Abstract: A bonding apparatus, for example for a friction facings and carrier plate assembly for use in a friction clutch driven plate, comprises first and second platens (22, 70) which are mountable one over the other such that a first surface on one platen faces towards a first surface on the other platen. Each said first surface has an annular recess (30, 78) therein such that when the platens are mounted one on top the other said annular recesses substantially coincide and are substantially co-axial. Each recess has a base (38, 84) with a substantially flat surface (40, 86) at the bottom of the recess, and each base has means such as apertures (92) or suction cups (104, 114) therein opening to the recess and connectable with a source of vacuum to apply vacuum to the recess.

Abstract: A friction material and carrier assembly for a clutch driven plate, the assembly being intended for rotation about an axis and comprising a carrier (4), first and second arrays of friction material (20, 22) disposed on opposite sides of the carrier (4) each array of friction material being disposed about a respective locus substantially centered on the axis. The first and second arrays of friction material are secured to the carrier by means of first and second adhesive bonds, respectively. The second adhesive bond (24) is of elastomeric material providing resilient cushioning relative to the carrier (4) (in an axial direction of the assembly) for the second array of friction material (22), and the first adhesive bond (23) is substantially non resilient providing no or substantially no cushioning relative to the carrier (4) (in an axial direction of the assembly) for the first array of friction material (20) than is provided by the second adhesive bond for the second array of friction material.

Abstract: An end face thrust seal, particularly for an automobile water pump, and comprising an annular elastomeric ring having inner and outer rims interconnected by a frustoconical portion. A diaphragm spring is embedded in the elastomeric ring so that the outer annular portion of the spring is at the outer rim, and the spring fingers extend inwards forming a frustoconical spring in the frustoconical portion of the elastomeric ring. The fingers extend into the inner rim and the inner portions thereof are bent to extend axially away from the base of the cone and re-inforce the inner rim.