Abstract: A brush seal (3) is provided to seal two differently pressurized spaces (R.sub.1, R.sub.2) on opposite sides of a rotor (1) cooperating with a stator (2), for example in a gas turbine engine, around a circumferential gap between the rotor (1) and the stator (2). The brush seal (3) includes seal bristles (5) having free ends extending annularly concentrically and parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor (1) and fixed ends received in a seal housing (6). A perimeter rim of the rotor (1) has an axis-concentric circumferential groove (7) therein, and the free ends of the seal bristles (5) reach into this circumferential groove (7). During operation of the rotor (1), fluid boundary layers are formed respectively between the seal bristles (5) and the side walls (9A, 9B) of the circumferential groove (7). The boundary layers (G.sub.I, G.sub.

Abstract: A easy picket post including a new and improved elongated post member. The post member has four sides, a top end and a bottom end. A bore hole is within the post member and extends the length of the post member. A flat spike member is provided for coupling with at least one of the four sides of the post member. Lastly, an elongated cylindrical shank member is included. The cylindrical shank member has a striking head and a tapered end for piercing the ground. The cylindrical shank member has a diameter for positioning of the cylindrical shank within the bore hole of the post member. The cylindrical shank supports the post member in a vertical orientation with respect to the ground when positioned within the bore hole.

Abstract: A sealing element, particularly for shut-off and regulating valves, comprising a tabular, piston-shaped or spherical shut-off body of a ceramic material having a hard material layer containing carbon and silicon applied to a sealing surface of the shut-off body by plasma chemical vapor deposition or plasma polymerization, in a coating chamber. The hard material layer comprises a bonding layer component applied to the sealing surface of the shut-off body and a subsequent sliding layer component. The carbon-containing bonding layer component has a first silicon content favoring adhesion to the sealing surface of the shut-off body and the subsequent carbon-containing sliding layer component having a second silicon content lower than that of the bonding layer component to achieve low coefficients of sliding friction and static friction.

Abstract: A frangible sealing disk for use downhole in combination with packer components. The sealing disk is a molded ceramic disk having a circular seating face and extending centrally through a dome-shaped seal. The seal is preferred for use in combination with a packer assembly for pressure sealing the borehole, either up hole or down, so that the seal may be broken away easily when it is desired to remove or reset the packer assembly.

Abstract: An improved gas seal having inboard and outboard seal units each defined by a pair of opposed and relatively rotatable seal faces, one face of each pair having appropriate grooves which communicate with a pressurized barrier gas, preferably an inert gas such as nitrogen. The inboard seal unit, at its other seal periphery, communicates with a process fluid being handled by a rotating equipment, namely a pump. Each seal unit has one of the seal rings, the nonrotating ring in the preferred embodiment, urged axially toward its opposed ring by a compact bellows which axially cooperates between the respective seal ring and a backing member. The bellows is positioned to create an isolation between the barrier and process fluids and to provide an effective diameter to provide desirable balance of pressures as imposed on the axially moving seal ring to optimize seal performance.

Abstract: A highway guardrail terminal system having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of posts. Foundation sleeves having an elongated slit along one side retain and support appropriate guardrail posts. A plurality of stiffing ribs extend across the slit at a distal portion of the tube. The sleeves enable a safer and faster removal of broken guardrail posts after vehicular impact.

Abstract: An exercise device for use in water is made of a material adapted for floating and has sufficient buoyancy to support a user positioned in a body of water. Two opposed end portions are connected by a narrowed central portion that is dimensioned to fit between the upper leg portions of the user. In use the user places the central portion between the legs, causing the end portions to be buoyed upward and enveloping the user's trunk. Positioned thus, the user is supported in an upright position with the limbs free to move, which is suitable for performing an exercise.

Abstract: A sealing ring assembly for installation in a single sealing ring groove of a piston that is for use in an internal combustion engine, hydraulic cylinder piston, or the like, and replaces the top and second ring seals as are presently utilized, which sealing ring assembly is for curtailing leakage between the piston outer surface and surface of a cylinder containing the piston. The sealing ring assembly consists of a first, primary or main ring that is for fitting in a piston sealing ring groove and is cut back along top and bottom surfaces to provide slots that are each receive a flat rail fitted therein, with the assembly to be contained within the sealing ring groove. The sealing ring assembly can be manufactured in various widths from one quarter (1/4) inch to one (1) millimeter, and the first, primary or main ring preferably has an end gap cut formed at a ninety (90) degree angle thereacross, and the rails preferably each have an end gap cut formed at a forty-five (45) degree angle thereacross.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket assembly of the present invention includes a main gasket body and a fluid flow opening. A spiral wound component is received within and engages an inner periphery of the fluid flow opening to provide enhanced dynamic recovery and sealing to the fluid flow opening. In one embodiment a generally U-shaped flange engages the inner periphery of the fluid flow opening with the spiral wound gasket disposed within the flange.

Abstract: An ergonomically adjustable tool handle having a dual direction locking device including a modified swivel retaining plate having an external threaded portion and a corresponding modified jam nut which is threaded to receive the external threads of the retaining plate. A retrofit kit incorporating the locking device optionally includes an anchor bolt having a predetermined length for installation on a conventional tool handle.

