Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Abstract: An integrated battery unit includes a battery cell and a graphite matrix surrounding the battery cell, wherein the graphite matrix is soaked with a phase change material. Each of the integrated battery units include an integrated circuit board that manages charging and discharging of the battery cell based upon data received from adjacent integrated battery units and a communication from the sources external to the battery pack. A hybrid battery unit can also include a capacitor function that temporarily stores and discharges electric charge and can be controlled by the integrated circuit board.

Abstract: A thrust washer includes an annular body with an aperture therein and having a first axial face and a second axial face, an outer diameter edge and an inner diameter edge extending between the first and second axial faces. At least one of the first and second axial or conical faces includes a plurality of recessed grooves extending at least partially between the inner edge and the outer edge and defining un-recessed lands between the recessed grooves. The plurality of recessed grooves defining an average groove width and the plurality of lands defining an average land width between the grooves, wherein a ratio of the groove width to the land width is in a range of 0.2 to 2. The plurality of recessed grooves include a convex lead in surface having a lead in radius.

Abstract: A thrust washer includes an annular body with an aperture therein and having a first axial face and a second axial face, an outer diameter edge and an inner diameter edge extending between the first and second axial faces. At least one of the first and second axial or conical faces includes a plurality of recessed grooves extending at least partially between the inner edge and the outer edge and defining un-recessed lands between the recessed grooves. The plurality of recessed grooves defining an average groove width and the plurality of lands defining an average land width between the grooves, wherein a ratio of the groove width to the land width is in a range of 0.2 to 2. The plurality of recessed grooves include a convex lead in surface having a lead in radius.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular mounting portion having an axial leg extending axially from the annular mounting portion toward the air side. A radial leg portion extends radially inward from an end of the axial leg. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially toward the oil side from an end of the radial leg portion. A dust lip extends from the end of the radial leg portion in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under negative pressure and when the lay down sealing lip begins to lift radially off the shaft, there is a counterbalance force applied to the axial leg that is designed to be flexible enough that the oil side vacuum “rocks” the seal bringing the dust lip into contact with the shaft and blocking airflow.

Abstract: An energy saving seal seals between a bore and a shaft for separating an oil side from an air side of the seal. The seal includes an annular mounting portion having a bellows portion extending axially and radially inward from the mounting portion. An axial leg extends axially from the bellows portion toward the air side. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially toward the oil side from an end of the axial leg. The sealing lip includes a bead on an outer surface. A dust lip extends from the end of the axial leg in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under a negative pressure, the axial leg flexes inward in response to the negative pressure and engages the bead to provide a self-contact feature that holds the lay down sealing lip in engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular mounting portion having a bellows portion extending axially and radially inward from the mounting portion. An axial leg extends axially from the bellows portion. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially from an end of the axial leg. A dust lip extends from the end of the axial leg in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under negative pressure and when the lay down sealing lip begins to lift radially off the shaft there is a counterbalance force applied to the axial leg through the bellows geometry which maintains the lay down sealing lip in contact with the shaft. In addition, the seal is designed to be flexible enough that the oil side vacuum “rocks” the seal bringing the dust lip into contact with the shaft and blocking airflow.

Abstract: A dynamic shaft seal assembly is provided including a dynamic seal for engaging a rotary shaft. The dynamic seal includes a mounting portion that is mounted within a casing and has an axially extending barrel portion extending from a radially inner end of the mounting portion. The axially extending barrel portion terminates in a radially extending leg portion which extends inwardly from an end of the axially extending portion. A generally conically shaped seal portion extends from an end of the radially extending portion and the seal portion includes a radially inner face engaging the shaft and a radially outer face having a stiffening bead integrally formed thereon. The mounting portion defines a bumper spaced from the axially extending barrel portion by a gap distance that is designed to prevent the seal lip from inverting under sustained high pressure or pressure spikes.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular mounting portion having a bellows portion extending axially and radially inward from the mounting portion. An axial leg extends axially from the bellows portion. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially from an end of the axial leg. A dust lip extends from the end of the axial leg in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under negative pressure and when the lay down sealing lip begins to lift radially off the shaft there is a counterbalance force applied to the axial leg through the bellows geometry which maintains the lay down sealing lip in contact with the shaft. In addition, the seal is designed to be flexible enough that the oil side vacuum “rocks” the seal bringing the dust lip into contact with the shaft and blocking airflow.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular mounting portion having an axial leg extending axially from the annular mounting portion toward the air side. A radial leg portion extends radially inward from an end of the axial leg. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially toward the oil side from an end of the radial leg portion. A dust lip extends from the end of the radial leg portion in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under negative pressure and when the lay down sealing lip begins to lift radially off the shaft, there is a counterbalance force applied to the axial leg that is designed to be flexible enough that the oil side vacuum “rocks” the seal bringing the dust lip into contact with the shaft and blocking airflow.

