Abstract: A gasket, such as an exhaust manifold gasket, having improved recovery, sealability and stiffness characteristics. The gasket has two embossed metallic layers and an intermediate compressed expanded graphite layer having a density of at least about 70 pounds per cubic foot. The embossments of the metallic layers are vertically aligned, the vertically aligned embossments extending in the same direction. The embossments are positioned around a clear-through service aperture.

Abstract: A head gasket assembly for closely adjacent cylinder bores and method of making the assembly. In the zone of adjacency of the combustion openings in the gasket assembly, part of the gasket body material is absent. Adjacent armoring is joined to form a bridge at the zone of adjacency. The armoring has wires which are substantially greater in thickness than the gasket body material. When the gasket assembly is pre-compressed and compressed in use, the wires in the zone of adjacency are deformed into sealing engagement with each other.

Abstract: A method of making a gasket assembly of enhanced sealing characteristics comprising the steps of providing a gasket body having an expansive metallic core and at least one compressible fiber-elastomer facing layer and defining at least one clear-through opening, providing a silk screen through which a fluid silicone sealant material is adapted to be squeezed in a desired sealing pattern onto the gasket body, squeezing through the silk screen a fluid, moisture-carbon dioxide curable, silicone sealant material which is curable in the presence of high humidity and carbon dioxide levels into a desired sealing pattern onto the facing layer without intervening barrier coats, preheating the gasket body to a temperature of from about 170.degree. F. to about 185.degree. F.

Abstract: A gasket assembly having improved compression stoppers. The stoppers facilitate the rapid, easy and certain securance of the stoppers in a predetermined relationship in a gasket assembly. A gasket assembly, in accordance with this invention desirably comprises a main body having a pair of side sections, each comprising a self supporting core member and compressible facings fast with the core member and defining fastener openings through which fasteners are adapted to pass. The core members extend along the side sections of the gasket assembly, said facings and said core providing side sections of a first thickness. The main body further comprises end portions joining the side sections. Separate compression stoppers are provided in the fastener openings.

Abstract: A gasket such as a head gasket having a sealing bead on the main body portion. The sealing bead terminates just short of the gasket periphery. An embossment at the periphery extends inwardly to the sealing bead and merges therewith. The embossment and bead may merge on the extension portion of a head gasket to seal against the passage of oil from the associated engine crankcase.

Abstract: A gasket assembly having a gasket member defining an opening therethrough and a substantially flat surface portion around the opening is disclosed herein. A first low extrusion-resistant elastomeric sealing bead is disposed on the flat surface portion of the gasket member circumscribing the opening. A second high extrusion-resistant bead is disposed on the flat surface portion of the gasket member circumscribing the opening and lying closely adjacent to the first sealing bead. A third high extrusion-resistant bead is disposed on the flat surface portion of the gasket member circumscribing the opening and lying closely adjacent to the first sealing bead, the second and third beads straddling the first sealing bead. The first sealing bead has an overall height which is greater than the heights of the second and third beads. When said gasket member is placed under compression, the second and third beads restrict displacement of the first bead to prevent extrusion of the first sealing bead.

Abstract: An oil pan cover or the like and gasket assembly for juxtaposition with a member to be sealed thereby, the cover providing a surface defining a sealing flange adapted to confront the surface of a member to be sealed, the flange surface defining an elongated groove for receiving the gasket assembly. The groove is T-shaped and includes a first internal groove section and a second wider groove section intersecting the surface of the flange. The gasket assembly is T-shaped and has an elongated body generally complementary in configuration to the groove, and includes a first elongated elastomeric sealing section adapted to be positioned and compressed between the wider groove section and the member to provide a seal therebetween, and a second elastomeric rigidifying bead, the sealing section and the bead being integrally molded, and a reinforcing wire fast with the rigidifying bead to rigidify the elongated body.

Abstract: A sectional gasket assembly and method of making same from at least two elongated gasket sections. Each gasket section has a first connecting element at one end and a second connecting element at the second end. The first end has a first button and a first opening of a given configuration and serving as the first connecting element. The second end has a second button and a second opening of the same configuration serving as the second connecting element. The first end is adapted to be juxtaposed and sealingly mated with an end of a second elongated gasket section to provide a sealed joint thereat. Each juxtaposed opening and button is press-fit to enhance the seal. When the buttons and openings at each end of the gasket section are formed on the same surface of the gasket section, pairs of first openings and buttons may be juxtaposed in complementary fashion, and when the gasket sections are curved or L-shaped, plural pairs of joined gasket sections may be assembled to form an annular gasket assembly.

Abstract: A high temperature resistant gasket assembly comprises a metallic sheet member defining a plurality of openings, including at least two bolt holes through which bolts are adapted to pass and at least one high pressure opening for surrounding a high pressure zone to be sealed. The metallic sheet member defines a surface zone adjacent the high pressure opening. A metallic wire is disposed on a surface zone of the metallic sheet member closely adjacent to the high pressure opening to effect a seal at the surface zone. Preferably, the metallic sheet is of a low carbon steel and the wire is a copper wire. A second metallic sheet member of substantially the same shape, form and material as the metallic sheet member may be positioned to overlie the metallic wire, and to confront the first sheet member to form a sandwich with the wire between the sheet members. The second sheet member has a second surface zone complementary to the first surface zone.

