Abstract: A hydraulic damper for providing fluid damping to a tensioner in a drive system that includes a damper cup, which is mounted to the tensioner and configured to rotate about a central axle in tandem with the tensioner, an end plate having an outer face and an inner face, which is attached to the damper cup forming a fluid chamber, a pin attached to the end plate and extending away from the inner face and toward the damping cup, a damping fluid, which is contained within the fluid chamber, a rotatable plate having an opening configured to accept the pin through the rotatable plate and rotate about the central axle, and a fixed plate having an opening configured to accept the pin through the fixed plate, which is fixed to and does not rotate about the central axle. During wind-up and tensioning of the tensioner, a shear force is applied to the rotatable plate moving through the damping fluid to provide damping to the tensioner.

Abstract: A connector insert for coupling a hose to a tube and an assembly using the connector insert is described wherein the connector insert has a first end, a second end and a uniformly tubular body member along a longitudinal axis. The tubular body member further includes a es a flared member extending radially outward and in the direction of the first end to form an annular ridge and the flared member further tapers radially inward toward said first end forming a first annular rim adjacent the first end. The annular rim has a smaller circumference than the circumference of the annular ridge. The tapered portion enhances the ability of the hose to form a bead and also to prevent pull-off.

Abstract: A hose clamp having overlapping ends with radially outwardly extending tabs. A first tab has an integral stop member engaging the second tab so that they are spaced in the radially unstressed position. The second tab has locking members engaged by the first tab in radially stressed position to retain this position when the hose is subjected to internal stress forces.

Abstract: A composition having improved fuel vapor barrier properties comprising a blend of about 20 to 80 weight percent of a first fluorointerpolymer with about 80 to 20 weight percent of a second fluorointerpolymer, the first fluorointerpolymer comprising a copolymer, terpolymer or mixture thereof formed by the copolymerization of two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene, and the second fluorointerpolymer comprising a copolymer, terpolymer or mixture thereof formed by the copolymerization of two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene, wherein the first fluorointerpolymer exhibits elastomer characteristics and the second fluorointerpolymer exhibits thermoplastic characteristics.

Abstract: An energy attenuation device for a conduit conveying a liquid under pressure, a system incorporating same, and a method for attenuating energy in a conduit, are provided. The device includes a conduit, a restrictor disposed in the conduit and dividing the interior thereof into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, and a first tube disposed in one of the chambers, wherein an annular space is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the conduit and an outer peripheral surface of the tube. One end of the tube is connected to and in fluid communication with the restrictor or with the inlet or outlet end of the one chamber, and the other, free end of the tube is spaced by an open gap from the inlet or the outlet end of the one chamber or from the restrictor. The tube has at least one aperture in the free end and/or on the peripheral surface thereof for providing fluid communication between the tube and the one chamber.

Abstract: A thermoplastic tube for transfer of hydrocarbon fuel comprising an inner fluoroplastic layer and an outer polyamide layer bonded to the fluoroplastic layer wherein an adhesion promoter is included in at least one of the layers is disclosed. The adhesion promoter is an unsubstituted or substituted phenol salt of 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5,4,0]undec-7-ene on a novolac carrier which functions to increase the adhesive bond strength between the two layers. The adhesion promoter provides a chemically bonded adhesion in addition to the mechanical adhesion associated with extrusion or lamination of the layers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curved tubular article wherein said tubular article is composed of a thermoplastic, thermosetting, elastomeric, or a hybrid construction of an elastomer and a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, the tubular article having a predetermined three-dimensional serpentine configuration wherein the article exhibits a circular cross-section uniformly throughout the length of the article, the method comprising: providing a formable thermoplastic tubular preform; securing the ends of the preform to respective coupling members such that the preform is longitudinally interposed between the coupling members which are tensionally mounted on opposite sides of a base such that elongational tension is capable of being placed on the preform; filling the hollow interior of the preform with a heated fluid, the fluid being at a pressure sufficient to support the preform; applying mechanical pressure to the exterior surface of the fluid-containing preform at one or more predetermined areas along t

Abstract: An energy attenuation apparatus for a system conveying liquid under pressure, and a method for attenuating energy in such a system, are provided. The apparatus includes a hose or tubular casing having an inlet opening for receiving liquid from the system, and an outlet opening for returning the liquid to the system. An inlet conduit extends concentrically into the hose or tubular casing, with an annular space being formed between the inlet conduit and the tubular casing. At least one aperture for introducing liquid into the annular space from the inlet conduit is provided on a portion thereof that is disposed in the tubular casing.

