Abstract: In order to produce a gasket that is adapted to be arranged between two components requiring sealing of which at least one contains a first metallic material which is less noble than aluminium and the gasket comprises at least one gasket layer including a plate consisting of a second metallic material which is nobler than the first metallic material, such that contact corrosion on the components requiring sealing is reduced or completely prevented, it is proposed that the gasket layer should comprise a sealing element which is arranged at an outer boundary region of the plate, should consist of an elastomer material and, in the installed state of the gasket, should gasket the gap between the gasket layer and the component which contains the first metallic material in a substantially fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: A seal joint for sealing a fluid is particularly adapted for use in extreme pressure and/or temperature environments. The seal joint includes a first member having a first sealing surface and a first opening therein, and a second member having a second sealing surface and a second opening therein, such that the first opening and the second opening comprise mating openings, and together comprise a fluid passageway. The seal joint also includes a metal gasket sheet located between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface which has an aperture through the sheet which corresponds to the mating openings. The seal joint also includes a rigid seal which surrounds the perimeter of the aperture and which is attached to the surface of the metal gasket sheet. The rigid seal has a thickness and a width which vary as a function of position along the length of the seal.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly between a rotating shaft and a static shell is disclosed. The shaft seal assembly includes a seal housing in mechanical contact with the static shell, at least two rigid members of the seal housing, and a plurality of compliant plate members defining a sealing ring between the static shell and the rotating shaft. The plurality of compliant plate members is disposed between the at least two rigid members and retained within the seal housing by a compressive force between the at least two rigid members.

Abstract: To provide a seal layer-transferred metal gasket that can effectively prevent degradation in seal performance due to the wearing and peeling of the coating layer. A head gasket 1 is interposed between a cylinder block 2 and a cylinder head 3. In the metal gasket 1, seal layers 20 and 21 made by laminating a separation layer, a coating layer and an adhesive layer in this order from the bead sheet side is formed at least on the surface of the bead sheet 10 facing the cylinder block 2 and the cylinder head 3, and, in a state where the head gasket 1 is interposed between the cylinder block 2 and the cylinder head 3 and the three objects are closely attached to each other, the adhesive layer is adhered to the seal target members, and at least some portions of the coating layer and adhesive layer are separated from the bead sheet 10 with a boundary at the separation layer and then transferred to the seal areas 4 and 5 of the cylinder block 2 and cylinder head 3.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of manufacturing a multi-layered steel gasket assembly including a plurality of steel gasket layers each having a predetermined electrical resistance and including at least one coating layer of a material having an electrical resistance substantially greater than that of the steel gasket layers. The method includes the steps of: applying the coating layer of the selected material to at least one surface of at least one of the steel gasket layers to provide at least one coated gasket layer; assembling the coated gasket layer with at least one other steel gasket layer such that the coating layer prevents the use of traditional resistance welding in joining the gasket layers; and thereafter welding the assembled gasket layers together by either a JAG or CO2 laser to form the multi-layered steel gasket assembly.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of manufacturing a multi-layered steel gasket assembly including a plurality of steel gasket layers each having a predetermined electrical resistance and including at least one coating layer of a material having an electrical resistance substantially greater than that of the steel gasket layers. The method includes the steps of: applying the coating layer of the selected material to at least one surface of at least one of the steel gasket layers to provide at least one coated gasket layer; assembling the coated gasket layer with at least one other steel gasket layer such that the coating layer prevents the use of traditional resistance welding in joining the gasket layers; and thereafter welding the assembled gasket layers together by either a JAG or CO2 laser to form the multi-layered steel gasket assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metallic flat gasket (1) having at least one gasket layer (2), in which at least one through opening (3) is located, which is enclosed by a sealing element (4) and at least partially has a surface structure (6) on one of its surfaces in the region of the sealing element (4). The surface structure comprises multiple depressions (7) which are positioned neighboring one another and are obtainable by irradiating the surface using laser radiation. The surface structure (6) is outstandingly suitable as a substrate for a coating (11) or an elastomeric sealing element (4). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing the gasket (1).

