Abstract: An air spring including a spring seat, and a flexible sleeve connected to the spring seat. The flexible sleeve forms a compression chamber and includes a lobe that rolls along a surface of the spring seat during compression of the flexible sleeve. An annular barrier is disposed on the spring seat between the lobe of the flexible sleeve and the surface of the spring seat to deflect debris and ice from becoming lodged or trapped in the spring seat that may damage the flexible sleeve.

Abstract: A center bearing support providing improved impact harshness, load capacity, and long term fatigue durability through the introduction of a tunable stopper element which allows greater control as the excitation levels of a supported shaft are increased, including an inner element installed on the inner periphery surface of an outer element fixed to a body side through an elastic body made of elastomer material and a center bearing or bushing installed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner element, wherein a stopper extending convergently is formed at the end part of the flexible main body of the elastic body, and a rib is formed between the stopper and the end part of the flexible main body at a specific phase interval, whereby, because a deformation force given by the contact of the stopper with the outer ring when an excessive displacement is input is absorbed by the displacement of the end part of the flexible main body, an abrupt rise of a spring constant can be suppressed.

Abstract: Processable rubber compositions comprising a vulcanized elastomer dispersed in a matrix of a thermoplastic polymeric material. In one embodiment the matrix forms a continuous phase and the vulcanized elastomeric material is in the form of particles forming a non-continuous phase. The compositions are made by combining a curative, an uncured fluorocarbon elastomer, and a reactive oligomer, and heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect vulcanization of the elastomeric material and polymerization of the oligomer, while mechanical energy is applied to mix the mixture during the heating step. Shaped articles such as seals, gaskets, O-rings, and hoses may be readily formed from the rubber compositions according to conventional thermoplastic processes such as blow molding, injection molding, and extrusion.

Abstract: An elastomer blend is made by admixing fluoroelastomer and fluorinated silicone polymer (with optional filler and/or conductive particulate) into a polymeric admixture in weight ratios to provide a low vaporous hydrocarbon permeation rate and high thermal strain value in thermally robust elastomer cured from the blend. The blend is of especial use for making gaskets for use in high stress conditions at elevated operating temperatures.

Abstract: A gasket elastomer precursor of admixed fluoroelastomer particulate, curing agent, and metallic oxide reduction-agent optionally admixed with any of microspheres, inert particulate, PTFE particles. In one embodiment, the composition is applied to a substrate and cured to provide a fuel cell gasket. The admixtures provide a basis for designed cured admixtures having internally differentiated regions interbonded by cured elastomer.

Abstract: A bi-modal compound is provided having an elastomeric moiety and a second moiety derived from any of a metal, a ceramic, and thermoplastic. At least one free radical site is generated (preferably with electron beam radiation) on an elastomer molecule to provide the elastomeric moiety; and a metal, ceramic, or thermoplastic are then bonded to the free radical site.

Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly is provided including a cup-shaped member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. A spacer formed of an appropriate engineered material is mounted within the cup-shaped member and a jounce bumper is mounted to the spacer. The cup-shaped member includes retaining tabs which engage a shoulder of the jounce bumper for retaining the jounce bumper in the cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A cured magnetizable admixture of elastomeric thermoplastic, dispersed magnetizable particulate, and optional dispersed hydrophobic material (such as ethylene acrylic monomer rubber or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) provides elastic elongation of not less than about 50 percent at break and water swell of not greater than about 10 percent after curing in magnetizable articles such as target wheels. The magnetizable composition beneficially combines mechanical and durability advantages of traditionally-used thermoset elastomer-based magnetic compounds, under the range of conditions needed for vehicle encoder applications, with the processing and manufacturing advantages of engineered thermoplastics.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal includes an elastomeric boot including a bellows portion extending radially from a tube portion. The tube portion includes a flanged end having a tapered surface on a leading end and a flat surface on a trailing end. A spring is disposed around the tube portion and has a first end disposed against the boot. A seal washer is disposed around the tube portion and engages a second end of the spring. The seal washer includes a radially outwardly extending portion that engages the bellows portion. A seal seat is disposed around the tube portion and has a face surface that is engaged by the seal washer. The seal seat is supported by a grommet having a retention lip for engaging the tube portion.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a ring component for coupling a seat component to a shaft. The ring component includes a first portion having an annular shape and configured to have a sealed engagement with the shaft. The ring component also includes a second portion having a flange extending radially outwardly therefrom. The ring component is configured to receive the seat component between the flange and the first portion and thus form a seal seat assembly. The flange is configured to mechanically lock the seat component relative to the ring component when the seal seat assembly is disposed on the shaft.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid isoprene compound. The compound includes a liquid isoprene rubber. The compound also includes a curing agent selected from sulfur and/or sulfur donors. The curing agent is present in an amount of at least about 3% by weight of the compound. The compound contains substantially no solvent. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid isoprene compound. The compound includes a liquid isoprene rubber. The compound also includes a nonsulfur curing agent. The curing agent is present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight of the compound. The compound contains substantially no solvent.

