Abstract: A sealing assembly for use with an internal combustion engine includes a gasket of elastomeric material inserted within a groove formed in the surface of an engine part. The gasket has an anchoring portion which fits within the groove and a sealing portion extending outside of said groove. The bottom, side and top walls of the groove form a retaining portion which is at least 5% larger than the anchoring portion of the gasket at the time of assembly. The anchoring portion may expand and fill the retaining portion of the groove upon exposure to the engine fluids. At least one top wall of the retaining portion of the groove opposes a shoulder of the anchoring portion of the gasket at an interior angle of not more than about ninety degrees.

Abstract: An automotive head gasket assembly and shim for installation between the head and block of an engine is disclosed. The head gasket includes a main body of a first thickness having a central core and compressible composite facing layers laminated to the surface of the core. The main body defines a plurality of combustion openings. A fire ring is disposed and secured in each combustion opening. Each of the fire rings includes a generally U-shaped armor having a pair of legs overlying and underlying the main body adjacent a combustion opening and a central body connecting the legs and ensheathing a wire ring for providing a combustion seal. A shim is temporarily disposed on the gasket on one of the facing layers. The shim surrounds each of the combustion openings and defines openings thereat of a size greater than the size of the wire ring so that the wire ring is disposed to lie within the opening.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a compressor or the like having improved sealing and noise reduction characteristics. A reed valve is provided with a gasketing layer, such as expanded graphite, which confronts the orifice plate. One reed valve plate also incorporates an integral, formed limiter portion to reduce the number of parts requiring assembly.

Abstract: A method of sealing a high performance internal combustion engine with a head gasket having a fire ring comprising providing a groove in the head or block generally concentric with each said combustion opening, each groove having a land area and a generally vertical wall, and positioning the gasket on the block so that when the head is torqued down, each groove receives a fire ring and compresses the wire ring thereof to provide a primary seal therewith at the land area, the wall engages the armor of the fire ring to form a secondary seal, and the head and block clamping surfaces engages the armor to clamp the armor. The head gasket has a main body of a first thickness and defines a plurality of combustion openings. A fire ring is disposed and secured in each combustion opening, each fire ring comprising an armor ensheathing a wire ring for providing a combustion seal. The armor is of a second thickness substantially greater than the first thickness. The armor and main body may be intergrally formed.

Abstract: A multi-layer metal gasket having aligned positioning and preform openings, with segments of the preform opening closely abutting the positioning openings to prevent relative lateral movement of the layers and with tabs of the preform opening underlying one of the other gasket layers to prevent relative vertical movement. A method of making such a gasket is also disclosed.

Abstract: A beam functioning fire ring mounted in main gasket body combustion openings straddles the block and cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine and seals combustion gases on the liner and liquids on the block. The fire ring may have a pair of combustion gas sealing feet on the liner and a single foot on the block. The thickness of the beam diminishes providing greater sealing stress against the liner and less sealing stress against the block where the sealing requirements are less stringent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gasket having an improved elastomeric sealing bead. The method includes the steps of providing an embossment in a gasket body and filling the cavity of the embossment with an elastomer. The gasket is then positioned in a press and the embossment is squeezed to displace the elastomer into a sealing bead which projects from the flattened recess and beyond the major surface of the gasket body. The gasket is then removed from the press prior to use and installation in its intended environment.

Abstract: A plastic gasket having a main body and an integrally formed sealing bead surrounding a service opening. The sealing bead is vertically moveable relative to the gasket body and has a first segment which projects above the main body and a second segment which is in line with the first segment and which is spaced inwardly of the main body. Integral reduced thickness cantilever sections join the sealing beads to the main body and cooperate with the beads to provide restorative energy under loading.

