Abstract: A seal assembly to seal a gas turbine hot gas path flow at an interface of a combustor liner and a downstream component, such as a stage one turbine nozzle, in a gas turbine. The seal assembly including a piston ring seal housing, defining a cavity, and a piston ring disposed within the cavity. The piston ring disposed circumferentially about the combustor liner. The piston ring is responsive to a regulated pressure to secure sealing engagement of the piston ring and outer surface of the combustor liner. The seal assembly includes at least one of one or more sectional through-slots, bumps or channel features to provide for a flow therethrough of a high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exiting a compressor to the cavity. The high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exerting a radial force on the piston ring.

Abstract: In some examples, techniques of repairing and/or reinforcing oxide-oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials using a metallic material. In one example, a method including applying a metallic material at an edge of an oxide-oxide CMC substrate; and heating the metallic material to diffuse the metal material into the oxide-oxide CMC substrate at the edge. In another example, a method including applying a metallic material onto a damaged area of the oxide-oxide CMC; applying a reinforcing phase material onto the damaged area of the oxide-oxide CMC; and heating the metallic material to diffuse the metallic material into the oxide-oxide CMC and attach the reinforcing phase material to the damaged area of the oxide-oxide CMC.

Abstract: The present invention is a laminate sheet having two laminae. The first lamina is a relatively hard material having first and second surfaces. The first surface has a plurality of raised and generally pointed piercing structures, each structure having a tip. The second lamina is graphite foil material, which is mated to the relatively hard material, such that at least some of the piercing structures pierce the graphite foil material. In one embodiment, the first lamina has no performations and is uniformly smooth. In another embodiment, the second surface also has a plurality of piercing structures and a third lamina comprising graphite foil is mated to the second surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for guiding liquid, in particular a drainage channel, comprising a guiding section (10) and at least one functional region (11), wherein the guiding section (10) is formed of concrete, which has a binder and a filler having a first grain size K1, wherein the functional region (11) is formed at least partially of a filled reaction resin, which has a filler having a second grain size K2, wherein K2<K1.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mounting auxiliary devices, such as hydraulic pumps or electric generators, to a power takeoff (PTO) maintain alignment of the auxiliary device with the PTO while allowing hand rotation of the auxiliary device to an appropriate orientation and secure the auxiliary device to the PTO in the selected orientation. Embodiments include a stationary member that connects to a PTO and captures a rotatable member between the stationary member and the PTO. When the appropriate orientation of the auxiliary device is achieved, the rotatable member can be moved toward the auxiliary device to connect to the auxiliary device and to engage the stationary member (and to possibly engage teeth in the stationary member) to lock the orientation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermally modulated optical lens apparatus that includes an electrically resistive element that has patterned features. The patterned features may be micro-sized or smaller and may create an electrical resistance density across the electrically resistive element. The electrically resistive element is capable of electrically connecting to a controllable electrical source. The apparatus also includes at least one thermo-optical material in thermal contact with the patterned features of the electrically resistive element. The at least one thermo-optical material can have an optical refractive index profile that corresponds to the electrical resistance density.

Abstract: A sealing assembly includes a door and a seal. The door includes a flexible body that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The seal is movable between an engaged position in which the seal is positioned in engagement with a portion of the flexible body when the flexible body is in the closed position and a disengaged position in which the seal moves away from the portion of the flexible body as the flexible body moves from the closed position to the open position such that the flexible body is spaced from the seal to minimize frictional engagement with the seal.

Abstract: An object is to provide a fuel supply system having a filler neck formed easily with high accuracy. A fuel supply system is configured to supply fuel ejected from a fuel nozzle to a fuel tank. The fuel supply system comprises a filler neck including a resin filler neck body and a metal retainer. The filler neck body is formed in a tubular shape and has an opening end arranged to form an opening which the fuel nozzle is inserted through. The retainer is placed to cover at least part of the opening end of the filler neck body and is joined with the filler neck body in at least part of the filler neck body by thermal welding.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for mounting blown fiber tubes (20) includes a main housing (40) mountable to an end (32) of a flex tube (30), an outer ring (50) positioned at an end (42) of the main housing (40), and an inner ring (60) positioned adjacent to and within the outer ring (50) wherein the blown fiber tubes (20) are positioned about an outer periphery (62) of the inner ring (60). A trigger (70) pushes the inner ring (60) to compress the blown fiber tubes (20) between the inner ring (60) and the outer ring (50). The outer ring (500 and the inner ring (60) each include a plurality of spaced pockets (52, 68) each sized for receipt of a blown fiber tube (20). The trigger (70) includes a threaded member (80) which pushes the inner ring (60) outwardly. In one embodiment, portions (64) of the inner ring (60) separate during activation and press against the blown fiber tubes (20) to compress the blown fiber tubes (20) against the outer ring (50). A spring (496) may be added to push on the inner ring (60).

