Abstract: A radial lip seal for sealing about a pin of a hinge joint is disclosed. Such seal includes an outer mounting ring, a rubber flex ring mounted inside the mounting ring, a tension ring mounted inside the flex ring, and an inner elastomeric seal ring mounted inside the tension ring. The seal ring has an inside diameter that is a sufficient amount smaller than the pin to cause the tension ring to be stretched by a predetermined amount when the seal is mounted about the pin. The tension ring is capable of exerting a radial force of at least 20 N/cm of circumference on the seal ring upon being stretched the predetermined amount. The unique construction of such a seal is effective in sealing out highly abrasive materials found in very severe operating applications, such as on earthmoving vehicles, and provides a seal having an extremely long service life in such applications.

Abstract: A radial lip seal for sealing about a pin of a hinge joint is disclosed. Such seal includes an outer mounting ring, a rubber flex ring mounted inside the mounting ring, a tension ring mounted inside the flex ring, and an inner elastomeric seal ring mounted inside the tension ring. The seal ring has an inside diameter that is a sufficient amount smaller than the pin to cause the tension ring to be stretched by a predetermined amount when the seal is mounted about the pin. The tension ring is capable of exerting a radial force of at least 20N/cm of circumference on the seal ring upon being stretched the predetermined amount. The unique construction of such a seal is effective in sealing out highly abrasive materials found in very severe operating applications, such as on earthmoving vehicles, and provides a seal having an extremely long service life in such applications.

Abstract: A maintenance-free pivot joint is disclosed for mounting a first member of a loader linkage to a second member thereof. The first member is provided with a clevis having a pair of brackets. The pivot joint includes a pivot pin which is pivotally mounted within the second loader linkage member. A first end collar is fixedly secured to one end of the pivot pin of the joint and is slidably mounted to a first one of the pair of brackets. Conversely, a second end collar is slidably mounted on the other end of the pin and fixedly secured to a second of the brackets, but at a preselectable axial position relative to the second member. The positioning of the second end collar at the preselected position allows the joint to accommodate lateral misalignment between the first and second members of the linkage, while maintaining a closely spaced lateral relationship therebetween to eliminate end play and facilitate good sealability.

Abstract: A dual operating mode seal assembly (10) wherein a frictional force maintains a seal ring (50) in a static sealing mode during either movements of a member (16) being sealed to eliminate frictional and abrasive wear to the seal ring (50) and member (16). A load ring (52) provides a shear force upon deflection sufficient to overcome the frictional force at a predetermined slip point to cause the seal ring (50) to enter a dynamic sealing mode in response to extended travel movements of the member (16).

Abstract: A flexible seal assembly 10 is provided for a joint 12 having a first member 15 which is both pivotable about and axially movable along an axis 20 relative to a second joint member 16. The seal assembly 10 is disposed within an annular recess 22 of the first joint member 15 and includes an annular seal 30 of a flexible, wear resistant material and a metallic load ring 31. The seal has an axially movable sealing portion 34 with an annular seal lip 38. The load spring 31 is disposed behind the sealing portion 34 for urging and maintaining the seal lip 38 in sealing engagement against a sealing surface 22 of the second joint member 16.

Abstract: An impacting apparatus (10) for fracturing material includes a housing (14) and a fracturing shank (12) which is mounted adjacent the housing (14) so as to reciprocate about a pivot axis (24). The fracturing shank (12) has an impact receiving portion (28) and a sealing portion (26). The sealing portion (26) has a cylindrical sealing surface (26a) which is arranged about a longitudinal axis (26b). Such longitudinal axis (26b) is perpendicular to a radial line (33) extending from the pivot axis (24) and is inclined at a predetermined angle to a longitudinal axis (28b) extending through the impact receiving portion (28). An annular seal (16) is connected to the sealing surface (26a) and the housing (14) to obstruct the passage of material into and out of the housing (14). The seal (16) has a flexible portion (40) whose inner margin (46) lies along the radial line (33 ).

