ring plate Is ipstallec4 ground the fluid hole in addition to the first and secop4 plates, high sealing pressure is applied around the fluid hole. Therefore, the fluid hole can be securely sealed.

A poqt-ll(j 1a4V be formed on an inner side of the coVer pie;p)jgrf oqtsl4@s of the ring plate and the first plate where the coypy p@lubpr contacts. or 4 part between the ring plate and the f f plate. Aq.1 result, fluid does not enter into a space)jptWogn thp fir@t plgte and the ring plate.

The coyear lg@labe-7; may be 4 grommet. Instead, the cover iqpluijpr gay lie pt@qrglly formed With the first plate or the ring p14t@f Wherein gq inner periphery of the first plate or the ring plate @ turne4 to lie placed over the other plate, I.e. ring pl te or fr t Pl t9C Tn thi p:pe-qpnt- invention, one of the plates Is formed to payrly C_:tp_04 into 4 water hole, to which the ring plate is applied. So if the flow rate of one ' f luid hole is to be changed, all the plates of a gasket need not be changed Only one of the plates need be replaced, and the ring plate and cover member added. The rest of the plates may be common to many gasket designs. Accordingly, the design of a gasket can 4e easily changed.

bret Dpacription of the Drgwings fig. 1 ig g partial plan vieW of a f irst embodiment of a steel la-mip4t@ gasjcet of the present invention; fig. 2 ig gn @nlarged explanatory section view taken along ip@ 2-2 in fiqt li and figs. 5-6 ar@ ppetion views, similar to Fig. 2, for shoWing speop4 to fifth gmbodimapts of the Invention.

Pptaled P@scription of Preferred Embodiments Rgferripq to figs. 1 and 21 a first embodiment A of a steel laiaipAte q4set of the invention is shown. The gasket A is 4 cyInq@: heq4 cjaset: and is provided With cylinder holes He, Wgtpr boleq NWf oil holes Ho, bolt holes lib, and push rod holes bpf P.L.5 In the conVentional gasket. The cylinder holes He, Water holt3r. IfW, oil haer Ho and push rod holes Hp are surrounded)jy e4ng 4@Vic@ to spal therearound. The sealing devices may be gpy p4 of 4@Vlces, such as)jeaOs, Which are shown In dot lines In fig.. Sific@ the sealing device is not a subject Inatter of the present pyantiop, further explanation of the seal device Is The cjqslcgt is further provided with a WaterfloW rostrcting portion 11WO, which restricts Water flow rate f lowing through in pnqipe. Namely, the cylinder head and cylinder block qrg pyoyigeq Wth large elongated Water holes substantially corVC-s]poP4ng to hg water ú'10W restricting portion Hwo, but the rg!trictipg portion 11Wo is provided with g Water hole Hs smaller than the Wi4te:r holes of the cylinder head and cylinder block. Water flowing through the large water hole Is, therefore, restricted Py the water hole restricting portion Hwo. Copsequeptlyf the cooling of the engine is regulated.

AS shown in fig. 2, the gasket A comprises an upper plate A10, and a lower plate All, which extend over substantially the entire area of the gasket. The upper plate A10 is providedwitha hole ?1p4 slightly lqrger than the water floW restricting portion Ilwo, gp4 a bea4 A100 oqtside the restricting portion Hwo. The lower plate All is! provided With a hole Alla slightly larger than the Water hole Us.

The cjalsbpt 4k tqrther comprises a ring member A12 having 4 hole A12cf the pize of which is the same as the hole Alla of the loW@r plqtC All, a stepped portion A12b situated outside the restricting portion UWo. The outer shape of the ring member A12 s qrger t that of the restricting portion Hwo, but resembles th@ rQ.5t-rictipq portion Hwo. Namely, the ring member A12 is pgce4 In 4rp4p4 the restricting portion 11wo.

The qgslcot Also includes a grommet A13 to define the Water hole Us. Thi groppet 413 includes an upper flange A13a situated gljoyp the ring wqTq1jer A12, a curved portion A13b located In the holes Al4f 412q( gnd 4 lower flange A13c situated under the lower p14t@ tkll, The curved portion A13b defines the Water hole lie! 1 Also, th@ grommet A13 is provided with a Coating A13d inside thereof to seal relative to the loWer plate All and ring member A12. The cogtolj. 13c) may pe silicone rubber or fluorinecopt4ip.ing rubber. 4 coating may lie formed on outer surfaces of the loWer p14te All end ring member A12 where the grommet A13 contacts, or PetWeep the lower plate All and the ring member A12. +hr q r@sulti W4t@r 4ogs not enter into a space between the loWer plate All qnd the ring member A12.

Whep V-bp c psket A is assembleol the upper plate A10 Is situalted aboye. the lower plate All such that the bead A10b Is locgteq around the rpstricting portion Hwo. The ring member A12 ir luoupteq on the upper and lower plates A10, All. Namely, An Inner portiop of the ring member A12 is directly placed over the lpWgr plgt@ kll Inside the restricting portion Hwo, and an outer portion of th@ ring member A12 is situated above the upper p14te A10 and PeAq 410t). The grommet A13 is situated inside the holes 411@1.124 to p:p@ypnt Water from eqtering into a space betWeep the ring pember A12 and the lower plate All.

