Abstract: A coating used to seal together surfaces of components is disclosed. The coating reduces costs associated with using gaskets and fine machining of metal components, and has slip characteristics that allow sealed components to move without eroding the coating. The coating is particularly useful in high temperature environments such as the exhaust systems of motor vehicles. Methods of using coatings to seal components are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust port gasket is adapted for insertion between an engine exhaust port and an exhaust pipe flange for sealing therebetween. The gasket includes at least one primary aperture acting as an exhaust port for accommodating flows of exhaust gases, and includes at least one electronic oxygen sensor responsive to oxygen levels of gases passing through the exhaust port. To the extent that oxygen-sensing is provided at the exhaust port, improved real time engine management may be derived from cylinder-by-cylinder measurements of the oxygen levels by inputting the measurements into an engine control unit module to optimize engine performance parameters, including fuel economy and emissions levels. In one described embodiment, a plurality of cylindrical oxygen sensor probes are positioned in surface grooves of a spacer layer of the exhaust gasket, and individual probe sensor wires are collectively connected to a wire harness portion of the gasket.

Abstract: An exhaust port gasket is adapted for insertion between an engine exhaust port and an exhaust pipe flange for sealing therebetween. The gasket includes at least one primary aperture acting as an exhaust port for accommodating flows of exhaust gases, and includes at least one electronic oxygen sensor responsive to oxygen levels of gases passing through the exhaust port. To the extent that oxygen-sensing is provided at the exhaust port, improved real time engine management may be derived from cylinder-by-cylinder measurements of the oxygen levels by inputting the measurements into an engine control unit module to optimize engine performance parameters, including fuel economy and emissions levels. In one described embodiment, a plurality of cylindrical oxygen sensor probes are positioned in surface grooves of a spacer layer of the exhaust gasket, and individual probe sensor wires are collectively connected to a wire harness portion of the gasket.

Abstract: A coating used to seal together surfaces of components is disclosed. The coating reduces costs associated with using gaskets and fine machining of metal components, and has slip characteristics that allow sealed components to move without eroding the coating. The coating is particularly useful in high temperature environments such as the exhaust systems of motor vehicles. Methods of using coatings to seal components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket assembly of the present invention includes a main gasket body and a fluid flow opening. A spiral wound component is received within and engages an inner periphery of the fluid flow opening to provide enhanced dynamic recovery and sealing to the fluid flow opening. In one embodiment a generally U-shaped flange engages the inner periphery of the fluid flow opening with the spiral wound gasket disposed within the flange.

Abstract: An improved multi-layer gasket for an internal combustion engine comprises a central carrier plate and at least two surface plates disposed on opposing sides of the central carrier plate. The surface plates include a bead portion annularly located about combustion bore openings. A yieldable combustion seal ring is located radially inwardly of the bead portions, and bonded along an inner peripheral edge of the combustion bore openings at a discrete number of highly localized points by means of an elastomeric adhesive or by welding.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket 10 includes a variable thickness fire ring 12 affixed to a cylinder aperture8 therein. The ring counteracts the tendency for load distribution in cylinder head areas to vary as a function of bolt spacing and the amount of load or clamping force applied to the cylinder head of an engine. The ring incorporates a thickness gradient determined by desirable unit load around the cylinder head areas. In a preferred embodiment, the ring has a minimum thickness "b" at a point most proximal to a bolt apertures 14, while having a maximum thickness "a" at a point equidistant from two adjacent bolt apertures 14. Also, in a preferred embodiment the variable thickness ring is chemically bonded to the cylinder aperture.