Abstract: A reciprocating cylinder seal assembly (10, 10?) has an elastomeric seal, where separate inner (16, 16?) and an outer (18, 18?) valve seal retainers are located within the reciprocating cylinder seal assembly. The reciprocating cylinder seal assembly (10, 10?) better controls radial run out than past seals in reciprocating cylinder engines. Further, the reciprocating cylinder seal assembly may have a scraper (42?) that is in contact with the outer valve seal retainer (18?).

Abstract: A reciprocating cylinder seal assembly (10, 10?) has an elastomeric seal, where separate inner (16, 16?) and an outer (18, 18?) valve seal retainers are located within the reciprocating cylinder seal assembly. The reciprocating cylinder seal assembly (10, 10?) better controls radial run out than past seals in reciprocating cylinder engines. Further, the reciprocating cylinder seal assembly may have a scraper (42?) that is in contact with the outer valve seal retainer (18?).

Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly has a metal retainer, an elastomeric seal, and a metal valve guide. The metal retainer and the elastomeric seal are attached to each other, and the elastomeric seal is in sealable contact with the metal valve guide, while the metal retainer is in metal-to-metal gripping contact with the metal valve guide. A stop may be formed in the metal retainer that cooperates with a shoulder formed in the metal valve guide in order to prevent over-installation of the assembly of the elastomeric seal with attached metal retainer, when this assembly is installed over the metal valve guide.

Abstract: An eccentricity tolerant valve stem seal assembly includes an elastomeric seal having an upper metal retainer extending down and within an upper seal portion which has an inwardly directed sealing lip for contacting a valve stem. There are also a flexible middle and a lower seal portions. The lower seal portion is connected to a lower metal seal retainer that is disposed up to a lower edge of the middle seal portion. The flexible middle seal portion allows the upper seal portion to flex from an eccentric valve stem without losing the sealing function of the sealing lip. In cooperation with the above described structure, a separate cover may be in a tight tolerance fit with the lower seal retainer over top of the eccentricity tolerant valve stem seal, in order to limit axial displacement of the upper portion of the seal due to high manifold pressure.

Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly has a metal retainer, an elastomeric seal, and a metal valve guide. The metal retainer and the elastomeric seal are attached to each other, and the elastomeric seal is in sealable contact with the metal valve guide, while the metal retainer is in metal-to-metal gripping contact with the metal valve guide. A stop may be formed in the metal retainer that cooperates with a shoulder formed in the metal valve guide in order to prevent over-installation of the assembly of the elastomeric seal with attached metal retainer, when this assembly is installed over the metal valve guide.

Abstract: An eccentricity tolerant valve stem seal assembly includes an elastomeric seal having an upper metal retainer extending down and within an upper seal portion which has an inwardly directed sealing lip for contacting a valve stem. There are also a flexible middle and a lower seal portions. The lower seal portion is connected to a lower metal seal retainer that is disposed up to a lower edge of the middle seal portion. The flexible middle seal portion allows the upper seal portion to flex from an eccentric valve stem without losing the sealing function of the sealing lip. In cooperation with the above described structure, a separate cover may be in a tight tolerance fit with the lower seal retainer over top of the eccentricity tolerant valve stem seal, in order to limit axial displacement of the upper portion of the seal due to high manifold pressure.

Abstract: A seal of an annular shape comprising a top bead and a side bead that are tilted inwardly at predetermined angles. The top bead and side bead are integrally formed such that a force exerted on the side bead allows the side bead to cooperate with the top bead to properly seal an intake pipe within a cylinder head. This abstract submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for cutting a sheet of material into single supports where each of the single supports has an array area to which is bound an array of chemical compounds. The sheet comprises a plurality of score lines. The apparatus comprises an input conveyor, an output conveyor, a driver for moving the sheet from the input conveyor to the output conveyor and a breaking mechanism for breaking the sheet into single supports. The input conveyor, the output conveyor and the driver are each adapted to move the sheet without contacting the array area and an area on a surface of the support opposite the array area. Likewise, the breaking mechanism breaks the sheet into the single supports along the score lines without contacting the array area and an area on a surface of the support opposite the array area.

