Abstract: A gasket is provided which includes a first carrier, a second carrier, and a sealing member. The first carrier includes a body having at least one aperture defined therein. The second carrier is disposed along at least a portion of the inner perimeter of the aperture in the first carrier. The sealing member is disposed along at least a portion of the inner perimeter of the second carrier.

Abstract: A process involves adding a peroxide masterbatch to a molten blend of a fluorocarbon elastomer and a thermoplastic material. The peroxide masterbatch contains greater than or equal to 5% weight percent organic peroxide, further contains a fluorocarbon elastomer, and typically also contains a crosslinker containing at least two sites of olefinic unsaturation. The fluorocarbon elastomer in the molten blend and in the peroxide masterbatch may be the same or different. After the peroxide masterbatch is added to the molten blend, the combination is mixed at a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect cure of the fluorocarbon elastomers. By using a masterbatch, a faster and more uniform dispersion of peroxide curative is possible due to pre-dispersion of peroxide in the elastomer phase, which leads to shaped articles having improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A thermoplastically processable cured rubber composition comprises a crosslinked or cured urethane polymer dispersed in a matrix made of a thermoplastic polymeric material. In one aspect, the matrix forms a continuous phase and the crosslinked urethane polymer is in the form of particles forming a non-continuous phase. The processable rubber compositions can be made by a process of dynamic vulcanization of a urethane prepolymer material in the presence of the thermoplastic matrix material. The process involves combining a urethane prepolymer, a curing agent capable of reacting with the urethane prepolymer, and a thermoplastic material to form a mixture, and heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect reaction between the curing agent and the prepolymer. Mechanical energy is supplied to the mixture during the heating step so that the crosslinking or curing of the urethane prepolymer occurs while the prepolymer and thermoplastic are undergoing a mixing.

Abstract: An integrated automotive vehicle component and heat shield apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a body having a heat sensitive region and a heat shield integrally molded thereon. The heat shield includes a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is bonded, via the molding process, to a first area of the body. The second edge is attached to a second area of the body. The second area is opposite the heat sensitive region from the first area. Thus, the heat shield covers the heat sensitive region of the body.

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 gasket for statically sealing between two members is disclosed. The gasket includes a first generally planar portion having an inner perimeter and an exterior perimeter, and having a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side from the first surface. A seal bead rises from the first surface a first predetermined height and extends about the inner perimeter. A fastener hole extends through the first portion and is located between the seal bead and the exterior perimeter. The gasket also includes a protruding feature located between the fastener hole and the exterior perimeter that rises from the first surface a second predetermined height that is about equal to or greater than the first predetermined height.

Abstract: A strut and jounce bumper assembly is provided including a rate cup and jounce bumper that are capable of moving with the strut rod wherein the rate cup is provided with a concave spherical upper surface that engages a convex spherical surface of a strut mount bottom plate. The design allows use of a larger jounce bumper and striker in applications where the strut rod has large angular travel.

Abstract: A clutch piston amplifier assembly is provided for applying pressure to a clutch pack for engaging a first member and second member of an automatic transmission. The clutch piston amplifier assembly utilizes an amplifier piston which applies a secondary force to an apply piston for increasing the amount of apply force that can be obtained from the clutch assembly without increasing the diameter of the apply piston or the line pressure supplied to the piston assembly.

Abstract: Composites of polytetrafluoroethylene and a structural material (polymer, metal, ceramic, leather, or wood) are bonded with a cured admixture of tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer, polyethylene-oxide-modified silicone polymer coupling agent, and oxygen-radical-containing copolymer (epoxy polymer, phenoxy polymer, or hydroxylated diamine-diepoxide derivative copolymer). The bonded surface of the polytetrafluoroethylene portion of the composite is etched (chemical etching, electron-beam etching, laser etching, or plasma etching) prior to application of uncured admixture. The composites are useful in making items such as seals, gaskets, chemically-resistant hoses, o-rings, and pump diaphragms.

