Abstract: A seal assembly is provided that can be automatically cleaned in place, without requiring manual cleaning by a technician, and that can be used with food processing equipment. The seal assembly has a back plate that is attached to a wall of the food processing equipment and a seal cover that connects to the back plate. A cavity is defined between the seal cover and a rotating shaft that extends into the seal assembly, and a cleaning fluid may be introduced into the cavity. The cavity may house a pair of seals that are longitudinally spaced from each other and a hub collar between the seals and which may influence a fluid flow path of the cleaning fluid through the cavity.

Abstract: A method of fluid sealing a workpiece is provided. The method includes placing a workpiece on a ring, engaging at least one engagement feature of the ring with at least one retaining feature defined by the member and flexing the member to provide a force to the at least one engagement feature to cause the ring to form a barrier to fluid entry with the workpiece.

Abstract: A shaft seal of the rotating wheel shaft of a turbomachine includes a rotating wheel-side seal and a bearing-side seal between the bearing housing and the shaft. An oil outlet chamber is arranged between the rotating wheel-side seal and the bearing-side seal. The oil outlet chamber is delimited by a third seal between the bearing housing and the shaft, and a gas discharge chamber is arranged between the third seal and the rotating wheel-side seal. The construction is actively cooled by means of at least one splash oil bore in the region of the oil drain channel, as a result of which coking of the shaft seal can be prevented. The third seal separates the oil issuing from the oil outlet chamber from the gas issuing from the gas discharge chamber.

Abstract: A circumferential sealing arrangement is disclosed herein. The circumferential sealing arrangement includes a seal runner operable to be fixed to a structure for concurrent rotation with the structure about an axis. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a housing that encircles the seal runner or is encircled by the seal runner. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a primary seal element at least partially disposed in the housing. The primary seal element includes a first surface cooperating with a second surface of the seal runner to form a circumferential seal between the primary seal element and the seal runner. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a secondary seal element positioned between the housing and the primary seal element on a first side of the primary seal element along the axis of rotation. A second side of the primary seal element along the axis of rotation opposite the first side seals against the housing.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a seal element on a substrate surface. A layer of base material is formed on the substrate surface and a plurality of crenellations are formed in the layer of base material prior to forming a layer of seal material on the crenellated layer of base material. The method may be applied to making an original seal element or to repairing an existing seal element. The resulting seal includes a layer of base material bonded to a substrate and having a plurality of crenellations formed in a face surface of the layer of a base material and a layer of a seal material bonded thereto, the seal material filling the crenellations.

Abstract: Vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units, edge seals for VIG units and methods for forming the edge seals are provided. The VIG units include an edge seal that includes a viscous material, which serves to restrict the rate at which gas permeates into a vacuum space defined between the glass sheets of the VIG unit. The edge seals are configured to allow the glass sheets to move laterally relative to one another when the glass sheets experience differential thermal strain and further configured such that viscous shear occurs within at least a portion of the viscous material when there is relative lateral movement between the glass sheets.

Abstract: A seal assembly (1) described comprises an elastomeric component (10) having a sealing surface (25) for providing a sealing function, and an energising band (30), the elastomeric component (10) including an aperture for the energising band, wherein the energising band is adapted to fit in the aperture of the elastomeric component (10). In use, an outer surface of the energising band applies a force to the elastomeric component (10), to deform the (10) elastomeric component to form a seal at the sealing surface. The energising band (30) component includes non-metallic material.

Abstract: A device for sealing a bearing housing, which holds lubricating oil, from which a rotor supported inside the housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger is guided into a compressor housing, loadable by a mass flow of a charger. The device includes a fixed partition with a wall extension, a sealing disk fastened on a shaft of the rotor, a separating gap arranged between the sealing disk and the wall extension, and a drip device connected to an oil-collecting channel and directs lubricating oil collected in the oil-collecting channel into an oil drain by gravity. The drip device includes a drain-off surface for lubricating oil, which has a large axial distance from a rotating sealing disk which delimits the separating gap. Lubricating oil which can penetrate into the separating gap is guided into an oil drain of the bearing housing without interacting with the sealing disk.

