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.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for use with a reciprocating or rotating shaft includes a shaft seal, a lubricant-storing ring, and a retainer. The retainer and ring can be formed as a subassembly and then combined with a shaft seal. The seal includes an annular body portion, a first sealing lip portion, and a first pocket portion. The first sealing lip portion has a substantially uniform axial dimension and is adapted to sealingly engage a shaft. The first pocket portion includes a plurality of pockets, each having an opening toward the first sealing lip portion. The plurality of pockets are each adapted to collect a working fluid when the shaft axially displaces in a first direction and to dispense the working fluid when the shaft axially displaces in a second direction. The assembly provides a lubricated shaft and seal that improves the effective life of the shaft seal.

Abstract: An apply piston seal is provided for a clutch assembly utilizing a balance piston. The apply piston seal is bonded to the apply piston and provides a sealing relationship between the apply piston and balance piston. By bonding the seal to the apply piston, the manufacturing of the balance piston can be simplified in order to reduce cost for the overall clutch assembly.

Abstract: Processable rubber compositions contain a vulcanized fluorocarbon elastomer dispersed in a matrix of a non-fluorine containing 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 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 gasket is adapted to seal between a first member and a second member, and includes a first portion a second portion. The first portion includes a first elastomeric seal portion adapted to be in sealing engagement with the first member. The first portion may also include a clip or a coil spring contained within an elastomeric portion in order to provide a sealing force against the first member. The second portion is preferably molded integral with the first portion and includes a second elastomeric seal portion having a coil spring contained therein. The second portion is adapted to be in sealing engagement with the second member, with the coil spring being compressed in its normal direction when the gasket is assembled between the first member and the second member. The coil spring, then, exerts a sealing force with minimal degradation over time.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for use with a reciprocating or rotating shaft includes a shaft seal, a lubricant-storing ring, and a retainer. The retainer and ring can be formed as a subassembly and then combined with a shaft seal. The assembly provides a lubricated shaft and seal that improves the effective life of the shaft seal.

Abstract: A gasket includes a fist sealing portion, a second sealing portion, and an elastic arm sealingly connecting between the two. The first sealing portion sealingly engages a first member and the second sealing portion sealingly engages a second member. The elastic arm is not highly compressed between the members, allowing the gasket to vibrationally decouple the first member from the second member.

Abstract: A method of applying an apply piston seal is provided for a clutch assembly utilizing a balance piston. The method includes applying a rubber portion on an interior surface of an axially extending arm of the apply piston and applying a seal on an exterior surface of the axially extending arm of the apply piston.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a seal and a method of sealing dynamic shaft applications. The seal comprises an inner portion, an outer portion, a faceplate, and at least one flexible member located between the inner and outer portions. The method comprises providing a dynamic shaft assembly containing a bore for receiving a seal, providing a unitized seal, and placing the unitized seal on the shaft, thus sealing the assembly so that lubricants may not escape, and foreign material may not enter. The unitized seal can provide permanently lubricated sealed bearings in severe service conditions such as rollers and idlers of track-driven vehicles and agricultural equipment.

Abstract: Processable rubber compositions contain a vulcanized fluorocarbon elastomer dispersed in a matrix of a non-fluorine containing 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 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: Sealing members are made by a process of curing a solventless liquid EPDM compound. The compound contains a liquid EPDM rubber in an amount of at least 50% by weight of the compound. The compound further contains at least 3% by weight of a sulfur curing agent or at least about 5% by weight of a non-sulfur curing agent. Examples of sealing members include cure in place gaskets (CIPG), inject in place gaskets (IJPG), and form in place gaskets (FIPG).

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket that includes a body that has holes stamped through it and is then coated with an encapsulant before assembling armor to the body of the gasket. A topcoat is coated over the body and armor. The encapsulant is preferably an epoxy primer and the topcoat is preferably a silicone.

Abstract: A side load compensating air spring piston having an elliptical cross-section. The side load compensating air spring comprises an air spring sleeve forming a chamber and having a rolling lobe. One end of the sleeve is attached to a tilted end cap for side load compensation. The other end of the sleeve has a rolling lobe engaged with a piston elliptical outer surface. The piston elliptical outer surface is disposed at a 90° angle to an elliptical stress distribution in the sleeve, thereby rendering the stress distribution uniform in the sleeve rolling lobe portion as it rolls on the piston.

Abstract: A two piece valve stem seal assembly including first and second generally cylindrical shells, one of which is partially axially nested or inserted within the other. The valve stem seal assembly also includes an engagement portion on the one of the shells for grippingly engaging the outer shell in order to substantially prevent or at least minimize the possibility of axial separation of the shells during subsequent assembly into an engine or other valve-containing device. The assembly may also optionally include a discontinuity on the one of the shells for axially retaining or axially interlocking the shells in order to substantially prevent or at least minimize such possibility of axial separation.

Abstract: A water pump includes a first enclosure having a center portion that is moveable from a normal condition to a deflected condition and a second enclosure adjacent to the first to form an internal cavity. An impeller is disposed within the internal cavity. A tubular shaft portion extends from the impeller through a bore in the second enclosure. The tubular shaft portion is press fit to a motor shaft which rotates the impeller within the internal cavity. As the motor shaft is inserted into the tubular portion of the impeller, a tool is used to press on and axially deflect the center portion of the first enclosure. Thus, the center portion of the first enclosure contacts the impeller and provides an opposing force on the impeller while the motor shaft is inserted into the tubular portion of the impeller. When the motor shaft is press-fit sufficiently into the tubular portion, the tool is removed.

Abstract: A fuel cell gasket employed to seal around an individual cell of a fuel cell assembly. The gaskets include sealing beads that are compressed against separator plates. Adhesive layers located between the gaskets and separator plates hold the gaskets against the separator plates and maintain a desired pre-load on the sealing beads. These structural seals provide good seals along the surfaces of the separator plates, thus reducing or eliminating the need for bolts to maintain the pre-load on the sealing beads of the gaskets.

Abstract: A static gasket adapted to seal a joint between a first member and a second member, the joint having a clamp load applied to the first and second members. The gasket including a carrier member having a first side sand an opposite sides. An elastomeric member is on the carrier member. The elastomeric member has a tab portion and a sealing portion on the first side and an adhesive layer is on the opposite side. Thus, the carrier adheres to one of the first and second members to ease the assembly of one of the first member and second members to each other and the carrier member is conformable to improve the seal between the seal between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solventless liquid FKM compound. The compound includes a liquid FKM 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: In one embodiment, this invention relates to a solventless liquid nitrile compound. The compound includes a liquid nitrile 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 nitrile compound. The compound includes a liquid nitrile 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.