Exhaust gas seal
A gas seal for a pipe joint in an exhaust system configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from internal combustion (IC) engine includes a seal element. The seal element includes an outer surface and an inner surface arranged concentrically about a first axis. The outer surface is configured to seal against a pipe of the exhaust system. The gas seal also includes a flow-guide element fixed to the seal element at the inner surface of the seal element. The flow-guide element defines an aperture having a shape configured to direct and focus the exhaust gas flow away from the first axis. An exhaust system and a vehicle having such a gas seal are also disclosed.
1. A gas seal for a pipe joint in an exhaust system configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from an internal combustion (IC) engine, the gas seal comprising:
a seal element having an outer surface and an inner surface arranged concentrically about a first axis, wherein the outer surface is configured to seal against a pipe of the exhaust system; and
a flow-guide element fixed to the seal element at the inner surface of the seal element;
wherein the flow-guide element defines an aperture having a shape configured to direct and focus an entirety of the exhaust gas flow away from the first axis.
2. The gas seal according to claim 1 , wherein the aperture has-one of a circular and a non-circular shape.
3. The gas seal according to claim 2 , wherein the aperture is centered on a second axis, and wherein the second axis is spaced apart from the first axis.
4. The gas seal according to claim 1 , wherein the seal element is constructed from a matrix of graphite with embedded metal and the flow-guide element is constructed from stainless steel.
5. The gas seal according to claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the seal element includes a conical portion configured to absorb misalignment in the pipe joint.
6. The gas seal according to claim 1 , wherein the flow-guide element includes a portion extending along the first axis and concentrically with the outer surface and the inner surface of the seal element, and wherein the portion defines a slot configured to maintain a position of the gas seal in the pipe joint during assembly thereof via a generated spring force.
7. The gas seal according to claim 1 , further comprising one of a projection and a keyway configured to orient the aperture of the flow-guide element within the pipe joint.
8. An exhaust system configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from an internal combustion (IC) engine, the exhaust system comprising:
a pipe joint constructed via a first exhaust pipe connected to a second exhaust pipe;
an exhaust after-treatment (AT) device fluidly connected to the second exhaust pipe and configured to receive and process the exhaust gas flow downstream of the pipe joint; and
a gas seal arranged at the pipe joint between the first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe, the gas seal including:
a seal element having an outer surface and an inner surface arranged concentrically about a first axis, wherein the outer surface is configured to seal the pipe joint; and
a flow-guide element fixed to the seal element at the inner surface of the seal element;
wherein the flow-guide element defines an aperture having a shape configured to direct and focus an entirety of the exhaust gas flow away from the first axis and toward the AT device.
9. The exhaust system according to claim 8 , wherein the aperture has-one of a circular and a non-circular shape.
10. The exhaust system according to claim 9 , wherein the aperture is centered on a second axis, and wherein the second axis is spaced apart from the first axis.
11. The exhaust system according to claim 8 , wherein the seal element is constructed from a matrix of graphite with embedded metal and the flow-guide element is constructed from stainless steel.
12. The exhaust system according to claim 8 , wherein the outer surface of the seal element includes a conical portion configured to absorb misalignment in the pipe joint.
13. The exhaust system according to claim 8 , wherein the flow-guide element includes a portion extending along the first axis and concentrically with the outer surface and the inner surface of the seal element, and wherein the portion defines a slot configured to maintain a position of the gas seal in the pipe joint during assembly thereof via a generated spring force.
14. The exhaust system according to claim 8 , wherein the gas seal additionally includes one of a projection and a keyway configured to orient the aperture of the flow-guide element with respect to the pipe joint.
15. A vehicle comprising:
an internal combustion (IC) engine configured to power the vehicle; and
an exhaust system configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from the IC engine, the exhaust system having:
a first exhaust pipe fluidly connected to the IC engine;
a second exhaust pipe connected to the first exhaust pipe at a pipe joint;
an exhaust after-treatment (AT) device fluidly connected to the second exhaust pipe and configured to receive and process the exhaust gas flow downstream of the pipe joint; and
a gas seal arranged at the pipe joint between the first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe, the gas seal including:
a seal element having an outer surface configured to seal the pipe joint and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface and the inner surface are arranged concentrically about a first axis; and
a flow-guide element fixed to the seal element at the inner surface of the seal element;
wherein the flow-guide element defines an aperture having a shape configured to direct and focus an entirety of the exhaust gas flow away from the first axis and toward the AT device.
16. The vehicle according to claim 15 , wherein the aperture has-one of a circular and a non-circular shape.
17. The vehicle according to claim 16 , wherein the shape of the aperture is centered on a second axis, and wherein the second axis is spaced apart from the first axis.
18. The vehicle according to claim 15 , wherein the seal element is constructed from a matrix of graphite with embedded metal and the flow-guide element is constructed from stainless steel.
19. The vehicle according to claim 15 , wherein the flow-guide element includes a portion extending along the first axis and concentrically with the outer surface and the inner surface of the seal element, and wherein the portion defines a slot configured to maintain a position of the gas seal in the pipe joint during assembly thereof via a generated spring force.
20. The vehicle according to claim 15 , wherein the gas seal additionally includes one of a projection and a keyway configured to orient the aperture of the flow-guide element with respect to the pipe joint.