Abstract: An intake gasket to be inserted between a cylinder head and a manifold, comprising an intermediate rib member with a three-layer structure formed from a central thin metal plate and rubber layers provided on first and second sides of the central thin metal plate, first and second metal plates disposed on first and second sides of the intermediate rib member, and elastic metal substrates disposed on both sides of the metal plates, the intermediate rib member comprising a first rib formed around the periphery thereof and a second rib formed around the periphery of a fluid passage hole, wherein a space is formed by the rib of the intermediate rib member and the metal plates.

Abstract: A gasket material to be mounted on an engine of a vehicle, including: a metal plate; a film made from silica and a reaction product of an acid component and metal or a metallic compound; and a rubber layer formed on at least one of opposite surfaces of the metal plate through the film.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine is formed of a first metal plate extending substantially throughout an entire area of the gasket. The metal plate includes a base portion, at least one hole corresponding to a cylinder bore of the engine, a curved portion for defining the at least one hole, and a flange extending from the curved portion to be located above the base portion. A plated layer formed of soft metal is disposed on at least one surface of the base portion, curved portion and flange of the first metal plate facing outwardly of the gasket to thereby form a sealing portion by the plated layer.

Abstract: A metal laminate cylinder head gasket has a first metal plate having a first notched portion, a second metal plate having a folded projection extending therefrom, and a middle metal plate having, adjacent to the first notched portion, a second notched portion. The middle metal plate is clamped between the first metal plate and the second metal plate. The folded projection is located such that in an area defined by the first and second notched portions, the first and middle metal plates are clamped by the folded projection. The gasket combines the function of a shim for adjusting the thickness of the gasket, and the function of affixing the metal plates.

Abstract: A metal gasket for sealing two members with at least one through hole to be sealed includes at least one metal plate constituting the gasket and having a seal-required portion, and at least one hole formed in the metal plate. The at least one hole corresponds to the through hole of the two members. Conductive portions for assuring electrical conductivity between the two members are provided on respective surfaces of the metal plate pressed on the two members. A seal is coated on the seal-required portion for the respective surfaces of the metal plate except for the conductive portion.

Abstract: A gasket includes an intermediate layer having resilient sealing beads flanked by stopper beads. The three-layer gasket, particularly designed for heavy duty racing engines, provides a relatively robust cross-section in web-areas between cylinder bore apertures. A thin bottom layer includes wrap-around flanged portions extending about cylinder bore edges of the intermediate layer to partially overlap cylinder bore aperture areas of that layer. The flanged portions may include a plurality of waves to increase forces to generate the seal. A thin top layer overlies the intermediate layer, as well as the overlapping portions of the bottom layer. In one described embodiment, the overlapping portions are limited to cylinder bore edges between cylinder bores. As a between-engine-overhaul indication of engine health, the top gasket layer is adapted via plastic deformation to form a permanent indentation in an aluminum cylinder head to signal excessive engine operation.

Abstract: A metal gasket for an internal combustion engine includes a first metal plate with a folded portion; a ring member with a sandwiched portion having a sealing bead and an extension portion, with the sandwiched portion being sandwiched in the folded portion to provide a primary sealing portion; a second metal plate laminated to the folded portion of the first metal plate so as to sandwich the extension portion to provide a secondary sealing portion; and a third metal plate sandwiched between the first metal plate and the second metal plate in a portion of the gasket separate from the sandwiched extension portion. In the event that the cylinder head lift becomes greater than the following capability of the sealing bead in the primary sealing portion, the secondary sealing portion provides excellent following capability relative to the lift.

Abstract: A gasket having a layer including at least one combustion opening and a wave area located on the layer is disclosed. The wave area includes a first wave and a second wave. The first wave is proximate the combustion opening. A flat portion near the second wave includes a first end and a second end. A full bead is located next to the second end of the flat portion whereby a lower surface of the flat portion is above the lower projecting surfaces of the wave area.

Abstract: A rocker cover assembly for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes a rock cover, a gasket element and a stabilizing core. The gasket element is disposed between the rocker cover and the cylinder head, and includes a sealing material. The stabilizing core is inserted in the gasket element and surrounded at least essentially completely by the sealing material of the gasket element. The stabilizing core is isolated from the rocker cover such that the sealing material of the gasket element is arranged between the stabilizing core and the rocker cover.