Abstract: A carbonation apparatus includes a pressure vessel includes a cap that has a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The carbonation device also includes a seal. The seal includes a labyrinth preventing contact of a liquid within the pressure vessel with the cap during a carbonation process. A locking mechanism removably locks the cap and seal and antifoam device relative to the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member 46 includes a spherical annular base member 42 defined by a cylindrical inner surface 38, a partially convex spherical surface 39, and large- and small-diameter side annular end faces 40 and 41 of the partially convex spherical surface 39; a plurality of partially convex spherical intermediate layers 43 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 39 of the spherical annular base member 42 and laminated in a radial direction; and an outer layer 45 formed integrally on a partially convex spherical surface 44 of the outermost partially convex spherical intermediate layer 43 of these partially convex spherical intermediate layers 43.

Abstract: A packer is for use in a cable gland. The packer is formed from an elastic material including coarse-grained particles of a hardness sufficient for engagement with the surface of a cable, which has been inserted into the cable gland, when pressure is applied around the packer, whereby the packer substantially prevents the cable from slipping in the cable gland. A packer is used together with a cable gland.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member 40 includes: a spherical annular base member 38 which is defined by a cylindrical inner surface 34 defining a through hole 33 in a central portion, a partially convex spherical surface 35, and annular end faces 36 and 37 on large- and small-diameter sides of the partially convex spherical surface 35; and an outer layer 39 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 35 of the spherical annular base member 38.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for temporarily sealing a pipe including apparatus and methods for creating a temporary airtight seal at the open end of a pipe in a plumbing or refrigeration system. One such apparatus includes a body, grommet, washer, and a nut. Multiple airtight seals are created including a first primary seal between an exterior of the pipe and the grommet and a secondary seal between the open end of the pipe and the washer. The grommet does not require teeth and the apparatus does not require adhesive, sealant, or any other type of similar materials. Use of the apparatus and methods greatly minimizes and/or eliminates the potential for marring or otherwise distorting the open end of the pipe, thereby facilitating reuse of same.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member 39 includes a spherical annular base member 37 defined by annular end faces 35 and 36, and an outer layer 38 formed integrally on the spherical annular base member 37. The spherical annular base member 37 includes a reinforcing member 5 made from a metal wire net and a heat-resistant material 6 containing compressed expanded graphite. The outer layer 38 is comprised of a base layer 46 which includes a reinforcing member 15 made from a metal wire net and compressed and a heat-resistant material 14 containing expanded graphite, compressed in such a manner as to fill meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 15, and having a surface 52 which forms an outer-layer intermediate layer surface 42 together with the surface 41 of the reinforcing member 15, and of a heated sliding layer 40 of a molten fluororesin composition formed on the base layer 46 at the outer-layer intermediate layer surface 42.

Abstract: The present invention provides, medical rubber parts that do not physically and chemically affect the quality of preparations. The present invention relates to a medical rubber part obtained by press-molding an unvulcanized rubber mainly containing a rubber for forming a liquid-contacting portion and an unvulcanized rubber mainly containing a butyl-based rubber for forming a non-liquid-contacting portion, wherein a color difference dE between the liquid-contacting portion and the non-liquid-contacting portion is 6.0 or more in NBS units.