Abstract: A brake corner assembly includes a steering knuckle fixed against rotation, a rotary member including a outer surface, and a shield secured to the steering knuckle and including a ring including a sealing surface located adjacent to the outer surface, the sealing surface having a first diameter that is substantially equal to a second diameter of a portion of the outer surface that is adjacent to the sealing surface.

Abstract: A circumferential seal system for sealing a high pressure region from a low pressure region separated by a runner with an outer circumferential surface and a seal ring disposed about the outer circumferential surface is described. The seal system includes a plurality of groove sets separately disposed along the outer circumferential surface. Each groove set further includes at least two grooves. At least one groove within each groove set exerts a lifting force via a fluid from the high pressure region onto the seal ring as the runner translates with respect to the seal ring along an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the runner. The continuous feed of fluid onto the seal ring ensures a thin film between the seal ring and the runner regardless of their relative arrangement during axial excursions of the runner resulting from conditions within a turbine engine.

Abstract: The invention is aimed at providing a dust seal structure for a valve stem in a rotary throttle valve carburetor that does not degrade from the effect of ultraviolet radiation, exhaust emissions, or the like; that is highly durable and requires little maintenance; and that allows further reduction in the vertical mounting dimension.

Abstract: Conventional wiper arrangements with cut rings suffer from unavoidable leakage and, in particular in an embodiment as metallic wiper ring with a sharp wiping edge, scratch on the surface of the piston rod which can be damaged in this manner. In order to eliminate these problems, a wiper arrangement with a wiper ring 2 which is split in the circumferential direction and an L-shaped cover ring 3 which is split in the circumferential direction is proposed, wherein the splitting points 16, 15 of the cover ring 3 and the wiper ring 2 are arranged offset to each other in the circumferential direction, and the wiper ring 2 is arranged abutting axially as well as radially in the recess 4 of the L-shaped cover ring 3, and the radially inner circumferential surfaces 6, 7 of the wiper ring 2 and the cover ring 3 form a common radially inner wiping surface 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slide ring and/or stationary seal ring of a running gear seal, comprising a base body having an angular cross-section, an axial limb used to receive a spring element, and a radial limb provided with a running surface extending over a predeterminable height, wherein at least the naming surface is provided with a corrosion protection layer, which at the same time forms the sliding layer.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement includes a stationary first machine part configured as an axle stub including at least one axial inflow hole adjoining with at least one opening that faces towards an outside surface of the axle stub in a radial direction of the axle stub. A second machine part configured as a container includes a hub rotatably surrounding the axle stub. The hub includes at least one opening that corresponds to the at least one opening of the axle stub in the radial direction so as to form one or more pairs of adjacent openings along an axial direction. A radial seal is disposed between each pair of adjacent openings.

Abstract: A seal assembly, for an additive pump having a reciprocating piston, is provided. The seal assembly includes a seal carrier having first and second components each having a bore therein to receive the piston. Each component has an end face arranged to abut one another when arranged axially on the piston, and a face seal is interposed between the end faces to inhibit egress of fluid between the end faces. A pair of circumferential seals at axially spaced locations are provided along the seal carrier and operable to engage the piston during reciprocating thereof, and a drain port intersecting one of the bores intermediate the seals is provided to permit egress of fluid from between the seals.

Abstract: Fluid leakage from high to low pressure sides through an annular gap formed between constructional members of a turbocharger and extending radially of a turbine shaft can be prevented. The turbocharger has a sealing device for prevention of fluid leakage from high to low pressure sides through a radially extending annular gap 15 formed between a shroud 10 and a shroud-confronting portion 14 which constitute the turbocharger, the sealing device having a frustoconical disc spring seal member 24 arranged in a pressed manner in the gap 15 between the shroud 10 and the shroud-confronting portion 14.

Abstract: Embodiments of a closed-contact electroplating cup assembly that may be rapidly cleaned while an electroplating system is on-line are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises a cup assembly and a cone assembly, wherein the cup assembly comprises a cup bottom comprising an opening, a seal surrounding the opening, an electrical contact structure comprising a plurality of electrical contacts disposed around the opening, and an interior cup side that is tapered inwardly in along an axial direction of the cup from a cup top toward the cup bottom.

