Flexible Sleeve, Boot, Or Diaphragm Patents (Class 277/634)
  • Patent number: 7513530
    Abstract: A seatbelt assembly is provided with buckle device having a holder located therein to segregate overlapping sections of the structural wire and/or signal cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Gomi, Byoung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7484760
    Abstract: A column hole cover is interposed between a circumferential portion of an aperture of a column hole of an instrument panel and a steering gear box capable of being displaced in a predetermined direction. The column hole cover includes a cylindrical main body extended in the predetermined direction. The main body includes a first annular end portion directly or indirectly fixed to the steering gear box, and a second annular end portion. The second end portion is provided with an annular seal. An intermediate portion between the first and second end portions is provided with a expandable/contractible portion capable of being elastically expanded or contracted in the predetermined direction. Irrespective of the displacement of the steering gear box, the annular seal is maintained in an elastic pressure contact against the circumferential portion of the aperture of the instrument panel by a reaction force of the compressed expandable/contractible portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignees: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., Marugo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohisa Suzuki, Seizou Furukawa, Noboru Yamamoto, Teruya Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20090014966
    Abstract: In order to achieve the object of making available a folding bellows arrangement by means of which the acting clamping forces can be transmitted as uniformly as possible to the joint outer part of a tripod joint unit, it is proposed that such a folding bellows arrangement comprises a folding bellows (12) with a first collar region (20) for attachment to a shaft, and a second rotationally symmetrical collar region for attachment to a joint outer part (18) and a bellows region (16) which is arranged between the first and second collar regions, and an adapter ring (14) with an inner face which is adapted in a cross section to the outer contours of the joint outer part, the folding bellows being formed from an elastic material and the adapter ring being manufactured from at least one first plastic material (56) which has an approximately identical or higher Shore hardness than the material of the folding bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Joachim Wette, Thorsten Scholtz
  • Patent number: 7475550
    Abstract: A method and device to reduce the noise produced by jet aircraft engines and/or other supersonic nozzles involves the use of corrugated engine seals (30) for the secondary internal divergent flaps (14) of the nozzle (10). Such corrugated seals (30) serve not only to eliminate shock-generated noise, but also generate a counter-rotating vorticity to force low speed mixing of surrounding ambient air with the high-speed jet exhaust. Lower exhaust velocities, combined with reduced levels of the turbulent Reynolds shear stress, lead to reduction of turbulence-generated noise, including Mach wave emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: University of Mississippi
    Inventor: John M. Seiner
  • Patent number: 7476075
    Abstract: A rotary pump 10, e.g. a centrifugal slurry pump, has a main casing 12 housing an impeller 18 rotatable in an impeller cavity 16 defined between end liners 25, 28 and a peripheral main casing portion 24. The end liner 28, at a suction end of the impeller, is slidingly sealed via an annular seal 32 against the main casing portion 24. A radially inner, axially outwardly extending tubular portion 36 integral with the end liner 28 is aligned with a stationary tubular inlet portion 40. Seats 38, 44 respectively on the tubular portions 36, 40 oppose each other over a bridge cavity accommodating an annular bridge 50 which is expansible to allow the end liner 28 to be adjusted axially to close any gap with the impeller 18 caused by wear. Two variations of the annular bridge 50 are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Africa (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Siegfried Geldenhuys
  • Patent number: 7472912
    Abstract: A unitary removable barrier for installation in a cylindrical water line to selectively block the water line to passage of water therethrough. The unitary removable barrier is composed of a single piece rubber body having at least one cylindrical section sized to receive upstream and downstream pipes of the water line. A unitary rubber planar disc molded with the cylindrical section is of a circular circumference and which completely blocks the water line but which is selectively removable from the cylindrical section thus removing the barrier to the passage of the waste through the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: MCP Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Duncan
  • Publication number: 20080246229
    Abstract: The seal comprising a rubber-elastic body (5) that, in the middle, comprises a first through opening (6) for receiving a first part (3) and, in a peripheral edge (7), comprises a flange (8) for detachably fixing the body (5) inside an opening (23) of a second part (2). The first through opening (6) is made in a wall (9) that extends from a front side (17) toward a rear side (19) of the body (5) through a significantly larger second through opening (10) of the peripheral edge (7). The wall (9) and the first through opening (6) can move like an eye in the peripheral edge (7). The seal (1) is particularly suited for use in the automotive industry and, in particular, as a wiper sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Josef Ott