Abstract: A kammprofile gasket is provided. The kammprofile gasket forms a flow aperture into which an object, such as a strainer or orifice plate, may be machined into the gasket to provide additional functionality. The gasket has a core material with a sealing material overlaying a portion of the core material such that a seal is formed between opposing flanged surfaces. The core material may be machined such that a base plate for an orifice or a plurality of support beams extend into the flow aperture. The plurality of support beams may provide support for a filter or strainer coupled upstream to the core material. The base plate may provide an inclined surface, such as a cone, to an orifice where the cone functions to direct excess flow away from the orifice to self flush.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for sealing off a joint area (1) between a first joint partner (20, 200) and a second joint partner (30, 300) by means of at least one elastic sealing element (18, 180) disposed between a first sealing surface (12.1) of the first joint partner (20, 200) and a second sealing surface (12.2) of the second joint partner (30, 300), and an associated method for sealing off the joint area (1) between a first joint partner (20, 200) and a second joint partner (30, 300). According to the invention, at least one reservoir (14) for an anticorrosion agent (16) is introduced in a sealing zone (11) of the first and/or second sealing surface (12.1, 12.2), wherein the sealing element encloses the reservoir (14) together with the first and/or second sealing surface (12.1, 12.2).

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing a gas leakage path between a first gas flow and a second gas flow at an end of a rotating rotor disposed in a stationary housing (26) of a rotary regenerative device (10) includes a seal gasket disposed between a seal seat of the housing facing the rotor and the end of the rotor. The seal gasket may be a hybrid gasket having a first gasket member and a second gasket member disposed in back-to-back relationship, the first gasket member formed of a first material and the second gasket member formed of a second material. In an embodiment, the first gasket member is a solid neoprene rubber and the second gasket member is a sponge-like neoprene rubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal assembly, which includes: (a) a ceramic tube (1); (b) a first ring (2) made of a refractory alloy including: a cylindrical opening (21) for receiving the ceramic tube; a first shoulder (22) which is located at the lower end of the ring, which is directed towards the interior of the cylindrical opening and which enables said ceramic tube to be supported; a second shoulder (23) forming, at the upper end of the ring, an annular space between the ceramic tube and the first ring made of a refractory alloy; (c) a second ring (3) which is made of a material that can be deformably sealed by heat-treatment, and which is located in the annular space formed by the second shoulder of the ring made of a refractory material; and (d) a third ring (4) made of a metal alloy, which is positioned on the upper edge of the first ring (2).

Abstract: A stopper is described for sealing a housing of an exhaust gas sensor, in which the stopper has a base body which contains a fluoroelastomer, and in which the stopper has at least one through channel for leading through a connecting cable. A seal is situated, at least in places, between the base body of the stopper and the through channel. The seal contains at least one thermoplastically processable fluoropolymer-containing material having a melting point or melting range between 170° C. and 320° C.

Abstract: A stopper for sealing a housing of an exhaust gas sensor has: at least one axial through-channel for guiding through a connecting cable; a basic body that has a fluoroelastomer; and at least one outer seal situated radially externally on the stopper and having at least one thermoplastically processable fluoropolymer-containing material having a melting point or melting range between 170° C. and 320° C.

Abstract: A stopper for sealing a housing of an exhaust gas sensor has: a base body which contains polytetrafluoroethylene; at least one through channel for leading through a connecting cable; and a seal situated, at least in places, between the base body of the stopper and the through channel, the seal containing at least one perfluoroalkoxy polymer or one tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroproylene or one polychlorotrifluoroethylene or one polyvinylidene fluoride.

Abstract: A molded discrete low stress gasket is constructed of restructured filled PTFE for use in corrosive or severe chemical environments under relatively low bolt loads. The gasket has a gasket surface and includes a raised outer sealing ring and a raised inner sealing ring. The gasket may constructed from a restructured filled PTFE material, with the sealing rings deforming at lower pressures than the remaining portions of the gasket.

Abstract: A gasket is provided that can effectively alleviate stresses arising therein when at high temperatures. A substantially annular gasket 1 used in coupling an outlet 30 of a turbocharger 3; the gasket 1 includes a gasket face 10 that is an abutting face of the gasket 1 that abuts a flange 31 when the gasket is in a state fitted to the flange 31 of an outlet 30; and the gasket face 10 is an annular shape having the plurality of fastener holes 11A, 13A, 15A and 17A, and in an area between one fastener hole and another fastener hole, the width of a portion H that reaches the highest temperature by exhaust gas channeled by the W/G valve 5 impinging thereon is formed to be the narrowest, and the width gradually increases as approaching towards the one fastener hole or the other fastener hole from the portion.

