Mark Alan Craig

US Patent:

53101979, May 10, 1994

Filed:

Mar 2, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/844563

Inventors:

Cynthia F. Bruch - Magnolia IL
Mark W. Craig - Chillicothe IL
Dale E. Geyer - Peoria IL
Lynette M. Lipski - Peoria IL
Roger A. McHugh - Peoria IL
Tana L. Utley - Metamora IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F17J 1512

US Classification:

277235B

Abstract:

A head gasket assembly (18) is used for sealing a joint between a cylinder block (12) and a cylinder head (14). At least portions of the head gasket assembly (18) must withstand high temperatures, high pressures and be flexible for sealing fluid passages such as lubricating oil and cooling water mixtures. The present head gasket assembly (18) is comprised of a main gasket body (40) constructed of a sealing material (46) having a plurality of apertures (48,50,52) positioned therein. A portion of the plurality of apertures (48,50,52) includes a combustion opening (52) having a first ring (54) positioned in the periphery of the combustion opening (52). A plurality of tape strips (60) having an end portion (62) attached to a side of the sealing material (46), partially surrounding the fire ring (54) and another end portion (64) attached to the other side of the sealing material (46). Thus, the flexible main gasket body (40) and the rigid fire rings (54 ) are fixedly attached together and provide a head gasket assembly (18) which has very good handleability, sealability and functional characteristics.