  • Publication number: 20080237999
    Abstract: A dust boot retention system includes a jounce bumper having an end portion with an outer diameter and an annular recessed groove adjacent to the end portion. A dust boot is attached to the jounce bumper and has an upper flange including a radially inwardly extending portion and an axially extending portion extending from an innermost portion of the radially inwardly extending portion. The axially extending portion has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the end portion of the jounce bumper. A rate ring secures the dust boot to the jounce bumper. The rate ring includes an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the end portion of the jounce bumper. The rate ring includes an annular recessed channel in a first end thereof for receiving the axially extending portion of the dust boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: David A. Mauceri, Robert S. Feldmann
  • Publication number: 20080231002
    Abstract: A tight package sensor seal includes a first seal portion engaging an outer surface of a sensor body and including a stop surface floatingly engaging a peripheral face surrounding a bore in a cover member. The first seal portion includes a reinforcing insert disposed therein. A second seal portion is axially spaced from the first seal portion and a flexible membrane extends axially between the first and second seal portions. The second seal portion engages an inner diameter of a bore in a cover member and includes a reinforcing insert therein. The sensor seal takes up a small radial space yet allows for radial offset of the sensor body relative to the bore of the cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: FREUDENBERG-NOK GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John B. Wagner, Kane A. Myers, J. Brian Cloud
  • Publication number: 20080224420
    Abstract: When, according to the invention, a sealing sleeve is made of HNBR polymer and is provided with a bushing (3) which extends around the outwardly extending shaft (1), and also with an end portion (6) which may be bellows-shaped and finally an outer ring (7) which can engage the exterior of the shaft housing (6), a solid and tight sleeve is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: CODAN TECH A/S
    Inventor: Anders Egholm Hansen
  • Patent number: 7395576
    Abstract: A wiper cover is mounted in an opening in a vehicle housing and receives a wiper arm which pivots within the opening. The cover has a hollow body mounted in the opening, a rear flap which projects upwardly and forwardly from a rear side of the body, and a front flap which projects upwardly and rearwardly from a front side of the body. The front flap extends above and overlaps a portion of the rear flap. The flaps substantially cover the opening and slidably engage the wiper arm as it pivots within the opening. The body has upper and lower flanges which form a groove therebetween which receives an edge of the housing. The flaps include a notch and a recess which receives the wiper arm when the wiper arm is in a park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Dean Arden Boyce
  • Publication number: 20080143057
    Abstract: A protective sleeve for protecting a ratchet cap or winch from damage or deterioration due to dirt of moisture is fabricated of a sturdy yet elastic material, which may be rubber. The sleeve is cylindrical in form and has circular grooves, which run parallel to each other formed on the inner surface of the sleeve. Cylindrical bars separate the grooves from each other. Mating grooves to those formed on the sleeve are formed on the ratchet cap or winch. The sleeve is installed in position on the cap or winch by forcing it into position over the cap or winch with the bars of the sleeve installed in the grooves of the cap or winch and the bars of the cap or winch installed in the grooves of the sleeve. This provides for firm retention of the sleeve in its installed position and permits relative rotation between the elements of the ratcheting member, yet the sleeve can readily be removed from its installed position without damage thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Howard Thomas Knox, Thomas H. Leone
  • Publication number: 20080122188
    Abstract: A viscous material feed system, comprises a feed tube that receives material expressed from a container; and a container evacuator comprising a chamber to hold a container to express material from the container to the feed tube and a plunger comprising a platen axially and slidably accommodated within the chamber, the platen comprising an O-ring fitted against a platen driving face; a full ring with tabs extending to secure the O-ring to the platen driving face with a circumferential surface exposed to the chamber and a vacuum breaker valve to the chamber that seals the platen face when in contact with container material and retains residual material adhering to the platen face when the valve is activated at a termination of a driving cycle of the platen through a container content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Roger Knox, Jennifer L. Stanton, Harry A. Bayly
  • Publication number: 20080079224
    Abstract: Elastically deformable seal of an electrical control unit of a hydraulic machine. The seal has a pot-like shape with a diaphragm, which is in the form of a pot base, and also pot inner faces, pot edge faces and pot outer faces. In this case, the pot inner faces have first sealing faces, the pot edge faces have abutment faces and the pot outer faces have second sealing faces. The first sealing faces and the abutment faces are formed in such a way that they deform under pressure loading such that the second sealing faces arch out from the pot outer faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: SAUER-DANFOSS INC.