Abstract: A plug for sealing a housing of an exhaust gas sensor, the plug having at least one axial through-channel for leading through a connecting cable, the plug having a main body which includes polytetrafluoroethylene, the plug further including at least one outer seal which is situated on the plug radially on the outside, the outer seal including at least one perfluoroalkoxy polymer or tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoropropylene or polychlorotrifluoroethylene or polyvinylidene fluoride.

Abstract: A system seals a filter or equipment component to abase and will continue to seal the filter or equipment component to the base in the event of hot air or fire. The system includes a first sealing material between the filter or equipment component and the base; and a second sealing material between the filter or equipment component and the base and proximate the first sealing material. The first sealing material and the second seal material are positioned relative to each other and relative to the filter or equipment component and the base to seal the filter or equipment component to the base and upon the event of fire the second sealing material will be activated and expand to continue to seal the filter or equipment component to the base in the event of hot air or fire.

Abstract: The gasket 10 provides a fluid-tight seal between adjacent process pipes 12,14 or other conduits having external 16 and internal 18 surfaces. The gasket comprises a chemically inert, fire-suppressing shell 20 and a fire-resistant insert 22 mounted in the shell. The shell 20 is formed or molded with a base 24 having an inner surface 26 corresponding to the internal surfaces 18 of the pipes and with a pair of spaced-apart side walls 28, 30 extending from the base 24 and defining an outwardly opening, insert-receiving channel 32. Upon mounting the insert 22 in the channel 32, an exposed perimeter portion 34 of the insert provides a fire-resistant outer barrier between the external surfaces 16 of the process pipes.

Abstract: Flat gasket including a gasket plate, which has at least two gasket layers arranged on each other and in which a through-opening to be sealed is formed, the gasket plate including a supporting device which increases the total material thickness of the gasket plate and is formed by several folded-over gasket layer sections. To achieve a supporting device with locally different effective height, the flat gasket is configured such that the gasket plate has a first gasket layer with a first layer area and having a first layer thickness and in which a first folded-over gasket layer section of a supporting device is formed, and the gasket plate has a second gasket layer with a second layer area and having a second layer thickness and in which a second folded-over gasket layer section of this supporting device is formed, the first and second layer thicknesses being different.

Abstract: A seal for stemming leakage flows between adjacent components, especially of a gas turbine, has an elastically deformable, thin-walled sealing element and a thin-walled cover element which is U-shaped in cross section and between its legs and its base partially accommodates the sealing element. The legs of the cover element are arranged in the sealing arrangement, which features the seal, between two oppositely disposed walls of the other component in a movable manner relative to these walls which, together with the sealing surface of the other component, form a groove which is U-shaped in cross section. Forces, which act laterally upon the seal, are absorbed by the cover element and via the legs are diverted into the other component so that the integrity of the seal is maintained even in the case of lateral forces.

Abstract: A swellable material seal includes a quantity of swellable material disposed in a geometric configuration; and a plurality of openings in the material to enhance wettability thereof by a swelling fluid.

Abstract: A malleable gasket suitable for high purity fluid delivery systems has flat axial end surface sealing regions on opposing sides, and further includes a raised inner lip on a first side and a raised outer lip on a second side. The raised lips align the gasket within a fluid delivery conduit by engaging features in the face of one or more fluid delivery elements joined together, and simultaneously provide protection to the sealing regions during normal handling and fluid delivery system assembly.

Abstract: A system for stopping in an opening a flow of a fluid, wherein the system comprises: a kneadable silicon based polymer for fitting in and/or onto the opening so as to block any flow of the fluid through the opening, wherein the silicon based polymer comprises fillers so that the density of the silicon based polymer is higher as compared to the density of the silicon based polymer that does not comprise these fillers, and a silicon based sealant for applying against a dried form of the silicon based polymer, wherein the silicon based sealant is vulcanizable under exposure to humidity.

