Abstract: A split sealing member for a rotary shaft comprising a coiled body, with non-adjoined ends, having a plurality of turns about a central axis, bent along the course of the body such that the body is divided into a radially-inner portion and a radially-outer portion wherein the radially-inner portion defines a first plane and the radially-outer portion defines a second plane which is substantially transverse to the central axis.

Abstract: A dynamic labyrinth sealing device which includes a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof and a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof. The stator annular engagement flange and the rotator annular engagement flange have coacting radially extending openings for mechanically interlocking the stator and the rotator.

Abstract: A particle exclusion assembly designed to operate in an inclined position and to protect an associated sealing assembly. The assembly includes radially inner and outer relatively rotatable walls and axially inner and outer baffles and a rotary, controlled porosity, open-celled element which substantially fills the cavity between the two walls and the two baffles. The open-celled element controls the rate of movement of particulate material and restricted annular opening is provided to control ingress and egress of particulate material from the open-celled element.

Abstract: A laser markable composite material which when so marked retains good color contrast after heat aging. The material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene resin, photosensitive filler material and an extrusion aid. The photosensitive material is preferably a metal oxide and has a larger mean particle size than typical pigments. Also disclosed is a sequence of milling, mixing and blending steps which forms the desired composite material.

Abstract: An improved flowing arch expansion joint includes a fiberglass body layer having an overlapping longitudinal seam that are bonded together by a layer of heat flowable fluoropolymer material. The radial expansion strength of the joint is enhanced by a supplemental peripheral reinforcing strip extending over less than the entire axial length of the joint, in the area of the maximum diameter portion, only. The peripheral reinforcing strip is formed by a winding process in which tire cord-based strip material is wound at a laying angle as close as possible to ninety degrees relative to the axis of the joint.

Abstract: A polymer resin-molluscicidal composite for preventing and controlling damage to water distribution systems caused by Dreissena polymorpha, the zebra mussel, and other undesirable sessile mollusks is provided. The composite is preferably formed of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and 0.1 to 20 weight percent of a water insoluble, high melting point molluscicide which is preferably a metal salt or complex of an organic sulfur compound. Alkyldithiocarbamates, tetraalkylthiuram sulfides and the metal salts and complexes thereof are preferred molluscicides. The molluscicidal composite may be formed into structural components, such as valves, or into linings, coatings and encapsulators.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal ring designed to function properly regardless of its rotational orientation relative to a horizontal shaft to be sealed. The novel seal ring bore is formed with a series of lands and grooves, with a plurality of axially extending drainage grooves cut across the axially inner lands to allow fluid to drain back into the associated housing interior. The pattern of the drainage grooves varies from land to land so that nowhere is there a direct flow path across more than two lands. The new ring will most likely be used in conjunction with a bearing isolator seal, but it may be used alone in some applications.

Abstract: A unitized seal includes a unitizing joint which is remotely spaced from a seal lip. The seal requires only two stampings with one elastomeric element bonded to one of the stampings. The remaining stamping forms a one piece wear sleeve having a first section with a wear surface which is engaged by a seal lip formed on the elastomeric element to provide a seal. A second section of this stamping extends angularly away from the wear surface and includes a terminal end which cooperates with the elastomeric element bearing stamping to form the unitizing joint.

Abstract: A method for welding together filled sintered polytetrafluoroethylene components. The ends of the components to be welded are carefully tapered to form reverse mated surfaces and then assembled in position to be welded. The actual welding step is carried out under heat and pressure followed by cooling under pressure. The process is particularly useful in the fabrication of very large gaskets or other very large planar objects.

Abstract: A reinforced composite gasketing material characterized by high strength and dimensional stability, excellent recovery and superior creep relaxation resistance properties and a process for producing such a gasketing material are provided. The composite gasketing material of the present invention is a multiple layer laminate of filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and at least one ply of perforated stainless steel. The process of the present invention includes the steps of pressure sintering alternately layered sheets of a PTFE/filler blend and stainless steel by the application of a sequence of intervals of pressures and temperatures selected primarily according to the thickness desired in the finished material and then rapidly cooling the sintered composite under pressure. The resulting gasketing material has the metal layer completely encapsulated by and bonded to the PTFE/filler material.

Abstract: A highly compressible gasket material is formed by fusing two filled sheets of PTFE containing dispersed microballoons to a central unfilled sheet of PTFE which provides tensile strength to the material. The two unfilled sheets each constitute from 20% to 25% of the overall thickness of the gasket material. This method provides a unitary gasket assembly having an overall compressibility of 45% or more, but the thicker unfilled PTFE central area of the assembly provides excellent recovery characteristics and resistance to creep relaxation.

