IP Library Granted Patent US 9,360,140
Granted Patent B2
US 9,360,140 · App. 14/101,716 · Granted Jun 7, 2016

Sealing device for a vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,360,140
App. No.
14/101,716
Granted
Jun 7, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sealing device is insertable into a port having an internal wall. The device includes a seal member and a ring member operatively connected to each other. The seal member includes an inner seal surface defining a seal opening. The ring member includes an inner ring surface defining a ring opening. The seal opening and the ring opening share a common central axis. The seal member defines a first rib extending circumferentially around the seal opening, the first rib being raised a first height relative to the inner seal surface at the seal opening. The first rib is configured to be deformable in response to a compression force from the internal wall of the port when the seal member is inserted into the port. The seal member may define a second rib axially spaced from the first rib.

Claims (66)

1. A sealing device insertable into a port having an internal wall, the device comprising:

a seal member and a ring member operatively connected to each other;

wherein the seal member has an inner seal surface defining a seal opening;

wherein the ring member includes an inner ring surface defining a ring opening, the seal opening and the ring opening sharing a common central axis;

wherein the seal member includes an inwardly-protruding groove extending circumferentially around the seal opening, the ring member being configured to be at least partially inserted into the groove;

wherein the seal member includes at least one first lip and at least one first plateau defined on a first edge of the groove, the at least one first lip being adjacent to the at least one first plateau;

wherein the seal member includes at least one second lip and at least one second plateau defined on a second edge of the groove, the at least one second lip being adjacent to the at least one second plateau;

wherein the seal member defines a first rib extending circumferentially around the seal opening, the first rib being raised a first height relative to the inner seal surface at the seal opening; and

wherein the first rib is configured to be deformable in response to a compression force from the internal wall of the port when the seal member is inserted into the port.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the seal member is composed of an elastomeric material.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the ring member is composed of a metal.

4. The device of claim 1 , in combination with a tube configured to be inserted within the seal opening of the seal member, wherein the tube includes a hollow cavity configured to transport a fluid to the port when the seal member is inserted into the port.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

the seal member defines a second rib extending circumferentially around and raised a second height relative to the inner seal surface at the seal opening, the second rib being axially spaced from the first rib; and

the seal member defines a valley between the first and second ribs, the first and second ribs being raised third and fourth heights relative to a bottom of the valley.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the third and fourth heights are each between approximately 1 and 2 mm.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

the inner ring surface of the ring member defines first and second portions positioned between a middle portion;

the middle portion is spaced a first distance from the common central axis;

the first portion defines at least one first tooth and at least one first recess spaced second and third distances, respectively, from the common central axis, the at least one first tooth being adjacent to the at least one first recess;

the first distance is less than each of the second and third distances; and

the second distance is less than the third distance.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein:

the at least one first recess of the ring member is configured to contact the at least one first lip of the seal member when the ring member is at least partially inserted into the groove of the seal member; and

the at least one first tooth is configured to contact the at least one first plateau of the seal member when the ring member is at least partially inserted into the groove of the seal member.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the second portion of the ring member defines at least one second tooth and at least one second recess spaced at the second and third distances, respectively, from the common central axis.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein:

the at least one second recess of the ring member is configured to contact the at least one second lip of the seal member when the ring member is at least partially inserted into the groove of the seal member; and

the at least one second tooth is configured to contact the at least one second plateau of the seal member when the ring member is at least partially inserted into the groove of the seal member.

11. A sealing device insertable into a port having an internal wall, the device comprising:

a seal member and a ring member operatively connected to each other;

wherein the seal member has an inner seal surface defining a seal opening;

wherein the ring member includes an inner ring surface defining a ring opening, the seal opening and the ring opening sharing a common central axis;

wherein the seal member defines first and second ribs extending circumferentially around the seal opening, the second rib being axially spaced from the first rib;

wherein the seal member defines a valley between the first and second ribs, the first and second ribs being raised third and fourth heights relative to a bottom of the valley;

wherein the first and second ribs are configured to be deformable in response to a compression force from the internal wall of the port when the seal member is inserted into the port;

wherein the seal member includes an inwardly-protruding groove extending circumferentially around the outer surface of the seal member, the ring member being configured to be at least partially inserted into the groove;

wherein the seal member includes at least one first lip and at least one first plateau defined on a first edge of the groove, the at least one first lip being adjacent to the at least one first plateau; and

wherein the seal member includes at least one second lip and at least one second plateau defined on a second edge of the groove, the at least one second lip being adjacent to the at least one second plateau.

12. A vehicle comprising:

a sealing device including a seal member and a ring member operatively connected to each other;

a port having an internal wall, the sealing device being configured to be insertable into the port;

wherein the seal member has an inner seal surface defining a seal opening;

wherein the ring member includes an inner ring surface defining a ring opening, the seal opening and the ring opening sharing a common central axis;

wherein the seal member includes an inwardly-protruding groove extending circumferentially around the seal opening, the ring member being configured to be at least partially inserted into the groove;

wherein the seal member includes at least one first lip and at least one first plateau defined on a first edge of the groove, the at least one first lip being adjacent to the at least one first plateau;

wherein the seal member includes at least one second lip and at least one second plateau defined on a second edge of the groove, the at least one second lip being adjacent to the at least one second plateau;

wherein the seal member defines a first rib extending circumferentially around the seal opening, the first rib being raised a first height relative to the inner seal surface at the seal opening;

wherein the first rib is configured to be deformable in response to a compression force from the internal wall of the port when the seal member is inserted into the port; and

a tube configured to be inserted within the seal opening of the seal member, the tube including a hollow cavity configured to transport a fluid to the port when the seal member is inserted into the port.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein:

the seal member defines a second rib extending circumferentially around and raised a second height relative to the inner seal surface at the seal opening, the second rib being axially spaced from the first rib; and

the seal member defines a valley between the first and second ribs, the first and second ribs being raised third and fourth heights relative to a bottom of the valley.

14. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein:

the inner ring surface of the ring member defines first and second portions positioned between a middle portion;

the middle portion is spaced a first distance from the common central axis;

the first portion defines at least one first tooth and at least one first recess spaced second and third distances, respectively, from the common central axis, the at least one first tooth being adjacent to the at least one first recess;

the first distance is less than each of the second and third distances; and

the second distance is less than the third distance.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein:

the at least one first recess of the ring member is configured to contact the at least one first lip of the seal member when the ring member is at least partially inserted into the groove of the seal member; and

the at least one first tooth is configured to contact the at least one first plateau of the seal member when the ring member is at least partially inserted into the groove of the seal member.

16. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the second portion of the ring member defines at least one second tooth and at least one second recess spaced at the second and third distances, respectively, from the common central axis.

17. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein:

the at least one second recess of the ring member is configured to contact the at least one second lip of the seal member when the ring member is at least partially inserted into the groove of the seal member; and

the at least one second tooth is configured to contact the at least one second plateau of the seal member when the ring member is at least partially inserted into the groove of the seal member.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034189/0065 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033135/0440 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2014
From: SASINOWSKI, RAYMOND H.; BALMACEDA, ADRIAN O.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 032333/0378 →