Abstract: Provided are surface-modified elastic bodies (e.g. gasket for syringes) each obtained by a surface modification method for modifying a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer, the method being capable of providing surfaces with excellent properties such as excellent sliding properties, excellent durability against repeated sliding motion, and excellent performance in preventing adsorption and aggregation of proteins, and allowing the surfaces to maintain the sealing properties, without using expensive self-lubricating plastics. The invention relates to surface-modified elastic bodies (e.g.

Abstract: A seal between a ceramic conduit and a metal conduit of an ion transport membrane device consisting of a sealing surface of ceramic conduit, a sealing surface of ceramic conduit, a single gasket body, and a single compliant interlayer.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a sealing member that is sandwiched between the vehicle component and a vehicle body to seal a gap between the vehicle component and the vehicle body. The sealing member includes an adhering/separating member that is adhereable to and separable from a wall of the vehicle body, and an elastic compressing member that is elastically compressible and stacked on the adhering/separating member. The adhering/separating member adheres to the wall of the vehicle body when the sealing member is present between the vehicle component and the vehicle body.

Abstract: A hammer union seal assembly, hammer union seal and method of construction thereof is provided. The method of constructing the hammer union seal includes forming an annular rubber ring having a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface, with the cylindrical outer surface extending between opposite corner edges. The method further includes forming an annular steel ring. Then, recessing and bonding the annular steel ring in one of the corner edges with an outer surface of the steel ring remaining exposed.

Abstract: A multilayer annular seal assembly including at least one outer sealing ring including at least one inner annular space and at least one inner sealing ring formed with one or more inner annular chambers.

Abstract: A sealed fluidic component (280) for use in a fluidic flow path is made by providing a composite material (300) comprising a first material (305) and a second material (310), wherein the first material (305) and the second material (310) are different PAEK materials with the first material (305) having a lower melting point than the second material (310). The composite material (300) is heated in order to provide a sealing by the first material (305).

Abstract: A gasket for electric cables includes a main portion made of elastic material; a through hole that passes longitudinally through the main body and constitutes the seat of a cable to be insulated; a longitudinal slit passes through the body of the gasket and connects the through seat to the outside, allowing, by virtue of the elastic deformability of the material of the gasket, the insertion of the cable in the through seat.

Abstract: A spherical annular base member 33 is constructed such that a heat-resistant material 6 and a reinforcing member 5 are compressed and intertwined with each other so as to be provided with structural integrity. In an outer layer 34, a heat-resistant material 6, a solid lubricant constituted of a lubricating composition, and a reinforcing member 5 made from a metal wire net are compressed such that the solid lubricant and the heat-resistant material 6 are filled in meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 5, and the solid lubricant, the heat-resistant material 6, and the reinforcing member 5 are integrally formed in mixed form. An outer surface 36 of the outer layer 34 is formed into a smooth surface 39 in which a surface 37 constituted of the reinforcing member 5 and a surface 38 constituted by the solid lubricant are present in mixed form.

Abstract: The invention seeks to provide a gasket for a quick connector that is inexpensive to fabricate, providing sealing over a wide range of fluid pressures, while presenting engagement forces that are small for flow diameters of large size. More precisely, the present invention provides a sealing gasket of elastically deformable material having a Y-shaped longitudinal axial section for use in a quick coupling for a fluid duct, the gasket (10) comprising an I-shaped stem (1) and a V-shaped portion (2), flash (3p, 3s) of join plane (P1) of the gasket being located between the I-shaped stem (1) and the V-shaped portion (2), preferably substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (P2) of the gasket (10). The invention also provides the use of such a gasket, and a mold and a method for fabricating such a gasket.

Abstract: In the case of an element for sealing or reinforcing a cavity of a structural element, in particular of a vehicle, the element comprises a base element a foamable part, and an opening for receiving a penetrating element. A wing is arranged on the base element, the opening is open at the side and an actuator which moves the wing when the penetrating element is introduced is arranged on the wing.

