Centering labyrinth seal

Claim 2

In combination with two parts to be sealingly interconnected, especially cylinder and cylinder head, and respectively provided with annular groove means arranged in the surfaces along which said two parts are to be sealingly connected to each other, said groove means being in substantial alignment with each other, a profiled sealing ring comprising an annular core and a plurality of annular webs extending radially outwardly from said core respectively into the groove means of said two parts and continuously tending to hold said groove means in one part in alignment with the groove means in the other part to thereby center said two parts with regard to each other, the outer ends of said webs forming sealing lips sealingly engaging portions of the walls which define said groove means and being elastic so as to follow axial and radial deformations of said two parts as caused by pressure and temperature variations, the outer end of each of said webs being provided with two sealing lips extending in opposite directions with regard to each other and the sides of each of said sealing lips defining with each other an acute angle.

Claim 3

A combination according to claim 1, in which said sealing lips engage said wall portions plastically and elastically.

Claim 4

A combination according to claim 1, in which said groove means in each of said parts includes oppositely inclined surfaces tapering in the direction toward the bottom surface of the respective groove means and sealingly engaging the respective adjacent seaLing lips.

Claim 5

A combination according to claim 3, in which said inclined surfaces form an angle of about 45* with the respective adjacent surface portion in which said groove means is provided.

Claim 6

A combination according to claim 3, in which the inclined surfaces of said groove means in each of said parts are separated from each other by an annular groove.

Claim 7

In combination with two parts to be sealingly interconnected, especially cylinder and cylinder head, and respectively provided with annular groove means arranged in the surfaces along which said two parts are to be sealingly connected to each other, said groove means being in substantial alignment with each other, a profiled sealing ring comprising an annular core and a plurality of annular webs extending radially outwardly from said core respectively into the groove means of said two parts and continuously tending to hold said groove means in one part in alignment with the groove means in the other part to thereby center said two parts with regard to each other, the outer ends of said webs forming sealing lips sealingly engaging portions of the walls which define said groove means and being elastic so as to follow axial and radial deformations of said two parts as caused by pressure and temperature variations, the outer end of each of said webs being provided with two sealing lips extending in opposite directions with regard to each other, the sides of each of said sealing lips defining with each other an acute angle, each two adjacent lips respectively pertaining to two adjacent webs defining with the latter a labyrinth.

Claim 8

In combination with two parts to be sealingly interconnected, especially cylinder and cylinder head, and respectively provided with annular groove means arranged in the surfaces along which said two parts are to be sealingly connected to each other, said groove means being in substantial alignment with each other, a profiled sealing ring comprising an annular core and a plurality of annular webs extending radially outwardly from said core respectively into the groove means of said two parts and continuously tending to hold said groove means in one part in alignment with the groove means in the other part to thereby center said two parts with regard to each other, the outer ends of said webs forming sealing lips sealingly engaging portions of the walls which define said groove means and being elastic so as to follow axial and radial deformations of said two parts as caused by pressure and temperature variations, the outer end of each of said webs being provided with two sealing lips extending in opposite directions with regard to each other, the sides of each of said sealing lips defining with each other an acute angle, each two adjacent lips respectively pertaining to two adjacent webs defining with the latter a labyrinth.

Claim 9

A combination according to claim 3, in which at least a portion of the radially outermost surfaces of said sealing lips is substantially parallel to said inclined surfaces and substantially perpendicular to the axes of the pertaining webs.

Claim 10

A combination according to claim 7, in which only a portion of the radially outermost surfaces of said sealing means engages said inclined surfaces while another portion of said radially outermost surfaces extends in nearly undistorted manner in spaced relationship to the walls of the respective adjacent groove means.