Abstract: Articles and systems configured for treating GI motility disorders are generally provided. In some embodiments, an article comprising one or more electrodes (with both sensing and stimulating capabilities) may be configured to stimulate one or more tissues in the GI tract, electrically and/or chemically, to modulate peristalsis and/or allow neuromodulation. In some embodiments, a system comprises a controller that allows for close-loop operation of the article, e.g., such that the article may stimulate (e.g., via a feedback loop) the one or more organs in the GI tract upon receiving sensed parameters in the GI tract. In some embodiments, an implantation tool comprising a sensor may allow for submucosal or intramuscular implantation of an article. The implantation tool and the article may be useful for, for example, as a general platform for delivery of treating GI motility disorders and/or neuromodulation of the GI tract.

Abstract: An air intake manifold gasket has a perforated core of metal including protrusions or tangs extending from a first planar surface and a second planar surface of the core. Joined to each planar surface of the core is an expanded graphite sheet to form a gasket body having planar surfaces. Screen printed to form a bead on peripheral edges of the planar surfaces of the gasket body is a silicone foam rubber material adapted to replace traditional silicone rubber structures used for the same purpose. The silicone foam rubber material includes a foaming agent that causes the material to expand during an oven-curing period. The amount of expansion of the silicone rubber coating is up to three times the thickness of the coating originally applied. As disclosed, the oven cure is for approximately 10 minutes at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: An insert for a combustion head gasket seals a coolant or oil aperture. The insert is manufactured separately from the main gasket structure, and is formed of two materials, a metallic body and an elastomeric sealing bead bonded thereto. A disclosed method for manufacturing the insert includes shaping the insert body and molding the bead in a single process. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a mold having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section defining a cavity adapted to receive a blank metal substrate; (b) placing the metal substrate into the mold cavity; (c) closing the upper section against the substrate to hold the insert in place under a first applied force; (d) applying a second force greater than the first to shape the insert; (e) supplying elastomeric material to predetermined selected portions of the blank metal substrate; and (f) curing the elastomeric material.

Abstract: An air intake manifold gasket has a perforated core of metal including protrusions or tangs extending from a first planar surface and a second planar surface of the core. Joined to each planar surface of the core is an expanded graphite sheet to form a gasket body having planar surfaces. Screen printed to form a bead on peripheral edges of the planar surfaces of the gasket body is a silicone foam rubber material adapted to replace traditional silicone rubber structures used for the same purpose. The silicone foam rubber material includes a foaming agent that causes the material to expand during an oven-curing period. The amount of expansion of the silicone rubber coating is up to three times the thickness of the coating originally applied. As disclosed, the oven cure is for approximately 10 minutes at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: An insert for a combustion head gasket seals a coolant or oil aperture. The insert is manufactured separately from the main gasket structure, and is formed of two materials, a metallic body and an elastomeric sealing bead bonded thereto. A disclosed method for manufacturing the insert includes shaping the insert body and molding the bead in a single process. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a mold having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section defining a cavity adapted to receive a blank metal substrate; (b) placing the metal substrate into the mold cavity; (c) closing the upper section against the substrate to hold the insert in place under a first applied force; (d) applying a second force greater than the first to shape the insert; (e) supplying elastomeric material to predetermined selected portions of the blank metal substrate; and (f) curing the elastomeric material.

Abstract: An annular oil lip seal extender is used to axially reposition a conventional lip seal with respect to a rotating shaft after a wear groove is formed by the rubbing interaction between the lip seal and shaft without the need for a new seal, a new or reground shaft, the use of unreliable thin walled sleeves that fit over the shaft, or overly complicated assemblies that are prone to failure. The extender can be press fitted into the seal and the sub-assembly installed into a conventional housing bore. Alternatively, the extender can be loose fitted into the housing bore and the seal press fitted between the extender and the circumferential extending wall of the housing bore.

Abstract: An oil seal tester having a moving shaft for engaging an oil sealing surface of a oil seal and at least one source of fluid to be applied against the moving shaft and against a first side of the oil seal. A force measuring device is used to measure the reaction torque exerted against the seal by the rotating shaft. Adjustments are provided for altering the shaft to bore misalignment and the run out of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: Indicia creating patterns are placed in a mold assembly used for making seals. The molded seal body includes trimming entry surface indicia and trimming exit surface indicia to provide visual targets to use when setting up equipment to trim a waste portion from the finished seal . The indicia are sized such that a seal is considered properly trimmed if a portion, but not the entirety of the entry surface indicia and exit surface indicia remain on the finished seal at each point of trimming around the circumference of the seal body. Thus, one can quickly determine if a seal is properly trimmed.

Abstract: A fire ring holder is disposed around the boundary of a cylinder bore opening of a gasket to retain a fire ring. The fire ring holder includes a plurality of radially extending spaced tabs which mechanically engage either the upper or lower surface of the gasket body. The ring can be retained using the body of the holder, whose curvature from an upper edge to a lower edge conforms to that of the fire ring. Alternatively, a number of spaced tabs extend radially inwardly to engage the fire ring.

