Abstract: An improved head gasket assembly for sealing the block and head of an internal combustion engine where the head mounts a precombustion chamber, and method of making that gasket assembly. The gasket assembly comprises a main gasket body and an armored fire ring mounted at the combustion openings. The fire ring provides a precombustion tab underlying the precombustion chamber, against which sealing occurs. To enhance that seal, an auxiliary sealing element is positioned between the wire ring and the precombustion tab.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylinder head gasket comprising the steps of preassembling a main gasket body and a fire ring and then precompressing the gasket to alter the characteristics of one of the gasket body and fire ring, so that a portion of the available design head load will be taken up by each of the gasket body and fire ring when the precompressed gasket is assembled in an engine at the available design head load. The precompressed gasket fire ring displays different thickness and compression characteristics resulting from the precompression of the preassembled gasket, enhancing the capacity of the gasket effectively and consistently to seal a head and block at the available design head load.

Abstract: An improved heat gasket assembly for sealing the block and head of an internal combustion engine where the head mounts a precombustion chamber, and method of making that gasket assembly. The gasket assembly comprises a main gasket body and an armored fire ring mounted at the combustion openings. The fire ring provides a precombustion tab underlying the precombustion chamber, against which sealing occurs. To enhance that seal, spanner elements are positioned between the wire ring and the lower leg of the armor of the fire ring in the zones in which the periphery of the precombustion chamber overlie the wire ring. When the gasket assembly is compressed between the block and the head (and precombustion chamber) the spanner elements induce a more effective and consistent seal between the fire ring, the head, and the precombustion chamber regardless of whether the precombustion chamber is flush with, projects from, or is recessed with respect to, the head.

Abstract: An assembly for sealing the intersection of curb and gutter portions of adjacent roadway slabs, including side pads joined by an upstanding joint membrane and a sealing flap extending away from them. The sealing flap is more flexible than the joint membrane, but has a relatively rigid zone positioned to promote folding of the flap between the side pads and below the joint membrane when the side pads are secured to the curb portions. The folding takes place without bunching and wrinkling to provide a smooth and neat transition from the curb to the gutter portions to promote effective sealing. A method of installing that assembly is also disclosed.