Multiple layer cylinder head gasket with a wire ring

Claim 1

A cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine comprising: a substantially flat center plate having an opening therein; a first spring plate disposed over the center plate and having an opening smaller than the opening in the center plate and aligned therewith and thereby defining a ring retention portion of the first spring plate extending radially inwardly from the opening in the center plate; a second spring plate disposed over the center plate opposite the first spring plate having an opening smaller than the opening in the center plate aligned therewith and thereby defining a ring retention portion of the second spring plate extending radially inwardly from the opening in the center plate; a substantially wavelike concentric embossment with a plurality of undulations in the first spring plate encircling the opening therein and radially proximate thereto; a substantially wavelike concentric embossment with a plurality of undulations in the second spring plate encircling the opening therein and radially proximate thereto; and a wire ring having a wire diameter greater than a thickness of the center plate and disposed between the ring retention portions of the spring plates, the wire ring being radially exposed at an inside diameter; wherein clamping the gasket between two sealing surfaces forms a primary combustion seal at the wire ring and forms a secondary combustion seal radially outwardly of the primary combustion seal.