Abstract: An apparatus and methods of manufacturing seamless gaskets using expanded intercalated graphite worms, in which an annular die cavity has a central column with a charge inlet in a perimeter wall. Expanded intercalated graphite worms communicate from a source through the charge inlet in the annular die cavity for depositing a charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms within the die cavity. An upper pusher is movable from a first position distally spaced from an open end of the die cavity to a second position within the die cavity for compressing a first charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms. A lower pusher is movable from a first position to a second position during the compressing of the first charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms in the die. The upper pusher causes the lower pusher to move to the second position, so that a second charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms is received in substantially the same volume as the first charge.

Abstract: A gasket (10) for sealing flange connections in piping systems for media, while changing a natural frequency of the gasket to avoid resonance in the flange connection, comprising a plate (12) that defines a opening (14) for passage of media through the flange connection sealed with the plate, with opposing sealing surfaces (18) between an edge (20) of the opening and an outer perimeter edge (22) of the plate, and a channel (26) received around an outer perimeter edge of the plate and unloaded in the flange connection whereby the channel being unloaded but in engagement to the plate changes a natural frequency of the plate to avoid resonance in the flange connection.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods of manufacturing seamless gaskets using expanded intercalated graphite worms, in which an annular die cavity has a central column with a charge inlet in a perimeter wall. Expanded intercalated graphite worms communicate from a source through the charge inlet in the annular die cavity for depositing a charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms within the die cavity. An upper pusher is movable from a first position distally spaced from an open end of the die cavity to a second position within the die cavity for compressing a first charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms. A lower pusher is movable from a first position to a second position during the compressing of the first charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms in the die. The upper pusher causes the lower pusher to move to the second position, so that a second charge of expanded intercalated graphite worms is received in substantially the same volume as the first charge.

Abstract: A heel stock portion of an oil seal may be made of latex elastomer based compounds instead of volatile organic compounds. One embodiment of a latex elastomer based compound may comprise approximately 5-35% aramid fiber, approximately 10-20% metal oxide, approximately 10-60% carbon filler, approximately 1-5% curative, approximately 20-50% latex flouroelastomer, and approximately 10-50% mineral filler by weight based on the weight of the heel stock part of an oil seal. Another embodiment of a latex elastomer based compound may comprise approximately 10-40% aramid fiber, approximately 2-10% mineral fiber, approximately 2-10% carbon filler, approximately 20-40% mineral filler, approximately 2-10% metal oxide, approximately 5-20% glass fiber, approximately 1-5% curative accelerator, approximately 1-5% curative, approximately 1-5% anti-oxidant, approximately 10-40% latex nitrile elastomer, and approximately 1-5% polyester fiber by weight based on the weight of the heel stock part of an oil seal.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a large-diameter gasket in which a pair of holding presses have press members which selectively bears against an elongate band while a bending press pivots against a portion of the band. The drive press bears against a portion of the band, and with the holding presses released, moves longitudinally to move a next portion of the band into the bending press. A method of manufacturing the large-diameter gasket is disclosed, together with a jig for applying a patch of sealing material to a joint formed between opposing distal ends of the gasket.

Abstract: A packing having a flexible core and a skin of expanded intercalated graphite with an adhesive layer, baked for a predetermined period at a predetermined temperature for reduced adhesive flowability while maintaining tack for holding the skin wrapped around the core of the packing and a method of manufacturing such packing.

Abstract: A packing material having a resilient core and a uniform non-seamed exterior surface comprising a plurality of discrete compressible particles attached to the flexible core and to each other, the particles being compressed after attachment. The method comprises surrounding the flexible elongate core with a plurality of powder-like particles which together feed through a plurality of aligned pairs of feed groove rollers. The core, with the attached particles, wraps under tension around an arcuate sector of a cylinder or wheel passing between a pair of spaced-apart walls. A roller pushes against the core to compress the powder particles together and to bias the length of packing material into a spiral coil.

Abstract: A gasket made of a plate having an annular central opening with an annular region concentric to the central opening, the annular region having a plurality of concentric deformable ridges and opposite facing grooves in a first and second surface of the plate. A sealing material comprising a plurality of expanded intercalated graphite worms overlies the annular region with the particles fixed to adjacent particles by compression. The ridges and the sealing material provide a plurality of seals having varying density and thickness that incrementally changes from a first edge of the sealing material to a second edge. The gasket is manufactured by compress the worms and the plate between dies to form the sealing material.