Abstract: A head gasket assembly including a compressible sealing member, such as a grommet, and a method of assembling same. The sealing member is suspended in an opening in the main body of the head gasket as by tabs formed with the grommet and by eyelets which are disposed in openings in the main body and which eyelets have heel and overlap flanges which overlie and underlie the tabs. The eyelets are headed to provide the overlap portion during assembly of the components of the head gasket assembly. In a preferred form the grommet is suspended for vertical "floating" movement in the opening in the main body of the gasket.

Abstract: A unitary, molded gasket assembly having a pair of side sections, each having a rigid assembly comprising a rigid core member and stop members. The stop members each define a fastener aperture through which a fastener is adapted to pass. The rigid core members extend along side portions of the gasket assembly. Elastomeric envelopes envelop each of the core members and provide side sections of a first thickness. Elastomeric end portions join the envelope. The stop members are hard, rigid, and high-temperature resistant, and are of a second thickness less than the first thickness. When the gasket assembly is compressed between elements to be sealed, the stop members limit compression of the gasket and limit displacement of the elastomeric envelopes. Each side section envelope is preferably provided with undercuts at its edges, the undercuts extending inwardly from the edges to over the core to limit displacement of the elastomer at the core edges.

Abstract: A gasket of improved compressibility and recovery characteristics, and high temperature resistance. The gasket has a central annular core having upper and lower generally flat face portions, and first and second annular sheet members having an upwardly projecting and downwardly facing annular embossment respectively, each defining a concave recess facing the associated flat face portion. The sheet members are secured to the core. A high temperature resistant filler material of high recovery characteristics is provided and trapped in each of the recesses in confronting relation to the respective flat face portions.

Abstract: A wind powered device on a support structure is provided with a drive shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on the support structure and is coupled to an electric generator connected to a utility power grid.A rotor is mounted on the support structure and is adapted to drive the shaft, hence the electric generator. The rotor has at least one rotor blade. The rotor is mounted to drive the shaft and also for limited relative rotational movement with respect to the drive shaft about the axis of the drive shaft as the wind velocity driving the rotor changes. The coupling between the shaft and rotor responds to increases and decreases in rotor torque so that as imbalances between shaft torque and rotor torque arise, the rotor tends to run ahead of or behind the shaft.

Abstract: A head gasket assembly particularly for an internal combustion engine. The gasket assembly has at least one combustion opening and a plurality of other apertures, and comprises at least a pair of expansive gasketing layers secured to each other. A sealing pattern of elastomer or metal or the like is provided between the layers so that they envelope the sealing pattern. The sealing pattern desirably surrounds at least one of the opening and the apertures for enhancing the sealing effect of the gasket assembly in the zone of the sealing pattern, thereby to protect the sealing pattern from direct contact with the engine head and block. The sealing pattern is adhered to one of the layers, and the layers are adhered to each other by adhesive under pressure in a zone closely surrounding the sealing pattern to restrict lateral movement of the sealing pattern and to compress and densify at least one of the layers in the zones overlying the sealing pattern to enhance the sealing characteristics of the gasket assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a composite gasket. A composite gasket is formed from an annular coiled strip of heat-resistant core material having a metallic tanged core and a facing layer, as of a mica-based material, integrated with the strip. The coil is placed in a first die and axially compressed under a relatively low pressure into a preform having a plurality of crevices in its face. The preform and a temperature-resistant sealing material, such as expanded graphite, are placed in a second die and the graphite and preform are axially compressed under high pressure to integrate the sealing material with the preform and to mechanically interlock the sealing material with crevices in the surface of the core material. The preform and sealing material are substantially deformed during the second axial compression to provide an improved composite gasket.

Abstract: A laminated valve cover gasket disposed between the valve cover and the head of an internal combustion engine providing a perimetric seal therebetween, including a metallic core, the body of which is imperforate, a relatively thick, conformable cork-rubber facing layer overlying the body, a relatively thin, fiber-reinforced rubber facing layer underlying the body, the cork-rubber facing layer being at least twice as thick as the fiber-reinforced rubber facing layer, and adhesive securing each of the layers to the body. The gasket assembly defines a central opening and a perimetric portion clamped between the flange of the valve cover and the engine head to provide the perimetric seal.

Abstract: An improved head gasket assembly for sealing the block and head of an internal combustion engine where the head mounts a precombustion chamber, and method of making that gasket assembly. The gasket assembly comprises a main gasket body and an armored fire ring mounted at the combustion openings. The fire ring provides a precombustion tab underlying the precombustion chamber, against which sealing occurs. To enhance that seal, an auxiliary sealing element is positioned between the wire ring and the precombustion tab.

Abstract: An improved cylinder head gasket assembly for an internal combustion engine. The zone of the metallic core of the gasket assembly immediately surrounding a combustion chamber is provided with an annular embossment defining a recess which is at least partially filled with a flexible, expanded compressible graphite material. The zone of the embossment is devoid of facing layers. Preferably, the embossment is embraced and ensheathed by armoring, so that the graphite material seals between the armor and the metallic core, all to enhance sealing of the combustion chamber. A secondary embossment filled with graphite material may provide a secondary seal.