Abstract: A rotational seal assembly is associated with a rotating component. The rotational seal includes an outer casing, an inner casing, a rotational seal connected to the outer casing and the inner casing, and a followability enhancer. A section of the rotational seal includes a heel portion and a toe portion. The rotational seal is configured to contact, via a first surface of the section of the rotational seal and during operation of the rotating component, the rotating component. The followability enhancer is configured to contact, during the operation of the rotating component, a first region of a second surface of the section of the rotational seal that is associated with the toe portion. The followability enhancer is configured to not contact, during the operation of the rotating component, a second region of the second surface of the section of the rotational seal that is associated with the heel portion.

Abstract: A rotational seal assembly is associated with a rotating component. The rotational seal includes an outer casing, an inner casing, a rotational seal connected to the outer casing and the inner casing, and a followability enhancer. A section of the rotational seal includes a heel portion and a toe portion. The rotational seal is configured to contact, via a first surface of the section of the rotational seal and during operation of the rotating component, the rotating component. The followability enhancer is configured to contact, during the operation of the rotating component, a first region of a second surface of the section of the rotational seal that is associated with the toe portion. The followability enhancer is configured to not contact, during the operation of the rotating component, a second region of the second surface of the section of the rotational seal that is associated with the heel portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling an engine system includes starting the engine system, activating an engine idling reduction mode allowing automatic shutdown and automatic restarting of an engine, disallowing automatic shutdown of the engine within the engine idling reduction mode if a state of charge of a voltage source is below a charge limit for permitting automatic shutdown of the engine, and modifying the charge limit as a function of a number of starts of the engine. Other aspects include a method for disallowing automatic shutdown of an engine if a voltage source has not achieved a fully charged condition, a method of triggering an automatic restarting of an engine, if the engine is automatically shutdown, based on at least two separate indicators of engine temperature, and a method of disallowing automatic shutdown of an engine if ambient temperature is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling an engine system includes starting the engine system, activating an engine idling reduction mode allowing automatic shutdown and automatic restarting of an engine, disallowing automatic shutdown of the engine within the engine idling reduction mode if a state of charge of a voltage source is below a charge limit for permitting automatic shutdown of the engine, and modifying the charge limit as a function of a number of starts of the engine. Other aspects include a method for disallowing automatic shutdown of an engine if a voltage source has not achieved a fully charged condition, a method of triggering an automatic restarting of an engine, if the engine is automatically shutdown, based on at least two separate indicators of engine temperature, and a method of disallowing automatic shutdown of an engine if ambient temperature is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A sealing device may comprise: a flange that extends perpendicularly relative to a central axis of first portion; an inner cylindrical portion having an engaging surface, and a protruding portion extending between the flange and the inner cylindrical portion; a rigid body component; and an elastic component having a main oil lip and an excluder lip, wherein the main oil lip is proximate to or in contact with the flange at a first location, and wherein a the excluder lip contacts the inner cylindrical portion; wherein a gap is defined by surfaces of the first portion and the elastic component between the first location and the second location, and wherein, when the sealing device is installed in a bore so that the engaging surface is fixedly connected to the shaft and a machine is operated so that the shaft rotates, the volume of the gap changes by less than 10%.

Abstract: A sealing device may comprise: a flange that extends perpendicularly relative to a central axis of first portion; an inner cylindrical portion having an engaging surface, and a protruding portion extending between the flange and the inner cylindrical portion; a rigid body component; and an elastic component having a main oil lip and an excluder lip, wherein the main oil lip is proximate to or in contact with the flange at a first location, and wherein a the excluder lip contacts the inner cylindrical portion; wherein a gap is defined by surfaces of the first portion and the elastic component between the first location and the second location, and wherein, when the sealing device is installed in a bore so that the engaging surface is fixedly connected to the shaft and a machine is operated so that the shaft rotates, the volume of the gap changes by less than 10%.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a component formed of a polymer material, and the polymer component. The component includes an electrically-conductive polymer sensing element integrally incorporated into the component. An electric potential is applied to the polymer sensing element, and an electric signal generated by the polymer sensing element is sensed in response to the polymer sensing element physically responding to a transitory or permanent distortion of the component. A signal can then be generated if the electric signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value for the component.

Abstract: A structure subjected to stresses that can lead to structural failure. The structure includes first and second conductive layers and an intermediate layer therebetween formed of a dielectric, semiconductive, or resistive material, such that the first, second, and intermediate layers form in combination an electrical element, namely, a capacitive or resistive element. The electrical element is located within the structure so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the structure resulting from extrinsic and intrinsic sources.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a component formed of a polymer material, and the polymer component. The component includes an electrically-conductive polymer sensing element integrally incorporated into the component. An electric potential is applied to the polymer sensing element, and an electric signal generated by the polymer sensing element is sensed in response to the polymer sensing element physically responding to a transitory or permanent distortion of the component. A signal can then be generated if the electric signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value for the component.

Abstract: A structure subjected to stresses that can lead to structural failure. The structure includes first and second conductive layers and an intermediate layer therebetween formed of a dielectric, semiconductive, or resistive material, such that the first, second, and intermediate layers form in combination an electrical element, namely, a capacitive or resistive element. The electrical element is located within the structure so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the structure resulting from extrinsic and intrinsic sources.