Abstract: This invention discloses improvements to a damper of the type used in industrial applications to open and close ducts carrying noxious or corrosive materials, such as combustion by-products. The improvements include a linear rack and wheeled pinion system to raise and lower a damper blade plate and improvements to the seal cartridge to prolong the life of the seal membrane and to prevent galling between the blade plate and the seal cartridge or damper frame.

Abstract: There is provided a gas heat exchanger 101 comprising a coolant conduit 102 having a coolant inlet 103 and a coolant outlet 104, a gas cooling conduit 201, and a gas bypass conduit 203. At least a portion of the gas cooling conduit 201 is disposed between at least a portion of the coolant conduit 102 and a portion of the bypass conduit 203. During a first mode of operation, the gas cooling conduit 201 is configured to carry gas. During a second mode of operation, the bypass conduit 203 is configured to carry gas and the gas cooling conduit 201 is configured to reduce a heat exchange between the coolant conduit 102 and the bypass conduit 203.

Abstract: This invention discloses improvements to a damper of the type used in industrial applications to open and close ducts carrying noxious or corrosive materials, such as combustion by-products. The improvements include a liner rack and wheeled pinion system to raise and lower a damper blade plate and improvements to the seal cartridge to prolong the life of the seal membrane and to prevent galling between the blade plate and the seal cartridge or damper frame.

Abstract: This invention discloses improvements to a damper of the type used in industrial applications to open and close ducts carrying noxious or corrosive materials, such as combustion by-products. The improvements include a liner rack and wheeled pinion system to raise and lower a damper blade plate and improvements to the seal cartridge to prolong the life of the seal membrane and to prevent galling between the blade plate and the seal cartridge or damper frame.

Abstract: A flexible catalytic converter apparatus for use in internal combustion engine powered vehicle exhaust systems. The flexible catalytic converter apparatus includes a vibration decoupling exhaust connector and a catalytic converter insert disposed within, one of the components of the vibration decoupling exhaust connector.

Abstract: A fuel injector seal for preventing the intrusion of liquid fuel into the working moving parts of a fuel injector. The seal is in the form of a flexible bellows, assembled from first, inner and second, outer caps joined together. The seal is positioned in the injector to create a liquid tight seal between the reciprocating injector jet needle and the enclosure for the remaining fuel-sensitive components of the injector.

Abstract: A flexible fuel rail system for fuel injection systems for internal combustion piston engines, particularly for engines having at least one or more banks of aligned cylinders. The fuel rail system incorporates two or more longitudinal fuel rails, connected by one or more crossover sections. The crossover section(s) include(s) one or more sections of enhanced flexibility, preferably corrugations. The fuel rails, crossover sections and sections of enhanced flexibility are preferably all fabricated from metal, preferably monolithically formed from a single piece of metal. The fuel rails preferably are provided with non-circular cross-sectional configurations, so that the walls of the fuel rails will flex, under the influence of fuel pressure pulsations caused by the fuel injectors, so as to substantially reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of such pulsations on the operation of the other injectors in the fuel injection system.

Abstract: A flexible connector apparatus for decoupling vibrations, for example, along the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. The flexible connector apparatus is provided for connecting first and second components in the exhaust system, and includes a bellows for accommodating relative movement between the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus includes an attachment construction which enables weldless, gasketless connection of the bellows to at least one of the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus may include a liner tube structure having inlet and outlet liner tubes.

Abstract: A method for forming sections of a flexible sealing belt, for expansion ducts is provided. A sheet of flexible sealing belt material is molded, using application of pressure and heat, to impart a desired contour to the belt section, to enable the belt, when installed in an expansion joint, to retain an outwardly extending shape, to resist collapse of the belt into the gap between the duct ends.

Abstract: Vibration decoupler apparatuses, for decoupling vibrations, for example, between first and second the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. The flexible connector apparatus is provided for connecting first and second components in the exhaust system, and includes a resilient flexible sealing member (bellows) for accommodating relative movement between the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus includes an annular vibration damping member connecting a down pipe to a mounting member for permitting restricted axial, lateral and angular movement of the downpipe, relative to the mounting member, which may be affixed to an exhaust manifold, for example. The apparatus also includes a sealing construction which enables weldless, gasketless connection of the bellows. An alternative construction positions the vibration damping member between the decoupler apparatus and the downstream component.

Abstract: An exhaust gas re-circulation system provides for intake of exhaust gases from a first end 206 into one of a plurality of corrugated inner tubes 204 housed within an outer tube 200. Corrugations in said inner tube 204 provide for an increased surface area for heat exchange with a surrounding coolant medium and for decreased velocity of flow of exhaust gas increasing the density of charge of exhaust gas returned to a combustion chamber of an associated internal combustion engine by an inlet manifold where said exhaust gas re-circulation system connects to said inlet manifold at a second end 207. Said outer tube provides for inlet 203 and outlet 202 of coolant medium. Said outer tube further comprises corrugated portions to withstand vibration/expansion. Said inner and outer tubes are manufactured from thin wall metal tubes.

Abstract: An expansion joint for high temperature air or other gaseous flows, of the type in which two duct ends are separated by a gap, that is bridged by overlapping inner and outer liner ducts. The inner and outer liner ducts are surrounded by at least one insulating pillow. The periphery of the expansion joint is surrounded by a flexible cover. A bellows liner structure is disposed between the inner and outer liner ducts and the at least one insulation pillow.

Abstract: An expansion joint for high temperature air or other gaseous flows, of the type in which two duct ends are separated by a gap, that is bridged by a flexible fabric expansion joint cover. The flexible fabric expansion joint cover is attached to the duct ends, using two outwardly extending frame members. Each frame member incorporates one or more convolutions, that are provided to accommodate thermally inducted stresses and strains, imposed by the thermal gradient through the frame members, from positions proximate the duct ends, to outwardly disposed locations where the frame members are attached to opposing ends of the fabric cover.

Abstract: A notification system for monitoring and detecting the integrity of an expansion joint and delivering an indication of the expansion joint's integrity to a remote location. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus is comprised of a sensor for detecting the environments condition between two or more plies of a bellows, and transmitting a corresponding signal to a control apparatus, the control apparatus capable of making a comparative analysis of the sensor's signal with two or more predetermined parameters. Based upon the results of the comparative analysis, if the control apparatus determines the deviation in the environmental characteristics are unacceptable, the control apparatus transmits a signal to a message transmittal apparatus which transforms the signal into a communication signal.

Abstract: An expansion joint patch apparatus for repairing failed or torn expansion joint belting having a substantially flat, woven substrate material, and a cured solution of suspended elastomer, coating the substrate material. The substrate material is selected from the group consisting of aramid, fiberglass, corrosion resistant alloy wire, polyester, ceramic and kevlar fabrics. The elastomer material is selected from the group consisting of chloroprene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, ethylene propylene, chloronated isobutylene isoprene, fluoroelastomers and silicone rubbers. The invention further includes a method for forming a fluoroelastomer patch for repairing fabric expansion joints.

Abstract: A flexible connector apparatus for decoupling vibrations, for example, along the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. The flexible connector apparatus is provided for connecting first and second components in the exhaust system, and includes a bellows for accommodating relative movement between the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus includes an attachment construction which enables weldless, gasketless connection of the bellows to at least one of the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus may include a liner tube structure having inlet and outlet liner tubes. An alternative construction incorporates a multi-ply bellows in the absence of a liner structure.