    Inventors: REINHARDT THOMS, ANDERS BJURHAGEN
  • Patent number: 7296802
    Abstract: A boot is made of a resin for covering a ball joint interposed between a larger diameter mating member and a small diameter mating member, including a large diameter attachment portion fixed to the large diameter mating member, a first bellows portion continuous to the large diameter attachment portion, a second bellows portion which is continuous to the first bellows portion and in which at least a bottom inner peripheral diameter thereof is not larger than that of the first bellows portion and a rigidity in a radial direction thereof is lower than that of the first bellows portion, a taper bellows portion continuous to the second bellows portion, and a small diameter attachment portion continuous to the taper bellows portion and fixed to the small diameter mating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhisa Ota
  • Patent number: 7290771
    Abstract: A bellows has an elongated bellows body defined by a flexible wall. The wall encloses a volume and extends between a first end and a second end. The body has a cross-sectional shape and a cross-sectional dimension that are generally constant between the first and second ends. The wall has an axial stiffness and an axial linear mass density. The stiffness and/or density varies generally monotonically between the first and second ends of the bellows body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert W. M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7281984
    Abstract: An improved boot for use in sealing a constant velocity joint and ball spline joint assembly includes a plurality of articulating convolutes, a grease catching member, and a first stabilizing member adapted to ride above an inner race of the ball spline joint to join the plurality of articulating convolutes and the grease catching member and provide stability at high speed. The boot further includes a plurality of plunging convolutes and a second stabilizing member adapted to ride above an outer race of the ball spline joint to join the plurality of plunging convolutes and the grease catching member and provide additional stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.,
    Inventors: Pauline Maria Foster-Hamilton, Toshitaka Asai, Noel W. Sutton
  • Patent number: 7244074
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint (1) is provided, for example, for a chassis bearing, with a ball (2), a pivot (3) originating from the ball (2), a housing (4) accommodating the ball, and a sealing bellows (5), which extends between the housing (4) and the pivot (3) and has a housing-side opening (6) and a pivot-side opening (7). The sealing bellows (5) has a circumferential sealing lip (8) for sealing at the pivot-side opening (7). The ball and socket joint (1) has a first guide ring (9), which guides the sealing bellows (5). The first guide ring (9) is arranged at the pivot (3). An especially favorable functional separation is achieved as a result between the guiding function and the sealing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Olaf Abels, Jürgen Gräber, Jochen Kruse, Volker Grube, Dirk Lamla, Manfred Bohne, Melanie Enkler, Metin Ersoy, Achim Möll, Thomas Rösler, Wolfgang Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7097568
    Abstract: To protect a joint from exposure to contaminants and loss of lubricant disposed within a joint a traditional joint includes a sealing system. Typically the sealing system includes a boot and a boot cover. To produce a more effective joint, the sealing system of the present invention further includes a shield to protect the boot and the boot cover from exposure to contaminants by providing a barrier therebetween. The joint of the present invention includes a shield having several embodiments including an elastomer sleeve, a rigid cylindrical tube and a thermoplastic second boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc
    Inventors: Ramon Christopher Kuczera, Danny Lee Booker, Lawrence Anthony Anastasia
  • Patent number: 7097004
    Abstract: A boot-type seal having a seal and a valve. The seal has a first seal member, which is configured to sealingly engage a first surface, and a second seal member, which is configured to sealingly engage a second surface. The valve is coupled to the seal and is operable in a first condition, which inhibits fluid communication therethrough, and a second condition, which permits fluid communication therethrough. The condition of the valve changes from the first condition to the second condition in response to a fluid pressure exerted on a side of the seal that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. A brake assembly that incorporates the boot-type seal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Akebono Corporation (North America)
