Abstract: A metal gasket for an internal combustion engine is formed of a metal plate, and includes a bead formed on the metal plate. The bead has a hardness at least partly different from that of the metal plate by heating the bead locally and then cooling the same. Accordingly, the surface pressure of the bead when the gasket is tightened can be adjusted as desired.

Abstract: A coupling, which has a longitudinal bore for fluids to pass through, for connecting a tube to a pair of fittings that can be tightened and loosened with a wrenching tool, including a nipple positioned at one end of the coupling; a first threaded mating portion positioned at an opposite end of the coupling; a second threaded mating portion positioned adjacent the nipple; a wrenching portion disposed on the coupling having a front end and a rear end and extending above the first threaded mating portion with the wrenching portion rear end including a shoulder extending below the wrenching portion front end; and, whereby the first threaded mating portion engages one of a pair of fittings and the second mating portion engages the other of a pair of fittings.

Abstract: A balanced, de-coupled seal assembly for use in a bellows seal having a mating rotating seal assembly, wherein the seal is used for sealing a process fluid along a rotatable shaft extending from a machine body. The seal assembly includes a seal ring, a seal ring shell mating with and de-coupled from the seal ring, and a flexible O-ring between the seal ring and the seal ring shell. The O-ring is provided at a location so to balance the seal ring and seal ring shell under both normal and reverse pressure conditions and to prevent the process fluid from leaking between the seal ring and the seal ring shell.

Abstract: A floating wiper seal assembly for sealingly engaging a reciprocating shaft within a hydraulic pump or cylinder housing. The seal assembly includes a generally cylindrical elastomeric seal body configured for reception within a cylindrical bore of the housing. An axial bore extends through the seal body for receiving the reciprocating shaft. A pair of opposed flexible annular lips extend radially inwardly from an interior surface of the axial bore for wiping and sealingly engaging the reciprocating shaft, and at least two flexible annular rings extend radially outwardly from the seal body for sealingly engaging an interior surface of the cylindrical bore. The elastomeric seal body is dimensioned and configured to float freely within the cylindrical bore in both a radial and axial direction upon flexure of the annular lips and annular sealing rings in response to reciprocating movement of the shaft while maintaining sealing engagement with the shaft and the pump or cylinder housing, respectively.

Abstract: A pipe having a ridge on the spigot and a method of producing such ridge. A ring having a circumferentially disposed split or splits is fitted in an annular groove formed in the outer periphery of the spigot, with the diameter of said ring being adjusted according to the tolerance of the outer diameter of the pipe. A pair of thin-walled portions formed on the circumferentially opposite ends of the ring defining the split are connected together by a connector or connectors operated from the outer peripheral side of the ring.

Abstract: A device for sealing the annular gap between a housing and a shaft supported in the housing. The device comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, and an elastomeric sealing member joined to the outer ring. The sealing member has three sealing lips, of which only the first abuts, under prestressing, against the inner ring. The two other sealing lips are configured in such a way that, between their outer ends and the sections of the inner ring lying opposite to their outer ends, gaps are formed which act as a contact-free sealing. In addition, a gap may be provided between a radially extending annular disk portion of the sealing member and an outer flanged section of the inner ring axially opposite the annular disk portion. That gap and the gaps at the ends of the second and third sealing lips form a labyrinth seal.

Abstract: A metal gasket used for an internal combustion engine is basically formed of a metal plate. The gasket includes at least two openings with a narrow intermediate area therebetween, edge portions situated around the openings, curved portions extending from the edge portions to define the openings, the curved portions situated adjacent to each other extending in the directions opposite to each other, and flange or turning portions extending from the curved portions and located over the edge portions. A stepped portion is located between the edge portions situated adjacent to each other. Therefore, when the gasket is tightened, the stepped portion is compressed to provide a surface pressure thereat to seal the narrow intermediate area.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal assembly has a cylindrical retainer fixedly mounted between a rotating shaft and a stationary housing. The rotating shaft defines a longitudinal axis and a rotating sealing ring rotates with the shaft. The rotating sealing ring is axially offset from the retainer. The retainer includes inner and outer legs which extend longitudinally along the axis and are radially spaced with respect to each other. The assembly also includes a non-rotating washer disposed within the retainer. A spring biases the washer towards the sealing ring. The invention also includes a method of easily assembling a seal by deforming an outer leg of the retainer after assembly of the seal components.

