Abstract: A free-floating load ring for assembly into a flexible coupling having a convoluted bellows and a surrounding mesh sleeve, the ring captured by the sleeve at an end of the coupling and spacing the sleeve from the bellows when forces are applied to the coupling. Various rings can be added to existing non-load supporting or flexible couplings having no previous rings. The load ring is retained in place by engagement of coupling components with the ring without physical connection of the ring to any coupling component.

Abstract: A decoupler includes a short bellows of ten or fewer convolutions, an internal liner spaced from the bellows internally and a cover spaced radially outward from the bellows providing an air gap both internally and externally of the bellows. The liner has a free-standing downstream end proximate a damper which is captured by a cover, inner damper ring and slide ring. Two decouplers are mounted in series to accommodate angular, axial and lateral displacement when operably connecting two end pipes and one central pipe.

Abstract: A flexible coupling includes a liner, a bellow, and a liner sleeve preferably defined by a compressed woven mesh strip spirally wound around the liner between the bellow and liner and moveable longitudinally with respect to the bellow and liner when the coupling expands linearly. An alternate sleeve in the form of a cylinder is disposed about the liner, under the bellow and is formed of a woven non-compressed mesh.

Abstract: A decoupler includes a short bellows of ten or fewer convolutions, an internal liner spaced from the bellows internally and a cover spaced radially outward from the bellows providing an air gap both internally and externally of the bellows. The liner has a free-standing downstream end proximate a damper which is captured by a cover, inner damper ring and slide ring. Two decouplers are mounted in series to accommodate angular, axial and lateral displacement when operably connecting two end pipes and one central pipe.

Abstract: A free-floating load ring for assembly into a flexible coupling having a convoluted bellows and a surrounding mesh sleeve, said ring captured by said sleeve at an end of said coupling and spacing said sleeve from said bellows when forces are applied to said coupling. Various ring alternate structures are disclosed, and can be added to existing non-load supporting or flexible couplings having no previous rings. The load ring is retained in place by engagement of coupling components with the ring without physical connection of the ring to any coupling component.

Abstract: A flexible coupling includes a liner, a bellow, and a liner sleeve preferably defined by a compressed woven mesh strip spirally wound around the liner between bellow and liner and moveable longitudinally with respect to the bellow and liner when the coupling expands linearly. An alternate sleeve in the form of a cylinder is disposed about the liner, under the bellow and is formed of a woven non-compressed mesh.

Abstract: A flexible bellows used in a pipe coupling includes composite convolutions having integral extensions forming one or both of an outer shield or inner liner to enhance performance of the coupling. Embodiments incorporate dampers, hangers and convolution modifications. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A sealed coupling for connecting two pipe ends include two operating covers for respective connection to respective pipe ends, and elongated bellows having respective ends and a damping element supported by respective rims of said covers, said damping element disposed radially outwardly of said bellows and oriented centrally of said respective bellows ends for dissipating forces on said coupling uniformly across said bellows.

Abstract: A flexible bellows used in a pipe coupling includes composite convolutions having integral extensions forming one or both of an outer shield or inner liner to enhance performance of the coupling. Embodiments incorporate asymmetric convolution forming discs providing for static angled couplings to accommodate offset or misaligned pipe system components.

Abstract: A coupling has respective support elements extending respectively from each coupling end toward the other, but not directly connected to each other. Radially oriented ends of these elements define a pocket capturing a cushion therein. A non-metallic bellows operably covers the coupling. An optional thermal shield is disposed between the bellows and the support element.

Abstract: A flexible bellows used in a pipe coupling includes composite convolutions having integral extensions forming one or both of an outer shield or inner liner to enhance performance of the coupling. Embodiments incorporate asymmetric convolution forming discs providing for static angled couplings to accommodate offset or misaligned pipe system components.

Abstract: A sealed coupling for connecting two pipe ends include two operating covers for respective connection to respective pipe ends, and elongated bellows having respective ends and a damping element supported by respective rims of said covers, said damping element disposed radially outwardly of said bellows and oriented centrally of said respective bellows ends for dissipating forces on said coupling uniformly across said bellows.