    Inventors: Sean Barrett, Seiji Nishimura, Takashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7077611
    Abstract: A sealing washer includes a connecting portion and an inner edge portion disposed radially inward of the connecting portion. The inner edge portion terminates in an edge disposed in an edge plane that is offset from the connecting portion. The sealing washer may be used, for example, to form a seal between a bolt and an elastomeric sheet, by forming a tight seal as the bolt is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC.
    Inventor: Christopher S. Metschke
  • Patent number: 7070355
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint has a housing, a ball pivot (3) mounted pivotably in the housing, and a sealing bellows (1), which is fastened to the housing and is mounted on the ball pivot (3) slidably via a sealing ring (4) provided with two legs (5, 6). A first leg (5) of the two legs (5, 6) is in contact with the ball pivot (3) under tension and the second leg (6) meshes with the wall of the sealing bellows (1). The second leg (6) is, furthermore, fastened in an anchoring ring (7) arranged at least partially in the wall of the sealing bellows (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Olaf Abels, Dieter Gröger
  • Patent number: 7063331
    Abstract: A middle portion 62 of a fitting portion 52A of a boot 52 for a universal joint is fastened to a flange-like portion 72 of a member to which the boot is attached and a front end portion 63 to which communicating paths 61A to 63A of the boot 52 are opened is faced to a small diameter periphery portion 73 following one side of the flange-like portion 72 of the member to which the boot is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Iwano
  • Patent number: 6994332
    Abstract: A vibration damping actuator including: a guide hole open onto a bottom face of a housing; a lid metal plate fitted into the opening of the guide hole with a size enough to hinder inward displacement thereof into the guide hole by an annular shoulder portion; an engaging groove disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the opening; a snap ring of C-letter shape fitted into the engaging groove to prevent the lid metal plate from becoming dislodged from the opening; and a sealing rubber layer formed covering an inside face of the lid metal plate. The lid metal plate is pressed by the snap ring so that the sealing rubber layer is pushed against the annular shoulder portion, thereby sealing the opening of the guide hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Goto, Hajime Maeno, Kei Okumura, Kazuhiko Kato, Kouichi Maeda, Tetsuo Mikasa, Hirotomi Nemoto, Hiroaki Ue, Ken Iinuma
  • Patent number: 6994354
    Abstract: A gasket includes a fist sealing portion, a second sealing portion, and an elastic arm sealingly connecting between the two. The first sealing portion sealingly engages a first member and the second sealing portion sealingly engages a second member. The elastic arm is not highly compressed between the members, allowing the gasket to vibrationally decouple the first member from the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: David Sakata
  • Patent number: 6971526
    Abstract: A method is provided for fixedly joining a cloth, a cloth-like fabric or a synthetic mesh to a filter plate using a flanged cloth connector ring. The flanged cloth connector ring is attached to the filter cloth around the feed port of the cloth and inserted into a receiving channel in the filter plate. A locking ring or a distribution ring may be inserted into the channel adjacent to the connector ring to retain the connector ring and attached filter cloth in place. Filter cloths may be individually and independently attached to each side of a filter plate using a cloth connector ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Micronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry F. Hibble
  • Patent number: 6962351
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint assembly having a cylindrical sealing cap (1) housing (6, 6A) connected to the external case (4) of the joint assembly. The housing (6, 6A) may be comprised of plastic, aluminum, rubber, or other malleable material. The housing (6, 6A) has a ring shape, with a groove molded into the housing's external surface for receiving the larger diameter end of a sealing cap (1), the smaller diameter end of the sealing cap (1) is directly attached to the shaft of the ball and socket joint's spherical pin (2). The preferred embodiment of the housing (6) has a general “L” shape, and an alternative embodiment (6A) has a more linear shape. The sealing cap (1) ensures that the ball and socket are not contaminated during operation of the joint assembly. The ball and socket joint of the invention is primarily designed for motor vehicle applications, specifically, in automotive steering and suspension systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Ademilson Vlademir De Freitas
