Advances in seal technology for engines, hydraulic systems

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Nov, 1997

The O-Seal Division of Parker Hannifin has been providing specialized sealing solutions for a variety of engine and powertrain applications for over 60 years. A year ago, the division closed its Culver City, Calif., plant and relocated to San Diego.

The new facility houses administrative and engineering personnel and specializes in the manufacture of high purity sealing products for the aerospace and semiconductor market. Another larger plant, located just a few miles away in Tijuana, Mexico, has been expanded to become the major manufacturing operation for the heavy-duty diesel, automotive and commercial portions of the business.

Significant new investments have been made to improve the production of all Parker O-Seal products manufactured at the Tijuana facility, especially the company's Integral seals, according to Rob Tracewell, business unit manager. The Integral seal is so named because it integrates a stamped metal or molded plastic retainer with a molded-in-place rubber sealing element.

Tracewell explained that the diesel engine industry is showing increasing interest in seals that can provide leak-free engine/powertrain operation over long periods. The Integral seal is a versatile sealing device that is currently being used in various diesel engine and driveline related applications including front cover housings, oil pans, head gaskets, water pumps and oil tubes.

In the mobile hydraulics area, Parker is finding applications such as split flange seals for stacked valve manifolds in hydraulic systems for construction and industrial equipment. The O-Seal Division offers a variety of compounds and sealing designs for almost any application. Most parts are produced in a manufacturing cell built around a precision injection molding press where parts are molded, trimmed, inspected and packed for shipping in one area.

To help designers in applying their sealing products, Parker has introduced a Windows-based software system for selecting its standard line of Gask-O-Seals, Integral seals, metal seals and fastener seals. The inPHorm software system allows the user to view the entire range of standard O-Seal Division products in a single integrated package. The user has only to select the basic seal type and size, then based upon the application and fluids to be sealed, inPHorm will select the most appropriate elastomer from Parker's extensive library of high-performance sealing-grade material formulations.

A range of over 2000 fluids are incorporated in the inPHorm database, and when combined with user expected service temperature, anticipated pressures and other environmental considerations, will provide a recommended Parker material. At the conclusion of the selection process, a summary including a fully dimensioned part drawing for the selected O-Seal product, along with the material recommendation, may be saved to be printed for future reference.

"It is a great tool" explained Tom Nottingham, marketing manager. "But it cannot take the place of one of our application or design engineers. We always encourage a customer visit in order to ensure that we can jointly develop a leakproof design that best fits the customers exact needs."

CIRCLE 185 ON READER SERVICE CARD