Additively manufactured seal plate
A method of forming a seal plate for sealing between two components of an assembly includes forming a plate element from a first material, the plate element including at least one seal groove receptive of a seal element and forming a seal element from a second material different from the first material by one or more additive manufacturing processes, the second material an elastomeric material of a selected durometer. The seal element is affixed to the plate element at the seal groove. A seal plate includes a plate element having one or more seal grooves receptive of a seal element, the plate element formed from a first material. A seal element is installed into the seal groove, the seal element formed from a second material different from the first material by one or more additive manufacturing processes, the second material an elastomeric material of a selected durometer.
1. A method of forming a seal plate for sealing between two components of an assembly, comprising:
forming a plate element from a first material, the plate element including at least one seal groove receptive of a seal element;
forming the seal element from a second material different from the first material by one or more additive manufacturing processes, the second material an elastomeric material of a selected durometer; and
affixing the seal element to the plate element at the seal groove;
wherein the plate element and the seal element are formed concurrently by one or more additive manufacturing processes.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising curing the seal element prior to affixing the seal element to the plate element at the seal groove.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plate element is formed by machining and/or molding.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the plate element is metallic.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming the seal element in the seal groove of the completed plate element via an additive manufacturing process.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the seal element is formed separately from the plate element.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the seal element is affixed to the plate element during the one or more additive manufacturing processes.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the seal element is affixed to the plate element via one or more mechanical fasteners.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plate element is formed from a composite material.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming a seal base of the seal element from a first elastomeric material having a first durometer; and
forming a seal body element extending from the seal base, the seal body formed from a second elastomeric material having a second durometer less than the first durometer.