Abstract: In a flat gasket, especially a cylinder head gasket, having at least one elongated, metallic carrier element (17) which extends over several sealing zones, preferably over several combustion chamber sealing zones (41) for several in-line cylinders of a piston engine, the carrier element (17) is formed by several component elements (7, 9, 11) which are interconnected by a connecting means (23, 35), abutting one another (at 13).

Abstract: 1. Cylinder Head Gasket 2. In a cylinder head gasket (1) for an internal combustion piston engine, having at least one gasket layer (21, 23, 25) of metallic material which defines the main gasket plane and which has at least one combustion chamber through opening (3), on the edge of which there is a circular ring-shaped combustion chamber sealing area (15), the combustion chamber sealing area (15) is vertically profiled such that measured perpendicular to the main gasket plane it has a different thickness in different peripheral areas.

Abstract: A combustion engine includes a cylinder head and a cylinder crankcase having a cylinder bore and a coolant duct formed therein. The coolant duct is disposed adjacent the cylinder bore and is a cooling system component. A cylinder head gasket is provided between the cylinder head and the cylinder crankcase. The coolant duct has a coolant duct upper end and is open toward the cylinder head gasket at the coolant duct upper end. The cylinder head gasket has a side facing the cylinder crankcase when the cylinder head gasket is installed. The cylinder head gasket has a channel formed on the side of the cylinder head gasket that faces the cylinder crankcase. The channel is in a flow connection with the coolant duct and is part of the cooling system.

Abstract: A sealing gasket assembly includes one or more carriers each having an offset flexible stopper portion spaced laterally outwardly away from an offset inner sealing portion that is adjacent an opening or other area requiring sealing between mating members adapted to be clamped together. An optional shim can be disposed adjacent to, and aligned with, the carrier. A resilient sealing material is applied to at least portions of the carrier and/or the shim, such as by screen printing, for example. The gasket assembly can be used advantageously in sealing applications such as those for cylinder heads and blocks, intake or exhaust manifolds, piping or other fluid conveying devices, housings, enclosures, or other situations where relative movement can occur between the members to be sealed to each other.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of manufacturing a multi-layered steel gasket assembly including a plurality of steel gasket layers each having a predetermined electrical resistance and including at least one coating layer of a material having an electrical resistance substantially greater than that of the steel gasket layers. The method includes the steps of: applying the coating layer of the selected material to at least one surface of at least one of the steel gasket layers to provide at least one coated gasket layer; assembling the coated gasket layer with at least one other steel gasket layer such that the coating layer prevents the use of traditional resistance welding in joining the gasket layers; and thereafter welding the assembled gasket layers together by either a JAG or CO2 laser to form the multi-layered steel gasket assembly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a metallic flat gasket with at least one sealing layer with at least one port, with a sensor layer corresponding to the ports being deposited on at least one surface of the sealing layer. This sensor layer consists of a compression protection layer and at least one break, in which a sensor element is at least partially installed.

Abstract: A multi-use gasket assembly includes at least two lobes each having a fluid-conveying opening with an associated axis. Four mounting holes are formed in each of the lobes about the openings. The gasket has symmetry across a plane of symmetry containing the axes of the openings.

Abstract: A gasket for statically sealing between two members is disclosed. The gasket includes a first generally planar portion having an inner perimeter and an exterior perimeter, and having a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side from the first surface. A seal bead rises from the first surface a first predetermined height and extends about the inner perimeter. A fastener hole extends through the first portion and is located between the seal bead and the exterior perimeter. The gasket also includes a protruding feature located between the fastener hole and the exterior perimeter that rises from the first surface a second predetermined height that is about equal to or greater than the first predetermined height.