Abstract: A connector for use in connecting an air-inflatable mattress to a control unit, where the connector has three modes of operation: Off; On; and CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) when the male body part and the female body part are mutually engaged. These modes arise from different alignments of the air passages of the first component and second component of the male body part at surfaces which abut one another. Fluid supply lines to be connected are attached to the unions. The female body part is attached to a wall of the control unit, and the male body part is on the ends of the supply lines running to the air-inflatable mattress.

Abstract: There is disclosed a belt for supporting an individual walking on a treadmill. The belt has an elastic section adjacent each of the opposite ends thereof. The belt is positioned behind the back of an individual walking on the treadmill and the opposite ends of the belt are attached to the treadmill. The belt when attached to the treadmill enables an individual walking on the treadmill to walk "hands-free", thereby enabling the individual to walk comfortably with arms swinging in a natural manner. There is also disclosed a motor device for changing the resistance applied by the belt to the user.

Abstract: Lip-type oil seals (10) having helical pumping ribs (40) are manufactured by preparing a molded foreproduct of the seal and by trimming a hat portion (62) to form a sharp sealing edge (32). Each of the pumping ribs (40) is configured to include a first section (50) of a uniform cross-section and a bilge-shaped second section (52). Trimming is made along a trim line (68) that intersects in between the length of the first sections (50) to ensure that a length of the first sections (52) is preserved between the sealing edge (32) and the second sections (52) regardless of the tolerance of positioning of a trimming knife. Oil seals having an improved initial static and dynamic sealing performance is obtained. The second sections (52) achieves a satisfactory pumping action even after a substantial wear has taken place.

Abstract: A support base for use with aquatic exercise devices and stabilizer which includes a body having apertures that receives and releasably secures a support for an exercise device to the base. The apertures in the base also receives and releasably secures stabilizing members which provides a way to support the exercising position of a person exercising with the device. Support base sections are also disclosed with a connecting structure to join the sections together to form a support base, and mounting structure to attach the base to the bottom of the pool, and to level the base.

Abstract: A muscle enhancement device having two elongated tubes telescopically engaged with one another so that a first of the tubes slides axially within a second of the tubes. A spring is positioned within the second tube so as to bias the first tube to normally extend outwardly away from the second tube. The first tube provides a horizontally oriented, curved contact force distribution means designed to be positioned in contact with a surface, such as the abdomen, and the second tube provides an elongate horizontally oriented handle designed to be grasped in the hand. Thus, to exercise a muscle group such as the abdominals, the user simply positions the curved force distribution means against that portion of the body and pulls the handle toward the body with enough force to compress the spring between the two tubes. A visual monitoring means allows the exerciser to see how far each cycle of exercise motion progresses so as to motivate and control the exercise in terms of difficulty and consistency.

Abstract: A flange seal utilizing a spirally wound steel strip with a V-shaped central portion and a sealing strip between the turns of the steel strip has a pair of layers of soft sealing material on opposite sides of the sealing ring engaging projecting portions of the sealing strip so that the projecting portions of the sealing strip do not exceed 0.5 mm in width beyond the edges of the steel strip.

Abstract: A multipurpose exercise device comprises a pair of side members each having a concave surface adapted to engage one of the thighs of a user. Each of the side members is supported in sliding engagement by a corresponding frame and operatively attached to a resilient member that urges the side member toward the open side of the concave surface. The frames can be fixed in various orientations. In one orientation of the frames, the side members face each other with the concave surfaces both opening inward. The user's legs are placed between the side members and moved apart against the urging of the resilient members to exercise the thigh abductor muscles. IN another orientation, the frames are oriented so that the side member face away from each other with the concave surfaces both opening outward. The device is placed between the user's legs and the user moves his/her legs together against the urging of the resilient members to exercise the thigh adductor muscles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for securely fastening joints in pressure vessels, pipes, and other structures intended to isolate internal volumes from the external environment. It can join a blank cover to a pressure vessel or it can join tubular members. It may be used in any application currently utilizing standard bolted flanges. It provides a flange retaining clamp for remotely disconnecting and remotely connecting flange members disposed on a pressure vessel, in which one of the flange members is disposed on the pressure vessel and the second flange hub end is applied in a gasketed, sealing relationship thereto, in which the flange hub ends each have a outwardly extending flange hub, wherein, the clamp has at least two clamp segments which are moveable from a closed, sealing, flange member retaining position to an open, unsealed, flange member liberating position.

Abstract: An in-ground installed pipe system that has flexible plastic-like wrapping at the pipe joints which consists of sealant backing on the underside of a flexible plastic-like cover material, this wrapping being of varying width and thickness, depending on need. The application of this system is quite simple: laying a pipe section in a trench to connect to an awaiting pipe end section. Once the two-pipe sections are connected, the wrapping is then placed around the pipe joint. Following this, tape is applied to the overlap of the wrapping. Once this is done, the pipe is ready and back filled. If there is movement at the joint, it will be accommodated by the flexible plastic-like sealant, which simultaneously maintains its function. The application of this flexible plastic-like wrapping, with sealant backing at the pipe joint, will allow for protection of the pipe joint should the primary joint fail. In some cases, this system can be used as the primary seal.

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.