Sealing assembly for wash-down electrical component enclosures
High-moisture integrity wash-down enclosures ( 10 ) for critical equipment includes housing wall structure ( 12 ) having a peripheral edge ( 16 ) defining a corresponding door opening ( 18 ); a shiftable door ( 20 ) having a peripheral margin ( 34 ) serves to cover the opening ( 18 ). The edge ( 16 ) and margin ( 34 ) cooperatively define a sealing zone ( 38 ) having therein a sealing assembly ( 40 ). The assembly ( 40 ) includes a primary outer seal ( 42 ), an innermost, generally U-shaped gutter ( 26 ), and a secondary inner seal ( 44 ). The outer seal ( 42 ) is disposed between the door ( 20 ) and wall structure ( 12 ), whereas the inner seal ( 44 ) is located between the gutter ( 26 ) and the (inner surface of the door ( 20 ).
1. A wash-down enclosure comprising:
wall structure defining at least one door opening presenting a peripheral edge;
a door shiftable between an open position and a closed position, said door operable in the closed position thereof to cover said door opening and having a peripheral margin, there being a sealing zone cooperatively defined by said peripheral edge and the adjacent peripheral margin of said door; and
a sealing assembly within said sealing zone, including:
a primary outer seal between and engaging the peripheral margin of said door and the peripheral edge of said wall structure;
an inner, generally U-shaped gutter inboard of said primary outer seal; and
a secondary seal between and engaging said gutter and said door, said primary and secondary seals being physically separate, said gutter oriented to collect moisture.
2. The enclosure of claim 1 , said sealing zone and sealing assembly extending about the entire periphery of said door and said edge.
3. The enclosure of claim 1 , said gutter being integral with and forming a part of said peripheral edge.
4. The enclosure of claim 1 , said primary outer seal being carried by said door.
5. The enclosure of claim 4 , said primary outer seal including an innermost lip section engaging said edge and a connection portion engaging said door.
6. The enclosure of claim 5 , including a spring metal retainer engaging said connection portion to maintain the primary outer seal in place.
7. The enclosure of claim 1 , said gutter including an outer leg section, said secondary seal secured to said leg section.
8. The enclosure of claim 7 , said secondary seal including a generally U-shaped connection portion and an outwardly extending sealing portion, said U-shaped connection portion secured to said outer leg section.
9. A wash-down enclosure comprising:
wall structure defining at least one door opening presenting a peripheral edge;
a door shiftable between an open position and a closed position, said door operable in the closed position thereof to cover said door opening and having a peripheral margin, there being a sealing zone cooperatively defined by said peripheral edge and the adjacent peripheral margin of said door; and
a sealing assembly within said sealing zone, including:
a primary outer seal carried by said door, said primary outer seal located between and engaging the peripheral margin of said door and the peripheral edge of said wall structure;
an inner, generally U-shaped gutter inboard of said primary outer seal; and
a secondary seal between and engaging said gutter and said door,
said primary outer seal including an innermost lip section engaging said edge and a connection portion engaging said door.
10. The enclosure of claim 9 , said primary and secondary seals being physically separate, said gutter oriented to collect moisture.
11. The enclosure of claim 9 , said gutter being integral with and forming a part of said peripheral edge.
12. The enclosure of claim 9 , said gutter including an outer leg section, said secondary seal secured to said leg section.
13. The enclosure of claim 12 , said secondary seal including a generally U-shaped connection portion and an outwardly extending sealing portion, said U-shaped connection portion secured to said outer leg section.
14. A wash-down enclosure comprising:
wall structure defining at least one door opening presenting a peripheral edge;
a door shiftable between an open position and a closed position, said door operable in the closed position thereof to cover said door opening and having a peripheral margin, there being a sealing zone cooperatively defined by said peripheral edge and the adjacent peripheral margin of said door; and
a sealing assembly within said sealing zone, including:
a primary outer seal between and engaging the peripheral margin of said door and the peripheral edge of said wall structure;
an inner, generally U-shaped gutter inboard of said primary outer seal; and
a secondary seal between and engaging said gutter and said door,
said gutter including an outer leg section, said secondary seal secured to said leg section, said secondary seal including a generally U-shaped connection portion and an outwardly extending sealing portion, said U-shaped connection portion secured to said outer leg section.
15. The enclosure of claim 14 , said gutter being integral with and forming a part of said peripheral edge.
16. The enclosure of claim 14 , said primary outer seal being carried by said door.
17. The enclosure of claim 16 , said primary outer seal including an innermost lip section engaging said edge and a connection portion engaging said door.
18. The enclosure of claim 17 , including a spring metal retainer engaging said connection portion to maintain the primary outer seal in place.
19. A wash-down enclosure comprising:
wall structure defining at least one door opening presenting a peripheral edge;
a door shiftable between an open position and a closed position, said door operable in the closed position thereof to cover said door opening and having a peripheral margin, there being a sealing zone cooperatively defined by said peripheral edge and the adjacent peripheral margin of said door; and
a sealing assembly within said sealing zone, including:
a primary outer seal carried by said door, said primary outer seal located between and engaging the peripheral margin of said door and the peripheral edge of said wall structure;
a spring metal retainer engaging said primary outer seal to maintain the primary outer seal in place;
an inner, generally U-shaped gutter inboard of said primary outer seal; and
a secondary seal between and engaging said gutter and said door.
20. The enclosure of claim 19 , said primary and secondary seals being physically separate, said gutter oriented to collect moisture.