Abstract: A sealing material composition which comprises sheet-like members containing expanded graphite, and which hardly causes the sheet-like members to be broken is provided. A sealing material composition 1 comprises: a stacked body 5; and a long surrounding body 6 which surrounds the stacked body. The stacked body has a plurality of sheet-like members 10 each of which is formed into a tape-like shape by expanded graphite. In the stacked body, the plurality of sheet-like members are stacked in a direction which intersects with the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, and, in the plurality of sheet-like members, sheet-like members which are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction are disposed to be displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, in a relatively movable manner.

Abstract: A yarn in which slipping of filler materials from a tubular member can be reduced while suppressing the manufacturing cost is provided. The yarn has a tubular member, and a plurality of filler materials that are formed into a strip-like shape, and is configured by loading the filler materials into the tubular member in a state where the longitudinal directions of the filler materials are made extending along the axial direction of the tubular member. In the yarn, the tubular member is configured by using wire material that is knitted so as to produce stitches. The wire material has arcuate loop portions that define parts of external shapes of the stitches. In a state where the tubular member is developed, the loop portions are expanded in a direction that is inclined with respect to a straight line that extends in the axial direction of the tubular member.

Abstract: A gland packing provided in a fluid apparatus such as a pump and compressed in an axial direction so as to prevent penetration leakage of a fluid is provided. The gland packing has a packing base material 11 of a predetermined length including a band-like flat braid 12 braided by moving a plurality of yarns 13 along one track K. The band-like packing base material 11 is shaped into a ring by abutting longitudinal ends 12a and 12b of the packing base material 11 so that a width direction thereof is parallel with a packing axial direction, and is then compressed in the axial direction, whereby the packing base material 11 is overlappedly folded in a packing axial direction, with a longitudinal direction of the packing base material 11 as a direction of folding lines 14.

Abstract: The present application pertains to a compression packing seal including a braided dual-sided jacket, methods for producing and using such a seal, and apparatuses suitable for producing such a seal. The compression packing seal is made up of a core and a jacket braided round the core. The jacket may include two or more different materials that are braided together in such a way that, in cross-section, the jacket has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is substantially perpendicular to a side of the jacket. Accordingly, when viewed in a cross-sectional plane, the jacket may expose substantially only a first material along a first side, and substantially only a second material along a second side.

Abstract: The present application pertains to a braided dual-sided compression packing seal, methods for producing and using such a seal, and apparatuses suitable for producing such a seal. The braided dual-sided compression packing seal is made up of two or more different materials that are braided together in such a way that, in cross-section, the compression packing seal has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is substantially perpendicular to a side of the compression packing seal. Accordingly, when viewed in a cross-sectional plane, the compression packing seal may expose substantially only a first material along a first side of the seal, and substantially only a second material along a second side of the seal.

Abstract: A packing is disclosed for hermetically sealing a member. The packing in accordance with the present invention comprises braiding yarns each of which includes a plurality of longitudinally arranged reinforcing fiber yarns and expanded graphite integrally bonded to at least one side of the reinforcing fiber yarns with adhesive, so that the braiding yarns are provided with excellent sealing properties and strong tensile strength and toughness. A plurality of such braiding yarns may be put together to form a core member. The core member may be covered, at the outer periphery thereof, with a braided body of the braiding yarns. A plurality of such braiding yarns as put together may be braided (square-knitted). Alternatively, a plurality of such braiding yarns as put together may be twisted. Thus, packing having a free length may be obtained. The packing thus obtained may be used as cut, at a site, to a predetermined length according to the size of the object member to be sealed.

Abstract: A thermal protection system and a method of manufacturing are disclosed. The thermal protection system may be configured to protect a movable joint, for example, a flexible bearing of a rocket motor nozzle. The thermal protection system includes a series of annular shims separated by a plurality of discrete spacers. Each shim of the series of annular shims may have a larger diameter than the previous shim, and the shims may nest. The shims may comprise a thermally stable material, and the discrete spacers may comprise an elastomer. Optionally, an annular bearing protector may separate the annular shims from the flexible bearing.

