Abstract: A support for mounting and for thermal insulation of liquid tanks in ships with a support body which can be fixed to a structure of the ship and a method for the production of a support. The support body has a plastic material matrix for reducing the thermal conductivity, fillers which are embedded in the plastic material matrix for weight reduction and/or for reducing the thermal conductivity, and reinforcing fibres which are embedded in the plastic material matrix for increasing the pressure resistance.

Abstract: An automatic oiling device for delivering oil to a bearing comprising a sealable container defining a reservoir for oil with a opening in which a hollow tube is fitted. One end of the hollow tube communicates with the interior of the sealable container and the other end is open. Wicking material is located in the hollow tube and extends into the interior of the sealable container at one end and extends from the other open end of the hollow tube for contact with a bearing to be oiled. The hollow tube and the wicking material co-operating to function as an automatic valve to release oil from the sealable container as needed by the bearing. The wicking material is packed into the hollow tube to a density sufficient to allow for an automatic valving cycle that controls the flow of oil.

Abstract: A drive coupling for transmitting rotary motion from an input shaft to an output shaft is provided. The drive coupling comprises a male member formed from plastic having a protruding flange, and a female member formed from plastic with a cavity shaped to accept the protruding flange of the male member. The male and female members are secured to the ends of the shafts to be coupled in such a manner that the protruding flange of the male member is fitted into the correspondingly shaped cavity of the female member whereby the members are joined such that rotary motion of one member is transmitted to the other member. Preferably, the male and female members of the drive coupling are made from polyurethane having a hardness of 80 on the Shore Durometer A scale.