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: Three or more overlapping sealing members arranged circumferentially around a passage in a supporting body form an annular seal around a pipe inserted into the passage.

Abstract: A composite tube assembly may comprise a composite tube comprising a radially outer surface having a variable diameter portion comprising a first frustoconical portion and a second frustoconical portion, a locking wedge disposed at least partially around a circumference of the first frustoconical portion, a locking collar nut disposed at least partially around a circumference of the locking wedge, and an end fitting disposed at least partially around a circumference of the second frustoconical portion, wherein the end fitting is coupled to the locking collar nut. A diameter of the composite tube, at an interface between the first frustoconical portion and the second frustoconical portion, may be a maximum diameter value with respect to the first frustoconical portion and may be a maximum diameter value with respect to the second frustoconical portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a packing assembly for rotating and/or oscillating machine shafts arranged in a machine housing. The packing assembly comprises a packing accommodation unit floating on said shaft. The packing accomodation unit is supported on the housing by means of a ball joint assembly that is pivotable and translatory movable in a radial direction to and from the shaft. The ball joint assembly comprises a ball member provided with a central bore received in a ball socket. A guiding element projecting into the bore of the ball member serves for translatory guiding the ball member along the axis of the bore in the ball member, whereby the axis of the bore on the ball member runs essentially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A circumferential seal for sealing between a rotating shaft and a stationary housing circumscribing the shaft. The seal comprises a stator mounted to said housing and having a radially inward facing carbon portion and a rotor with a ceramic sealing member having a radially outward facing surface in rubbing contact with said carbon portion. The rotor also includes a metal clamping means for mounting the ceramic sealing member to the shaft. The clamping means includes an axial flexible clamping member, and a radial flexible clamping member that together clamp onto a mounting flange of the ceramic sealing member when exposed to the compressive force of a lockup assembly.