GB2247499A - Seal - Google Patents

Abstract

A seal consisting of annular metal sealing bodies, arranged concentrically relative to one another, and a respective set of elastic seals, arranged in gaps between adjacent sealing bodies and extending in the sealing direction beyond the profile, the seal (1, 1') being composed of three annular sealing bodies (4, 5, 6) and two sets of seals (7, 8). <IMAGE>

Description

SEAL The invention relates to seals, and has particular application to seals consisting of at least two annular metal sealing bodies, arranged concentrically relative to one another, and a respective set of elastic seals, arranged in gaps between adjacent sealing bodies and extending in the sealing direction beyond the profile.

It is known from prior art to use two sealing bodies, arranged concentrically relative to one another, and to place in the gap thereinbetween a set of seals, composed of wound tape of expanded graphite.

The prior art further includes flange seals with metal inserts, packings with metal ledge, seals with resilient guide elements, sealing elements for vacuum pipes and seals for high-pressure flange connections (DE-PS 408 94, DE-OS 1 907 641, CH-PS 448 86, DE-GM 1 745 873, DE-OS 2 050 001).

It is an object of the present invention to improve the sealing effect of such seals, and with advantage by doing so in a simple manner.

According to this invention, there is provided a seal consisting of at least two annular metal sealing bodies, arranged concentrically relative to one another, and a respective set of elastic seals, arranged in gaps between adjacent sealing bodies and extending in the sealing direction beyond the profile, wherein the seal is composed of three annular sealing bodies and two sets of seals. Thus, two sets of seals can advantageously be placed next to one another with a space inbetween and abut on both sides against opposite end surfaces of interconnected machine elements, so that an improvement of the sealing effect between the two joined machine elements is given by the co-acting of both sets of seals.

In one embodiment, the oppositely placed end surfaces of adjacent sealing bodies have at least one area extending in parallel and one V-shaped groove. The arrangement can be such that two parallel areas with a V-shaped groove inbetween are provided. This arrangement permits the respective set of seals to seat itself firmly between the adjacent sealing bodies, thus producing a flush arrangement.

Specific implementation for this invention will now be described in more detail, based on exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. la is a cross-sectional sideview of a seal; Fig. ib shows a seal according to Fig. la in the applied state; Fig. 2a shows another form seal in a crosssectional sideview; and Fig. 2b shows a seal of Fig. 2a in the applied state.

According to Fig. la, a seal 1 comprises three annular sealing bodies 4, 5, 6, which are arranged concentrically relative to each other and made of metal.

Between these sealing bodies 4, 5, 6 is a respective intermediate space, whereby a respective set of seals 7, 8 is placed in the two intermediate spaces between the sealing bodies 4, 5, 6. This set of seals is slightly higher than the height of the annular sealing bodies 4, 5, 6, and thus extends beyond the respective profile of these sealing bodies. According to Fig. ib, this produces a perfect seal between interconnected machine elements 2 and 3, whereby the respective areas of the sets of seals 7, 8 abut against end surfaces 14 or 15 respectively of the machine elements 2 and 3. Thus, a perfect seal is established with the aid of both sets of seals 7, 8 between these two machine elements 2, 3, at the same time presenting an overall stable seal, as the latter is composed of the metal sealing bodies 4, 5, 6 with elastic sets of seals 7, 8 thereinbetween.

The form of embodiment as in Fig. 2a is similar in construction to the form of embodiment of Fig. la.

However, Fig. 2b illustrates a different possibility of fitting. In this case, the machine element 3' comprises a recess 16 into which the seal 1' is seated. The respective surfaces of the set of seals 7, 8 again abut against the end surface 14 of the machine elements 2 or the bottom of the recess 16 of the machine element 3' respectively. Here again, the depth of the recess 16 is smaller than the height of the sets of seals 7 and 8.

Figs. lb and 2b illustrate that the machine element 3 or 3' respectively has a respective bore, serving as a drain for possible leakage losses.

Figs. la and 2a illustrate that opposite end surfaces 9, 10 of adjacent sealing bodies 4 and 5 or 5 and 6 respectively comprise two parallel areas 11, 12 with V-shaped groove 13 thereinbetween. This arrangement ensures that the respective set of seals 7, 8 is indisplaceably embedded in the intermediate space between the sealing bodies 4, 5 or 5, 6 respectively, and thus perfectly secured in this position.

It is further possible, though not illustrated in detail, to apply several V-shaped grooves or to laterally displace the parallel areas respectively, whereby it must be ensured in each case that the respective sets of seals 7, 8 are perfectly arranged in the intermediate space between the adjacent sealing bodies 4 and 5 or 5 and 6 respectively. The sets of seals can here be made of expanded graphite.

The described embodiments of seals demonstrate improvement and simple arrangement of the entire construction.

Claims (5)

1. Seal consisting of at least two annular metal sealing bodies, arranged concentrically relative to one another, and a respective set of elastic seals, arranged in gaps between adjacent sealing bodies and extending in the sealing direction beyond the profile, characterised in that the seal is composed of three annular sealing bodies and two sets of seals.

2. Seal according to claim 1, characterised in that the opposite end surfaces of adjacent sealing bodies comprise at least one parallel area and at least one Vshaped groove.

3. Seal according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the end surfaces comprise two parallel areas with a V-shaped groove thereinbetween.

4. Seal according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the seals are composed of expanded graphite.

5. Seal arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.