  • Patent number: 6942223
    Abstract: A molded boot having an inner layer and an outer layer made from different elastomeric material. Each layer is compatible with the fluid environment to which it is exposed. The dual layer boot provides longer service life with less degradation caused by chemical and environmental exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Shen-Ling Allen Wang
  • Patent number: 6938902
    Abstract: A boot with O-ring seal for sealing around an article such as a universal joint housing includes a boot having a hollow body adapted to tightly receive the article. An O-ring extends lengthwise within an internal annular groove in the body. The O-ring, in its natural free state condition, has a radial dimension which is greater than the depth of the groove so that when the article is received in the body the O-ring is deformed and makes sealing contact with the article. The O-ring, in its natural free state condition, has an axial dimension which is less than the width of the groove by an amount such that when the article is received in the body and the O-ring makes sealing contact with the article, the O-ring is deformed into the space between the side walls of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Allen Devers
  • Patent number: 6935803
    Abstract: A joint (1) with a joint housing (2) and with a joint shell (3) is arranged therein with a ball (4) having a pivot pin (5) protruding from the joint housing (2) and surrounded by a rubber bellows (6) with a protective cap (7). A ring (8) for holding the protective cap (7) is connected to the edge area (6a) of the rubber bellows (6). The edge area (6a) concentrically surrounds the pivot pin (5). The ring (8) has a circular bead (8b, 8c) on its annular outer side (8a) and is vulcanized into the edge area (6a) of the rubber bellows (6). The protective cap (7) is provided on its inner side (7a) with a plurality of projections (9), which can be bent from the outside through openings (10) in the protective cap (7) by means of a tool (11) radially (arrow 12) in relation to the pivot pin (5) against the bead (8b, 8c) of the ring (8) in a non-positive and positive locking manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Olaf Abels, Jens Wohlers
  • Patent number: 6932346
    Abstract: A method of installing a gaiter (10) around a joint defined between joint members of joints of vehicles, such as steering joints and constant velocity joints. The method provides a range of gaiters for use with a range of joints of different dimensions, the range of joints being greater than the range of gaiters and at least some of the gaiters (10) in the said gaiter range being stretchable to fit two or more joints of the said joint range so the said joint range can be accommodated by the range of gaiters wherein a gaiter is selected from the gaiter range to fit a particular joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Phillip Fields Hayward
  • Patent number: 6921090
    Abstract: An improved diaphragm for use with a gasket to prevent leakage of a pressurized fluid. The diaphragm has an internal groove which uses strong spring back and the pressure of the fluid to increase the gasket seating load, thereby providing a self-energizing seal which can accommodate changes in gasket load due to changes in fluid pressure. In one embodiment, a ring is shrink-fit or press-fit about the outer side edge of the diaphragm which improves strength and reduces the material cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Nansheng Sun
  • Patent number: 6921091
    Abstract: A sealing boot intended to ensure the sealing of a transmission joint connecting two shafts. The sealing boot includes a boot body having a bead at each end to contact and seal the periphery of the shaft or an element of the joint integral with the shaft. Each bead includes a radial outer shoulder forming a transition between the bead and the boot body, and a bearing surface extending from the shoulder and adapted to receive an element for fixing the bead against the shaft or associated joint element. The bearing surface is extended without an increase in its external diameter as far as the end of the bead. The shoulder forms a stop for longitudinal positioning during the mounting of the fixing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Claude Neviani
  • Patent number: 6877749