Abstract: A sealing-enhancing coating for a gasket or a portion of a gasket includes flaky particles of chemically exfoliated vermiculite, at least 90% by weight of the particles having a thickness of no more than 30 microns, and no dimension greater than 1 mm. The particles form 10 to 90 wt. % of the coating. The coating also includes 50 to 10 wt. % of an organic polymer binder which when formed into a film 1 mm or less in thickness and heated to 300° C. in free air for 24 hours either does not decompose or decomposes leaving a residue of at least 20% by weight of film.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket is coated with an encapsulant that is mixed with a light color pigment to create a light colored encapsulant. A translucent topcoat is preferably coated over the encapsulant. The encapsulant is preferably an epoxy primer, the topcoat is preferably a silicone, and the pigment is preferably made from titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Abstract: A metal laminate gasket with a hole to be sealed includes a base metal plate having a first hole corresponding to the hole to be sealed, and a first steel plate laminated on one side of the base metal plate and having a second hole with a diameter greater than that of the first hole. The second hole has an inner surface and is aligned with the first hole when the base metal plate and the first steel plate are laminated. A coating layer is deposited on the first steel plate and has a portion deposited on the inner surface of the second hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to the application of a projection to a metal layer of a metallic cylinder-head gasket for an internal-combustion engine having at least one elastic metal sheet, which is provided with one opening or a plurality of adjacent openings depending on the number of combustion chambers of the internal-combustion engine, a bead being provided in the at least one elastic metal sheet around each opening, at a distance from the latter, so that a straight section of sheet metal is left clear in the region of the edge of the opening, for which bead a spring travel limiter or stopper, which runs coaxially with respect to the bead and is formed by the projection, is provided, the projection being produced from a mixture which contains a plastic with a high mineral filler content. A mixture of an elastomer in particular with a filler which has been surface-treated by means of a silane is used.

Abstract: A metallic gasket having a first seal line SL1 arranged in a manner to encircle the peripheral edge of an exhaust gas hole 3, a second seal line SL2 arranged along the outer peripheral edge of a base plate 2, and full beads 6, 7 formed each in a convex cross-section by bending the base plate 2 along both seal lines. Elastic sealing material 8 to 11, the height of which is substantially equal to the height of a convex portion of the beads, are fixed to the convex portion and a flat surface continuous to the convex portion. The elastic sealing material on the flat surface is so arranged as to cover up to the opening mouth position of the exhaust gas hole 3 or a peripheral edge position of the base plate 2 and, furthermore, elastic material parts 12, 13 are filled in a concave portion of the bead on the reverse side of the convex portion. This structure of the gasket leads to cost reduction and enables the gasket to maintain a stable sealing performance for a long period of time.

Abstract: A film-integrated gasket comprising a resin film and an adhesive rubber layer directly molded on the resin film. The adhesive rubber layer is molded from addition reaction type silicone rubber. The adhesive rubber layer can have a reduced thickness and can prevent positional alignment failure, making it suitable for a thin seal that can be used in a fuel cell, a secondary battery, a condenser, etc. without contamination of electrolytic solution, catalyst, etc. used in the cells.

Abstract: A compound sheet gasket which exhibits superior sealing durability to fretting is provided. The compound sheet gasket is mounted between a housing and a cover provided at an opening of the housing, and the friction coefficient of any one surface of a front surface adhered to the housing by the flexibility thereof and a rear surface adhered to the cover by the flexibility thereof, is set to be 1.15 times or more that of the other.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket for an engine is provided. The gasket includes an opening positioned in a gasket substrate and arranged to align with an engine oiling circuit passage to allow oil to flow from a cylinder block through the gasket to a cylinder head. The gasket further includes a filter element attached to the gasket relative to the opening and arranged to provide a barrier to debris in the oiling circuit.

Abstract: A metallic gasket comprising a base plate having a first thickness-increased portion 3 formed at a peripheral edge on a combustion chamber opening 3 side of a base plate, and a first seal line SL1 and a second seal line SL2 arranged on the outer side of said first thickness-increased portion 3. No openings other than a cooling water hole 8 exist between said two seal lines. Beads formed along said seal lines SL1 and SL2 each consist of a convex metal bead raised only upward from an upper surface of said base plate and a rubber bead made of an elastic sealing material fixed to a convex portion and a concave portion of said metal bead. This structure of said metallic gasket can improve a processing accuracy of said metal bead and also enhance cooling effects on said metallic gasket itself and said joint surfaces of an engine, between which said metallic gasket is disposed.

