Torsional vibration damper

Claim 1

A torsional vibration damper disposed for rotation about a central axis thereof comprising a housing having an annular weight rotatably mounted therein, said weight being encased in a plastic material, said housing comprising an annular case having inner and outer walls disposed parallel to said axis and connected together by a transverse side wall, extending radially outwardly from said axis, to define an annular chamber having said weight rotatably mounted therein, an annular flange connected to said inner wall in offset relationship with respect to said side wall and extending radially inwardly toward said axis, a flat circular plate abutting a free edge of said outer wall and said flange to close said chamber, spaced annular electro-beam weld means on said plate penetrating through said plate and into said case for securing said plate to each of the free edges of said outer wall and said flange, means forming an annular groove of limited depth at an outer surface of said plate adjacent to each one of said weld means, each of said grooves having a generally V-shaped cross section and terminating at an apex thereof at a respective one of said weld means, an annular seal means positioned between said plate and said flange adjacent to and radially inwardly from the weld means securing said plate to said flange, and two diametrically disposed port means formed through said plate to communicate with said chamber, each of said port means having a counterbore portion formed at an outer surface of said plate, and a lead seal and overlying expansion plug mounted in said counterbore portion.