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of providing a seal (300) for a movable rod (111) is described. The seal includes a flexible material (303) and a rigid seat (305) that may be utilized as a spring seat. The flexible material (303) has an opening with annular grooves and/or bumps (301) that provide a seal with the rod (111) when it moves axially and/or non-axially, for example, within a cylinder (109) in which the rod (111) and seal (300) are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas B. Warmoth, Kevin L. Yost
  • Patent number: 6866271
    Abstract: A sealing device for use with a drive shaft of a water vessel. The sealing device comprises a housing for a seal and bearing, a compression ring, a lip seal flange attachment and a diaphragm for tracking the movement of the shaft. The diaphragm is made of a resilient, flexible material and is operatively connected to the seal housing. In operation, the diaphragm tracks the motion of the drive shaft so that the drive shaft may move freely in the hull of the vessel. The diaphragm allows the rigid seal housing to also move in response to any axial, lateral or circular-axial (wobble-like) movement of the shaft so that a constant seal around the shaft is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventor: George MacDonald
  • Patent number: 6866015
    Abstract: To prevent the entry of ambient air and liquid such as rainwater into a direct acting type auto-by starter and thereby prevent the formation of rust in the auto-by starter, by adjusting pressure fluctuations in the auto-by starter caused by the operation of a starting valve for opening and closing a starting intake passage. A starting valve is lifted to open a starting intake passage to start an internal combustion engine. Pressure in a sliding space for the starting valve is increased, so that the gas in the sliding space flows out. The flow of the gas is absorbed by an increase in volume inside a bellows boot mounted on an upper portion of the starting valve. When the starting valve is lowered by the operation of a spring member, the pressure in the sliding space is reduced to allow the gas flow from the bellows boot into the sliding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Masunaga, Kazuhito Hotta
  • Publication number: 20040256814
    Abstract: A flanged boot having a rolling bearing interface suitable for connection to two mechanical components which are movable with respect to each other, in terms of both rotational and axial movements. The flanged boot has a first annular flange at one end and a second annular at the other end. A rolling bearing, such as for example a roller (needle) or ball bearing, is press-fit onto a suitably configured structure of a first mechanical component. One of the first and second annular flanges is interfaced sealingly with respect to the rolling bearing. The other of the first and second annular flanges is sealingly connected to a second mechanical component. Either of the first or second mechanical components may be considered to be moving relative to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Steve W. Creek
  • Patent number: 6832763
    Abstract: A protective bellows formed by injection (blow) moulding has a large-diameter end with a fixing collar (28) for sealingly embracing an externally tri-lobed surface of a housing of an articulation joint for a motor vehicle transmission. The fixing collar (28) comprises a circumferential outer surface 29 and an inner surface (30). The inner surface (30) is made up of part-circumferentially curved surface portions (30A, 30B, 30C) for engaging the three lobes of the housing, and three equi-angularly spaced inwardly curved integral surface portions (32A, 32B, 32C) which are shaped to engage the spaces or grooves between the three lobes on the housing. The resilient material between the outer surface (29) and each inwardly curved surface portion (32A, 32B, 32C) is formed with several slots (34) arranged with their depths directed in a radial direction. The slots (34) aid the de-moulding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Trelleborg AB
    Inventors: Sebastien Huchet, Jean Luc Bouhour, Bernard Marhic
  • Patent number: 6827242
    Abstract: A through-flow closure for a receptacle of flowable material, the closure includes a body part having a charging aperture and a closure operating member for opening the closure device of a container. There is an annular gap between the edge of the aperture and the closure operating device. A stretchable annular sealing member attached to the body part. The sealing member seals the gap between the body part and the closure operating member when the receptacle and container are separated and forms a seal between the body part and the container when the receptacle and the container are moved together and prior to the closure operating member opening the closure device of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Ivan Semenenko