Abstract: A method of sealing a high performance internal combustion engine with a head gasket having a fire ring comprising providing a groove in the head or block generally concentric with each said combustion opening, each groove having a land area and a generally vertical wall, and positioning the gasket on the block so that when the head is torqued down, each groove receives a fire ring and compresses the wire ring thereof to provide a primary seal therewith at the land area, the wall engages the armor of the fire ring to form a secondary seal, and the head and block clamping surfaces engage the armor to clamp the armor. The head gasket has a main body of a first thickness including a central core and facing layers laminated to the core, and defines a plurality of combustion openings.

Abstract: A metal head gasket comprising a metal skeleton plate with fire rings in the combustion openings and elastomeric sealing beads around the fluid openings. The fire rings are integrated with the gasket via elastomeric bridges so that they float in the combustion openings and the fluid opening elastomeric seals are molded around those openings and embed struts and fill voids which at least partially surround the openings. The elastomeric bridges and seals are molded in situ and may all be molded with the metal plate in one operation.

Abstract: A molded thermoplastic resin gasket such as a cylinder head gasket having an integral, non-elastomeric compound, bead over bead, sealing bead projecting outwardly from the gasket body and surrounding at least one service opening.

Abstract: A plastic gasket having a combination sealing bead surrounding a service opening. The bead includes an embossment having a projection extending outwardly of one surface of the gasket body and defining a recess opening outwardly of the other surface of the gasket body. A sealing bead element is disposed in the recess to assist in effecting a seal when the gasket is clamped between a pair of flanges.

Abstract: A gasket having a metal core and a coextensive expanded graphite facing layer. The metal core provides a protective edge surrounding combustion openings. The edge is formed and curved downwardly to embrace the edge of the expanded graphite, but is not reentrant. The tip of the edge is spaced from the plane of the inner core surface by a distance equal to the thickness of the expanded graphite layer.

Abstract: A load washer comprising a pair of thin metal washers between which a contact sensor is positioned. The contact sensor includes pairs of confronting electrodes at a plurality of spaced zones with a pressure sensitive resistive material between each pair, which, under pressure, provide an indication of the force applied to the load washer.

Abstract: A multilayer gasket assembly and a method of making same in a verified correct sequence. Each layer defines sensing formations which sensing formations when stacked over an array of sensors sequentially in a superposed array verify and signify that the layers have been correctly stacked to enable a subsequent operation such as one which secures the layers together.

Abstract: A dispenser for a container of pipe sealant and the like comprising a dispensing closure for preventing the lateral spread of a compound contained by the container as it is dispensed and having a bristle assembly which prevents removal of the compound after it has been deposited and spread between the threads of a pipe.

Abstract: A calibration fixture for a contact sensor for applying a uniform pressure to each contact sensor intersection and a method of using the fixture. The fixture includes a first plate against which a contact sensor is supported, a second plate confronting the first plate and spaced therefrom, an annular sealing member supported on the second plate, a bladder disposed between the sealing member and the second plate to define a fluid pressure chamber circumscribed by the sealing member, a frame for holding the first and second plates in their confronting relationship, and a pressurized fluid entry passage extending through the second plate and communicating with the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A molded oil pan gasket having an integrally formed pair of elastomeric side sections and pair of elastomeric end sections and a rail in each of the side sections. Each rail is an elongated rigid thermoplastic member having a generally flat main body of a first thickness and a plurality of integrally formed, longitudinally spaced stops. Each stop provides a fastener opening. The stops are of a height substantially greater than the first thickness, but less than the thickness of the associated side section. A plurality of apertures are formed in each rail for integrating the rail and the elastomer of the associated side section. A series of abutments and stiffening ribs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated gasket assembly and method of making same is disclosed. The laminated gasket assembly comprises first and second sheets, each having a thin metallic layer having a thin elastomeric coating on at least one major surface, and an elastomeric layer interposed between, and joining, the sheets, with first and second thin elastomeric coatings facing outwardly in opposite directions. The gasket assembly defines at least one elevated pressure service opening therethrough. The sheets and layers are laminated and define an embossment around a service opening, with the elastomeric layer being conformed to the embossment.