Abstract: A packing nut assembly for a control valve having a valve body and a valve stem includes a packing box arranged for operative coupling to the valve body and having a primary bore sized to receive the valve stem and first and second counterbores. The first counterbore is sized to receive valve packing and the second counterbore includes internal threads. A packing nut having a central bore is sized to receive the valve stem and includes a threaded outer surface positioned to engage the second counterbore of the packing box. The packing nut includes an adjustment surface positioned to face the first counterbore, and includes an adjustment head having a plurality of tool-receiving apertures sized to receive an adjustment tool.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for use with a reciprocating or rotating shaft includes a shaft seal, a lubricant-storing ring, and a retainer. The retainer and ring can be formed as a subassembly and then combined with a shaft seal. The seal includes an annular body portion, a first sealing lip portion, and a first pocket portion. The first sealing lip portion has a substantially uniform axial dimension and is adapted to sealingly engage a shaft. The first pocket portion includes a plurality of pockets, each having an opening toward the first sealing lip portion. The plurality of pockets are each adapted to collect a working fluid when the shaft axially displaces in a first direction and to dispense the working fluid when the shaft axially displaces in a second direction. The assembly provides a lubricated shaft and seal that improves the effective life of the shaft seal.

Abstract: A seal for stemming leakage flows between adjacent components (9, 20), especially of a gas turbine, has an elastically deformable, thin-walled sealing element (1) and a thin-walled cover element (13) which is U-shaped in cross section and between its legs (15) and its base (14) partially accommodates the sealing element (1). The legs (15) of the cover element (13) are arranged in the sealing arrangement, which features the seal, between two oppositely disposed walls (28) of the other component (9) in a movable manner relative to these walls (28) which, together with the sealing surface (8) of the other component (9), form a groove (27) which is U-shaped in cross section. Forces, which act laterally upon the seal, are absorbed by the cover element (13) and via the legs (15) are diverted into the other component (9) so that the integrity of the seal is maintained even in the case of lateral forces.

Abstract: A seal is disclosed, for sealing a seal surface (5) between two machine parts (6, 7) which move relative to each other, wherein a seal body of the seal (1) comprises a retainer piece (10), arranged towards the groove base in a groove (8) in one of the machine parts (7), a sealing part (11), arranged in the groove (8) facing the sealing surface and a resilient connector part (12) between the sealing part (11) and the retaining part (10). The seal (1) has a recess (21) between the retainer part (10) and the connector part (12) and a further recess (20) between the connector part (12) and the sealing part (11). The seal (1) has spacer elements (25), said spacer elements (25) extending into at least one of the recesses (20, 21), preferably at least into the recesses (20) between the sealing part (11) and the connector part (12).

Abstract: A seal is for a rolling bearing including inner and outer rings relatively rotatable about an axis. The seal includes a generally annular body having a radial portion with inner and outer ends. A static sealing portion at least partially surrounds one of the inner and outer ends of the body radial portion and is configured to form a static seal with a proximal one of the bearing inner and outer rings. A dynamic sealing rim extends generally axially from the other one of the inner and outer ends of the body radial portion, the rim being configured to form a dynamic seal with the other one of the bearing inner and outer rings and being spaced radially from the other one of the inner and outer rings so as to define an annular space for receiving a lubricant.

Abstract: A pressure balance seal includes a sealing surface facing an inward radial direction, and a stator interface comprising at least one surface interfacing with a stator. The pressure balance seal further includes a friction reducing feature. The friction reducing feature includes a cavity on the sealing surface. The cavity is configured to receive a fluid such that a normal force acting on the pressure balance seal is counterbalanced by a force generated by a pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A rotating heat regenerator is used to recover heat from the syngas at it exits the reactor vessel of a waste or biomass gasifier. In some embodiments, three or more streams are passed through the heat exchanger. One stream is the dirty syngas, which heats the rotating material. A second stream is a cold stream that is heated as it passes through the material. A third stream is a cleaning stream, which serves to remove particulates that are collected on the rotating material as the dirty syngas passes through it. This apparatus can also be used as an auto-heat exchanger, or it can exchange heat between separate flows in the gasifier process. The apparatus can also be used to reduce the heating requirement for the thermal residence chamber (TRC) used downstream from the gasification system.

