Flat gasket and method for the production thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a flat gasket, having at least one metallic layer in which at least one port is formed, the metallic layer or at least one of the metallic layers being formed at least in regions in the form of an undulating and/or serrated profiling around the port(s).

1 . A gasket comprising one or more metallic layers circumventing a port, the one or more metallic layers comprising:
 a first portion of one of the one or more metallic layers having a bead formed therein, wherein said bead circumvents a port; and   a second portion of one of the one or more metallic layers defining an undulating layer region extending around said port to form a deformation limiter for the bead and being spaced radially from said bead,   the undulating layer region having a material thickness between two generally opposing surfaces and defining at least one tooth, at least one trough, and a transition region extending between said tooth and said trough,   wherein said material thickness of said undulating layer region is generally not constant such that the material thickness defines a taper formed within the transition region to a material thickness that is less than the material thickness of at least a portion of each of the tooth and the trough,   and wherein the tips of the teeth are rounded off.   
   
   
       2 . A gasket, as in  claim 1 , wherein said one metallic layer is comprised of a spring steel or a cold deformable steel that hardens during tempering. 
   
   
       3 . A gasket, as in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are formed in one metallic layer. 
   
   
       4 . A gasket, as in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is formed in a first metallic layer and the second portion is formed in a second metallic layer. 
   
   
       5 . A gasket, as in  claim 4 , wherein said second metallic layer further comprises a bead circumventing said port. 
   
   
       6 . A gasket, as in  claim 1 , wherein said material thickness is measured generally normal to at least one of said two generally opposing surfaces. 
   
   
       7 . A gasket, as in  claim 1 , wherein in the undulating layer region, the layer is bent in cross section. 
   
   
       8 . A gasket, as in  claim 1 , wherein said teeth vary in quantity around said port. 
   
   
       9 . A gasket, as in  claim 1 , wherein the height of at least one of said at least one tooth and said at least one trough varies around said port. 
   
   
       10 . A gasket, as in  claim 1 , wherein the undulating layer region defines a plurality of teeth, and the spacing between said teeth varies in different regions of the circumference around the port. 
   
   
       11 . A gasket comprising one or more metallic layers circumventing a port, the one or more metallic layers comprising:
 a first portion of one of the one or more metallic layers having a bead formed therein, wherein said bead circumvents a port; and   a second portion of one of the one or more metallic layers defining an undulating layer region extending around said port to form a deformation limiter for the bead and being spaced radially from said bead,   the undulating layer region having a material thickness between two generally opposing surfaces and defining a trapezoidal crest, a trapezoidal trough, and a transition region extending between said crest and said trough,   wherein said material thickness of said undulating layer region is generally not constant such that the material thickness defines a taper formed within the transition region to a material thickness that is less than the material thickness of at least a portion of each of the crest and the trough,   and wherein the tips of the trapezoidal crests are rounded off.   
   
   
       12 . A gasket, as in  claim 11 , wherein said one metallic layer is comprised of a spring steel or a cold deformable steel that hardens during tempering. 
   
   
       13 . A gasket, as in  claim 11 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are formed in one metallic layer. 
   
   
       14 . A gasket, as in  claim 11 , wherein the first portion is formed in a first metallic layer and the second portion is formed in a second metallic layer. 
   
   
       15 . A gasket, as in  claim 14 , wherein said second metallic layer further comprises a bead circumventing said port. 
   
   
       16 . A gasket comprising
 a first metallic layer portion comprised of steel and having a bead formed therein, wherein said bead circumvents a port; and   a second metallic layer portion comprised of steel and including at least one region of undulating profiling extending around said port to form at least a portion of a deformation limiter for the bead, the undulating profiling and the bead being radially spaced, wherein said undulating profiling is defined by a material thickness between a first undulating surface and a second, generally opposing, undulating surface, the first undulating surface defining a tooth generally radially aligned with a trough defined by the second undulating surface, the first undulating surface defining a trough generally radially aligned with a tooth defined by the second undulating surface, and the first and second undulating surfaces defining a transition region extending between the tooth and the trough,   wherein said material thickness of said undulating profiling is generally not constant such that the material thickness defines a taper formed within the transition region to a material thickness that is less than the material thickness of the tooth and the trough,   and wherein the tips of the teeth are rounded off.   
   
   
       17 . A gasket, as in  claim 16 , wherein said undulating profiling includes a plurality of teeth having spacings therebetween and a plurality of troughs. 
   
   
       18 . A gasket, as in  claim 17 , wherein said spacings between teeth vary around said port. 
   
   
       19 . A gasket, as in  claim 16 , wherein said second metallic layer portion further comprises a bead circumventing the port. 
   
   
       20 . A gasket, as in  claim 16 , further comprising a third metallic layer portion having a bead formed therein, wherein said bead circumvents the port. 
   
   
       21 . A gasket, as in  claim 16 , wherein said teeth vary in quantity around said port. 
   
   
       22 . A gasket, as in  claim 16 , wherein said region of undulating profiling is plastically deformable.