Abstract: A yarn mainly configured by expanded graphite is improved to be so highly flexible that the expanded graphite does not protrude in a usual bending process, in order to prevent partial missing of the expanded graphite from occurring when the yarn is twisted or braided to produce a gland packing. A yarn 1 for a gland packing is formed by filling the interior of a tubular member 3 configured by knitting or braiding an inconel wire 2 having a diameter of 0.1 mm, with fibrous expanded graphite 4 having a section in which an aspect ratio is set to 1 to 5, the aspect ratio being a value obtained by dividing the width w by the thickness t.

Abstract: A thermal protection system and a method of manufacturing are disclosed. The thermal protection system may be configured to protect a moveable joint, for example, a flexible bearing of a rocket motor nozzle. The thermal protection system includes a series of annular shims separated by a plurality of discrete spacers. Each shim of the series of annular shims may have a larger diameter than the previous shim, and the shims may nest. The shims may comprise a thermally stable material, and the discrete spacers may comprise an elastomer. Optionally. an annular bearing protector may separate the annular shims from the flexible bearing.

Abstract: In a braiding yarn made of expanded graphite 1, a reinforcing wire member 3 made of a stainless steel wire which is easily plastically deformed, and having a diameter of 0.05 to 0.2 mm is spirally wound around the outer periphery of a twisted expanded graphite base member 2 having a width of 3 mm and a thickness of 0.38 mm, at a narrow pitch P of 0.5 to 5 mm without slack. Alternatively, the reinforcing wire member is wound so as to be embedded in the inner side of and along an edge 4 of an expanded graphite tape which is spirally exposed from the outer surface of the expanded graphite base member 2.

Abstract: A gland packing characterized in that a water swelling mineral is stuck or impregnated into a surface or an inner part of a gland packing base material. The water swelling mineral is preferably water swelling mica. This gland packing substantially eliminates seizing and can exhibit an excellent sealing property even if the amount of leakage of an internal fluid or injected fluid for lubrication on a sliding surface is lessened as compared with a conventional example.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gland packing in which impairment of the sealing performance due to cracks that unwillingly occur in an end portion in the width direction of an expanded graphite tape of a braiding yarn in the gland packing can be suppressed. In gland packings 1, 2, braiding yarns include braiding yarns 10A in each of which an expanded graphite tape 30 is bent so as to contract in the width direction, and both end portions 31 in the width direction of the bent expanded graphite tape 30 are folded back, or braiding yarns 20A in each of which at least an outer end portion 31? in the width direction of a twisted expanded graphite tape 30 is folded back.

Abstract: A secondary seal gasket is formed of a graphite material for higher temperature applications. The gasket is formed by multiple wraps of a graphite ribbon and then is shaped in a mold to provide a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a self-energizing spring disposed therein. The gasket is formed from an L-shaped ribbon wrap having additional ribbon overwraps thereon to define a gasket ring which is then molded in a die press to form the U-shape. The L-shaped ribbon wrap thereby extends axially and then radially outwardly to define an end wall of the gasket to impede migration of fluid between the axial ribbon wraps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gland packing in which a phenomenon where reinforcing fibers protruding from ends of adjacent braiding yarns overlap with each other, and the over-lapping reinforcing fibers are interposed over the whole range between expanded graphite tapes of the adjacent braiding yarns to form a leakage path can be reduced. In the gland packing 4, ends 1a, 1b in the width direction of each of the braiding yarns 3A to 3H constituting the gland packing are directed to the inner side in the width direction, and the reinforcing fibers 2A to 2H protruding from the ends 1a, 1b are confined to the inner side of the braiding yarns 3A to 3H.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gland packing in which impairment of the sealing performance due to cracks that unwillingly occur in an end portion in the width direction of an expanded graphite tape of a braiding yarn in the gland packing can be suppressed. In gland packings 1, 2, braiding yarns include braiding yarns 10A in each of which an expanded graphite tape 30 is bent so as to contract in the width direction, and both end portions 31 in the width direction of the bent expanded graphite tape 30 are folded back, or braiding yarns 20A in each of which at least an outer end portion 31′ in the width direction of a twisted expanded graphite tape 30 is folded back.

