Abstract: A method for installing an auxiliary ring around a shaft. The method comprises providing an auxiliary ring comprising a plurality of ring elements, wherein each ring element includes at least one radial joint. Each ring element is installed around the shaft and positioned such that the radial joint of at least one of the ring elements is rotationally offset from the radial joint of each adjacent ring element. The plurality of ring elements are then secured to each other by adhesive, welding, or a fastener. Each ring element may include an aperture wherein the aperture of each ring element is aligned with the aperture of each adjacent ring element.

Abstract: A method for making high-pressure sheet gasketing material is provided that employs an elastomer, such as natural rubber and/or acylonitrile-butadiene rubber. Tert-butyl acetate is added to dissolve the elastomer. Other components may then be mixed with the dissolved elastomer and may include, for example, antioxidants, colorants, curing agents, curing accelerators, reinforcing fillers, and fibers such as organic and/or mineral fibers. The resulting dough may be formed into a high-pressure sheets, for use as gasketing material, using a two-roll sheeter machine, or the like.

Abstract: A compressed sheet gasketing material is provided with a combination of high elastomer content and high swelling medium content. In one aspect, the swelling medium may include bentonite clay and may be provided a weight percentage that varies from 30 to 60%. In another aspect, a rubber content weight percentage that varies from 20 to 30% provides a relatively high compressibility. The compressed sheet gasketing material may further include one or more various fibers commonly used in high pressure sheet formulations.

Abstract: A method for installing an auxiliary ring around a shaft. The method comprises providing an auxiliary ring comprising a plurality of ring elements, wherein each ring element includes at least one radial joint. Each ring element is installed around the shaft and positioned such that the radial joint of at least one of the ring elements is rotationally offset from the radial joint of each adjacent ring element. The plurality of ring elements are then secured to each other by adhesive, welding, or a fastener. Each ring element may include an aperture wherein the aperture of each ring element is aligned with the aperture of each adjacent ring element.

Abstract: A composition is provided that, in one aspect, may be used in the production of sealing materials, such as gaskets. The composition includes a polytetraflouroethylene matrix and a Boron Nitride filler. In one aspect, the Boron Nitride filler may be provided as a hexagonal, close-packed, Boron Nitride filler that is homogeneously dispersed within the polytetraflouroethylene matrix. In at least one embodiment, the composition is formed by combining quantities of polytetraflouroethylene, Boron Nitride filler, hydrocarbon liquid, and solvent. The liquid and solvent may be removed through various processes prior to sintering the composition to form a full-density, Boron Nitride filled, polytetraflouroethylene matrix that exhibits improved sealability, greater resistance to permeation, and less color contamination.

Abstract: A cord material dispenser comprising a container including a surrounding sidewall having first and second openings and first and second cord materials disposed in the container. The first and second cord materials are dispensable through their respective first and second openings. The first cord material is preferably wound around a first spool and the second cord material is preferably wound around a second spool. The dispenser may include a first quantity of the first cord material and a second quantity of the second cord material, wherein the first quantity is less than the second quantity. For example, the first quantity may be one fourth of the second quantity. Preferably, the container includes indicia indicative of the ratio of the first quantity to the second quantity. The indicia may be in the form of a graphic representative of the intended use of the spooled materials.

Abstract: A gasket material comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a thermoplastic polymer have a melting point lower than the melting point of PTFE. Preferred thermoplastic polymers comprise fluorinated thermoplastic polymers, and most preferred fluorinated thermoplastic polymers comprise fluorinated ethylene propylene and perfluoroalkoxy copolymer. The PTFE component preferably comprises full density PTFE, and a filler material may optionally be added. The PTFE component is present in the gasket material in an amount from approximately 50% to less than 100%, based on the total weight of the gasket material, and the thermoplastic polymer is present in an amount from greater than 0% to approximately 20%, based on the total weigh to the gasket material.

Abstract: Rings described herein can be installed in a stuffing box assembly about a rotary element without the need for dismantling the apparatus. A system can comprise at least two rings. Each ring can have a first section and a second section. The first section of the ring has an outer rounded edge, a first mating edge, an inner rounded edge, and a second mating edge. The second section has an outer rounded edge, a first mating edge for abutting the first mating edge of the first section to form a joint, an inner rounded edge, and a second mating edge for abutting the second mating edge of the second section to form a joint. The outer rounded edges of the first and second sections comprise the circumference of the outer edge of the ring when the first and second sections are mated. Each ring can be positioned on top of another ring to align the outer edges of the rings.

Abstract: A molded discrete low stress gasket is constructed of restructured filled PTFE for use in corrosive or severe chemical environments under relatively low bolt loads. The gasket has a gasket surface and includes a raised outer sealing ring and a raised inner sealing ring. The gasket may constructed from a restructured filled PTFE material, with the sealing rings deforming at lower pressures than the remaining portions of the gasket.

Abstract: A gasket material comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point lower than the melting point of PTFE. Preferred thermoplastic polymers comprise fluorinated thermoplastic polymers, and most preferred fluorinated thermoplastic polymers comprise fluorinated ethylene propylene and perfluoroalkoxy copolymer. The PTFE component preferably comprises full density PTFE, and a filler material may optionally be added. The PTFE component is present in the gasket material in an amount from approximately 50% to less than 100%, based on the total weight of the gasket material, and the thermoplastic polymer is present in an amount from greater than 0% to approximately 20%, based on the total weight of the gasket material.