Abstract: Methods for producing glass substrates having scribed edges with straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions, and microarray glass substrates produced thereby, are provided. In certain embodiments, at least one scribe line is scribed in glass using reduced laser power at the beginning and end of each scribe line relative to the laser power used to scribe the remaining portions of each respective scribe line. In other embodiments, a heat absorbing laser element is positioned adjacent the beginning and end of each scribe line. In all embodiments, the scribed glass is singulated to produce a plurality of scribed glass pieces, each having straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions. The scribed glass can be used as substrates for biopolymeric microarrays. Also provided are biopolymeric microarrays produced from the subject methods and kits which include the subject microarrays, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: Methods for producing glass substrates having scribed edges with straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions, and microarray glass substrates produced thereby, are provided. In certain embodiments, at least one scribe line is scribed in glass using reduced laser power at the beginning and end of each scribe line relative to the laser power used to scribe the remaining portions of each respective scribe line. In other embodiments, a heat absorbing laser element is positioned adjacent the beginning and end of each scribe line. In all embodiments, the scribed glass is singulated to produce a plurality of scribed glass pieces, each having straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions. The scribed glass can be used as substrates for biopolymeric microarrays. Also provided are biopolymeric microarrays produced from the subject methods and kits which include the subject microarrays, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: A seal of an annular shape comprising a top bead and a side bead that are tilted inwardly at predetermined angles. The top bead and side bead are integrally formed such that a force exerted on the side bead allows the side bead to cooperate with the top bead to properly seal an intake pipe within a cylinder head. This abstract submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A seal for a flange includes two separate sealing lips to seal the interfaces between the flange and the intake manifold and the cylinder head. One lip seals against the head surface when the flange is bolted to the cylinder head. The other lip seals around the intake manifold when the intake manifold, such as a tubular intake manifold, is inserted into the flange. The flange seal is made of elastomeric material, such as rubber, and is integrally bonded to the flange made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, during the molding process to form a flange seal having a one-piece construction. The flange seal also includes a gap between one of the sealing lips and an outer surface of the flange that provides a space for the displaced rubber to flow when compressed by the cylinder head. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A radially compliant valve stem seal assembly is adapted for installation over a valve guide of an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a metallic cylindrical straight-walled retainer with an elastomeric sealing element chemically bonded to the interior surface of the retainer. The sealing element includes upper and lower portions; the upper portion includes a pair of sealing lips comprising an oil sealing lip and a gas sealing lip. The lips are adapted to meter oil through an interface between the seal assembly and the associated valve stem for assuring proper lubrication at the interface. The lower portion of the elastomeric sealing element provides one or more annular radially inwardly oriented gripping ribs adapted to engage the guide via an interference fit. The gripping ribs are adapted to balance forces of installation against those of securement of the valve stem seal assembly over a wide valve guide diameter tolerance range.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for cutting a sheet of material into single supports where each of the single supports has an array area to which is bound an array of chemical compounds. The sheet comprises a plurality of score lines. The apparatus comprises an input conveyor, an output conveyor, a driver for moving the sheet from the input conveyor to the output conveyor and a breaking mechanism for breaking the sheet into single supports. The input conveyor, the output conveyor and the driver are each adapted to move the sheet without contacting the array area and an area on a surface of the support opposite the array area. Likewise, the breaking mechanism breaks the sheet into the single supports along the score lines without contacting the array area and an area on a surface of the support opposite the array area.

Abstract: Methods for producing glass substrates having scribed edges with straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions, and microarray glass substrates produced thereby, are provided. In certain embodiments, at least one scribe line is scribed in glass using reduced laser power at the beginning and end of each scribe line relative to the laser power used to scribe the remaining portions of each respective scribe line. In other embodiments, a heat absorbing laser element is positioned adjacent the beginning and end of each scribe line. In all embodiments, the scribed glass is singulated to produce a plurality of scribed glass pieces, each having straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions. The scribed glass can be used as substrates for biopolymeric microarrays. Also provided are biopolymeric microarrays produced from the subject methods and kits which include the subject microarrays, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: A pressure substantially equalling the formation water pressure within an oil-productive portion of a subterranean reservoir can be directly measured by displacing a limited portion of water into a continuous water phase extending through a material having an oil entry pressure high enough to effectively prevent oil entry while maintaining a permeability to water, and fluid communication with the reservoir, allowing imbibition to reduce the pressure within the water phase, and subsequently measuring that pressure.