Abstract: A metal seal for valves of the ball type, the metal seal including a rigid annular body including a thickness in the longitudinal direction, and an annular lip having a front surface for relative contact with a surface of the ball, wherein said front surface for making relative contact comprises inset radial grooves.

Abstract: (EN) The invention relates to an installation device (3) for installing a sealing ring (1) on or in a component (2), for example a shaft or a housing, comprising a coupling member (4) for transmitting an installation force (F) to the sealing ring (1). The invention further relates to a sealing ring (1) comprising a rubber elastic base body (11) and a reinforcing ring (12), wherein the reinforcing ring (12) is embedded at least sectionally into the rubber elastic base body (11). The invention further relates to a method for installing a sealing ring (1) on or in a component (2), wherein the sealing ring (1) is inserted onto or into the component (2) in the axial direction.

Abstract: Sealing apparatus and engine are provided. A sealing apparatus includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate spaced apart from the first cover plate, and a sealing element disposed between the first cover plate and the second cover plate and including at least two diaphragm members, wherein a first diaphragm member has a first stiffness and a second diaphragm member has a second stiffness that is different than the first stiffness. The sealing apparatus may be disposed in an engine.

Abstract: A seal body for use to seal on a rotating shaft has a generally cylindrical central bore for receiving a shaft, and is formed of an open-celled material. In addition, a shaft and seal combination and a gear box are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical seal sliding member with high lubricating characteristics, in which the coefficient of friction and the temperature of sliding surfaces are lowered and stabilized without excessive leakage. In the mechanical seal sliding member of the present invention, on the sliding surface 2, a plurality of grating sections 5 are formed separately in each of which a plurality of linear shape ridge portions parallel to each other are formed in a predetermined region with a predetermined pitch. The linear shape ridge portions of the plurality of grating sections are formed as inclined at a predetermined angle to a sliding direction of the sliding surfaces 2. Such periodic structure can improve the lubricating characteristics for lubrication.

Abstract: A baffle seal for a thrust reverser of a gas turbine engine includes a seal body of a resilient material. The seal body has a relatively flat central portion with opposed front and back sides. A raised sealing rim extends at least partially around the central portion. An outer periphery of the sealing rim extends beyond an outer periphery of the central portion so as to define an exposed sealing surface.

Abstract: Slide ring seals have the problem that they generate noise under certain conditions of use. In order to suppress this noise in an effective way, the slide ring seal has at least one damping part that comprises at least one shaped sheet metal part. It is provided with at least one elastically deformable spring part that is supported under pretension. Between the damping part and the support area microfriction is generated that leads to an effective noise damping action. The slide ring seal is advantageously used in the automotive field.

Abstract: A seal includes a seal body including an annular cavity, and an annular spring within the annular cavity. The seal body, the seal body includes a composite material having a thermoplastic material and a filler. The composite material can have a Young's Modulus of at least about 0.5 GPa, a volume resistitivity of not greater than about 200 Ohm-cm, an elongation of at least about 20%, a surface resistitivity of not greater than about 104 Ohm/sq, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A passage for the sealed and/or sterile passage of a functional element (15), for example a rod and/or wave-like functional element through at least one wall (6) separating a sterile chamber (5) from an non-sterile chamber, comprising at least one hydraulic seal (20) enabling a relative movement of the functional element (15) in relation to the at least one wall (6).

Abstract: The invention concerns an oil seal assembly 12, especially for a gas turbine engine, for use in situations, for example, where a shaft passes 2 through the wall of a bearing chamber 10, so that one side of the seal is in a “wet” zone 8 and the other side in a “dry” zone 14. The seal comprises two parts, a relatively stationary annular seal member 32 which runs against the surface 34 of a seal runner 36 carried by the rotatable shaft 2. Both parts of seals of this kind are designed to be a demountable service items. Usually the seal runner 36 is bolted to a flange 16 on the shaft 2. However, problems may arise with oil leakage through the bolt holes formed in the flange 16 and along the bolt threads. In order to solve these problems the invention proposes a double flange arrangement 42, 44, 46 (FIG. 3) in which the seal runner 36 spans both flanges 42, 44 and is secured to the flange 42 in the dry zone 14.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a dynamic seal between two surfaces. More specifically, the invention relates to creating a textured surface with a thin, hard coating on a metallic annular sealing ring such as the sealing ring used in an earth boring drill bit.

