Abstract: A wet clutch device for selectively transmitting the rotation of a rotatable pulley to a driven shaft which rotatably supports the pulley. The wet clutch device includes an oil chamber which encloses a predetermined amount of oil and which is defined by the pulley and a cover which is secured to the pulley, driving clutch plates which are axially movably supported by the pulley in the oil chamber, driven clutch plates which are axially movably supported by the driven shaft in the oil chamber to selectively come into engagement with, and disengagement from corresponding driving clutch plates, and actuating device for bringing the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates into engagement with each other.

Abstract: A lip seal device for use with an automobile water pump having a simple structure and which can be manufactured with a compact size and at a low cost. The lip seal device includes a housing, a rotary shaft rotatably supported in the housing, a case through which the rotary shaft passes, a sleeve fixed to the rotary shaft, and a sealing member formed of two sheets of lips, the outer end portions of which are attained to the case and the inner end portions of which are in sliding contact with the outside circumferential surface of the sleeve, whereby the generation of abnormal noise in the automobile engine is effectively controlled.

Abstract: A lip seal device for sealing the gap between a housing and a rotary shaft comprises a case surrounding the rotary shaft, a lip seal attached inside the case, support means for holding the lip seal on the other circumferential portion thereof and seal means located on the outside circumferential surface of the case. The inner circumferential portion of the lip seal is curved toward the sealed fluid. The lip seal includes a sealing surface provided with an annular groove extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the rotary shaft so that the sealing surface has a first and second sealing portion, the contact pressure of the first sealing portion on the rotary shaft being lower than the contact pressure of the second sealing portion on the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A lip seal device for sealing the gap between a housing and a rotary shaft comprises a case surrounding the rotary shaft, a plurality of lip seals fitted inside the case and including at least two lip seals, support means for holding the lip seals on the outer circumferential portions thereof and seal means located on the outside of the circumferential surface of the case. The inner circumferential portions of the lip seals are curved toward the sealed fluid and have a sealing surface in contact with the outside circumferential surface of the rotary shaft. The contact pressure of the lip seal furthest from the sealed fluid is lower than the contact pressure of the lip seal closest to the sealed fluid.

Abstract: A mechanical seal, such as may advantageously be used for an automotive water pump or the like, in which the amount of frictional torque is significantly reduced. The seal includes a follower ring through which a rotary shaft rotatably passes and a seat ring rotated by the shaft. Recesses are formed in the abutting surface of at least one of the two rings, each recess being defined by a forward edge and a rear edge and opening only to the inner circumferential surface of the rings. The forward edge of each recess is inclined from the inner circumferential surface to the rear side in the direction of rotation of the follower ring relative to the seat ring, and the rear edge extends from the outer end of the forward edge along a radial line extending through substantially the center of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sliding member having a novel micropore structure and an improved seizure resistance and seal property. Conventionally, the surface roughness of a sliding member is defined by, for example, maximum and/or average roughness. In the present invention, first, there is prepared a sliding member which has a hardness of at least HRc 50 and has micropores for determining the surface roughness of the sliding surface thereof, wherein the micropores, when measured with a particle counter, are present essentially in an amount ranging from 5% to 40% based on an area of the sliding surface and ranging from 2,000 to 150,000 per mm.sup.2 on the sliding surface and have a diameter of at least 0.5 .mu.m. A top portion of ridges which define the micropores is slightly rounded, thereby providing flat or round configuration in terms of the relative load curve, the relative load curve being defined by the accumulative percentage (t.sub.k) and the cutting depth (CV.sub.

Abstract: A dust-proof device for preventing dust from entering into sliding surfaces from the inside thereof in a mechanical seal for avoiding the leakage of fluid from the outside into the inside of the sliding surfaces, which mechanical seal comprises a seating ring which receives therethrough a rotary shaft and a follower ring which is rotated together with the rotary shaft in sliding contact with the seating ring. The dust-proof device comprises a dust-proof disk which is attached to the rotary shaft. This disk is opposed to the end face of the seating ring with leaving a small clearance between them and the above end face is the opposite surface relative to the sliding surface of the seating ring. The dust-proof disk is rotated together with the rotary shaft to avoid the entering of dust into the clearance, thereby preventing the dust from entering into the sliding surfaces.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for preventing the leakage of fluid through the rotary sliding contact surfaces, in which a contact surface is provided with a plurality of fine one-way grooves having outer closed end portions. The fine grooves which are inclined outwardly and rearwardly to the relative rotation can be formed in the sliding contact surface of either the rotating member or the stationary member. If the fine grooves are formed radially or inclined outwardly and forwardly, the fine grooves may be formed in the sliding contact surface of the rotating member. The mechanical seal having such fine grooves in the sliding contact surface gives a quite good sealing effect because, during the rotation of rotating members, the leakage flow of the pressurized fluid or a mixture of liquid and gas that is sealed is on the outside thereof toward the external gas existing on the inside thereof, can be avoided.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for preventing leakage of a fluid from the outside to the inside of the sliding contact portion between a stationary seating ring and a rotating follower ring. A plane land portion is formed in the peripheral portion of the sliding surface of the follower ring and a plurality of holes are defined in the inside portion of the sliding surface of the follower ring. The above plurality of holes are effective to prevent the leakage of the fluid.

Abstract: A mechanical seal having a fixed member airtightly fixed along the outer circumference thereof in a bearing house formed in the housing of a compressor, a support member mounted on the rotary shaft of the compressor received through the bearing house and supported rotatably in the housing, a rotary member airtightly mounted along the inner circumference thereof on the rotary shaft and a spring disposed between the rotary member and the support member to press the rotary member against the fixed member in the axial direction. The sliding surface of the rotary member to be in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the fixed member has a hardness of Hv 350 and above and minute pores of 30 .mu.m and less in maximum major diameter to retain lubricating oil therein so that the housing of the compressor is sealed to prevent leakage of the gas and the lubricating oil contained within the housing through the bearing house.

Abstract: A mechanical seal comprises a seating ring and a follower ring. The seating ring receives therethrough a rotatable shaft and forms a stationary member and the follower ring is rotated together with the rotatable shaft in sliding contact with the seating ring. The seal is serviceable for avoiding the leakage of pressurized sealed fluid from the outside of the sliding contact portion between both the rings to the inside thereof. At least one of the sliding contact surfaces of both the rings has an outside raised portion along the periphery of the sliding contact surface. The raised portion is swollen in the direction of the axis of the rotatable shaft as compared with the inside portion of the sliding contact surface. Since the contact surface pressure in the peripheral portion of both the rings becomes high at the normal temperature by the provision of the outside raised form, the sealing effect can be improved especially during the stoppage of the follower ring.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for preventing the leakage of fluid through the rotary sliding contact surfaces, in which a contact surface is provided with a plurality of fine one-way grooves having outer closed end portions. The fine grooves which are inclined outwardly and rearwardly to the relative rotation can be formed in the sliding contact surface of either the rotating member or the stationary member. If the fine grooves are formed radially or inclined outwardly and forwardly, the fine grooves may be formed in the sliding contact surface of the rotating member. The mechanical seal having such fine grooves in the sliding contact surface gives a quite good sealing effect because, during the rotation of rotating members, the leakage flow of the pressurized fluid or a mixture of liquid and gas that is sealed in on the outside thereof toward the external gas existing on the inside thereof, can be avoided.

Abstract: A mechanical seal mounted in a compressor comprises a rotating sealing ring, a stationary mating ring and means for pressing the sealing ring against the mating ring. The mating ring is of hardened bearing steel.