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A bolted joint mathematical model is presented which includes flange bending effects. The approach simulates the behavior of a system of elastic flanges, a one component non-linear gasket, and linear elastic bolts subjected to assembly and pressurization loadings. Flange distortion is introduced to the joint diagram to predict the overall, midspan, and under the bolt gasket loads.

An embossed single layer of rubber coated metal is a technology that is being applied to the sealing of gasketed joints in internal combustion engines. This technology has the stability of steel, the sealability of rubber, and the control of stiffness through emboss geometry. The sealing performance of this technology is a function of many parameters involving material properties, gasket geometry, surface finish, and joint loading. The relationship between coolant sealability and these parameters was measured. In this paper, results are presented for half emboss configurations where emboss height, surface finish, and clamp load are varied. The data shows that emboss height and flange surface roughness have little effect on the sealing performance of the material studied. The data can be used to select gasket designs which require less expensive flange finishes and lower assembly loads while providing good sealing performance.

A large portion of the noise transmitted from an engine is a result of structural born vibration which may be radiated through the various pans and covers of the engine if they are not isolated from the engine through the gasketed bolted joints. This paper presents an analytical approach for the design of gasketed bolted joints when vibration isolation is required. A simulation of the scaling and isolation performance was created to include the effects of design, temperature, material properties, and loading conditions on the functionality of the noise isolation/sealing system. A systematic design process is developed and applied to the development of an oil pan gasket/noise isolation system.

A test system is presented that performs gas sealability tests on gasket materials and components. The system is computer controlled and capable of providing elevated compressive loads and gas pressures. It incorporates a personal computer controller interface, a hydraulic load frame, and integrated gas pressure control. Gas leakage is measured using a mass flowmeter. It performs several multiple-condition tests, the most important being a load sequence sealability test at constant gas pressure and a pressure and load sequence sealability test. The test system provides for automatic test control and data acquisition, so that the test sequences can run unattended. An overview of sealability test methods is included to provide perspective regarding this development.