Abstract: A seal assembly including a low flow cloth ring seal having a cloth assemblage is provided for sealing a tubular cavity disposed between a tubular member and a mating body. The density of the cloth assemblage may be set according to a desired flow rate of gas through the cloth ring seal. In applications where more stiffness and strength is desired, the cloth ring seal may include a shim assemblage surrounded by the cloth assemblage.

Abstract: A thermal barrier for extremely high temperature applications consists of a carbon fiber core and one or more layers of braided carbon fibers surrounding the core. The thermal barrier is preferably a large diameter ring, having a relatively small cross-section. The thermal barrier is particularly suited for use as part of a joint structure in solid rocket motor casings to protect low temperature elements such as the primary and secondary elastomeric O-ring seals therein from high temperature gases of the rocket motor. The thermal barrier exhibits adequate porosity to allow pressure to reach the radially outward disposed O-ring seals allowing them to seat and perform the primary sealing function. The thermal barrier is disposed in a cavity or groove in the casing joint, between the hot propulsion gases interior of the rocket motor and primary and secondary O-ring seals.

Abstract: A packing yarn and a method of manufacturing a packing yarn utilize at least two bands that are at most 5 mm wide and are joined together by a yarn manufacturing method. The bands are formed of a laminate having at least one layer of flexible graphite foil and at least one layer of a plastic foil with a tensile strength of at least 25 MPa and an elastic modulus of at least 0.4 GPa. The layers of graphite foil and plastic foil are joined by adhesive bonding, by a non-adhesive-like coupling agent or by welding. The bands are produced from the laminates by cutting, which is preferably effected continuously.

Abstract: A mechanical packing braided such that a number of angled recesses or projections at predetermined intervals are formed in the surface of the braid adjacent a rotating shaft, the recesses or projections causing a deflecting hydrodynamic force on the fluid film between the packing and shaft such that leakage of the fluid from under the packing set is reduced when compared to normally braided packing under the same conditions. When constructed from yarns suitable for very low seal water requirements, the rejective “pumpback” force on the fluid film is sufficient to reduce the leakage of seal water to zero so that exfoliated graphite packing which normally has a 95% reliability when running dry can be given a 99.5% reliability. In one troublesome scenario, th subject packing operates to stop leakage due to pressure surges so that water which would ordinarily leak out even with the use of yarns having exfoliated graphite fibers is contained.

Abstract: Compact stuffing box packing assemblies of the present application include high density metal inserted braided end rings of graphite which have each been die formed to have angled facing surfaces and a plurality of center Preform rings is disclosed In one embodiment, three low density graphite Preform rings having angled facing surfaces are contained between the high density braided end rings. The facing surfaces of the Preform rings extend at a different angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the packing assembly than do the facing surfaces of the braided end rings. The braided end rings provide a support function for the Preform rings as well as a stem wiping function. In another embodiment, additional Preform support rings made of the same material as the end rings are positioned between the low density Preform rings.

Abstract: The compact five ring stuffing box packing assembly includes high density metal inserted braided end rings of graphite which have each been die formed to have angled facing surfaces. Three low density graphite preform rings having angled facing surfaces are contained between the high density braided end rings. The facing surfaces of the preform rings extend at a different angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the packing assembly than do the facing surfaces of the braided end rings. The braided end rings provide a support function for the preform rings as well as a stem wiping function.

Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly for sealing between first and second pipe members comprises an annular elastomeric body having, in cross-section, a generally rectangular shape comprising a first flat radial surface, a second flat radial surface, an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface; said inner circumferential surface comprises a generally convex portion that extends from an imaginary plane connecting the inner circumferential edge of each of said first radial surface and said second radial surface; said seal assembly further comprises at least one annular, non-metallic spring member in said elastomeric body positioned generally tangentially to the intersection of either of said radial surfaces with said inner circumferential surface.