Abstract: The spherical wall element (2, 15) is provided with a series of work-hardened annular strips (16, 17) spaced apart and extending substantially coaxially so as to form reinforcement that is not very deformable for the spherical wall element.

Abstract: The buffer is preferably made by a method comprising the step of making a substantially cylindrical preform by helically winding a strip made of resilient metal wire in at least two layers of opposite pitch, and the step of compressing the preform axially.

Abstract: The exhaust coupling of the invention comprises a first length of tubing having a first assembly flange fixed thereon, a second length of tubing associated with a second assembly flange, clamping means disposed to urge the assembly flanges towards each other via first resilient members, and second resilient members disposed between the assembly flanges in order to be compressed therebetween and to exert a force on the flange which is less than the opposing force exerted thereon by the first resilient members.

Abstract: A resilient anti-vibration sleeve of the invention comprises a mass of compressed steel wire surrounded by a maintaining strip made of metal wire wound helically around the mass of compressed steel wire and having its ends fixed to the mass of compressed steel wire.

Abstract: The method in accordance with the invention comprises the steps of forming a strip of composite material comprising at least one flexible strip of refractory material superposed on at least one strip of knitted metal, of making a blank by winding the strip of composite material into a loop comprising at least one turn, and in compressing the loop in the axial direction thereof, the method is characterized in that the flexible strip of refractory material includes at least one strip segment (3) of non-woven fibers occupying at least one turn of the winding, and at least one segment of non-fibrous refractory material (2, 4) forming at least one turn of the loop. The resulting gasket comprises knitted metal having a refractory material held captive therein, which material comprises, in cross section, a fibrous portion surrounded at least partially by a non-fibrous portion.

Abstract: A flexible exhaust coupling comprising a first length of pipe (1) terminating in a convex spherical bearing part, a first connecting flange (2) associated with the first length of pipe, a second length of pipe (7) terminating in a concave spherical bearing part facing the convex spherical bearing part of the first length of pipe, a second connecting flange (6) associated with the second length of pipe and clamping means (10) arranged in conjunction with thrust members (11) to urge the connecting flanges towards each other. The exhaust coupling also includes vibration-damping members (15) located between at least one of the connecting flanges and the corresponding clamping means.

Abstract: A flexible exhaust coupling between a first length of exhaust pipe (1) and a second length of exhaust pipe (2), in which the first length of exhaust pipe (1) comprises a pivot portion (3) in the form of a spherical ring projecting outwardly from a portion of the cylindrical outside surface (4) of the first length of exhaust pipe, a first annular exhaust gasket (8) pressing against an inside surface of the pivot portion (3), at least one anti-friction member (9) pressed against an outside surface of the pivot portion (3), and a housing (5) carried by the second length of the exhaust pipe and pressing both the annular gasket and the anti-friction member against the pivot portion (3), and in which the housing comprises a sheet metal collar (6) fixed to the second length of exhaust pipe and extending outwardly therefrom, together with at least one sheet metal bearing sector (7) having an outside edge fixed to the outside edge of the collar (6).