Abstract: Processable rubber compositions contain a vulcanized fluorocarbon elastomer dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix comprising a fully fluorinated polymer and a partially fluorinated polymer. The processing temperature is below the melting point of the fully fluorinated polymer. The compositions are made by combining a curative, uncured fluorocarbon elastomer, a fully fluorinated thermoplastic, and a partially fluorinated thermoplastic material, and heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect vulcanization of the elastomeric material, 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: A cylinder head gasket is coated with an encapsulant that is mixed with a light color pigment to create a light colored encapsulant. A translucent topcoat is preferably coated over the encapsulant. The encapsulant is preferably an epoxy primer, the topcoat is preferably a silicone, and the pigment is preferably made from titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Abstract: A gasket is provided having a body including at least one service aperture and an integrally formed sealing bead portion. In an embodiment, the sealing bead portion includes a first outwardly extending bead and a first concave channel opposite the first outwardly extending bead. The first concave channel is defined by a second outwardly extending bead and a third outwardly extending bead. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing bead portion includes an annular sealing member molded to the body, and the annular sealing member is opposite an outwardly projecting sealing bead. In a second alternative embodiment, the sealing bead portion includes an internal chamber filled with a pressurized gas. In a third alternative embodiment, the sealing bead portion defines a chamber filled a polymeric material.

Abstract: A seal assembly including a rotatable seal head subassembly also includes a fan that rotates with the seal head assembly, with the fan drawing air through a pump housing for purposes of cooling.

Abstract: A fluoroelastomer composition contains a peroxide-curable solid fluoroelastomer and a peroxide curative agent combined therewith, and, a bisphenol-curable liquid fluoroelastomer and a bisphenol curative agent combined therewith. The solid fluoroelastomer/peroxide curative when combined with the liquid fluoroelastomer/bisphenol curative results in a composition exhibiting improved polymeric properties including improved flowability at room temperature and improved fluid resistance and sealability at a wide range of temperatures.

Abstract: A dynamic shaft seal assembly is provided including a dynamic seal for engaging a rotary shaft. The dynamic seal includes a base portion that is mounted within a casing and has an axially extending barrel portion extending from a radially inner end of the base portion. The axially extending barrel portion terminates in a radially extending leg portion which extends inwardly from an end of the axially extending portion. A generally conically shaped seal portion extends from an end of the radially extending portion and the seal portion includes a radially inner face engaging the shaft and a radially outer face having a stiffening bead integrally formed thereon. The stiffening bead reduces the seal's propensity for “bell mouthing” while the axially extending barrel portion provides improved shaft followability for the dynamic seal.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a gasket (34) for use in an individual fuel cell (20). The gasket (34) includes at lest one generally rigid bridge (44) or (46) that extends across the fluid flow channels in adjacent separator plates (38) and (40). The bridge (44) or (46) assures that the fluid flow channels are not blocked or restricted in the cell (20). Each bridge (44) or (46) may be integral with its corresponding gasket (34). The gasket (34) may be a multi-piece gasket with a carrier material having an elastrometric seal portion (74) secured to it.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use with a rotating element such as a shaft includes a case having an axial portion and a radial portion. A seal body is bonded to at least the radial portion of the case. A hinge is bonded to the seal body adjacent to a terminating section of the radial portion of the case. A lip is bonded to the hinge. A liner is attached to the lip. The majority of bending loads and stresses are incurred in the hinge, thus increasing the life of the liner.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided including a first member and a second member rotatable relative to the first member. A clutch pack is provided for frictionally engaging the first and second members. A piston chamber is provided adjacent to the clutch pack, and a piston is disposed in the piston chamber and operable for applying axial pressure to the clutch pack. The piston includes first, second, and third seal portions integrally molded in place on the piston and engaging the piston chamber at spaced locations. The integrally molded first, second, and third seal portions reduce the number of components necessary for properly sealing the piston chamber and reduce the amount of labor required for assembly.

Abstract: A shaft seal includes an elastomeric annular body having an outwardly protruding annular lip. An annular outer case is embedded into the body. An annular insert is positioned adjacent the outer case. An annular inner case is embedded into the body adjacent the insert. The outer case, the insert, and the inner case support the lip.