  • Patent number: 6824139
    Abstract: An overmolded diaphragm pump for applying pumping force to a fluid such as liquid ink for ink-jet printing. The pump structure includes a rigid substrate having at least one chamber opening, and an elastomeric diaphragm and sealing structure fabricated of an elastomeric material. This diaphragm and sealing structure is overmolded over a portion of the rigid substrate and includes at least one diaphragm portion extending over a corresponding chamber opening. A gland seal portion makes a seal between the elastomeric diaphragm and sealing structure and a mating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Louis C. Barinaga, Dan D. Dowell
  • Publication number: 20040217554
    Abstract: An elastic sealing bellows for a ball and socket joint, preferably for chassis suspensions or steering mechanisms of motor vehicles is presented, in which the ball and socket joint has a joint housing with a pivot pin, which is mounted therein rotatably and pivotably and is fixed therein with a corresponding pin part at a chassis-side mount. The sealing bellows (1) is fixed statically at the joint housing and by a sealing seat (8) having a sealing lip (7), which surrounds the pin part (4), and is arranged at a sealing bellows flange and bulges forward toward the pin part (4) in a bead-like manner. The internal diameter (d) surrounding the pin part (4) is selected to be smaller than the external diameter (D) of the corresponding area of the pin part. A pushing spring system has a pushing force generated by the deformation of the sealing lip (7) and provides a sufficient pressing force to achieve a durable sealing action of the sealing seat (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Olaf Abels
  • Patent number: 6811158
    Abstract: A seal for sealing an interface between a piston shaft (4) of an expander mechanism for a disk brake and an inner surface of a housing (5) of the brake in which the shaft is received is described. The seal comprises: a laterally outwardly disposed portion (11) adapted to engage a portion of the housing in fixed relation therewith; a laterally inwardly disposed portion (12) which is adapted to form a static seal with a surface of the shaft; and an intermediate portion (13) interconnecting said laterally outwardly disposed portion (11) and said laterally inwardly disposed portion (12) such that the laterally inwardly disposed portion is permitted to move axially together with the shaft relative to the laterally outwardly disposed portion, in use, in static sealing relationship with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Carl Edward Heinlein, Bruce Montgomery Gardiner
  • Patent number: 6808207
    Abstract: A boot is disposed between two members movable relative to each other. The boot includes a plurality of contracting portions situated adjacent to each other. In an unloaded condition, the contracting portions extend in a longitudinal direction and are gradually offset in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In a contracted condition when at least one of the members moves toward the other member along the longitudinal direction, the contracting portions are overlapped with each other in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakano, Masahiko Iwai
  • Patent number: 6796563
    Abstract: A hermetic seal (10) for a limited rotation device (12) includes a plurality of vertical convolutes (18) bonded to a device housing (16) at their respective first ends (19). At their respective second ends (21), plurality of the vertical convolutes (18) are bonded to a plurality of horizontal convolutes (20). The plurality of horizontal convolutes (20) are bonded to a device shaft (14) at an end opposite of the plurality of vertical convolutes (18). The plurality of vertical convolutes (18) stretch in order to provide limited rotation and the horizontal convolutes (20) expand or contract to accommodate length changes of the plurality of vertical convolutes (18). The hermetic seal (10) permits limited rotation while defining a barrier (26) and preventing viscous fluid leakage to an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dale T. Ruebsamen, Steve L. Hadden, Toren S. Davis
  • Publication number: 20040164500
