Abstract: A balance-plug cage style control valve has substantially reduced body-bonnet bolt loading with an elastic seal. The elastic seal assembly includes an annular seal having an elastic region, a compression surface, and at least one sealing surface positioned in a channel within a valve cage mounted inside the valve body. At least one shoulder on the valve bonnet engages the elastic seal to deform the elastic region to place the sealing surface of the seal in contact with at least one of the valve bonnet or the valve cage to form a fluid seal.

Abstract: A secondary seal gasket is formed of a graphite material for higher temperature applications. The gasket is formed by multiple wraps of a graphite ribbon and then is shaped in a mold to provide a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a self-energizing spring disposed therein. The gasket is formed from an L-shaped ribbon wrap having additional ribbon overwraps thereon to define a gasket ring which is then molded in a die press to form the U-shape. The L-shaped ribbon wrap thereby extends axially and then radially outwardly to define an end wall of the gasket to impede migration of fluid between the axial ribbon wraps.

Abstract: A seal for an endless track has a cross section having a centerline parallel to an axis of the seal and a configuration symmetric with respect to the centerline of the cross section. The seal can include an elastically deformably configured portion having a cross section like alphabetical letter X, and a protrusion extending from an intersection of legs of letter X in a bushing-side direction further than a plane connecting bushing-side end portions of the legs of letter X. The protrusion has an end surface where the protrusion contacts the bushing. The seal can further include an embedding portion embedded in a space between legs of letter X, on a bushing-side of the intersection of the legs of letter X.

Abstract: A balance-plug cage style control valve has substantially reduced body-bonnet bolt loading with an elastic seal. The elastic seal assembly includes an annular seal having an elastic region, a compression surface, and at least one sealing surface positioned in a channel within a valve cage mounted inside the valve body. At least one shoulder on the valve bonnet engages the elastic seal to deform the elastic region to place the sealing surface of the seal in contact with at least one of the valve bonnet or the valve cage to form a fluid seal.

Abstract: A composite elastomeric seal for sealing fluid line members is provided. The composite seal comprises an outer U-shaped seal body and an inner elastomeric portion. The U-shaped seal body comprises inner and outer extending arms, each arm having a shaped contour and two protruding lip portions. One set of lips of the outer seal wraps around the inner elastomeric portion, and the other set of lips provides an auxiliary seal for sealing the fluid line members together. The invention further includes sealing assemblies that employ the composite seals.

Abstract: A seal for sealing between a first component and a second component includes a first metallic element comprising a plurality of sealing profiles and defining a groove therein and a second metallic element comprising a plurality of sealing profiles and a protrusion mated with the groove of the first metallic element. The seal further includes a retaining member engaged with the second metallic element and capable of being engaged with one of the first component and the second component for retaining the first and second metallic elements in a position, wherein some of the plurality of sealing profiles are capable of sealing against the first component and some of the plurality of sealing profiles are capable of sealing against the second component.

Abstract: A multi-tube hydraulic cylinder includes annular seal assemblies joining adjacent tubes. Each assembly includes an annular primary seal member and an annular base seal member. The primary seal member is formed from relatively soft elastomer and includes inner and outer seal ribs which engage the bottom of a seal groove and the surface of an adjacent tube. The primary seal member is mounted on the base seal member, is formed from an elastomer harder than the material in the primary seal member, and includes inner and outer seal ribs and a heel facing outwardly of the seal groove on the end of the base member away from the seal ribs. The base member has an axial length greater than its radial thickness. When the seal assembly is compressed between the two tubes the seal ribs of the two members provide low pressure and high pressure seals for confining hydraulic fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gland packing in which a phenomenon where reinforcing fibers protruding from ends of adjacent braiding yarns overlap with each other, and the over-lapping reinforcing fibers are interposed over the whole range between expanded graphite tapes of the adjacent braiding yarns to form a leakage path can be reduced. In the gland packing 4, ends 1a, 1b in the width direction of each of the braiding yarns 3A to 3H constituting the gland packing are directed to the inner side in the width direction, and the reinforcing fibers 2A to 2H protruding from the ends 1a, 1b are confined to the inner side of the braiding yarns 3A to 3H.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gland packing in which impairment of the sealing performance due to cracks that unwillingly occur in an end portion in the width direction of an expanded graphite tape of a braiding yarn in the gland packing can be suppressed. In gland packings 1, 2, braiding yarns include braiding yarns 10A in each of which an expanded graphite tape 30 is bent so as to contract in the width direction, and both end portions 31 in the width direction of the bent expanded graphite tape 30 are folded back, or braiding yarns 20A in each of which at least an outer end portion 31′ in the width direction of a twisted expanded graphite tape 30 is folded back.