Abstract: Respectively tapered and threaded pipe ends are rotated respective to each other to connect the pipe ends and progressively compress a yieldable damper sleeve therebetween as the pipes are rotated. NVH and torsional forces from one pipe end to another are suppressed.

Abstract: A coupling has respective support elements extending respectively from each coupling end toward the other, but not directly connected to each other. Radially oriented ends of these elements define a pocket capturing a cushion therein. A non-metallic bellows operably covers the coupling. An optional thermal shield is disposed between the bellows and the support element.

Abstract: A flexible bellows used in a pipe coupling includes composite convolutions having integral extensions forming one or both of an outer shield or inner liner to enhance performance of the coupling. Embodiments incorporate dampers, hangers and convolution modifications. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An accumulator for an air conditioning system is adapted to ensure that any fluid exiting the accumulator has been filtered. Fluid comprising gaseous refrigerant, liquid refrigerant and oil enters the accumulator. Ideally, only gaseous refrigerant and oil will exit the accumulator. According to one embodiment, gaseous refrigerant is substantially separated from liquid refrigerant. Oil is entrained within the gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant with the entrained oil is filtered prior to exiting the accumulator. In another embodiment, gaseous refrigerant, which has been separated from the liquid refrigerant, is filtered before the oil is entrained with it. The oil is then separately filtered.

Abstract: A plug connection for hoses or pipes as for connecting washing fluid conduits in a motor vehicle comprises a plug receiving member for receiving a connecting plug portion. The connecting plug portion can be latched in the plug receiving member in such a way as to be secured against forces acting axially thereon. The plug receiving member has resilient or spring-loaded latching portions. A securing sleeve is arranged axially slidably on the outside of the plug receiving member. In a first position of the securing sleeve the latching portions are held in a receiving and latching position in which a connecting plug portion can be inserted into and latched in the plug receiving member. In a second position of the securing sleeve it permits the latching portions to move resiliently into a retracted open position for disengagement of an inserted connecting plug portion from the plug receiving member.

Abstract: A plug connection for hoses or pipes as for connecting washing fluid conduits in a motor vehicle comprises a plug receiving member for receiving a connecting plug portion. The connecting plug portion can be latched in the plug receiving member in such a way as to be secured against forces acting axially thereon. The plug receiving member has resilient or spring-loaded latching portions. A securing sleeve is arranged axially slidably on the outside of the plug receiving member. In a first position of the securing sleeve the latching portions are held in a receiving and latching position in which a connecting plug portion can be inserted into and latched in the plug receiving member. In a second position of the securing sleeve it permits the latching portions to move resiliently into a retracted open position for disengagement of an inserted connecting plug portion from the plug receiving member.

Abstract: A composite ceramic-metal material has an Al2O3 matrix interpenetrated by a network of a ductile metal phase with a higher meltin temperature than aluminum and which makes up 15 to 80 vol. % of its total volume. The Al2O3 matrix forms a coherent network that makes up 20 to 85 vol. %, and the material contains 0.1 to 20 atom % aluminide. To produce this composite material, a green body shaped by powder metallurgy and which contains a finely divided powdery mixture of Al2O3 and optionally other ceramic substances, as well as one or several metals or metal alloys different from aluminum and to which 0.1 to 20 atom % aluminum are added, in relation to the metal proportion, is sintered. The composition is selected in such a way that maximum 15 vol. % aluminide phase can be formed in the finished sintered body.

Abstract: A ceramic formed body containing a) 5 to 70 vol % of at least on intermetallic aluminide phase which additionally may contain aluminum or/and aluminum alloy, and b) 30 to 95 vol % of one or more ceramic phases which form a solid interconnecting skeleton and wherein the intermetallic phase or phases consist of predominantly interconnected areas with average sizes of 0.1 to 10 .mu.m, is obtained by sintering, in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, of a powder metallurgically green body which consists of a mixture of finely dispersed powder of aluminum, one or more ceramic substances and maybe further metals such that the mixture contains at least one oxide ceramic or/and metallic powder which, during sintering, reacts with aluminum thereby forming an aluminide and maybe Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.