Abstract: An elastomeric seal apparatus (16) having an inner annular terminating portion (36) which is attachable to a first (12) member, an outer annular terminating portion (38) which is attachable to a second (14) member, and an annular convoluted flexible portion (40) which is disposed between the inner (36) and outer (38) terminating portions and has an inner (46) and an outer (48) margin which are respectively joined thereto. The thickness of the convoluted flexible portion (40) decreases from the relatively thicker inner margin (46) to the relatively thinner outer margin (48) in proportion to a radial distance (H) extending from the inner margin (46) to the flexible portion (40). A concentrically inner convolution (42) and a concentrically outer convolution (44) constitute the flexible portion (40) and have a relatively small (R.sub.1) and a relatively large (R.sub.2) radius of curvature.

Abstract: End face seal assemblies (10) are commonly used in severe service environments to exclude external contaminants from joints (12) between relatively movable members (14, 22) and to retain lubricants therein. Recurring problems associated with end face seal assemblies having two piece seal rings include failure of the bond between the stiffener ring portion and the resilient sealing lip portion and resultant lubrication loss and joint failure. The present invention is an improved end face seal assembly (10) having a load ring (42) and an annular sealing member (36) including an integral sealing lip (38). The annular sealing member (36) is made of a thermoplastic resin selected from a group of resins having coefficients of friction, tensile strengths, hardnesses, and load/velocity capabilities (PV) within preselected ranges.

