Abstract: A brush seal cover assembly that includes a brush cover having a shroud that substantially encloses a brush mounted in a holder without removing the holder from the equipment to which it is mounted. The assembly includes a pair of brush cover halves integrally formed to provide an outer bristle guard capable of supporting the weight of a person and a pair of brush shields on opposite sides of the brush that prevent direct impingement of pressurized gas or liquid enabling maintenance and cleaning of the equipment to be performed while leaving the brush mounted in place without damaging the brush. The cover includes a pair of mounting plates configured for mounting of the cover by clamping or by compression between fasteners without having to remove the brush holder from the equipment or the brush from the holder.

Abstract: A quick change brush holder of a brush seal having a plurality of spaced apart deflectable brush retaining arrangements that include a tab that is bent into a brush receiving channel toward a brush engaging or retaining position to releasably retain a brush in the channel and that is bent away from the brush engaging or retaining position when it is desired to remove the brush or install a brush in the holder. Each tab has a brush abutment edge that abuts or stops a shoulder of a tape or spine of a brush in the channel preventing removal from the holder when disposed in a brush engaging or retaining position. The brush abutting edge extends generally parallel to the channel enabling a brush to be inserted transversely relative to a lengthwise extent of the holder tape or spine first into the holder.

Abstract: A railway track barrier system that includes a barrier extending along a rail adjacent a switch having an upper edge adjacent a rail head disposed within a wash zone thereof formed of deflector elements movable relative to one another permitting railway vehicle wheel and wash contact during train passage without barrier dislodgement or damage. The barrier is formed of a deflector acutely inclined toward the head and a downwardly extending skirt that conforms to uneven railway bed and tie surfaces. A preferred barrier is formed of oppositely extending brushes removably attached to a mounting bracket. The bracket can be attached to a hinge assembly that releasably latches the barrier in an operating position and that can be unlatched permitting the barrier to be swung away from the rail to an inspection position. A hinge pin with a manually graspable handle can be removed to detach the barrier for storage.

Abstract: A brush seal usable in high temperature sealing applications having brush bristles and a sealing membrane of stress and deflection accommodating construction capable of longitudinal extensibility. Sealing membrane has one portion slidably overlapped with another portion. In one embodiment, membrane is folded over itself providing slidable overlapping in one direction and is formed of overlapping membrane sheets providing slidable overlapping in another direction. In another embodiment, membrane has spaced apart deformation regions providing longitudinal extensibility in accommodating stress and/or deflection. Membrane can be made of metallic foil having a thickness no greater than brush bristle width or diameter and is embeddable in bristles of the brush seal.

Abstract: A quick change brush holder of a brush seal having a plurality of spaced apart deflectable brush retaining arrangements that include a tab that is bent into a brush receiving channel toward a brush engaging or retaining position to releasably retain a brush in the channel and that is bent away from the brush engaging or retaining position when it is desired to remove the brush or install a brush in the holder. Each tab has a brush abutment edge that abuts or stops a shoulder of a tape or spine of a brush in the channel preventing removal from the holder when disposed in a brush engaging or retaining position. The brush abutting edge extends generally parallel to the channel enabling a brush to be inserted transversely relative to a lengthwise extent of the holder tape or spine first into the holder.

Abstract: A brush seal cover assembly that includes a brush cover having a shroud that substantially encloses a brush mounted in a holder without removing the holder from the equipment to which it is mounted. The assembly includes a pair of brush cover halves integrally formed to provide an outer bristle guard capable of supporting the weight of a person and a pair of brush shields on opposite sides of the brush that prevent direct impingement of pressurized gas or liquid enabling maintenance and cleaning of the equipment to be performed while leaving the brush mounted in place without damaging the brush. The cover includes a pair of mounting plates configured for mounting of the cover by clamping or by compression between fasteners without having to remove the brush holder from the equipment or the brush from the holder.

Abstract: A railway track barrier system that includes a barrier extending along a rail adjacent a switch having an upper edge adjacent a rail head disposed within a wash zone thereof formed of deflector elements movable relative to one another permitting railway vehicle wheel and wash contact during train passage without barrier dislodgement or damage. The barrier is formed of a deflector acutely inclined toward the head and a downwardly extending skirt that conforms to uneven railway bed and tie surfaces. A preferred barrier is formed of oppositely extending brushes removably attached to a mounting bracket. The bracket can be attached to a hinge assembly that releasably latches the barrier in an operating position and that can be unlatched permitting the barrier to be swung away from the rail to an inspection position. A hinge pin with a manually graspable handle can be removed to detach the barrier for storage.

Abstract: A brush seal usable in high temperature sealing applications having brush bristles and a sealing membrane of stress and deflection accommodating construction capable of longitudinal extensibility. Sealing membrane has one portion slidably overlapped with another portion. In one embodiment, membrane is folded over itself providing slidable overlapping in one direction and is formed of overlapping membrane sheets providing slidable overlapping in another direction. In another embodiment, membrane has spaced apart deformation regions providing longitudinal extensibility in accommodating stress and/or deflection. Membrane can be made of metallic foil having a thickness no greater than brush bristle width or diameter and is embeddable in bristles of the brush seal.