High temperature seal for exhaust manifold

Abstract

An exhaust manifold is disclosed. The exhaust manifold includes a plurality of exhaust tubes connected to one another, such that a male connector portion of one exhaust tube is received into a female connector portion of an adjacent exhaust tube. The plurality of exhaust tubes define an exhaust passage therein. The exhaust manifold also includes an air shielding zone surrounding the plurality of exhaust tubes. The exhaust manifold further includes a cooling jacket. The cooling jacket surrounds the air shielding zone. A high temperature seal is disposed within the air shielding zone. The high temperature seal is positioned outside of an interface area of the male and female connector portions of the respective exhaust tubes. The high temperature seal is configured to separate the air shielding zone into regions. Also, the high temperature seal is configured to control fluid communication between the separated regions of the air shielding zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exhaust manifold comprising:
 a plurality of exhaust tubes connected to one another such that a male connector portion of one exhaust tube is received into a female connector portion of an adjacent exhaust tube, the plurality of exhaust tubes configured to define an exhaust passage therein;   an air shielding zone surrounding the plurality of exhaust tubes;   a cooling jacket surrounding the air shielding zone; and   a high temperature seal disposed within the air shielding zone, the high temperature seal positioned outside of an interface area of the male and female connector portions of the respective exhaust tubes, the high temperature seal configured to separate the air shielding zone into regions and control fluid communication between the separated regions of the air shielding zone.   
     
     
         2 . The exhaust manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the high temperature seal is positioned within the air shielding zone such that the high temperature seal is in contact with an inner wall of the cooling jacket and an outer surface of the exhaust tube. 
     
     
         3 . The exhaust manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the high temperature seal has a ring-like shape, having an inner diameter configured to contact with the outer surface of the exhaust tube and an outer diameter configured to contact with the inner wall of the cooling jacket. 
     
     
         4 . The exhaust manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the high temperature seal includes a flange extending angularly from a periphery of the high temperature seal, the flange configured to contact with the inner wall of the cooling jacket. 
     
     
         5 . The exhaust manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the high temperature seal is positioned within the air shielding zone in such a manner that a clearance is present between a slip joint of two connected exhaust tubes and the high temperature seal. 
     
     
         6 . The exhaust manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the high temperature seal is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . A method of cooling an exhaust manifold, the method comprising:
 providing an exhaust passage;   providing an air shielding zone surrounding and in fluid communication with the exhaust passage;   providing a path for coolant flow surrounding the air shielding zone; and   disposing a high temperature seal in the air shielding zone, the high temperature seal positioned outside of an interface area defined between two adjacent exhaust tubes, wherein the high temperature seal is configured to:
 separate the air shielding zone into regions; and 
 control fluid communication between the separated regions of the air shielding zone. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein disposing the high temperature seal further includes welding the high temperature seal within the air shielding zone. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 directing, by the high temperature seal, at least a portion of an exhaust gas passing through a slip joint in a direction opposing a direction of flow of the exhaust gas within the exhaust passage. 
 
     
     
         10 . An engine comprising:
 a cylinder head; and   an exhaust manifold connected to the cylinder head, the exhaust manifold comprising:
 a plurality of exhaust tubes connected to one another such that a male connector portion of one exhaust tube is received into a female connector portion of an adjacent exhaust tube, the plurality of exhaust tubes configured to define an exhaust passage therein; 
 an air shielding zone surrounding the plurality of exhaust tubes; 
 a cooling jacket surrounding the air shielding zone; and 
 a high temperature seal disposed within the air shielding zone, the high temperature seal positioned outside of an interface area of the male and female connector portions of the respective exhaust tubes, the high temperature seal configured to separate the air shielding zone into regions and control fluid communication between the separated regions of the air shielding zone. 
   
     
     
         11 . The engine of  claim 10 , wherein the high temperature seal is positioned within the air shielding zone such that the high temperature seal is in contact with an inner wall of the cooling jacket and an outer surface of the exhaust tube. 
     
     
         12 . The engine of  claim 11 , wherein the high temperature seal has a ring-like shape, having an inner diameter configured to contact with the outer surface of the exhaust tube and an outer diameter configured to contact with the inner wall of the cooling jacket. 
     
     
         13 . The engine of  claim 11 , wherein the high temperature seal includes a flange extending angularly from a periphery of the high temperature seal, the flange configured to contact with the inner wall of the cooling jacket. 
     
     
         14 . The engine of  claim 10 , wherein the high temperature seal is positioned within the air shielding zone in such a manner that a clearance is present between a slip joint of two connected exhaust tubes and the high temperature seal. 
     
     
         15 . The engine of  claim 11 , wherein the high temperature seal is made of stainless steel.