Abstract: A seal apparatus (40) for sealing between relatively rotatable structures (12,14) is provided and has a pair of seal rings (62,64) which are engageable at axial sealing face portions (70,72). Axially facing surfaces (78,80) of the first seal ring (62) are arranged such that fluid pressure acting thereon biases it in a first direction. Axial positioning and circumferential retention of the second seal ring (64) is provided by an elastomeric toric (68) which is arranged radially between the second seal ring (64) and a retaining ring structure (46) which constitutes a part of the relatively rotatable structure (14). Axially facing surfaces (82,84,96) of the second seal ring (64) and the sealing toric (68) have areas in the axial direction which cause the second seal ring (64) to be pressure balanced in the axial direction by fluid pressure exerted thereon.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/WS80/00166 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 19, 1980 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 19, 1980 PCT Filed Feb. 19, 1980A joint sealing structure (12) including an annular seal ring (23) having a sealing portion (28) provided with a sealing lip (31) having a dynamic seal engagement with a joint member sealing surface (18) at all times. The sealing portion is carried on a connecting portion (30) of the seal ring which, in turn, is provided with a base portion (29) mounted in the counterbore of the seal space (15). The stiffener (26) is connected by a connecting portion (27) to a base (25) press fitted in the counterbore surface (20). The base defines an inturned flange (35) providing a bearing for a Belleville spring (24). The Belleville spring is provided with a radial inner portion engaging projecting portions (33) of the stiffener for biasing the sealing portion (28) and lip (31) thereof axially toward the sealing surface (18).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00505 Sec. 371 Date July 16, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date July 16, 1979 PCT Filed July 16, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO81/00293 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 5, 1981A sealing structure (10,110) for use in a joint (11) having a first member (12) axially movable relative to a second member (14). The first member defines a recess (13) receiving the sealing structure which includes an annular seal ring (19,119) having a radially outer annular base portion (20,120) fitted in the recess, a sealing portion (21,121) having a lip (22,122) engaging a surface (15) of the movable member (14) confronting the recess (13). The sealing portion is provided with a stiffener which is bonded or partially encapsulated therein and provided with axially inwardly projecting tongues (30,130) engaged by a spring structure (24,124).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00844 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 15, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 15, 1979 PCT Filed Oct. 15, 1979A joint sealing structure (19,119,219) for use in sealing relatively axially movable members (11,14) of a joint (10) over a wide range of such axial movement. The sealing structure includes a seal ring (20,120,220) having a sealing lip (21,121,221) having a maintained dynamic seal with a sealing surface (22) of one of the joint members. A stiffener (23,123,223) is provided for transferring biasing force from a spring means (29,129,229) to the sealing lip. The stiffener may be provided with a flexible connecting portion (27,127,227) permitting free movement of the sealing lip under the biasing action of the spring means over the range of movement between the joint members. In one form, a base (28) may be provided to which the connecting portion (27) is mounted, the base being fitted into the counterbore 817) of the joint member so as to provide a static seal therebetween.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly has an elastomer load ring seated in an annular groove provided in an organic plastic sealing ring. The sealing ring is constructed to provide greater unit loading at the outer edges of the sealing surface than at the remainder of the sealing surface. The end faces of the sealing ring are free from contact with adjacent structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vacuum evacuation and pressure filling of a lubricant reservoir are provided which includes a sequence timing and shutoff mechanism for controlling evacuation, testing for air leaks, and filling with lubricant. Visual indication of mechanism performance is provided. A charging gun is adapted for sealingly mating with an opening in the reservoir. Alternatively, a pointed probe utilizable with stoppers of the conventional as well as vented type may be used.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for reducing the noise generated by the meshing of an endless track and a drive sprocket of a track type vehicle including a pair of annular treads of resilient material. The treads are mounted about the peripheries of a respective one of a pair of cylindrical wall members provided on opposite sides of the sprocket for positioning the treads in radially aligned relationship with a respective one of the inwardly facing rail surfaces provided on a respective one of the double chains of the track. The treads are sized so that, in a free state, their outer peripheries are positioned radially outwardly of the normal position of their respective rail surfaces when the track is fully seated with the sprocket so that the rail surfaces engage and compress the treads before the track comes into full mesh with the sprocket, thereby alleviating any impact therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a part including a bore with a bearing integrally cast thereto, the thus formed part and apparatus for this forming the part. The process includes hot machining a bore into a billet in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and introducing molten bearing material, e.g., molten bronze about a mandrel positioned in the bore while maintaining the billet, the mandrel and the bearing material in the non-oxidizing atmosphere. The mandrel is drawn from the bore while the bearing material is cooled by cooling and solidifying means therein adjacent an end of the mandrel which is last to exit the bore. The cooling is sufficient to progressively solidify the material as the mandrel is drawn through it and out of the bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a part including a bore with a bearing integrally cast thereto, the thus formed part and apparatus for thus forming the part. The process includes hot machining a bore into a billet in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and introducing molten bearing material, e.g., molten bronze about a mandrel positioned in the bore while maintaining the billet, the mandrel and the bearing material in the non-oxidizing atmosphere. The mandrel is drawn from the bore while the bearing material is cooled by cooling and solidifying means therein adjacent an end of the mandrel which is last to exit the bore. The cooling is sufficient to progressively solidify the material as the mandrel is drawn through it and out of the bore.

Abstract: A wheel of a track assembly of a crawler type vehicle has a resilient contacting element fixed about the wheel rim by first and second anchors. The anchors are slidably movable along angular end portions of a rim opening for securing the contacting element to the rim.

Abstract: An endless track assembly for use with a track-type vehicle having a notched drive sprocket is provided with link elements having a resilient mid-pitch impact lug located midway between the track link bushings. The resilient mid-pitch lug reduces track noise and wear due to metal-to-metal impact of the track against the sprocket and idler by having a topmost portion of greater height than adjacent bushings whereby initial contact is made by the lug so that impact energy is thereby absorbed prior to engagement of the track bushings.

Abstract: An endless track assembly for use with a track-type vehicle having a notched drive sprocket is provided with link elements having a resilient mid-pitch impact lug located midway between the track link bushings. The resilient mid-pitch lug reduces track noise and wear due to metal-to-metal impact of the track against the sprocket and idler by having a topmost portion of greater height than adjacent bushings whereby initial contact is made by the lug so that impact energy is thereby absorbed prior to engagement of the track bushings.