Abstract: A double containment pipe fitting (10) has inner and outer pipes (12, 14). The inner pipe has a polygonal cross section to present a number of edges (12j) which extend parallel with the longitudinal axis (15) of the pipe and engage the inner surface (14c) of the outer pipe to present the double containment feature, namely the central portion of the inner pipe being one fluid flow path and the spaces (18) between the flat outer sides (12c) of the inner pipe and inner surface of the outer pipe forming the second fluid flow path. The outer surface of the inner pipe can be triangular, square, rectangular or otherwise polygonal.

Abstract: The present invention involves a pressurized water treatment system and method having a unitary liner and flange and a plurality of interchangeable heads. The system utilizes non-threaded connections where periodic detachment is desirable to eliminate the cross-threading problems posed by plastic threads. The coupling devices include an improved clamp assembly to removably secure the water treatment heads to the liner flange or other system components and an improved spring clip to removably attach inlet and outlet lines to water treatment heads and fittings. By including L-shaped tabs, the spring clip reduces the chance of inadvertent dislodgement. The use of common connectors allows any of the interchangeable heads to be used with the liner and other fittings. Adapters can also be used to allow non-system components to be integrated into the system. A fill port adaptor can also be disposed between the liner and water treatment head to provide access to the tank interior without the removal of the head.

Abstract: A fitting is provided for a high purity gas system. The fitting includes first and second components having fluid passageways extending therethrough. Each of the first and second components includes a sealing face having a toroidally generated sealing bead extending unitarily thereabout. At least one nut is provided for urging the sealing faces toward one another. A metallic gasket is disposed between the respective sealing faces. The gasket includes opposed surfaces having annular grooves formed therein. The grooves are dimensioned such that a radially inner circumferentially extending surface on each groove engages a radially inner circumferentially extending surface on a respective toroidal sealing bead. As a result, dead spaces between the fitting and the gasket are eliminated. Additionally, any debris generated as the toroidal sealing beads slide over the gasket are urged outwardly and away from the fluid passages.

Abstract: A secondary containment system is provided for use in preventing leakage to or from an underground storage tank at a joint where a riser line connects to the tank. The system includes a secondary riser tube for surrounding the riser line and a sealing ring for providing a seal between the outer wall of the storage tank and the secondary riser tube. The sealing ring has a sleeve for sealing against the outer wall of the secondary sealing tube and a flexible bell-shaped skirt for sealing against the outer wall of the storage tank. A support bracket clamps to the outer wall of the riser line and includes three threaded arms extending radially outward.

Abstract: A fluid conduit quick connector includes first and second releasably connectable bodies. A tapered bore in the first body receives one end of a first conduit. A tubular extension projecting from one end of the second body is coaxially received in the conduit when the first and second bodies are releasably joined together. The conduit is sealingly compressed between the tapered bore and one or more projections on the extension. A third body carries another conduit and is releasibly connected to the second body. The third body also includes mounting members to fixedly mount the third body to a support.

Abstract: A cranberry harvesting machine (20) including a main frame (22) supported by a wheel assembly (24) is provided. A harvesting assembly (26) is attached to the forward end of the main frame (22). A motor (M) is supported by the main frame (22) and includes a rotational output via a drive wheel (30). The drive wheel (30) drives both the harvesting assembly (26) and the wheel assembly (24). To accomplish this, a separate drive assembly (32) is interconnected between the drive wheel (30) and the wheel assembly (24) in order to operate the wheel assembly (24) independently of the harvesting assembly (26). The separate drive assembly (32) includes a transmission (34) having multiple operative modes and variable rotational output speeds.

