Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method according to which a user is trained in flange and gasket assembly. A simulator models placing a gasket in between a pair of flanges and inserting a plurality of bolts into the pair of flanges. The user simulates tightening one or more of the plurality of bolts, in accordance with a particular tightening pattern, in order to create a proper seal, although the user may tighten the bolt in any order. The simulator provides simulated stress values for each bolt in the plurality of bolts to guide the user in proper flange and gasket assembly. The simulated stress values are based on an empirical, mathematical model and take into account elastic interactions between bolts. The assembly training ends when the user completes the tightening pattern or makes an irreversible error. The user is then provided with a score.

Abstract: A compression packing for sealing near valve stems, pump shafts and similar machine elements. The compression packing includes tracer particles that retain information about the fabrication of the packing which can be used to trace the origin thereof.

Abstract: An isolation gasket that includes a metal core (100) defining an inner serrated annular section (105) that is radially spaced from an outer serrated annular section (110); and an annular groove (115) formed between the inner and outer serrated annular sections; and a first material (135) accommodated in the annular groove (115). In certain embodiments, a second material (125) is coupled to the inner serrated annular section (105); and a third material (130) is coupled to the outer serrated annular section (110). In one embodiment, the second material (125) has a first thickness (160) and the third material (130) has a second thickness (165) that is less than the first thickness (160). In one embodiment, the metal core (100) defines a first inner diameter (180) and the second material defines a second inner diameter (157) that is less than the first inner diameter (180).

Abstract: An insulation gasket that includes a metal core (100) defining an inner serrated annular section (105) that is radially spaced from an outer serrated annular section (110); and an annular groove (115) formed between the inner and outer serrated annular sections; and a first material (135) accommodated in the annular groove (115). In certain embodiments, a second material (125) engages the inner serrated annular section (105); and a third material (130) engages the outer serrated annular section. In one embodiment, the first and second materials comprise an electrical insulation material and the third material comprises a fire safe material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spiral-wound PTFE gasket includes winding a laminated PTFE tape (300) around a shaft (305) that has an outer diameter that coincides with the gasket inner diameter to create a PTFE cylinder (315) having an outer diameter that coincides with the gasket outer diameter; sintering the PTFE cylinder (315); and removing a radial segment of the PTFE cylinder (315) to form the gasket (100), the radial segment having a thickness that coincides with the gasket thickness.

Abstract: A live-loading assembly for exerting a sealing force on a compressible packing structure of a fluid handling device, such as a valve or pump, includes a pair of gland bolts each movably extending through opposite end lids of a tubular cartridge and through a Belleville spring stack disposed within the cartridge and bearing on a tubular piston rod having an end portion extending outwardly through one of the lids and having a spring force indicating scale disposed thereon. When packing force adjustment nuts are tightened onto the bolts, to increase the compression force exerted on the packing structures, one of the lids on each cartridge moves along the associated exposed piston rod scale to thereby provide a visual indication of the amount of spring force being created by each tightened nut.

Abstract: A live-loading assembly for exerting a sealing force on a compressible packing structure of a fluid handling device, such as a valve or pump, includes a pair of gland bolts each movably extending through opposite end lids of a tubular cartridge and through a Belleville spring stack disposed within the cartridge and bearing on a tubular piston rod having an end portion extending outwardly through one of the lids and having a spring force indicating scale disposed thereon. When packing force adjustment nuts are tightened onto the bolts, to increase the compression force exerted on the packing structures, one of the lids on each cartridge moves along the associated exposed piston rod scale to thereby provide a visual indication of the amount of spring force being created by each tightened nut.

Abstract: A spiral wound gasket for sealing flanged joints. The spiral wound gasket has improved sealability with a spiral sealing element that includes a metallic strip and a relatively soft filler material, wherein the axial width of the relatively soft filler material is greater than the axial width of the metallic strip. The spiral wound gasket also has improved sealability with a controlled gasket density and in which the metallic strip has a uniform and symmetrical “V” or “W” cross-sectional shape.