Abstract: A high temperature compressed non-asbestos sheet is provided which is effective for gasketing applications in temperatures up to at least 900.degree. F. The sheet is formed from carbon fibers having a high percentage of carbonization and a low modulus of elasticity. The carbon content of the fibers is above 90% while the modulus of elasticity is less than 10,000,000 psi., and such fibers form at least 75% of the fiber content of the sheet. The carbon fibers may be blended with small portions of organic fibers to enhance the physical properties of the sheet.

Abstract: A bearing isolator seal having a shaft seal assembly that includes a stator housing having an inner radially extending face with a pair of spaced concentric annular flanges of substantially frusto-conical shape extending from a larger diameter end that is fixed to the inner radially extending face to a smaller diameter free end, and a rotor having a peripherally extending radial flange that is fixed to a hub of the rotor and has a contact sealing surface that contacts the free end of the annular flanges of the stator housing.

Abstract: A bearing isolator seal having a shaft seal assembly that includes a stator housing having an inner radially extending face with an annular flange of substantially frusto-conical shape that extends from a larger diameter end that is fixed to the inner radially extending face to a smaller diameter free end, and a rotor having a peripherally extending radial flange of substantially frusto-conical shape that is provided with a smaller diameter end that is fixed to a hub of the rotor, a larger diameter free end, and a contact sealing surface therebetween, the free end being biased into contact with the inner radially extending face of the stator housing and the contact sealing surface being biased into contact with the free end of the annular flange of the stator housing under static seal conditions, the rotor being constructed in a manner causing these areas of contact to be broken under the effect of centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the rotor with the shaft.

Abstract: A lip type bonded shaft seal adapted to seal against substantial fluid pressure. The seal includes a low-friction liner bonded to a sealing portion of an elastomeric element which is bonded to a U-shaped metal shell which helps to support the sealing lip portion. The low-friction liner is not bonded to any part of the metal shell.

Abstract: A mechanical seal includes a drive sleeve on a rotating shaft having a flush agitator thereon. The flush agitator includes a fluid contacting surface that is in the form of a non-directional trisymmetric sine wave and creates particle movement away from the shaft. Seal face dissipation is monitored using an optical device located outside of the seal housing and having a portion thereof focused on a seal element which moves in response to seal face dissipation.

Abstract: A method for molding an annular lip type shaft seal 10 of the type having an annular elastomeric shaft seal element 12 and a resin liner 14 (preferably polytetrafluoroethylene) integrally molded therewith and bonded thereto, including providing a step or shoulder 36 on the mold core 26 to prevent the resin liner 14 from flowing axially beyond a predetermined location during molding. The method includes providing a certain range of acute angles ".alpha." between the shoulder surface 42 and the liner forming surface 38 of the mold core surface 34, and a certain range of shoulder heights "d" relative to the liner thickness "t", for various values of the initial viscosity of the elastomeric preform 18. The percentage of rejects due to undesired flow of the resin liner 14 during molding has been greatly reduced.

Abstract: A linecutter article, apparatus and method wherein the linecutter is mounted adjacent a shaft seal cutting line to protect the shaft seal(s). The linecutter includes an annular ring of tough, low coefficient of fricton, abrasion-resistant, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or its equivalent in contact with the shaft and having a sharp linecutter edge facing outwardly. The ring is tough enough to cut monofilament fishing line but flexible enough to follow shaft runout and provides an additional seal.

Abstract: An annular trimmed lip shaft seal of the type not having a metal shell but consisting solely of an elastomeric body and a liner of low friction material bonded thereto, which liner includes a radial flange extending radially out beyond the outside diameter of the elastomeric body for abutting the housing for locating the seal, and for strengthening the seal to provide seal retention and alignment. A method for making the seal and a method for locating, retaining and aligning a seal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disc brake boot seal 10 (and method for assembling a disc brake system) that is molded in its extended condition and that when moved into its collapsed condition will remain in its collapsed condition. The boot seal comprises a molded elastomeric sleeve 12 having a plurality of different wall portions 20-34 certain ones of which interact to releasably hold the sleeve in its collapsed condition so that it does not self-extend. The expense and high mold breakage resulting from the prior art system of molding a seal in its collapsed, convoluted condition are eliminated by this invention.