Abstract: In a tube connection, particularly for connecting two tubular elements of the airframe of a substantially tubular a missile, the tubular elements to be interconnected have end portions of substantially identical shapes. Each end portion has a smaller-diameter first circumferential section extending through substantially 180.degree. and a larger-diameter second circumferential section also extending through substantially 180.degree.. The larger-diameter circumferential section of each tubular element overlies the smaller-diameter circumferential section of the other tubular element. The circumferential sections are provided with radial bores for connection screws. Arcuate elements having threaded bores are arranged inside the thus interconnected circumferential sections. These threaded bores are aligned with the radial bores of the circumferential sections and threadedly receive the connecting screws.

Abstract: A clamping device is disclosed for coupling peripheral flanges of a pair of tubular members together. The clamping device has a retaining member for coupling the peripheral flanges of the tubular member together, with first and second coupling ends being releasably coupled together by a latch assembly from an open position to a closed position. The latch assembly has a connecting member with a pivoting end and an anchoring end. The pivoting end of the connecting member is pivotally coupled to the first coupling end about a pivot axis between an unengaged position where the anchoring end is spaced from the second coupling end and an engaged position where the anchoring end is removably coupled to the second coupling end. The latch assembly further has a retention member coupled to the pivoting end of the connecting member for retaining the connecting member to the first coupling end.

Abstract: A seal for stator vane segments within a gas turbine engine is provided which includes an axial member and an end member. The axial member includes a central portion and at least one axial joint element extending out from the central portion. The central portion has across-section which includes a pair of substantially u-shaped circumferential ends connected by an arcuate midsection. The axial joint element transitions from the arcuate midsection to a substantially flat end. The end member includes an end joint element attached to a radial portion. The axial and end joint elements contact each other to prevent leakage therebetween, and also sidably cooperate with each other to accommodate misalignment between the axial member and the end member.

Abstract: In a water flow system, a non-metallic liner 50 is placed within at least a portion of a passage 48 of a supporting metallic end body 38 to preclude contact between any water flowing through the system and the passage of the end body. The liner 50 includes a flared section 60 at a first end 54 thereof which engages a bevelled surface 49 of the end body 38 and is held there in sealing fashion by a cone washer 82 and a nut 84 threadedly coupled to the end body. At a location near a second end 56 of the liner 50, the liner is formed with a first stepped shoulder 62 which facilitates location of the liner within the passage 48 of the end body 38 at the second end of the liner. A second stepped shoulder 64 is formed on the liner 50 which provides a location for an O-ring 72 which engages an adjacent portion of the passage 48 of the end body to form a seal thereby.

Abstract: A piston seal has formed on one side of the piston body upon which oil pressure works are a tapered surface portion which extends in a direction away from a piston sliding wall and a parallel surface portion. A lip-like seal is formed of a seal base portion which is, in cross section, approximately triangular to fill a space defined between the tapered surface portion and the piston sliding wall, and a lip portion which is formed integrally with the seal base portion. Q indicates the exertion line of a force which presses the lip portion against the piston sliding wall. T is a normal line which extends from the tapered surface portion towards the piston sliding wall. In order to prevent the lines Q and T from intersecting with each other within the bore, the seal base portion is arranged to lie apart from the lip portion in relation to the axial direction of the bore.

Abstract: A duct connector (32) with a flow channel through its center and an increased diameter seal (35) on its end. A compression ring (38) is designed to fit tightly over the duct connector (32) and has an inwardly directed flange (68) on one of its edges which reduces the diameter of the end and thereby prevents the compression ring (38) from sliding past the end of the duct connector (32). A retaining clamp (53) includes two arcs (77, 80) that are pivotally attached and that may be rotated between a circular, closed configuration and an open configuration. The second end of each arc includes a number of open loops (137, 140, and 152) that align when the arcs are in the closed configuration. A sliding locking mechanism (161) is affixed to the arc (77) proximate to the loops (137, 140). The locking mechanism (161) has a prong (170) that passes through the aligned loops (137, 140, and 152) on each arc (77, 80), thereby preventing the arcs (77, 80) from separating.