Abstract: A high temperature dynamic seal and methods of assembly and use are presented. In one embodiment, the dynamic seal is provided as a rotating seal, which includes a stationary ring and rotating ring assembly, with a seal ring that is positioned between the stationary ring member and the rotating ring assembly. In some embodiments, one or more high temperature seals create a seal between the stationary ring member and a device in which the dynamic seal is used. Similarly one or more high temperature seals create a seal between the rotating ring assembly and a rotating shaft of the device. In one aspect, one or more of the high temperature seals are formed from a metallic material with various cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A bearing isolator assembly for sealing a rotating shaft with a porous sealing element including a rotor configured to sealingly engage with a shaft, and a stator configured to sealingly engage with a housing of an assembly. The rotor and stator are configured to engage with each other to define a labyrinthine pathway and one or more cavities, in which may be disposed a unitizing element and a porous sealing element. The porous sealing element provides a barrier to particulate contaminants from entering the interior of the housing, and to prevent egress of lubricants from the interior of the housing. The unitizing element limits axial and/or radial movement of the rotor with respect to the stator, and helps prevent wear of the rotor and/or stator by helping prevent the rotor from contacting the stator during operation.

Abstract: An annular unitizing element has a rotor engaging member, a stator engaging member, and a rear member. The radially outer surface of the unitizing element has two areas of differing diameter, one corresponding to the rotor engaging member and the other corresponding to the rear member. The stator engaging member extends radially inward from the radially inner side of the annular unitizing element. A sealing assembly for sealing a rotating shaft and a bearing housing has a rotor having an annular engagement flange extending in an axial direction comprising a groove on a radial side thereof, a stator having an annular engagement flange extending in an axial direction comprising a groove on a radial side thereof, and an annular unitizing element having a stator engaging member, a rotor engaging member, and a rear member.

Abstract: An annular unitizing element comprising a rotor engaging member, a stator engaging member, and a rear member. The radially outer surface of the unitizing element comprises two areas of differing diameter, one corresponding to the rotor engaging member and the other corresponding to the rear member. The stator engaging member extends radially inward from the radially inner side of the annular unitizing element. A sealing assembly for sealing a rotating shaft and a bearing housing comprising a rotor comprising, an annular engagement flange extending in an axial direction comprising a groove on a radial side thereof, a stator comprising, an annular engagement flange extending in an axial direction comprising a groove on a radial side thereof, and an annular unitizing element comprising, a stator engaging member, a rotor engaging member, and a rear member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seal comprising an annular sealing body comprising a radially outer peripheral groove, an upper load concentrating projection, a lower load concentrating projection, a compression relief region extending from the center of the load concentrating projections to the radially inner edge of the seal, and a compression relief region extending from the center of the load concentrating projections to the radially outer edge of the seal. Additionally, aspects of the present invention relate to a seal retainer comprising a thin metal sheet comprising a seal retaining aperture comprising a reception lobe and a retention lobe; wherein the reception lobe has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the seal to be retained therein, and the seal retaining aperture has a diameter larger than the minimum diameter of the arch portion of the outer peripheral groove.

Abstract: The present invention provides a labyrinth sealing assembly for placement between a shaft and a bearing housing comprising an annular stator having a body portion, an axially inner engagement surface, an axially inner extending portion extending from a radially outer end of the stator, an axially inner extending member extending from a radially inner end of the stator, and a keeper lip extending radially outward from the axially inner extending surface of the radially inner end of the stator, and an annular rotor having an axially outer engagement surface having a plurality of wear ridges on a radially outer engagement surface, and a keeper notch arrangement on a radially inner surface comprising a recess. The keeper lip engages the keeper notch to provide a snap fit between the rotor and stator.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for monitoring characteristics of a fluid lubricant contained within a lubricant chamber formed in a wheel hub mounted for rotation about a stationary wheel axle. The apparatus includes an annular bearing spacer configured for mounting on the wheel axle between axially opposed inboard and outboard bearings, the annular bearing spacer forming an interior lubricant reservoir between an inner surface of the spacer and the wheel axle, a guide vane for directing lubricant from the lubricant chamber to the interior lubricant reservoir during rotation of the wheel hub assembly about the wheel axle, and a sensor operatively associated with the interior lubricant reservoir for determining a condition of the lubricant.

Abstract: A gasket assembly is disclosed for use between adjacent flange surfaces which includes a reusable annular base plate having an inner periphery and opposed upper and lower surfaces, and replaceable a spring energized sealing ring releasably retained within the inner periphery of the base plate and including a resilient spring element surrounded by a deformable jacket that extends beyond the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate to conform to surface irregularities in the flange surfaces upon compression of the gasket between the flange surfaces.

Abstract: A grease purgeable dynamic labyrinth sealing device is disclosed which includes a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof and a rotor having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof. The stator annular engagement flange and the rotor annular engagement flange have coacting means for mechanically interlocking the stator and the rotor. In one embodiment, means, such as, for example, a plurality of apertures, are operatively formed in the stator for allowing excess grease applied to the bearing housing to move through the stator and out of the stator such that the grease purgeable dynamic labyrinth sealing device maintains proper position relative to the bearing housing and is rotatable with the shaft.