Abstract: An integrated leak detection system for a rotating union provides improved leak detection and user convenience. In an embodiment of the invention, the system provides a leak detection sensor located within the union, and in an embodiment of the invention the detection sensor is located beyond a back-up seal system. In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor and processing electronics are integral to the union housing. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the detection sensor is substantially symmetrically configured to detect leakage into a protected area regardless of orientation of the union. In an embodiment of the invention, the fluid being conveyed is electrically conductive and the detection sensor comprises an electrical conductivity sensor.

Abstract: A coolant union includes a seal assembly having a first seal member and a non-rotating second seal member. At least one of the annular sealing surfaces presented by the rotating seal member and the non-rotating seal member is chamfered such that the chamfered sealing surface presents a sealing surface width less than the width of the dimension of the other sealing surface. The fluid coolant union further includes a U-shaped annular secondary seal member having a chamfered portion structurally arranged to receive a triangular back-up ring which stores sufficient relative displacement of the floating seal assembly to create a separation between the first rotating seal and the second non-rotating seal members during the unpressurized condition.

Abstract: A rotary union for supplying a heat exchange fluid to a rotating body includes a pair of hydrodynamic bushing bearings to retain the union housing within the desired alignment with the rotating body, a thrust bearing assembly secured to the rotating body, and a seal assembly positioned forwardly of the pair of bushing bearings. The hydrodynamic bushing bearings are located within the union and are lubricated by the flow of the heat exchange fluid within the union.

Abstract: A coupling seal assembly is described for directing a pressurized abrasive fluid between a non-rotating conduit member and a rotating second conduit member. The seal assembly includes a first ceramic floating seal member secured to the non-rotating conduit member and a second ceramic seal member secured to the rotating conduit member. Enhanced service life of the seal assembly under high pressures and high rotary speeds is achieved.

Abstract: An integrated leak detection system for a rotating union provides improved leak detection and user convenience. In an embodiment of the invention, the system provides a leak detection sensor located within the union, and in an embodiment of the invention the detection sensor is located beyond a back-up seal system. In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor and processing electronics are integral to the union housing. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the detection sensor is substantially symmetrically configured to detect leakage into a protected area regardless of orientation of the union. In an embodiment of the invention, the fluid being conveyed is electrically conductive and the detection sensor comprises an electrical conductivity sensor.

Abstract: A coolant union includes a seal assembly having a first seal member and a non-rotating second seal member. At least one of the annular sealing surfaces presented by the rotating seal member and the non-rotating seal member is chamfered such that the chamfered sealing surface presents a sealing surface width less than the width of the dimension of the other sealing surface. The fluid coolant union further includes a U-shaped annular secondary seal member having a chamfered portion structurally arranged to receive a triangular back-up ring which stores sufficient relative displacement of the floating seal assembly to create a separation between the first rotating seal and the second non-rotating seal members during the unpressurized condition.

Abstract: A coolant union includes a seal assembly having a first seal member and a non-rotating second seal member. At least one of the annular sealing surfaces presented by the rotating seal member and the non-rotating seal member is chamfered such that the chamfered sealing surface presents a sealing surface width less than the width of the dimension of the other sealing surface. The fluid coolant union further includes a U-shaped annular secondary seal member having a chamfered portion structurally arranged to receive a triangular back-up ring which stores sufficient relative displacement of the floating seal assembly to create a separation between the first rotating seal and the second non-rotating seal members during the unpressurized condition.

Abstract: A rotary union for supplying a heat exchange fluid to a rotating body includes a pair of hydrodynamic bushing bearings to retain the union housing within the desired alignment with the rotating body, a thrust bearing assembly secured to the rotating body, and a seal assembly positioned forwardly of the pair of bushing bearings. The hydrodynamic bushing bearings are located within the union and are lubricated by the flow of the heat exchange fluid within the union.

Abstract: A coupling seal assembly is described for directing a pressurized abrasive fluid between a non-rotating conduit member and a rotating second conduit member. The seal assembly includes a first ceramic floating seal member secured to the non-rotating conduit member and a second ceramic seal member secured to the rotating conduit member. Enhanced service life of the seal assembly under high pressures and high rotary speeds is achieved.

Abstract: A coolant union includes a seal assembly having a first seal member and a non-rotating second seal member. At least one of the annular sealing surfaces presented by the rotating seal member and the non-rotating seal member is chamfered such that the chamfered sealing surface presents a sealing surface width less than the width of the dimension of the other sealing surface. The fluid coolant union further includes a U-shaped annular secondary seal member having a chamfered portion structurally arranged to receive a triangular back-up ring which stores sufficient relative displacement of the floating seal assembly to create a separation between the first rotating seal and the second non-rotating seal members during the unpressurized condition.

Abstract: A cutting blade for resistance-heated elastomer cutters generally comprising a cutting edge and supporting portion joined together. The cutting edge is made of material which possesses significantly higher electrical and thermal conductivity than the material composing the supporting portion. When electrical current flows through the cutting blade, significant portion of thermal energy is generated and concentrated in the cutting edge. The cutting edge is the part of the cutting blade most directly involved in cutting of elastomer material. The generation and concentration of thermal energy in the cutting edge results in more efficient and better quality cutting and reduces heat damage done to the cutting blade and material being cut.

Abstract: A coupling device for providing a sealing arrangement with a rotating seal member includes a housing having a fluid coolant inlet, an air coolant inlet a passageway therethrough, and a seal shaft member having a seal member thereon and an axial bore therethrough positioned in said housing for axial sliding movement within the housing between an unpressurized position and a pressurized position. The seal shaft member, when in the pressurized position, provides a sealing arrangement between the rotating seal member and the shaft seal member. The coupling device further includes a first sealing assembly positioned between the engaging surfaces of the shaft member and the housing and structurally arranged to communicate with the air coolant inlet and a second sealing assembly positioned between the engaging surfaces of the shaft member and the housing and structurally arranged to communicate with said fluid coolant inlet.

Abstract: A portable, manually operated shaft handling apparatus (10), supported by swiveling wheels (12), (13), and (14) having a carriage (60) capable of counterbalancing the weight of the shaft (18) using air springs (50), and (51). The carriage will receive the shaft from the hoist (16) of an unwinding machine, and will strip the core (19) of an expended roll from the shaft utilizing compressed air. The apparatus is able to transport the shaft and insert it into the core of a new web roll (17) without any manual handling of the shaft. The apparatus can be adjusted for use with a variety of shafts having different weights and lengths.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a rotating coolant union for preventing leakage forward between the outer surface of a seal carrier of a floating seal assembly of the coolant union and the inner wall of the housing, includes an O-ring seal and an annular back-up ring. The O-ring is mounted on the seal carrier and extends into an annular groove defined in the inner surface of the housing, with the width of the groove being greater than the outer diameter of the O-ring seal to permit the O-ring seal to be moved within groove in response to axial sliding movement of the seal carrier. The back-up ring encircles the support member and includes a radially projecting portion that extends into the groove and defines a slanting surface for a corner of the groove, the slanting surface being engaged by the O-ring seal during relative axial movement between the seal carrier and housing for limiting movement of the seal within the groove.

Abstract: A rotating union including a seal assembly having a rotating seal member carried by the rotor, a non-rotating floating seal member carried by a fluid actuated assembly mounted in and keyed to the housing of the union, the fluid actuated assembly including a flexible diaphragm interposed in the fluid flow path and which is flexed responsive to fluid pressure through the union to move the non-rotating seal member into engagement with the rotating seal member, the diaphragm being unflexed in the absence of fluid pressure through the union whereby the non-rotating seal member is maintained out of engagement with the rotating seal member.