When th@ ggsbpt A is situated between a cylinder head X And a cyllpOar jaloc V4 the stepped portion A12b is located betwe@p 09 gylpqgr hpqq X end the cylinder block Y. When thq gasket h Is ight3 n94f th@ stepped portion A12b and the bead 410b deform to securely sog ground the Water flow restricting portion Ilwo. 11amely, the)Degcl.12b, when compressed, forms a plurglity of coppu94te4 1a044g to p@al around the restricting portion HWo. The @;$:eppp4 portion A12b enhances the sealing ability. Therefore, Wgtpr cloeg pot ft;jjst4ntially enter betWeen the cylinder bead X gpo p tt)g qqplcpt although the Water flow restricting portion gyo is basic4lly forped of the lower plate All, the ring member A12 is 444e4 on 4pd around the restricting portion liwo. Further, t-hp rpgtrctipg portion "Wo is surrounded by the stepped portion.121), Which pcro4ses rigidity of the ring member A12. The gromlae.t A14 glso @4h4nces the rigidity of the restricting portion "WO. ArR q r@5141t, although Welter floW is restricted by the restricting portion liwo, the restricting portion Hwo does not deforT4 or bapd. Water does not substantially enter between the ring meluber k12 upd the lowe r plate All because of the grommet A15.

In this respect, if the restricting portion Hwo were to bend, sealing ability around the restricting portion Hwo would be impaired. As a result, water might enter into spaces between the cylinder head and cylinder block.

In the gasket A, the ring member A12 is installed in addition to the upper and lower plates A10, All, so that when the 94skeat A is tightene4, high sealing pressure is obtained around thq Water hole. Further, although only one plate extends into the rpstrieripg portion Hwo, the plate can properly restrict floW of Water by g14 of the ring member A12.

fig. 4 phoWrR a second embodiment B of a steal laminate 94sket of thq inVention. The gasket B comprises a ring member P12 With 4 pteppe4 portion B12a, A plate B10 with a bead B10a, a plat@ Plf 4P4 4 grommet B13, similar to the gasket A. However, @ p14t9 Pli s @ttugto4 above the plate B10, and the plate B11 is pvoydo4 With g bea4 Blib around the water hole Hs.

In the 94sk@t- Pf since the bead B11b is formed around the Water hole lggf Whop the grommet C13 is installed, the bead Bilb co;nprapsp4. A qp4ce between the ring member B12 and the plate 511 is seale4 1jy counter force of the compressed bead 811b. The gasket B oper4t" as in the gasket A.

fig. 1 shOW9 4 thir4 erQbo4ixqent C of a steal laminate gasket of the ipyontiop. The gasket C comprises a ring member C12 with 4 ptepped portion C12af a plate C10 with a bead Cloa, a plate ell With 4 heq4 C11b, and g grommet C13, similar to the gasket B. NoWeyor, the 94pk@t C further includes a Plate C14 and a plate C15 With g)Dea4 C15a, which are pitu4ted between the plates C10, ell. The plates C14, C15 hAve configurations similar to the p14te C10 an4 @Ntend substantially the entire area of the gasket C.

The gasket C operates as in the gasket A. However, the gasket C 1@ "94 if a thick gasket is required.

fig. 5 phoWs 4 fourth embodiment D of 4 steel laminate gasket of the ipyention. The gasket D comprises a ring member D2 With g stpppp4 portion D12a, a plate D10 with a bead D10a, a plate Pli, g pl tp P15 with a bead D15a, and a plate Dll, similar to the 94s@t C. However, the gasket D further includes a ppe @urp r@9414tion plate P16 betWeen the plates Dll, D15, Vhich fpq44tes pfpggql:4,4 applied to the beads D10a, D15a when the gqp)cgt p tightened. Also, the plate Dll is provided with a c4ry@4 portion P11g g4jacent the water hole Hs, And A flange Dllb @ftq4t94 pboy@ the ring member D.12, instead of a grommet. The c4Vyf4 portion p14 flange Dilb prevent Water from gntorincj Into q ppgcp OptW@pn the ring pepber D12 and the plate Dll. The gasket D J@ 4seq In case a thick 94sket Is required.

fig! 0 fhoW@ g fifth embodiment B of a steel laminate gasket of th@ Invention! The gasket R comprises a plate B10 With a 13a44 R10a, g pl#to ú11 With a bead Ellb, a plate B14, a plate Bib with 4 bea4 p154, apd a ring member E12 With a stepped portion 192Af rimili4r to V-he gasket C. In the gasket E, however, a grommet 1g pot use4f and instead, a curved portion B12b and a flapgg E12c gy@ forped on the ring member E12 to seal around the Water hole Ifs.

H4raelyi th@ curyed portion P12b extends downwardly from an ipner portion of the ring member E12, and the flange E12o is situated under the head Ellb. The curved portion E12b and flange E12c securely secl liatween the ring member E12 and plate Ell. The 94sket p Qporates as in the gasket C.

