Metal gasket

Abstract

A multilayer metal gasket includes at least two metal gasket layers formed with an aligned opening and aligned opposing sealing beads surrounding the opening. A partial stopper layer is interposed between the gasket layers and is of lesser area than either of the gasket layers. The partial stopper layer extends from the opening outwardly beyond the sealing beads and is fixed to one of the layers on only one side of the sealing beads and is free on the opposite side.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 547,981, filed Feb. 26, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] This invention relates generally to multilayer metal gaskets, and particularly to those having at least two active bead layers separated by a partial stopper layer. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] Multilayer metal gaskets are commonly used in engine applications to provide a seal between two members that are joined by bolting or other clamping means, such as between a cylinder head and an engine block, or between an exhaust manifold and the block. [0006] Various gasket configurations are known to the art and serve a variety of purposes. A particular application to which the present invention is directed is one in which the gasket is required to be of minimal thickness and able to seal effectively under fairly low contact pressure or able to conform to protrusions or recessions at the seal interface, such as in a cy...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] One advantage of the present invention is that it provides a gasket of minimal thickness with relatively soft compressibility and controlled deformation of the sealing beads.

[0012] By extending fully across the sealing beads, the stopper layer has the beneficial effect of providing generally uniform compression of the complete sealing bead in all layers of the gasket. Further, by being joined to only one side and being free on the opposite side of the sealing beads, the stopper layer does not overly constrain deformation of the sealing bead on the gasket layer to which the stopper layer is joined, thereby giving more uniform deformation of the sealing beads.THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a gasket constructed according to a presently preferred

Problems solved by technology

Under these less than ideal sealing conditions, it is difficult to construct a seal that satisfies all of the criteria that such an application calls for.

The concern here is that the full collapse of the beads could cause at least some degree of overcompression and permanent deformation of the beads and thus impair the sealing performance of the gasket.

Consequently, the constrained functional layer compresses at a much higher load than that of the other layer, and the overall compression strength of the gasket increases, making it perhaps unsuitable for those applications calling for minimal gasket thickness and low compressibility.

While this may be suitable for many gasket applications, the full middle layer adds to the over all thickness of the gasket and thus may not be suitable for applications calling for minimal gasket thickness.

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