Abstract: A gasket has two outer facing layers positioned on opposite sides of a central metal shim with a perforated core disposed between each facing layer and the shim. The thickness of the metal shim may be varied to control the overall thickness of the gasket. In one embodiment, the core is secured to the shim using a thermosetting adhesive and includes tangs which extend into a facing layer to clinch the core and facing layer together. Alternatively, the facing layers may also be secured to the shim using a mechanical fastener such as an eyelet so long as a sealing medium is disposed between at least the cores and the shim. The sealing medium may be thermosetting adhesive.

Abstract: An air inflatable belt worn by a person for support in the lumbar and sacral regions of the body has an inner wall, which faces the body of the person, provided with one or more permanent magnet arrangements producing magnetic fields directed toward the person's body. The permanent magnet arrangements may be provided by one or more flexible magnetic sheets received in a pocket or pockets on the inner wall of the belt, or by permanent magnet particles embedded in the inner wall of the belt and magnetized to provide desired magnetic field patterns. The belt includes an inflatable bladder or bladders which may be removably supported on the belt.

Abstract: A gasket has two outer facing layers positioned on opposite sides of a central metal shim with a perforated core disposed between each facing layer and the shim. The width of the metal shim may be varied to control the overall width of the gasket. The core is secured to the shim using a thermosetting adhesive and includes tangs which extend into a facing layer to clinch the core and facing layer together. The use of a perforated core prevents blistering of the facing layers during gasket manufacturing. The two perforated metal cores separated by an adjustable width shim provides manufacturing advantages, minimizes facing layer thickness, and adds strength.

Abstract: A gasket formed from a perforated core sheet having a first facing layer formed from a material having a relatively high degree of thermal conductivity on one side thereof and a second facing layer formed from a relatively compressible, non-asbestos gasket material on an opposite side thereof. The facing layers are attached to the core by mechanical retaining means. The retaining means can be formed as a pair of opposed tangs on opposite sides of each perforation in the core or as a dome-shaped structure having an aperture formed in an end thereof.

Abstract: A composite gasket is formed of a metal core and includes a compressible composition gasket facing material on both sides of the core. Intermediately of at least one facing and directly against the core is interposed a thermally conductive layer of material having a thermal conductivity greater than that of the metallic core material. The thermally conductive layer enhances the ability of the composite gasket to laterally transfer heat, thus avoiding hot spots in the combustion chamber regions of the gasket. In a preferred form, the thermal conductivity layer is comprised of an expanded graphite material. The compressible gasket facing material is made of a composite including clay, rubber, and aramid fiber.

Abstract: An annular shaft seal of the type including a continuous lip seal element for sealing against oil flow through and between a bore and a shaft extending therethrough includes a convoluted elastomeric flexible section which connects the sealing element with a rigid case support. The flexible section is defined by a plurality of annuli, wherein the first annuli contains the sealing element which is supported from a rear body portion, both sealing element and rear body portions being integral to the first annuli. A second annulus integrally coupled to the first annulus through a reverse bend has a radial thickness less than the thickness of the first annulus. In the preferred form, the rear body portion contains an annular groove in which is supported a circumferentially extending garter spring. A pair of spaced projections extends partially circumferentially about the coil dimension of the garter spring so as to enclose at least 200.degree. to 270.degree. of the garter spring coil circumference.