Abstract: A stamped crankshaft seal retainer plate is provided, including a molded encoder sensor support feature for mounting an encoder sensor of an engine speed sensing system. The use of a stamped crankshaft seal retainer plate reduces the cost of the retainer plate as well as the overall weight of the vehicle while precisely locating the encoder sensor for position and required air gap.

Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly is provided including a cup-shaped member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. A spacer formed of an appropriate engineered material is mounted within the cup-shaped member and a jounce bumper is mounted to the spacer. The cup-shaped member includes retaining tabs which engage a shoulder of the jounce bumper for retaining the jounce bumper in the cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A method of making an encoder for use in a speed sensor includes providing a metal tube. A material containing ferrite is then extruded over the metal tube to produce an encoder tube. The encoder tube is cut to a given length to form an encoder. The encoder is then magnetized within a magnetic field.

Abstract: A seal adapted to sealingly engage an outer member and an inner member in an installed position includes a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion. The first portion is adapted to sealingly engage a sealing surface of the outer member in the installed position. The second portion is adapted to sealingly engage the inner member in the installed position. The intermediate portion extends between the first and second portions. The first portion includes an outboard surface engaging the sealing surface of the outer member and a first overlap portion extending outwardly beyond an inner diameter of the sealing surface.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided including a first mold portion and a second mold portion, the second mold portion being movable relative to the first mold portion and together defining a mold cavity. The injection molding machine includes a fluid path extending through the first mold portion. The fluid path has an inlet fan gate portion in fluid communication with the mold cavity. The injection molding machine further includes a valve device disposed in the fan gate portion directly adjacent the mold cavity. The valve device is positionable in an opened position to permit flow of the molding material from the fan gate portion to the mold cavity and a closed position to obstruct flow of the molding material from the fan gate portion to the mold cavity. In the closed position, the valve device defines a wall surface portion for forming the molded part and thereby eliminating the need for a post-machining operation to remove the gate portion.

Abstract: A seal seat assembly utilizes a positive mechanical drive between a seal seat and the bore of a pump component, which in turn is mounted to and driven by the shaft by means of a positive mechanical engagement therebetween. The grommet accommodates the positive mechanical drive between the seal seat and the pump component. The seal assembly enables a robust, easily assembled three-component sub-assembly of the seal seat, grommet and pump component that can be handled as a single unit, and which easily installs onto, seals with, and becomes rotationally locked to a shaft. The positive engagement features, retaining features and static sealing features are axially aligned to provide an axially-compact seal assembly.

Abstract: A body mount for use in motor vehicles in which the mount is sandwiched between the subframe and body. The mount has an insert member with an oblong shape in the lateral displacement direction of the vehicle. The insert member is surrounded by a microcellular urethane body. The oblong shape increases the compression of the microcellular urethane body that can be used to respond to lateral forces. The lateral response rate can be stiffer than the fore and aft response rate. The isolation mount also can facilitate fine tuning thereof by selectively indenting a cup member surrounding the microcellular urethane body to adjust the vibration characteristics of the body mount.

Abstract: An injection molding machine having a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The second mold portion being movable relative to the first mold portion and together defining a mold cavity. The injection molding machine includes a fluid path extending through the first mold portion. The fluid path has an inlet and a radially continuous, downwardly-extending, circumferential outlet in fluid communication with the mold cavity. The injection molding machine further having a valve ring movably coupled in the first mold portion. The valve ring includes a downwardly extending rim portion substantially disposed within the fluid path. The valve ring is positionable in a closed position where the rim portion engages the circumferential outlet to obstruct flow of the molding material from the fluid path to the mold cavity and an opened position where the rim portion is spaced apart from the circumferential outlet to permit flow of the molding material from the fluid path to the mold cavity.

Abstract: A suspension system for use in a laundry washing machine to suspend a tub assembly from a base portion of a cabinet. The suspension system includes a support frame interconnected to an outer tub of the tub assembly and an isolation damper assembly for resiliently coupling the support frame to the base portion of the cabinet. The isolation damper assembly functions to allow limited lateral movement of the tub assembly relative to the cabinet while also providing a “return to center” feature. The isolation damper assembly is further operable to prevent rotation of the outer tub relative to the cabinet. Finally, the isolation damper assembly functions to absorb the vibration transmitted through the tub assembly to the support frame so as to minimize transmission of such vibration to the cabinet.