Abstract: A particle exclusion assembly designed to operate in an inclined position and to protect an associated sealing assembly. The assembly includes radially inner and outer relatively rotatable walls and axially inner and outer baffles and a rotary, controlled porosity, open-celled element which substantially fills the cavity between the two walls and the two baffles. The open-celled element controls the rate of movement of particulate material and restricted annular opening is provided to control ingress and egress of particulate material from the open-celled element.

Abstract: A laser markable composite material which when so marked retains good color contrast after heat aging. The material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene resin, photosensitive filler material and an extrusion aid. The photosensitive material is preferably a metal oxide and has a larger mean particle size than typical pigments. Also disclosed is a sequence of milling, mixing and blending steps which forms the desired composite material.

Abstract: A labyrinth type seal assembly having one or more controlled porosity elements retained in the labyrinth pathway between relatively rotatable seal elements. Preferably the controlled porosity elements are formed of open celled foam material such as polyurethane. The controlled porosity elements assist in preventing the ingress of contaminating solid or liquid materials, the loss of sealed materials and the flooding or overloading of drain ports.

Abstract: A friction material and process of forming a friction material embodies a slurry of aramid, acrylic and carbon fibers, together with kaolin clay and aluminum oxide used as fillers in a phenolic resin binder. The matrix formed by the fibers entraps a relatively large quantity of carbon particles. The carbon particles comprise more than forty or fifty percent of the weight of the material. During the process of formation, the slurry is de-watered to reduce moisture content to the order of two percent before the resin binder is cured under heat and pressure.

Abstract: A straight stream nozzle for use in directing a liquid stream at a solid surface with greater force at greater distances. The nozzle has concentric arrays of ports around a solid center. As liquid is forced through the ports, that liquid passing through the outer array of ports shields that passing through the inner array and the solid nozzle center creates a hollow center in the liquid stream which tends to promote cohesion of the inner array of streams into a single more highly concentrated stream which produces high impact at a substantial distance.

Abstract: A unitized wheel hub and bearing assembly for use on the ends of stationary axles and particularly on tractor and trailer axles. A wheel hub, a pair of bearings and at least one seal are assembled with a mounting sleeve which is sized to be fitted on an axle end. The inclusion of a custom designed mounting sleeve permits the building of unitized assemblies to be used with existing axles as well as with new ones. The unitized construction allows pre-adjustment of the bearings and when two seals are employed, the bearings can also be pre-lubricated.

Abstract: A check valve having a reduced or zero pressure drop and more particularly such a valve in combination with a spray nozzle. The check valve includes a sealed gas chamber which has within it a closed-cell foam element which insures that some gas remains in the chamber even if the primary seal fails. The new valve/nozzle combination allows valve operating pressure to be set very close to nozzle operation pressure which allows the nozzle to achieve full spray more quickly at start-up and a more immediate cessation of flow at shut off.

Abstract: A sintered fluorocarbon resin based composite friction material having a high coefficient of friction, greater hardness, good machineability and improved wear resistance. The composite material comprises a homogeneous blend of fluorocarbon resin, aramid and carbon fibers, aluminum oxide and polyester compound. Also provided are process steps required to produce such materials with the desired characteristics of homogeneity, hardness and wear resistance. These steps include a premix together of the fiber components and final sintering at a pressure of about 1600 psi.

Abstract: A combination for retaining a solenoid valve assembly in position on a transmission housing comprises a protrusion on the housing and a resilient U-shaped clip. The protrusion has a cylindrical pocket to receive a portion of the solenoid assembly and a clip receiving slot which is perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the pocket. The clip is substantially planar and holds the solenoid assembly in place by simultaneously engaging aligned slots in the protrusion and in the solenoid assembly. At the free ends of the U-shaped clip are inwardly extending toe portions which cause opposed arms of the clip to be flexed resiliently outwardly as the clip is inserted into or withdrawn from the aligned slots in the protrusion and in the solenoid assembly. Broad bladed legs intermediate the arms and toes enable the clip to withstand fluid pressure which tends to eject the solenoid assembly from the pocket.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal ring designed to function properly regardless of its rotational orientation relative to a horizontal shaft to be sealed. The novel seal ring bore is formed with a series of lands and grooves, with a plurality of axially extending drainage grooves cut across the axially inner lands to allow fluid to drain back into the associated housing interior. The pattern of the drainage grooves varies from land to land so that nowhere is there a direct flow path across more than two lands. The new ring will most likely be used in conjunction with a bearing isolator seal, but it may be used alone in some applications.

Abstract: A method for welding together filled sintered polytetrafluoroethylene components. The ends of the components to be welded are carefully tapered to form reverse mated surfaces and then assembled in position to be welded. The actual welding step is carried out under heat and pressure followed by cooling under pressure. The process is particularly useful in the fabrication of very large gaskets or other very large planar objects.

Abstract: A tool for use in stretching or elongating an axle ring so that it may be removed from an associated axle. A lever with an elongated nose impacts against a narrow band across the width of the axle ring and produces a peening or plastic flow action to elongate the ring. The tool includes means for locating itself on the axle to properly position the nose both axially and radially.

Abstract: A lip type bonded shaft seal adapted to seal against substantial fluid pressure. The seal includes a low-friction liner bonded to a sealing portion of an elastomeric element which is bonded to a U-shaped metal shell which helps to support the sealing lip portion. The low-friction liner is not bonded to any part of the metal shell.

Abstract: A method for molding an annular lip type shaft seal 10 of the type having an annular elastomeric shaft seal element 12 and a resin liner 14 (preferably polytetrafluoroethylene) integrally molded therewith and bonded thereto, including providing a step or shoulder 36 on the mold core 26 to prevent the resin liner 14 from flowing axially beyond a predetermined location during molding. The method includes providing a certain range of acute angles ".alpha." between the shoulder surface 42 and the liner forming surface 38 of the mold core surface 34, and a certain range of shoulder heights "d" relative to the liner thickness "t", for various values of the initial viscosity of the elastomeric preform 18. The percentage of rejects due to undesired flow of the resin liner 14 during molding has been greatly reduced.

Abstract: A shaft seal with a reformable shell and a seal lip which can be readily installed over a roughened, enlarged or irregular portion of a shaft and then be reformed so that the sealing lip is brought into proper sealing engagement with the shaft.