Abstract: A liquid conveying hose with an integral valve mounted on the end connector thereof. The valve allows the user to control the volume of the liquid at the end of the hose even though distant from the supply. The flow of liquid can be turned on or off or reduced to any volume therebetween.

Abstract: An endless belt construction and method of making the same are provided, the endless belt construction being formed mainly of polymeric material and comprising a tension section, a compression section, a load carrying section disposed between the tension section and the compression section and being secured thereto, one of the sections comprising a plurality of layers of polymeric material disposed in stacked relation, and a paper-thin sheet of non-woven material disposed between an adjacent pair of the layers of polymeric material and being secured thereto during heat curing of the belt construction, wherein the thin sheet bleeds gaseous matter trapped between the adjacent pair of layers during the heat curing.

Abstract: An energy attenuation device for a fluid-conveying line, and a method for attenuating energy in such a line, are provided. The device includes one or more hose sections disposed in the fluid-conveying line, and at least one spring disposed in at least a portion of each of the hose sections.

Abstract: A compostion having improved fuel vapor barrier properties comprising a blend of about 20 to 80 weight percent of a first fluorointerpolymer with about 80 to 20 weight percent of a second fluorointerpolymer, the first fluorointerpolymer comprising a copolymer, terpolymer or mixture thereof formed by the copolymerization of two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene, and the second fluorointerpolymer comprising a copolymer, terpolymer or mixture thereof formed by the copolymerization of two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluorotheylene, wherein the first fluorointerpolymer exhibits elastomer characteristics and the second fluorointerpolymer exhibits thermoplstic characteristics.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes a stationary housing extending along a pivot shaft an lever arm mounted coaxially with the housing on the pivot shaft and formed with a free end which receives a pulley assembly juxtaposed with a belt to be tensioned. The arm is formed with a compartment receiving a damping assembly which slows down displacement of the lever arm and the pulley assembly upon pivoting the lever arm away from the belt.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes a stationary bracket mounted at the front of an engine and a pivotal arm operatively connected to the bracket and forming a plurality of channels with respective supporting surfaces of the bracket. The channels receive a plurality of bushings so as to increase an overall supporting surface of the belt-tensioner.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes a stationary spring case receiving a pivotal arm supporting a pulley and biased in a belt-tensioning direction by a spring element. The arm is provided with a surface supporting an armplate bushing having an inner diameter and juxtaposed with an armplate. The armplate has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the armplate bushing so as, upon radially riveting the armplate to a stationary shaft during assembly of the tensioner, an inner area of the armplate is resiliently bent. The bushing is provided with a taper, so that the respective juxtaposed surfaces of the bushing and armplate extend complimentary to each other upon deflection of the armplate.

Abstract: A compostion having improved fuel vapor barrier properties comprising a blend of about 20 to 80 weight percent of a first fluorointerpolymer with about 80 to 20 weight percent of a second fluorointerpolymer, the first fluorointerpolymer comprising a copolymer, terpolymer or mixture thereof formed by the copolymerization of two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene, and the second fluorointerpolymer comprising a copolymer, terpolymer or mixture thereof formed by the copolymerization of two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluorotheylene, wherein the first fluorointerpolymer exhibits elastomer characteristics and the second fluorointerpolymer exhibits thermoplstic characteristics.

Abstract: A flexible elastomeric fluid conveying hose which includes a rigid coupling having a member extending partially into the hose body. A stress relief member, in the form of a helical spring, is mounted directly on the coupling member and also inserted into the body to prevent kinking or collapsing of the hose.

Abstract: A flexible hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the flexible hose construction comprising an inner tube made of polymeric material, an outer sleeve of reinforcing material disposed in telescoping relation on the inner tube from one end thereof to the other end thereof, rib structure disposed between the sleeve of reinforcing material and the inner tube, the rib structure being disposed on the inner tube so as to define alternating coil structure of rib structure and coil structure of non-rib structure serially along the longitudinal axis of the inner tube in a like repeating pattern thereof, the coil structure of non-rib structure comprise coil structure of void space, and an outer tube of polymeric material disposed between the rib structure and the sleeve of reinforcing material so as to extend in a generally straight-line manner from coil structure of the rib structure to coil structure of the rib structure so as to tend to prevent the sleeve of reinforcing material from entering i

Abstract: A corrugated non-reinforced polymeric flexible hose which has at least the outer crests formed with flat apices. The valleys of the corrugations may also have flat apices. The crests and valleys are connected by side walls extending at a shallow angle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crosslinked thermoplastic hose capable of withstanding high temperatures and having chemical, abrasion, and tear resistant characteristics, for use in a high performance hose, comprising adding to an extruder a mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a crosslinking agent; wherein the crosslinked hose is formed in the absence of a mandrel is disclosed.