Abstract: A seal comprising a high temperature silicone adhesive sealant layer; a first non-ceramic layer mounted to the silicone adhesive sealant layer; a first expanded metal layer mounted to the first non-ceramic layer; a first silicone cloth layer mounted to the first expanded metal layer; a metal reinforcement layer mounted to the first silicone cloth layer to provide structural integrity without the use of ceramic materials; a second expanded metal layer mounted to the metal reinforcement layer; a second non-ceramic layer mounted to the second expanded metal layer; a turbine mesh layer mounted to the second non-ceramic layer; a second silicone cloth layer mounted to the turbine mesh layer; a sealing castable applied over the second silicone cloth layer to provide a covering; and, a high temperature bonding adhesive disposed between each layer following the first non-ceramic layer to bind the layers together.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a surface modification method for a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer, which can impart excellent sliding properties and durability against repeated sliding motion and can allow the surface to maintain the sealing properties, without using expensive self-lubricating plastics. The present invention relates to a surface modification method for modifying a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer as an object to be modified, the method including: Step 1 of allowing a photopolymerization initiator to be adsorbed on a surface of the object to be modified; and Step 2 of radical polymerizing monomers, starting from the adsorbed photopolymerization initiator, by irradiation with UV light at a wavelength of 300 nm to 400 nm to grow polymer chains on the surface of the object to be modified.

Abstract: To provide a seal structure having seal members which can be easily inserted into insertion holes of a housing, and achieve an excellent sealing performance of the seal members, the seal structure is comprised of a housing provided with insertion holes to which a flexible wiring substrate is inserted, and seal members which are integrally formed on the flexible wiring substrate are made of a rubber elastic material in a bush-shape, and hermetically seal gaps between the insertion holes and the flexible wiring substrate, wherein projected portions are provided on parts of the flexible wiring substrate at positions where the seal members are integrally formed.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member 39 includes a spherical annular base member 37 defined by a cylindrical inner surface 33, a partially convex spherical surface 34, and an annular end faces 35 and 36; and an outer layer 38 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 34 of the spherical annular base member 37. The spherical annular base member 37 includes a reinforcing member 5 made from a metal wire net and a heat-resistant material 6 filling meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 5 and formed integrally with the reinforcing member 5 in mixed form.

Abstract: In a spherical annular seal member 38, a spherical annular base member 36 is constructed so as to be provided with structural integrity as a heat-resistant material 6 and a reinforcing member 5 are compressed to each other and intertwined with each other. In an outer layer 37, the heat-resistant material 6, a sintered solid lubricant constituted by a lubricating composition, and the reinforcing member 5 made from a metal wire net are compressed such that the sintered solid lubricant and the heat-resistant material 6 are filled in meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 5, and the solid lubricant, the heat-resistant material 6, and the reinforcing member 5 are integrated in mixed form, an outer surface 39 of that outer layer 37 being thus formed into a smooth surface 42 in which a surface 40 constituted by the reinforcing member 5 and a surface 41 constituted by the sintered solid lubricant are present in mixed form.

Abstract: An insert for sealing and acoustic damping of a longitudinal cavity having an interior surface, comprising: a) one or more carrier plates made of a polymeric material (A) which does not deform when heated to a temperature not higher than 180° C. and which comprises a main polymer (A1) which gives mechanical strength to the carrier plate, and—at least one vibration-damping polymer (A2), and b) a thermally expandable material (B). The vibration-damping polymer (A2) is preferably selected from the group comprising: thermoplastic polyurethanes, styrene/butadiene block copolymers, hydrogenated styrene/butadiene block copolymers, styrene/isoprene block copolymers, hydrogenated styrene/isoprene block copolymers, styrene/isoprene/styrene tri-block copolymers, and hydrogenated styrene/isoprene/styrene tri-block copolymers.

Abstract: The seal arrangement (154) is arranged between the casing portions (50,52) and a fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) is positioned between the casing portions (50,52). A first protecting member (156) is positioned between the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) and the casing portion (50) and the first protecting member (156) consists of a polymer and hydroxyapatite. The first protecting member (156) consists of 50 to 80 wt % polymer and 20 to 50 wt % hydroxyapatite and incidental impurities. The first protecting member (156) is located in an annular groove (70) and is thus arranged between the casing portion (50) and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72). The first protecting member (156) is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) is positioned between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section first protecting member (156). The first protecting member (156) prevents corrosion of the casing portion (50) by the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72).