Abstract: A packing device, for sealing a longitudinal shaft against leakage of a pressurized fluid, having an elongate valve housing with an annular internal chamber about a coaxial rotatable shaft. The chamber has an inner end with an annular stationary packing support shoulder exposed to pressurized fluid and an outer end with an annular packing access opening exposed to ambient air pressure. Annular self travelling pressure energized retained chevron packing is disposed within the chamber, an inner end thereof engaging the stationary packing support shoulder. An axially slidable ring engages an outer end of the packing, and gland housing engages an outer end of the slidable ring. The gland housing includes compression mountings for loading the packing. For limiting the axial movement of the ring within the chamber when the gland housing is removed, the valve housing includes an annular groove within which a floating retaining clip is slidably disposed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a leaf seal for use between rotating components comprises forming corrugations within a metallic strip and feeding the corrugated strip into a seal guide. The corrugated strip is then pressed into the guide by an angled ram such that the corrugations lie at an acute angle to the perpendicular axis. The strip is then secured in a seal carrier, the free ends of the corrugations thus forming the angled sealing leaves of a leaf seal.

Abstract: A valve stem has a thickness of hardfaced material on its outer diameter in the area contacting the stem packing where the seal is formed which prevents corrosion, erosion and/or scratching of the valve stem, thereby preventing formation of leak paths. A valve packing comprises a vertically stacked array comprising alternating metal pressure rings and graphite seals.

Abstract: A metal leaf seal comprises a stack of vee-rings 4 of identical shape, which perform a sealing function between a housing 2 and a metal shaft 3. Upper and lower former rings 5 hold the stack of vee-rings in place. The stack of vee-rings 4 can additionally be held together by an electron beam isolation weld 7 which nevertheless allows each vee-ring 4 to flex independently. With pressure applied, a reciprocating sealing face is formed at the edges 9 of the vee-rings 4, with pressure energisation created against the face of the seal at 10 adding further load to the preloaded seal edges at 9. A static sealing interface with the housing 2 is formed at 11.

Abstract: An improved tufting machine push rod housing gland seal assembly for use with a tufting machine is disclosed. The gland seal assembly of the invention includes an elongate carrier formed by a longitudinal axis, having a first end and a spaced second end, constructed for being received within a gland seal receiving cavity defined within a push rod housing. A concentric throughbore is defined within the carrier about the longitudinal axis. A first continuous annular groove is defined in a side wall of the bore, and an axially spaced second continuous annular groove is also defined in the side wall of the bore. The two grooves together define therebetween a continuous annular bearing surface for supporting and guiding the push rod as it is reciprocated through the gland seal assembly and along the axis, thus minimizing the impact of push rod flexure or oscillation on the gland seal assembly, and the push rod housing.

Abstract: A seal assembly having a first seal with a first mating surface and a recess in the first mating surface, and a second seal having a second mating surface and a recess in the second mating surface. The first mating surface of the first seal is adjacent to the second mating surface of the second seal and a first thermal expansion restricter is received simultaneously into the recesses of the first and second mating surfaces of the first and second seals, respectively.

Abstract: A high temperature, gas-tight seal is formed by utilizing one or more compliant metallic toroidal ring sealing elements, where the applied pressure serves to activate the seal, thus improving the quality of the seal. The compliant nature of the sealing element compensates for differences in thermal expansion between the materials to be sealed, and is particularly useful in sealing a metallic member and a ceramic tube art elevated temperatures. The performance of the seal may be improved by coating the sealing element with a soft or flowable coating such as silver or gold and/or by backing the sealing element with a bed of fine powder. The material of the sealing element is chosen such that the element responds to stress elastically, even at elevated temperatures, permitting the seal to operate through multiple thermal cycles.

