Expanding bellows for sealing an annular gap

US8469366B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GKN Driveline International GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Markus Deisinger · Siegburg, DE
• Dietmar Oberste · Smyrna, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 18, 2009
• Grant date: Jun 25, 2013
• Expiry date: Dec 6, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16D3/845
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An expanding bellows is disclosed for sealing an annular gap between two parts, which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner and may be angled to one another, in a constant velocity joint. The expanding bellows has a first larger flange and a second smaller flange and an annular fold area, which extends between the first flange and the second flange, having annular folds implemented as outer folds, each having two annular flanks and a fold peak between two fold valleys. The expanding bellows further comprises a first area of at least two annular folds adjoining the first flange having diameters of the fold peaks and fold valleys decreasing in the direction toward the second flange and a second area having at least one annular fold adjoining the second flange having essentially uniform diameters of the fold valleys. A use of the expanding bellows is also disclosed.