Abstract: A liveload assembly for communicating a load to packing material through a flange member of a fluid flow apparatus while pre-stressing a stud holding the flange member with a different loading, in which a first set of compressible belleville washers are received on an open-ended sleeve of a stack guide and rest on a seat defined by a flange at one end of the sleeve, the stack guide and washers received into a recess of a retainer cup having a partially closed end which defines a threaded bore for threadingly engaging the retainer cup to a stud extending from the stuffing box and freely through a gland follower, whereby the first set of belleville washers, being compressed, communicate a load through the flange member to the packing material. A second set of belleville washers are received on the stud and rest on a beveled face of the retainer cap. A nut screwed onto the stud compresses the second set of belleville washers against the beveled face of the retainer cup for pre-stressing the stud.

Abstract: A packing material having a resilient core and a uniform non-seamed exterior surface comprising a plurality of discrete compressible particles attached to the flexible core and to each other, the particles being compressed after attachment. The method comprises surrounding the flexible elongate core with a plurality of powder-like particles which together feed through a plurality of aligned pairs of feed groove rollers. The core, with the attached particles, wraps under tension around an arcuate sector of a cylinder or wheel passing between a pair of spaced-apart walls. A roller pushes against the core to compress the powder particles together and to bias the length of packing material into a spiral coil.

Abstract: A packing material having a resilient core and a uniform non-seamed exterior surface comprising a plurality of discrete compressible particles attached to the flexible core and to each other, the particles being compressed after attachment. The method comprises surrounding the flexible elongate core with a plurality of powder-like particles which together feed through a plurality of aligned pairs of feed groove rollers. The core, with the attached particles, wraps under tension around an arcuate sector of a cylinder or wheel passing between a pair of spaced-apart walls. A roller pushes against the core to compress the powder particles together and to bias the length of packing material into a spiral coil.

Abstract: A packing material for formation of a seal for a rotary or reciprocating shaft is disclosed wherein a core element is enveloped by a sheet of expanded graphite material. The core element is preferably formed of a wire mesh and solid graphite. The enveloping process is accomplished in such a manner as to wrap the core element with a self-lubricating surface material. The packing material of the present invention provides the advantages of graphite packings and metallic core packings.

Abstract: A liveload assembly including an stack guide, compressed belleville washers stacked inside the stack guide and a retainer to hold the compressed washers in the stack guide. A longitudinal slot in the wall of the stack guide permits visual checking of the compression provided by the liveload assembly on the gland follower of the valve or pump. The rotary or reciprocating shaft of a valve or pump is liveloaded by placing the liveload assembly over the bolt securing the gland follower to the stuffing box. A nut is threaded on the bolt until it contacts the washers and the retainer removed. The liveload assembly is preloaded by pushing on the stack of belleville washers with a bar driven by a hydraulic cylinder. The retainer is positioned against the stack to hold the belleville washers in compression.

Abstract: A liveload assembly having a stack guide with a thread on the exterior side wall, a plurality of compressible belleville washers stacked inside the stack guide, and a retainer cap having a thread on an inner side wall for matingly engaging with the stack guide to hold the belleville washers in compression. The gland follower of a fluid flow apparatus is liveloaded by placing the liveload assembly over the bolt extending upwardly from the gland follower. A nut is threaded on the bolt to contact the stack of belleville washers and the retainer cap is unscrewed to a second position on the stack guide and fixed by turning a set screw through a bore in the cap and against the side of the stack guide. Compression of the gland follower is monitored by viewing the relative movement of the stack of belleville washers through a longitudinal slot in the side wall.

Abstract: A packing material for formation of a seal for a rotary or reciprocating shaft is disclosed wherein a core element is enveloped by a sheet of expanded graphite material. The core element is preferably formed of a wire mesh and solid graphite. The enveloping process is accomplished in such a manner as to wrap the core element with a self-lubricating surface material. The packing material of the present invention provides the advantages of graphite packings and metallic core packings.

Abstract: A liveload assembly including a stack guide, compressed belleville washers stacked inside the stack guide and a retainer to hold the compressed washers in the stack guide. A longitudinal slot in the wall of the stack guide permits visual checking of the compression provided by the liveload assembly on the gland follower of the valve or pump. The rotary or reciprocating shaft of a valve or pump is liveloaded by placing the liveload assembly over the bolt securing the gland follower to the stuffing box. A nut is threaded on the bolt until it contacts the washers and the retainer removed.

Abstract: A liveload assembly including an stack guide, compressed belleville washers stacked inside the stack guide and a retainer to hold the compressed washers in the stack guide. A longitudinal slot in the wall of the stack guide permits visual checking of the compression provided by the liveload assembly on the gland follower of the valve or pump. The rotary or reciprocating shaft of a valve or pump is liveloaded by placing the liveload assembly over the bolt securing the gland follower to the stuffing box. A nut is threaded on the bolt until it contacts the washers and the retainer removed.