Abstract: A load sensing gasket having a gasket body defining a service opening for fluids and having a load sensor encased in a cavity in the body. The gasket body comprises a first gasket layer providing a first outer gasketing surface and a first inner surface, a second gasket layer providing a second outer gasketing surface and a second inner surface, the inner surfaces together defining the cavity and side walls for defining a perimeter for the cavity. The load sensor includes confronting electrodes and a pressure sensitive electrically resistive material between the electrodes and conductors extending outwardly of the perimeter. A seal between the first and second gasket layers around the load sensor seals the electrodes in the cavity from fluids when the gasket is in use.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing a specimen under compressive or tensile load under close, reproducible tolerances and conditions. Confronting platens having surfaces which act against the specimen are provided with an in-line wedge assembly which drives the platens to load the specimen. The platens and wedge assembly are positioned between the top and base of a frame assembly. The top and base are connected by side plate members which are tensioned when the wedge assembly is operated to load the specimen via the platens. The test fixture also has a load cell in line with the platens and which is acted against by the platens to continuously sense the load applied to the specimen.

Abstract: A head gasket for an automotive engine having an elongated gasket body comprising a metallic core having upper and lower surfaces, with a plurality of spaced generally circular combustion openings defined by the gasket body. A metallic fire ring is disposed in each combustion opening adjacent the peripheral edge of said combustion opening. A plurality of pairs of stakes displaced radially from the upper and lower surfaces of the fire ring overlying and underlying the metallic core floatingly support the fire rings in the associated combustion openings. A method of making such a head gasket is also disclosed.

Abstract: A contact sensor formed of a pair of thin flexible insulating sheets and having a plurality of elongate flexible leads, each connected to a single terminal and having an independent sensing pad positionable via the elongate flexible leads at separate selected locations between a pair of confronting surfaces to separately and independently sense the loads applied at the separate selected locations.

Abstract: A head gasket sealing assembly having a two-stage seal ring positioned to sealingly circumscribe each said combustion opening, each seal ring defining a pair of annular sections which are integrally formed, one of which lies radially inwardly of the other, one section being readily deformable and compressible and having a vertical dimension greater than that of the second section and providing an initial compressible seal, the second section being less readily deformable and compressible in use and providing a secondary seal and resistance to thermal push in use.

Abstract: A generally rectangular, flat gasket for use in sealing oil pan covers. The gasket has a main body with a rigid core and facing layers. The ends of the main body have a greater thickness than that of the main body. The gasket may be shipped in a flat condition, but is bendable in the zones of the ends to form arched ends for sealing purposes. A method of making such a gasket is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gasket formed from an elastomer precoated metallic sheet which is then perforated to provide projecting clinching tangs and thereafter combined with a facing layer to form gasketing material. The gasketing material is thereafter blanked to provide service and other openings. A method of making that gasket is also disclosed.

Abstract: This application discloses a method of producing gasketing material having an expansive solid metallic core and a densified facing covering a face of the core adhesively bonding a moderate density non-asbestos facing formed by a paper-making process to the core face and then, densifying the facing by compressing said facing in a series of at least 2 passes through compression rollers, thereby to densify said facing to a minimum of 80% of its ultimate density, while reducing the thickness of the facing to no more than 80% of its original thickness, all without significant distortion or destruction of said facing, and the gasketing material resulting from the practice of the method.

Abstract: A method of forming a gasket with an accurately aligned and deposited sealing bead and embossment arrangement. The method comprises providing a deformable gasket body having two spaced apart major surfaces. The next step involves applying a relatively imcompressible sealing material against one of the major surfaces on the gasket body with sufficient pressure and in a manner deforming both of the major surfaces of the gasket body. The deformation of the gasket body defines an embossment comprising a projection extending outwardly from one major surface and a substantially corresponding indentation extending inwardly from the other major surface. Besides creating an embossment, sealing material remains in and fills the indentation to provide support for the embossment. Another step in the process involves curing the sealing material filling the indentation in the gasket body.

Abstract: A gasket such as a cylinder head gasket molded of an amorphous fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin composite having at least 3% by weight of reinforcing fibers, and having an integral non-elastomeric sealing bead extending above the gasket body and surrounding at least one service opening, and a method of making such a gasket.

Abstract: A multiple-layered gasket comprising a metallic gasket body including multiple interconnected gasket sections. The multiple-gasket sections are interconnected along opposed peripheral edges in a manner allowing one gasket section to be folded into an overlapping engaging relationship with another gasket section. After the gasket sections are folded upon each other, bendable tabs extending from one or more of the gasket sections are manipulated to maintain the gasket sections in their relative folded condition. The present invention further contemplates a method for making such a multiple-layered gasket.

Abstract: A head gasket having a beam functioning fire ring in the combustion opening and having a bead overlying a recess, the recess having a width at least twice as great as the width of the bead, the height of the bead being no greater than the height of the recess and preferably no more than 60% of the height of the recess. The fire ring may be a separate annulus disposed in the combustion opening and have a pair of spaced feet straddling and defining the recess.

Abstract: A gasket assembly comprising a main gasket body and a sealing insert member retained within an opening in the body is disclosed, as is a method of making the assembly. The sealing insert member, which may comprise a sealing grommet or the like, is provided with a plurality of star-like deformable tabs at the outer periphery thereof, with each of the tabs initially formed in a generally dished configuration. The opening in the gasket body which receives the insert member includes a plurality of tab-receiving apertures at the outer edge thereof, with each of the deformable tabs respectively received within one of the apertures. Upon positioning of the insert member within the opening, each of the deformable tabs is deformed, such as by swaging between associated punches, whereby each tab is flattened and urged into engagement with the associated gasket body for retention of the sealing insert member in position.

Abstract: A torque to yield indicator and method. An indicator and dial members are coaxially mounted relative to the shank of a torque wrench. One corotates with the shank; the other is freewheeling. After the specified torque load is applied to a fastener, the freely rotatable member is held against movement. When the torque wrench is further rotated, the dial and scale on the members show the amount of relative angular movement which is stopped when the preselected amount of rotation has occurred.

Abstract: A process of forming a gasket with a minimal production of waste material is disclosed. A suitable fiber is mixed with a binder in water to form a fiber-binder aqueous mixture. The mixture is then deposited on a screen in a predetermined pattern to form a gasket preform with apertures in predetermined locations therein. The gasket preform is subsequently dewatered and cured. The gasket preform can be provided with differential thicknesses and preformed inserts to impart, respectively, selective control of the sealing capability of and reinforcement to the resulting gasket.

Abstract: A method of making a gasket is disclosed. Peaks, such as those formed by embossments are formed in a main gasket body, the peaks projecting from a major surface of the gasket body. The projecting peaks are roller coated with a sealant material which is then cured, thereby inexpensively to form an improved gasket.

Abstract: A laminated expanded graphite gasket, such as an automotive head gasket, comprising a core and compressed expanded graphite facings and defining clear-through openings. A thin metallic layer is positioned on the graphite facing over less than 75% of the area of the facing for at least partial embeddment therein to enhance sealing stress in the covered portions, to improve impingment resistance of the gasket, and to improve other properties of expanded graphite gaskets.