    Abstract: A boot with O-ring seal for sealing around an article such as a universal joint housing includes a boot having a hollow body adapted to tightly receive the article. An O-ring extends lengthwise within an internal annular groove in the body. The O-ring, in its natural free state condition, has a radial dimension which is greater than the depth of the groove so that when the article is received in the body the O-ring is deformed and makes sealing contact with the article. The O-ring, in its natural free state condition, has an axial dimension which is less than the width of the groove by an amount such that when the article is received in the body and the O-ring makes sealing contact with the article, the O-ring is deformed into the space between the side walls of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Allen Devers
  • Patent number: 6764243
    Abstract: A protruding part formed on one split end part of a boot is temporarily fixed to a recessed part formed on the other split end part in the state where step-shaped hook portions formed on one-end thereof are engagingly locked to each other, and connected by welding, fusion or adhesion. The protruding part is hooked only in one thickness directional side. An overlapping protruding part formed on the non-hook side (inner side) of the recessed part is connected extending over the inside surface of the protruding part and the inside surface of the split end part continued thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuaki Inuzuka, Yoshifumi Kojima, Hiromitsu Yamoto, Yukihisa Tateishi, Kenichi Fujimoto, Kazuhiko Fujimoto, Atsushi Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20040100040
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for use at a building penetration to seal against airflow and the spread of fire includes a gasket (5) and a retaining plate (6). The gasket seals with a sealing contact against both the penetrating member (3) and the wall surfaces (4) adjacent to the penetration (2). The gasket is resiliently flexible and is positioned in a compressed state to ensure that a seal will be maintained, notwithstanding shifting of the penetrating member with respect to the penetration by frictional slippage between the seal and the adjacent wall surfaces. The compressed state of the gasket is maintained by the retaining plate, which is fastened to the penetrating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Sakno
  • Patent number: 6739596
    Abstract: A compartment seal is disposed about an automotive tube or hose at the automotive firewall to prevent leakage of smoke and fumes generally from an engine compartment to an occupant compartment. The compartment seal comprises a rigid washer body member having a plurality of apertures circumferentially arranged around an opening therethrough,. The plurality of apertures is receptive to fasteners for attachment of the body member to the automotive firewall to provide a seal between the engine compartment and the occupant compartment. The tube or hose is attached to fittings at either end and passes through the opening in the body member. The body member includes a seal component within the opening configured to form a seal between a periphery of the hose and the seal component. The seal component is disposed within the opening of the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Seals-It
    Inventors: Lois Z. Matczak, Stanley E. Matczak
  • Publication number: 20040056434
    Abstract: An axle boot for joint sealing, in particular on the drive train of motor vehicles, includes a substantially axisymmetric bellows, which is designed as a single piece with a connecting collar. The connecting collar has a plurality of indentations projecting towards the inside that are adapted to radial recesses in the external contour of the joint housing. To the outside of the connecting collar are attached compensating pieces that complete the external contour, forming a cylindrical circumferential surface on which a clamp is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Joachim Wolf, Andreas Kammann
  • Publication number: 20040051255
    Abstract: To prevent the entry of ambient air and liquid such as rainwater into a direct acting type auto-by starter and thereby prevent the formation of rust in the auto-by starter, by adjusting pressure fluctuations in the auto-by starter caused by the operation of a starting valve for opening and closing a starting intake passage. A starting valve is lifted to open a starting intake passage to start an internal combustion engine. Pressure in a sliding space for the starting valve is increased, so that the gas in the sliding space flows out. The flow of the gas is absorbed by an increase in volume inside a bellows boot mounted on an upper portion of the starting valve. When the starting valve is lowered by the operation of a spring member, the pressure in the sliding space is reduced to allow the gas flow from the bellows boot into the sliding space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Akinobu Masunaga, Kazuhito Hotta