Abstract: An annular seal assembly for sealing an enclosed rotatable shaft. An annular sealing element is frictionally retained between portions of inner and outer metallic cases. The sealing element includes a sealing annulus and a reinforcing annulus which are disposed in laminar fashion and retained between the outer and inner cases. The sealing annulus is deflected by and sealingly engages the outer surface of the shaft when inserted therein. The reinforcing annulus is formed of silicone and is disposed adjacent to the sealing annulus so as to urge the sealing annulus into sealing engagement with the enclosed shaft, particularly when the sealing annulus is cold or when the shaft is highly eccentric. The reinforcing annulus is responsive to an increase in temperature or to an absorption of liquid for increasing in size, thereby reducing the amount of compressive force exerted thereby against the deflected portion of the sealing annulus.

Abstract: An annular shaft seal including a continuous lip sealing element for sealing against oil flow between a bore and a shaft extending through the bore includes a convoluted elastomeric flexible section which connects the sealing element with a rigid case support. The flexible section is defined by a plurality of annuli, wherein each adjoining pair of annuli defines a reverse bend therebetween. One or more of the reverse bends is reinforced with a relatively non-elastic material, preferably plastic, which is integrally molded thereinto, and provides a torsional rigidity while permitting radial flexibility. This provides a closer following of the lip seal element on the shaft under conditions of extreme runout wherein the lip seal element would otherwise become dynamically distorted.

Abstract: A fluid pressure seal assembly is adapted to accomodate high and low pressure conditions in hydraulic oil environments. In a preferred form, the seal assembly includes a primary shaft sealing annulus having a radially inwardly extending circumferential sealing lip defined by a pair of outer and inner converging frustoconcial walls. During a low pressure mode, the sealing lip provides contact with the shaft being sealed. During a high pressure mode, the inner frustoconical wall provides a surface contact with the shaft. A rigid metallic support component is disposed for limiting axial movement of the annulus, the support component being a part of a steel J-casing which structurally supports a body of elastomer bonded thereto. In a preferred form the support component of the casing member is encased by a portion of the body of elastomeric material to form a barrier which limits the amount of high pressure deformation of the sealing annulus.

Abstract: An annular shaft seal of the type including a continuous lip seal element for sealing against oil flow through and between a bore and a shaft extending therethrough includes a convoluted elastomeric flexible section which connects the sealing element with a rigid case support. The flexible section is defined by a plurality of annuli, wherein the first annuli contains the sealing element which is supported from a rear body portion, both sealing element and rear body portions being integral to the first annuli. A second annulus integrally coupled to the first annulus through a reverse bend has a radial thickness less than the thickness of the first annulus. In the preferred form, the rear body portion contains an annular groove in which is supported a circumferentially extending garter spring. A pair of spaced projections extends partially circumferentially about the coil dimension of the garter spring so as to enclose at least 200.degree. to 270.degree. of the garter spring coil circumference.

Abstract: A steering ball seal includes a rigid annular outer case having a radially extending elastomeric sealing member bonded thereto. The sealing member includes a pair of sealing lips which extend radially inwardly of the case. The sealing member further includes an integral annular protective assembly tab which extends axially thereof and which contains a radially protruding retention ridge. The sealing member also includes an integral retention bead radially outwardly of the ridge. The lip and bead cooperate to provide for resilient insertion and removal of an inner case which is retained against the radial body of the sealing member to provide rigidity of the member during operation of the seal. In a preferred form, the inner case is of resilient polyethelene material, and includes a split body construction to facilitate its installation over the steering ball.

Abstract: An oil seal assembly 10 of the type including a structural metallic outer casing 12 includes a resilient guard 30 for protection of a sealing element 18 bonded to the structural casing. In a preferred form the guard is formed of a resilient, non-metallic inert material, preferably polypropylene, and is supported axially within the outer casing by mechanical interference. Also in the preferred form the sealing element includes both particulate and fluid shaft contact lips 20,22.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic shaft seal is provided having a single annular shaft engaging washer clamped within a metal case. The washer, prior to assembly on the shaft, has an inner wall which is perpendicular to the flat walls thereof but spaced from the longitudinal axis of the washer by a distance which increases and decreases in a cyclic radially undulating fashion. Thus, the inner diameter of the unstressed annular member is scalloped and includes from one to approximately sixteen periodic scallops, the number of such scallops preferably increasing as the diameter of the seal increases. Such a seal is particularly easy to make and the varying angle of contact of the seal with the shaft occasioned by the scallops provides excellent hydrodynamic pumping as is desirable in such seals.

Abstract: An improved liquid to gas seal is disclosed for a bi-directional rotatable shaft. The seal is of the annular lip type and has a circular sealing edge which engages the shaft. The gas side of the seal is provided with an annular bead parallel to and spaced from the sealing edge and with a plurality of asymmetrical ribs which efficiently pump liquid escaping past the sealing edge back to the liquid side of the seal.