Spiral wound gasket assembly method

Abstract

Spiral wound gasket assembly and method of making same, wherein a spiral wound gasket ring is positioned in an inner groove in a metal gauge ring and a deformation is formed in the gauge ring adjacent the groove to reduce the size of the gauge ring groove to retain the gasket ring within the groove.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of forming a spiral wound gasket assembly having a gasket ring and an .[.ouer.]. .Iadd.outer .Iaddend.metal gauge ring with flat .[.guide.]. .Iadd.gauge .Iaddend.surfaces between an inner groove and an outer peripheral edge, wherein the improvement comprising the steps of: forming a spiral gasket ring with the exterior diameter of the ring allowing positioning of the ring in the gauge ring groove;   positioning the gasket ring within the gauge ring; and   deforming a portion of the gauge ring to reduce the size of the gauge ring groove to tighten and retain the gasket ring within the groove.   
     
     
       2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the step of deforming includes locating the gasket assembly in a deforming apparatus and forming circumferential deformations in each of the flat surfaces of the gauge ring adjacent the groove to reduce the size of the groove.   
     
     
       3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the step of deforming includes deforming a side portion adjacent the groove to reduce the size of the groove.   
     
     
       4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the step of deforming includes reducing the size of the gauge ring an amount sufficient to tightly retain the gasket ring in the groove providing a non-sliding fit and limiting radial deformation of the gasket ring under load.  5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:   the step of deforming includes reducing the size of the gauge ring groove an amount sufficient to retain the gasket ring in the groove while still   
     
     
        allowing a sliding fit between the gasket ring and gauge ring. 6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the step of deforming includes forming circumferential indentions adjacent the groove in each of the flat surfaces to provide said tightening and retaining. .Iadd. 7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner groove is annular and is centrally located intermediate the flat gauge surfaces and is defined by spaced annular opposed side surfaces and wherein the step of deforming comprises:   deforming the spaced opposed side surfaces of the groove inwardly against the outer peripheral surface of the gasket ring defining the exterior diameter thereof to retain the gasket ring in the groove. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the step of deforming the sides of the groove comprises:   reducing the inner diameter of the groove by forming a circumferential indentation in each of the gauge surfaces to retain the gasket ring within the groove of the gauge ring. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the inner groove is generally V-shaped, with the point of the "V" pointing outwardly from the center of the gauge ring and wherein the step of forming the circumferential indentations comprises:   deforming the opposed side surfaces of the groove an amount sufficient to tightly retain the gasket ring in the groove for providing a non-sliding fit and limiting radial deformation of the gasket ring under load. .Iaddend.