Abstract: The pulldown apparatus may comprise a main stage and a secondary stage. The main stage may comprise a cylinder, a main head, a main gland, a piston and a main rod. The cylinder defines a chamber and includes a first end and a second end. The main gland and the piston is disposed in the chamber. The main rod is disposed in the chamber between the piston and the second end. The secondary stage includes a secondary head, a secondary gland, a secondary rod and a flange. The secondary gland is disposed in the chamber. The secondary rod is coupled to the flange. The flange is coupled to the main stage and disposed inside the cylinder between the piston and the secondary rod. The cylinder is slidable over the main rod, the piston and the secondary rod.

Abstract: Manufactures and methods implement wear components containing a subsurface underlying incipient failure indicator, machinery parts including at least one wear component containing a subsurface underlying incipient failure indicator, and mechanical systems including at least one machinery part including at least one wear component containing a subsurface underlying incipient failure indicator. An elastomeric seal has one or more failure indicators including a spectrally distinguishable element and/or molecule from operating-native constituent matter of a mechanical system underlying at one or more subsurface distances, including at least one subsurface distance within an incipient failure region. Abrasive wear of an elastomeric seals can expose subsurface strata having failure indicators embedded therein, each exposure causing a spectrally distinguishable element and/or molecule to mingle with lubricant of the mechanical system.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a hydraulic cylinder piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder includes an annular buffer seal and an annular backup ring. A first axial pressure side of the annular buffer ring faces a rod end chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and fits adjacent a first axial side surface of an annular groove defined in a rod end of the hydraulic cylinder through which the piston rod passes, and a second axial seal side opposite from the first axial pressure side includes a radially outer annular seal surface and a radially inner annular seal surface, wherein the radially outer annular seal surface is spaced farther from the first axial pressure side of the annular buffer seal than the radially inner annular seal surface of the buffer seal such that an annular notch is formed around an inner diameter of the annular buffer seal on the second axial seal side of the annular buffer seal.

Abstract: A combination of seals and wear guides for use in a hydraulic cylinder provides a sealed engagement between a piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder and an inner circumferential surface of a rod end of a cylinder barrel of the hydraulic cylinder through which the piston rod is axially movable. The combination includes a cylindrical metallic wear guide for seating within a first annular groove formed around the inner circumferential surface, a buffer seal assembly including an annular buffer seal cooperatively mated with an annular backup ring for seating within a second annular groove, a U-cup seal for seating within a third annular groove, a cylindrical plastic wear guide for seating within a fourth annular groove, and a triple lip wiper seal including three ringed lip portions for seating within a fifth annular groove.

Abstract: The pulldown apparatus may comprise a main stage and a secondary stage. The main stage may comprise a cylinder, a main head, a main gland, a piston and a main rod. The cylinder defines a chamber and includes a first end and a second end. The main gland and the piston is disposed in the chamber. The main rod is disposed in the chamber between the piston and the second end. The secondary stage includes a secondary head, a secondary gland, a secondary rod and a flange. The secondary gland is disposed in the chamber. The secondary rod is coupled to the flange. The flange is coupled to the main stage and disposed inside the cylinder between the piston and the secondary rod. The cylinder is slidable over the main rod, the piston and the secondary rod.