In the steel lamin4te gasket of the present invention, one p14te extends into 4 fluid hole of an engine to control flow rate of the fluid, gpcl a ring member With a stepped portion is situated on the plqte around the fluid hole. Another plate for constituting the gasket includes a head around the fluid hole and s plAc@4 oypp th@ former plate. End portions of the plate and ring Taembpr group4 the fluid holeare covered by a grommet or cqrYaq portion.

The ripq pepher with the stepped portion and the grommet or curye4 popiop ensure that the portion of the gasketextending nto the foi4 floWing hole does not bend or deform by fluid through the fluj4 hole. Also, the ring member with the stepped portion ap4 the h@44 securely seal'around the fluid hole.

In the pregont tpvention, since the ring member is situated aroun4 the fl; 4i4 holo, only one base plate may extend into the fluid hole.]Fluid flow can he restricted without causing any 44xgga to th@ qqskot, and high sealing pressure is applied around the flui4 hole.

1

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. A steel laminate gasket for installation between two parts of an internal combustion engine having at least one fluid hole therein, the gasket comprising:

a base plate assembly including a first base plate and at least one second base plate and having a hole through the base plate assembly smaller than the corresponding hole in the engine parts to restrict the flow rate of fluid passing therethrough; sealing means incorporated in the base plate assembly to surround the hole in the engine parts and to seal around the hole during use; a ring plate located over the base plate assembly and having a hole aligned with the hole in the base plate assembly, the ring plate comprising:

a first portion overlying the sealing means, a second portion overlying the first base plate around the hole therethrough and a stepped portion surrounding the hole in the engine parts between the first and second portions; and cover means extending through the hole in, and wrapped around to overlap the edge of, at least one of the hole in the first base plate and the hole in the ring plate so as to prevent fluid from entering between the ring plate and the first base plate.

2. A steel laminate gasket according to claim 1 wherein the cover means is a grommet overlapping both the first base plate and the ring plate around their respective holes.

3. A steel laminate gasket according to claim 1 wherein the cover means is an integral curved portion of either the ring plate or the first base plate, extending through and wrapped around the hole in the other of the ring plate and the first base plate.

4. A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim, further comprising a coating on the overlapping surface of the cover means or around the hole in the ring plate or in the f irst base plate to seal against f luid entering between the first base plate and the ring plate.

5. A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing means is a bead on a second base plate.

6. A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the first base plate further includes a bead around the hole to seal between the first base plate and the ring pla te in use.

7. A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of second base plates and wherein the sealing means comprises a plurality of corresponding beads incorporated in at least some of the second base plates.

8. A steel laminate gasket wherein the ring plate is of lesser extent than the first base plate and the base plate assembly includes a pressure regulation plate, having a hole larger than the ring plate and being located between the first base plate and the second base plate or plates so as not to overlap the ring plate.

9. A steel laminate gasket substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

Published 1991 at 7he Patent Office. State House. 66171 High Holborn. Undon WC 1 R 47P. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Cwmfelinfach, Cross Keys. NmWrL NPI 7ELL Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. St Mary Cray, Kent.

i

9. A steel laminate gasket substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

I- ti, Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A steel laminate gasket for installation between two parts of an internal combustion engine having at least one fluid hole therein, the gasket comprising: a base plate assembly including a f irst base plate and at least one second base plate and having a hole through the base plate assembly smaller than the corresponding hole in the engine parts to restrict the flow rate of fluid passing therethrough; sealing means incorporated in the base plate assembly to surround the hole in the engine parts and to seal around the hole during use; the gasket further comprising: an annular ring plate located over the base plate assembly and having a hole aligned with the hole in the base plate assembly, the ring plate including a first portion overlying the sealing means and having an outer edge surrounding the sealing means, a second portion overlying the first base plate around the hole therethrough and a stepped portion surrounding the hole in the engine parts between the f irst and second portions; and cover means extending through the hole in, and wrapped around to overlap the edge of, at least one of the hole in the first base plate and the hole in the ring plate so as to prevent fluid from entering between the ring plate and the first base plate.

2. A steel laminate gasket according to claim 1 wherein the cover means is a grommet- overlapping both the f irst base plate and the ring plate around their respective holes.

3 A steel laminate gasket according to claim 1 wherein the cover means is an integral curved portion of either the ring plate or the first base plate, extending through and -1k--- wrapped around the hole in the other of the ring plate and the first base plate.

4. A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim, further comprising a coating on the overlapping surface of the cover means or around the hole in the ring plate or in the first base plate to seal against fluid entering between the first base plate and the ring plate.

A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing means is a bead on a second base pi ate.

6. A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the first base plate further includes a bead around the hole to seal between the first base plate and the ring plate in use.

7. A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of second base plates and wherein the sealing means comprises a plurality of corresponding beads incorporated in at least some of the second base plates.

8. A steel laminate gasket according to any preceding claim wherein the ID-ase plate assembly includes a pressure regulation plate, having a hole larger than the ring plate and being located between the first base plate and the second base plate or plates so as not to overlap the ring plate.