Abstract: A dynamic shaft seal assembly is provided including a dynamic seal for engaging a rotary shaft. The dynamic seal includes a base portion that is mounted within a casing and has an axially extending barrel portion extending from a radially inner end of the base portion. The axially extending barrel portion terminates in a radially extending leg portion which extends inwardly from an end of the axially extending portion. A generally conically shaped seal portion extends from an end of the radially extending portion and the seal portion includes a radially inner face engaging the shaft and a radially outer face having a stiffening bead integrally formed thereon. The stiffening bead reduces the seal's propensity for “bell mouthing” while the axially extending barrel portion provides improved shaft followability for the dynamic seal.

Abstract: A rotary oil feedthrough is provided for sealing off a pressurized oil compartment between a rotatable shaft and a shaft mount, where the rotary oil feedthrough displays a radial oil passage for connecting an oil duct of the shaft and/or the mount to the pressurized oil compartment in fluid-permeable fashion, and has a seal arrangement that seals off the pressurized oil compartment on both sides in the axial direction of the shaft. The rotary oil feedthrough displays a sealing ring carrier that can be fastened to the shaft or the mount in non-rotating and fluid-tight fashion, the sealing ring carrier being arranged coaxially to the shaft or the mount, and an adapter that can be positioned on the other component of shaft and mount in fluid-tight fashion, and is surrounded laterally by the sealing ring carrier in the axial direction of the shaft.

Abstract: Seals and apparatuses incorporating seals are provided. In one embodiment an apparatus is provided including two relatively machine elements, the first machine (204) element having a gland (202) formed therein. The gland has a first axial wall, a second axial wall and a radial wall disposed therebetween. The apparatus further includes a sealing ring (208) disposed at least partially within the gland, the sealing ring having a radially inner face (212) in contact with the first machine elements, a radially outer face (217), a first axial face (216), a second axial face (214) spaced apart from the first axial face, an angled face (218) extending between the first axial face and the radially outer face, and at least one channel (220) formed in the angled face and extending from the first axial face to the radially outer face. A loading ring (210) is configured to maintain contact with the angled face of the sealing ring, the first axial wall of the gland and the radial wall of the gland.

Abstract: A pressure compensated dynamic seal assembly (26) for a deep submergence actuator (10). A pressure compensated isolation fluid (28) is supplied to an isolation region (34) established between a pair of opposed dynamic seals (36, 38) about a linear actuator ram (14). The isolation region is maintained at a pressure higher than an exterior fluid pressure surrounding the actuator so that any leakage past the first dynamic seal (36) will be in a direction out of the actuator, thereby avoiding any ingress of exterior fluid into the actuator. Leakage past the lower dynamic seal (38) can be tolerated because the isolation fluid is compatible with components of the drive mechanism (20) disposed within the interior (24) of the actuator. A load-bearing bushing (40) may be located between the first and lower seals.

Abstract: A seal pack, including a cylindrical ring having peripheral edges with radially extending flanges that have axially facing surfaces. A respective sealing ring is arranged on each of the axially facing surfaces of the flanges of the cylindrical ring so as to form a channel between the sealing rings. A wave washer is arranged between sealing rings so as to retain the sealing rings in a position so as to allow for sealing against the flanges.