Abstract: An energy saving seal seals between a bore and a shaft for separating an oil side from an air side of the seal. The seal includes an annular mounting portion having a bellows portion extending axially and radially inward from the mounting portion. An axial leg extends axially from the bellows portion toward the air side. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially toward the oil side from an end of the axial leg. The sealing lip includes a bead on an outer surface. A dust lip extends from the end of the axial leg in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under a negative pressure, the axial leg flexes inward in response to the negative pressure and engages the bead to provide a self-contact feature that holds the lay down sealing lip in engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A dynamic seal advantageously utilizes a groove on the active side or surface of the seal to capture a leaked lubricant and hydrodynamically pump the lubricant back into the lubricated side of the seal. The groove stops short of the leading edge of the seal that faces the lubricant side thereby forming a static dam between the termination point of the groove and the seal edge. When the fluid pressure within the groove adjacent the static dam exceeds the opening pressure for the seal lip, the lubricant within the groove is pumped back into the lubricant side of the seal. The groove can have an induction zone wherein the fluid pressure rise is gradual and a booster zone wherein the fluid pressure rise is relatively faster than in the induction zone. The booster zone is disposed adjacent the static dam.

Abstract: A dynamic lip seal is provided for sealing between a housing and a shaft and with a fluid medium to be sealed on an oil side and air on an air side of the seal. The seal includes a seal lip extending from a seal body and including a shaft contact portion adapted for engagement with the shaft and including a static band and a first set of spiral grooves disposed on an oil side of the static band, and a second set of spiral grooves on an air side of the static band. The first and second sets of spiral grooves are both configured to pump oil toward the static band when the shaft is rotated in a first direction, and the first and second sets of spiral grooves are both configured to pump oil away from the static band when the shaft is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: A dynamic shaft seal assembly is provided including a dynamic seal for engaging a rotary shaft. The dynamic seal includes a mounting portion that is mounted within a casing and has an axially extending barrel portion extending from a radially inner end of the mounting portion. The axially extending barrel portion terminates in a radially extending leg portion which extends inwardly from an end of the axially extending portion. A generally conically shaped seal portion extends from an end of the radially extending portion and the seal portion includes a radially inner face engaging the shaft and a radially outer face having a stiffening bead integrally formed thereon. The mounting portion defines a bumper spaced from the axially extending barrel portion by a gap distance that is designed to prevent the seal lip from inverting under sustained high pressure or pressure spikes.

Abstract: A dynamic shaft seal assembly is provided including a dynamic seal for engaging a rotary shaft. The dynamic seal includes a mounting portion that is mounted within a casing and has an axially extending barrel portion extending from a radially inner end of the mounting portion. The axially extending barrel portion terminates in a radially extending leg portion which extends inwardly from an end of the axially extending portion. A generally conically shaped seal portion extends from an end of the radially extending portion and the seal portion includes a radially inner face engaging the shaft and a radially outer face having a stiffening bead integrally formed thereon. The mounting portion defines a bumper spaced from the axially extending barrel portion by a gap distance that is designed to prevent the seal lip from inverting under sustained high pressure or pressure spikes.

Abstract: A dynamic seal assembly for installation between first and second relatively rotating members, comprising a ring for fixed engagement with said first member and an annular seal extending radially from said ring and configured to slidably engage said second member, wherein said radial seal has a thickness, and a length that is from about 1 to about 15 times greater than said thickness. In various embodiments, the seal is formed of a rubber composition comprising a vulcanized fluorocarbon elastomer dispersed in a matrix of a thermoplastic polymeric material. In various embodiments, the matrix forms a continuous phase and the vulcanized elastomeric material is in the form of particles forming a non-continuous phase. The compositions may be made by combining a curative, an uncured fluorocarbon elastomer, and a thermoplastic material, and heating the mixture to effect vulcanization of the elastomeric material, while applying mechanical energy.

Abstract: A seal for sealingly engaging a shaft or other rotatable element includes a sealing portion having a lubricant side and a non-lubricant side and extending generally inwardly toward the shaft when the seal is installed thereon. The sealing portion has an active lip portion including a shaft engagement surface engageable with the shaft and a lubricant vent extending through at least a portion of the active lip portion. The lubricant vent provides fluid communication between opposite sides of the active lip portion, thus maintaining adequate lubrication between the shaft engagement surface and the shaft, avoiding lubricant coking, or other degradation, and extending seal life.

Abstract: A low friction seal for sealing between a shaft and a bore and includes an inner case adapted to be mounted on the shaft. An outer case is adapted to be mounted within the bore. A seal element is mounted to the inner case and includes a base portion attached to the inner case. A membrane extends from the base portion and an axially extending leg extends from the membrane. A seal lip extends from the axially extending leg and sealingly engages a radially extending portion of the outer case. As the shaft rotates, the centrifugal forces tend to cause the membrane to flex and the torque loads applied by the dynamic seal are reduced to the point that the seal lip can lift off and apply zero torque load.

Abstract: A dynamic seal utilizes a groove on the active side of the seal to capture a leaked lubricant and pump the lubricant back into the lubricated side of the seal. The groove stops short of the leading edge of the seal that faces the lubricant side forming a static dam between the termination point of the groove and the seal edge. When the fluid pressure within the groove exceeds the opening pressure for the seal lip, the lubricant within the groove is pumped back into the lubricant side of the seal. The groove can have an induction zone wherein the fluid pressure rise is gradual and a booster zone wherein the fluid pressure rise is relatively faster than in the induction zone. The booster zone is disposed adjacent the static dam. Bars are provided across the spiral grooves to prevent contaminants from reaching and becoming trapped in the booster zone.

Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a space between a rotating shaft and a housing. In this regard, the seal assembly includes a rotating component connected to the shaft, and a stationary component connected to the housing. A first seal is connected to the rotating component and a second seal is connected to the stationary component. The first seal includes at least one dispersion member that generates a fluid disturbance in a region adjacent the space during rotation of the rotating component and a discontinuity that provide a pathway for a contaminant to exit the space.