Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has been granted a patent for a bimetallic seal system and method. The seal is designed to form a radial seal between two assembly components made of different metallic materials, maintaining the seal at extreme operating temperatures. The seal consists of two sealing components made from different materials, with a joint connecting them. The patent includes specific details about the structure and orientation of the sealing components. GlobalData’s report on Compagnie de Saint-Gobain gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, Heater-integrated de-icing windows was a key innovation area identified from patents. Compagnie de Saint-Gobain's grant share as of September 2023 was 58%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Annular bimetallic seal for dissimilar metallic assembly components
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11773977B2) describes an annular bimetallic seal that is designed to form a radial seal between two assembly components. The seal consists of a first sealing component made from a first material and a second sealing component made from a different second material. The first sealing component includes a first arcuate portion that forms the radial seal with the first assembly component, as well as a first joint feature. Similarly, the second sealing component includes a second arcuate portion that forms the radial seal with the second assembly component, along with a second joint feature. The first and second sealing components are joined together, with their respective end portions oriented in the same axial direction.
In some embodiments, either the first sealing component or the second sealing component may include a linear portion between the arcuate portion and the joint feature. The joint feature may comprise a joint cavity, while the other joint feature comprises a joint leg that fits within the cavity to form the joint. The joint leg can be linear and extend axially, radially, or a combination of both. Additionally, the joint leg may have opposing arcuate convolutions that create ridges along its circumference.
The bimetallic seal may also include a retainer that partially receives the joint features and is positioned radially between the first and second sealing components. Alternatively, the retainer may hold the first and second sealing components in contact with each other. The first sealing component is made from a metallic material, which is different from the metallic material used for the second sealing component. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the first material is greater than the CTE of the second material.
The patent also discloses the use of a support ring or support spring within the sealing components. The first sealing component forms a radial seal with an inner diameter (ID) assembly component, while the second sealing component forms a radial seal with an outer diameter (OD) assembly component. The first assembly component is made from a first metallic material, while the second assembly component is made from a different second metallic material. The CTE of the first material is lower than the CTE of the first metallic material and higher than the CTE of the second metallic material.
Overall, this patent describes an innovative annular bimetallic seal design that allows for effective sealing between different assembly components, even when they have different thermal expansion properties. The seal's unique joint structure and use of different materials enable it to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring a reliable and leak-free seal.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