Abstract: A seal for a vehicle having a transmission output shaft and a transmission output shaft housing is provided. The seal comprises a contact member at least partially surrounding and contacting the transmission output shaft, a support member coupled to the contact member, the support member at least partially surrounding the transmission output shaft and extending along the transmission output shaft, the support member coupled to the transmission output shaft housing, and an electrically-conductive surface overlying at least a portion of the contact member and at least a portion of the support member, the electrically-conductive surface contacting the transmission output shaft and the transmission output shaft housing.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a fluid device includes a seal member that is disposed in a first groove formed in a body and one or more backup members disposed in a second groove formed in the body, with a shoulder between the first and second grooves against which the seal member is supported. The fluid device may be any device that contains a fluid, such as, for example, a valve, a regulator or a fluid connector. The body may be, for example, a stem-like member or other device that is disposed in a bore and for which a fluid-tight seal is needed to prevent fluid flow along the annulus between the stem and the bore wall. The shoulder may be used, for example, to provide a rigid support for the seal member under pressure, in one embodiment supporting about half of the bulk material of the seal member under pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing ring for sealing two components moving relative to each other, particularly a rotary shaft seal or piston ring, with a radially internal or external sealing surface that can be brought into contact with one of the components to form a seal against a fluid medium. On one side of the sealing surface the sealing ring displays a pressurizing surface to be pressurized by the fluid medium and, on the opposite side, a supporting surface to the side of the sealing surface for positioning against a groove flank of a component accommodating the sealing ring. The pressurizing surface and/or the supporting surface are inclined relative to the sealing surface and enclose an angle of less than 90° towards it, where the ring is capable of radial compression towards a radially internal sealing surface, or of expansion towards a radially external sealing surface.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention relates to magnetic sealing devices used for transfer of torque involving rotating parts. Industries that deal in chemicals and pharmaceutics have a requirement to mix materials such as gases and liquids. This is carried out by mixers and agitators and similar other equipment. All devices involve a shaft that comes out of the body of the equipment, that is to say it pierces the equipment. The location at which the shaft enters the equipment is a potential point of leakage. One of the technical problems that the present invention tackles is that of providing a secure sealing that will reduce leakage. The magnetic seal assembly disclosed in the present invention provides a magnetic sealing device that gives a safe, trouble-free, robust, and leak-proof contactless seal for agitator drives and similar equipment used for industrial scale applications.

Abstract: A sealed lash adjuster (100A) has a plunger (2), and a body (1A) accommodating the plunger. In addition, the sealed lash adjuster (100A) has a first seal member (5) on a sliding portion of the plunger (2), and has a second seal member (30) on a sliding portion of the body (1A) that faces the sliding portion. Specifically, the lash adjuster (100A) has the first seal member (5) on the sliding portion of the plunger (2) and the second seal member (30) on the opposing sliding portion of the body (1A), such that a space K formed between the first seal member (5) and the second seal member (30) expands when the plunger (2) is pressed inward, and the space K contacts when the plunger (2) protrudes outward.

Abstract: A seal is formed of a material including about 80.0% to about 95.0% by weight fluoropolymer, about 1.0% to about 10.0% by weight aromatic polymer, and graphite fiber.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for sealing around a moveable shaft, such as rotary or reciprocating, or static, are described. The seal assemblies prevent the passage of lubricant or fluid from a relatively high pressure area on a first side of the seal to a relatively low pressure area on a second side of the seal. In some embodiments, these seals are energized by energizers, such as circular springs or canted springs, to keep the seal in contact with the moveable shaft. The seals have primary and secondary seals. The secondary seal provides initial moderate sealing against abrasive particles or contaminants to reduce the exposure and wear of the primary seal.

Abstract: A shaft seal that is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the shaft of an open type compressor or a fluid device driven by an external power source and seals the inside of the compressor or of the fluid device against the outside. At least a sliding section of the shaft seal, which sliding section is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the shaft, is made from a material into which a substance having a melting point in the range of 150-300° C. is added and uniformly dispersed. The shaft seal can improve its thermal resistance and abrasion resistance, can exhibit excellent durability, and is particularly suitable for compressors using a carbon dioxide refrigerant which are driven under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions.

Abstract: A rod seal assembly for a Stirling Engine of the type having two or more piston assemblies reciprocating within cylinder bores. The rod seal assembly seals against a connecting rod extending between a piston and a kinematic drive system. The rod seal assembly includes a separated cap seal assembly and a base seal assembly with a hollow cavity formed therebetween. The cap seal assembly and base seal assembly include sealing element features which provide high performance gas sealing and excellent durability characteristics. The hollow interior cavity of the rod seal assembly may be used as part of an internal volume within the engine used as part of a pressure balancing system for the isolated cycle volumes within the engine.

Abstract: A method for producing a sealing ring comprises cutting a sheet-metal strip to a length of a ring circumference using laser cutting; forming the sheet-metal strip into a ring shape having first and second mutually contacting edge surfaces; and joining the first and second mutually contacting edges using laser welding so as to form a substance-to-substance bond.