Abstract: A sealing-device having a body section and an anti-extrusion section is shown, the body section being disposed on top of the anti-extrusion section. The body section includes sealing surfaces for enclosures in which the sealing device is located. the anti-extrusion section prevents extrusion of the body section.

Abstract: A valve stem has a thickness of hardfaced material on its outer diameter in the area contacting the stem packing where the seal is formed which prevents corrosion, erosion and/or scratching of the valve stem, thereby preventing formation of leak paths. A valve packing comprises a vertically stacked array comprising alternating metal pressure rings and graphite seals.

Abstract: A valve stem has a thickness of hardfaced material on its outer diameter in the area contacting the stem packing where the seal is formed which prevents corrosion, erosion and/or scratching of the valve stem, thereby preventing formation of leak paths. A valve packing comprises a vertically stacked array comprising alternating metal pressure rings and graphite seals.

Abstract: A shaft seal having spacers positioned between the packing follower and the body of a valve. The spacers are flat, hard members of a certain thickness which allow maximum tightening of the packing fasteners and determine the maximum pressure the packing follower exerts on the packing material. The spacers have a slot for accommodating the fasteners and a tab that can easily be grasped with a tool, such as pliers. A stack of spacers can be positioned between the packing follower and valve body and then sequentially removed to provide incremental tightening of the fasteners for maintaining pressure on the packing materials by the packing gland. The spacers may include integral locking tabs.

Abstract: A stem seal assembly comprises a stem having a top end and a bottom end. The stem is adapted to fit in a valve body and interface with the valving member. A ball segment integral to the stem has a top surface facing upwardly and a bottom surface facing downwardly. A first seal engages the top surface of the ball segment and the second seal engages the bottom surface of the ball segment.

Abstract: The invention provides a submersible pumping system which includes a motor containing self-centering rotor bearing assemblies. Each rotor bearing assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a sleeve, a journal, and at least two seals. The journal is preferably disposed about the sleeve which is keyed to the power transmission shaft of the motor. The journal has a peripheral surface which is configured to have at least two circumferential support regions which are spaced apart from one another. Each of these circumferential support regions supports a corresponding seal. Each seal includes an interface member and an activating member. When in place in a rotor section of a submersible pump motor, the seals frictionally engage the inner surface of the stator and exert a centering force against the journal and thus against the bearing sleeve and the power transmission shaft.

Abstract: A pressure actuated packing assembly for use in sealing the annular area of fluid flow devices to provide and maintain an effective, long-term seal therein. The pressure actuated packing assembly is designed for use in chemically hostile environments, and for applications involving temperature and pressure differentials. The pressure actuated packing assembly automatically adjusts for wear, misalignment and service irregularities, while generally reducing the leakage and fugitive emission escape of fluid, flowing therethrough. The pressure actuated packing assembly is preferably constructed of an elastomeric energizer, a circular jacket member having an internal channel to substantially retain the elastomeric energizer and a rigid sealing insert member preferably disposed within the channel of the jacket member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for improved sealing across an annular space between facing sealing surfaces. Methods for mechanically setting and pressure energizing sealing ring assemblies are also described. In one aspect, several sealing ring assemblies are described, each of which include an outer seal body formed of elastically deformable metal and having an annular base with a pair of legs extending from the base to form a channel. A plurality of predominately non-deformable segments are positioned between the legs. The use of segments substantially reduces detrimental hoop stress which would hinder effective setting of a seal between the inner and outer members. In preferred embodiments, the legs and the segments each present raised portions which are offset from each other. The offset arrangement of the raised portions permit the ring assembly to be mechanically set by radial spring loading through elastic deformation of portions of the seal body.

Abstract: A novel reciprocating pump for cryogenic fluids. The pump has a cylinder sleeve, head, intake valve, discharge valve, and a reciprocating piston including a mechanical spring energized seal having a generally U-shaped jacket and a helical spring in the bight of the U.