US 12,449,035 B1
Reinforcement ring for gasket
Erich Gernand, Flint, MI (US); Sharanabasappa Madhwarkar, Bengaluru (IN); and Harish Kelamane, Troy, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Jul. 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/768,803.
Int. Cl. F16J 15/12 (2006.01)
CPC F16J 15/121 (2013.01) 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A seal assembly comprising:
a housing including an outer wall;
a gasket surrounded by the outer wall, the gasket made of an elastomeric material configured to contract when heated; and
a reinforcement ring in contact with the gasket, the gasket between the reinforcement ring and the housing,
wherein:
the reinforcement ring is a substantially cylindrical split ring including a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end to define a gap therebetween, the reinforcement ring is made of a flexible material configured to bias the reinforcement ring radially outward against the gasket, and
when heated, the gasket is configured to contract and thereby contract the reinforcement ring.