Abstract: A gasket with selectively positioned seal enhancement zones located in the web of the gasket is provided. The gasket is formed of a base sheet of gasket material cut to define an interior aperture bounded by an interior edge and webs. Slots are formed at selected locations within the seal enhancement zones and the slots are bounded by edges. An edge coating of polymeric material is applied to the slot edges and, in one embodiment, project beyond the facial planes of the base sheet to form raised rims. An edge coating also may be formed on the interior edge bounding the aperture of the gasket. When clamped between a pair of flange surfaces, the polymeric edge coatings on the slot edges engage and seal against the flange surfaces within the seal enhancement zones to provide an enhanced seal against leakage in these zones.

Abstract: A gasket is interposed at a joining portion between two members. The gasket includes a gasket base plate having an opening through which fluid flows and a plurality of annular beads formed in a wave shape over a predetermined area extending outwardly from a hole edge of the opening; and at least one shim covering only the annular beads. The shims are laser-welded at a welding portion to cover the beads. Thus, the metal gasket does not have a pressure trace on abutting surfaces of a cylinder head.

Abstract: A metal gasket is formed of a metal base plate for sealing between two members. The metal gasket has a bead around a cylinder bore and a bead around a fluid hole on the metal base plate. Coatings are applied on both surfaces of the beads, respectively. When the metal gasket is tightened, strong sealing surface pressures are locally generated at sealing line portions of the beads. The coatings are applied only on other portions except for the sealing line portions.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket is formed of one metal plate having a cylinder bore and a folded portion around the cylinder bore. A paint coating formed of a hard paint layer is provided on at least one side of the metal plate at an outer periphery side of the folded portion for forming a surface pressure thereat. Accordingly, the cylinder head gasket is provided with excellent sealing performance and durability.

Abstract: A gasket provided with a sliding-treated layer on the surface of a fluorine rubber gasket body. The sliding-treated layer is a baked coated film of a sliding treating agent. The sliding treating agent is an aqueous emulsion containing a solid lubricant, an urethane-based resin as a matrix, and a reactive group-coupled alkyltrialkoxysilane series compound represented by the following chemical formula as an adherability modifier. X—CnH2n—Si(OR)3 {wherein X (reactive group) is an amino-containing group or an epoxy-containing group, n is a natural number of 2 to 4, and R is an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 3}.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal gasket which is capable of securing a sealing properties by strongly pressing a portion of a bead thereof, which faces a portion where a pressuring surface of one joining surface of one of an intake manifold and an EGR plate does not exist, to the other joining surface thereof. A metal gasket which is clamped between the two joining surfaces and has at least one hole for fluid, includes a bead for sealing the two joining surfaces, the bead surrounding the at least one hole for fluid, each of which allows openings for fluid to be communicated with each other, the openings being provided in the respective joining surfaces. The metal gasket further includes a convex portion, the tip of which abuts one of the joining surfaces, is provided in the vicinity of a portion of the beads abutting the other joining surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gasket having at least one metallic layer, in which at least one gasket opening and at least one bead are formed, and in and/or adjacent to the bead a coating is applied as a deformation limiter, which comprises at least one filler and one bonding agent, the mass proportion of the filler being greater than the bonding agent and the filler being present in particle form, and the individual spherical particles having a small surface in relation to the volume of the particle.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket that includes a body that has holes stamped through it and is then coated with an encapsulant before assembling armor to the body of the gasket. A topcoat is coated over the body and armor. The encapsulant is preferably an epoxy primer and the topcoat is preferably a silicone.

Abstract: A multi-layer metal gasket includes at least on active layer and at least one shim layer having aligned combustion holes. The shim layer has annular portions surrounding the combustion holes and tab portions projecting radially outwardly from the annular portions surrounding the combustion holes. The annular portions underlie associated sealing beads of the active layer. The tab portions each have a radially extending neck region and a set of lateral bend tabs supported at the end of the neck region and projecting laterally outwardly thereof. The bend tabs project through an associated set of laterally spaced mounting windows formed in the active layer and are bent back toward one another to secure the shim layer to the active layer.

Abstract: In order to provide a cylinder head gasket, comprising at least one beaded gasket sheet, which comprises at least one combustion chamber opening and a bead, which may be vertically deformed and surrounds the combustion chamber opening, and at least one deformation limiting means adjacent to the bead, which can be produced simply and with low material usage and which is flexible with respect to the arrangement and configuration of the deformation limiting means, it is proposed that the deformation limiting means comprises at least one deformation limiting element disposed on a deformation limiting sheet of the cylinder head gasket, said element having at least one reinforcement region, which is located at a distance from the combustion chamber opening and is formed by separating a region of the deformation limiting sheet along a separating line and subsequently bending this region out of the plane of the deformation limiting sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layered steel gasket,for example a cylinder head gasket, having at least one through opening, for example for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, in which at least three active metallic gasket layers are disposed one above the other; beads being formed in at least two gasket layers around the through opening(s); and a first bead-shaped, plastically deformable deformation limiter being disposed in a spacer sheet, which is disposed between these two gasket layers, on the side adjacent to the beads.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket (211) includes one or more alignment holes (301) and one or more drain-back holes (303) disposed in an area of the cylinder head gasket (211). One or more push rods (211) are extendable through the alignment holes (301). The one or more drain-back holes (303) are formed such that the one or more push rods (211) are incapable of fitting through the one or more drain-back holes (303).

Abstract: An MLS cylinder head gasket includes a relatively thick intermediate layer having resilient sealing beads flanked by stopper beads. The stopper beads limit compression of the sealing beads, which surround combustion cylinder bore apertures. The three-layer gasket, particularly designed for heavy duty racing engines, provides a relatively robust cross-section in web-areas between cylinder bore apertures. A thin bottom layer includes wrap-around flanged portions extending about cylinder bore edges of the intermediate layer to partially overlap cylinder bore aperture areas of that layer. A thin top layer overlies the intermediate layer, as well as the overlapping portions of the bottom layer. In one described embodiment, the overlapping portions are limited to cylinder bore edges between cylinder bores. As a between-engine-overhaul indication of engine health, the top gasket layer is adapted via plastic deformation to form a permanent indentation in an aluminum cylinder head to signal excessive engine operation.

Abstract: A metal gasket for an internal combustion engine is formed of a metal plate including a base portion extending substantially throughout an entire area to be sealed, at least one hole formed in the base portion, a curved portion extending from the base portion, and a flange extending from the curved portion and disposed on a part of an upper surface of the base portion. A coating member is deposited on the flange facing the base portion and/or the base portion facing the flange. The coating member is formed of a non-thermoplastic coating material to operate as a surface pressure regulating member between the flange and the base portion to thereby regulate a surface pressure at the flange.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stainless steel gasket having markedly improved strength and fatigue properties due to precipitation strengthening. Its composition comprises C: at most 0.03%, Si: at most 1.0%, Mn: at most 2%, Cr: 16.0%-18.0%, Ni: 6.0%-8.0%, N: at most 0.25%, if necessary Nb: at most 0.30%, and a remainder of Fe and unavoidable impurities. After cold rolling, final annealing is carried out, and after a structure is formed of recrystallized grains with an average grain diameter of at most 5 ?m having an area ratio of 50-100% and an unrecrystallized portion having an area ratio of 0-50%, a metal gasket is formed by steps including temper rolling with a reduction of at least 30% to make the area ratio of a strain induced martensite phase at least 40%, and forming and heat treatment at 200-350° C.

Abstract: A metal gasket is formed of a metal base plate for sealing between two members. The metal gasket has a bead around a cylinder bore and a bead around a fluid hole. The coatings are applied on both surfaces of the beads, respectively. When the metal gasket is tightened, strong sealing surface pressures are locally generated at sealing line portions. The thicknesses of the coatings at the sealing line portions are formed to be thinner than those of the other portions.

Abstract: A multi-layer metal gasket includes at least on active layer and at least one shim layer having aligned combustion holes. The shim layer has annular portions surrounding the combustion holes and tab portions projecting radially outwardly from the annular portions surrounding the combustion holes and tab portions projecting radially outwardly from the annular portions. The annular portions underlie associated sealing beads of the active layer. The tab portions each have a radially extending neck region and a set of lateral bend tabs supported at the end of the neck region and projecting radially outwardly thereof. The bend tabs project through an associated set of laterally spaced mounting windows formed in the active layer and are bent back toward one another to secure the shim layer to the active layer.