Elastomer Or Plastic Patents (Class 277/944)
  • Patent number: 6298908
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly suitable for use in a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system of a vehicle comprising a housing, a heat exchanger core disposed in the housing and spaced from the housing to provide a peripheral spacing between the core and the housing and a seal disposed in the peripheral spacing including a first section engaging a portion of the core and having a first hardness and a second section integrally molded with the first section engaging a portion of the housing and having a second hardness less than the first hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Edwards Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Harrell, Steven C. Barnett
  • Patent number: 6258457
    Abstract: A multilayer sheet having high compressive strength, high heat resistance and low permeability relative to fluids, includes layers of graphite foils and metal foils disposed alternating one upon another and parallel, with the graphite foils joined to the metal foils. Each of two layers forming an upper and a lower boundary of the multilayer sheet is a metal foil having a flat outwardly-directed surface completely covered with and joined to a gas-tight foil made of an organic polymer having a long-term temperature stability of at least 150° C. Preferably, no adhesives are used for joining the foils. The multilayer sheet is preferably used for producing flat gaskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: SGL Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Oswin Öttinger, Silvia Mechen, Mike Römmler
  • Patent number: 6254104
    Abstract: An improved valve stem gasket comprising a flat-shaped gasket with a central aperture wherein the durometer of the gasket varies from a relatively low hardness value in the inner portion of the gasket extending radially outward from the central aperture to a relatively higher hardness value at the radially outer portion of the gasket whereat the gasket will be contacted by the upper wall portion of the valve housing. In a preferred form of the gasket, the variation in durometer value will be gradually varied from the inner portion of the gasket to the radially outer portion of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Precision Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Hafner
  • Patent number: 6241854
    Abstract: A composite is provided for forming a sealing strip for use in a suction roll of a papermaking machine or other device for maintaining a seal when brought into contact with a surface and that has extended usability and wear. The composite is a blend of a nitrile rubber, graphite, carbon black, and at least one of a silicone oil or polytetrafluoroethylene as a lubricating agent, optionally with a phenolic resin. The sealing strip has silicone oil and/or polytetrafluoroethylene evenly distributed over the contact surface, and when installed into a suction roll or other device, provides a reduced frictional surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Appleton International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Frawley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6237966
    Abstract: A pipe joint is formed using a gasket made of coextruded materials of different durometer hardnesses. The gasket includes a relatively soft, thermoplastic elasomeric sealing portion joined to a harder, plastic substrate on one side of the substrate, usually on the outer circumference of the substrate. The substrate may include stiffening regions axially spaced apart from one another and on opposite axial sides of the softer material. The inner circumference of the gasket (if the softer sealing portion is on the outer circumference) may have annular ridges spaced axially from one another to engage shoulders in one of the pipes of the joint to limit axial displacement of the gasket. The gasket, because of its relatively hard substrate, will not collapse into a groove in the pipe defined by the shoulders, thereby reducing the amount of gasket material required by a typical recess joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Bidco Plastic Extrusion, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Kearns
  • Patent number: 6179296
    Abstract: Dual functioning seals for use in forming a lubricant seal in a rotary rock bit comprise an annular elastomeric seal body having a dynamic seal surface for sealing against a dynamic surface and a static seal surface for sealing against a static surface. The seal body has an asymmetric axial cross-sectional geometry the dynamic seal surface having a greater radius of curvature than that of the static seal surface. The dynamic and static seal surfaces are formed from different elastomeric materials, and the dynamic seal surface is formed from an elastomeric material that is harder and more wear resistant than the elastomeric material used to form the static seal surface. A rotary rock bit seal constructed in this manner is well adapted to accommodate the different operating conditions and sealing requirements that exist both at the dynamic and static surfaces of the seal to ensure optimal seal performance and, thereby enhance the service life of the rock bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris E. Cawthorne, Sujian Huang, Zhigang Fang, Michael A. Siracki
  • Patent number: 6170830
    Abstract: Dual functioning seals for use in forming a lubricant seal in a rotary rock bit comprise an annular elastomeric seal body having a dynamic seal surface for sealing against a dynamic surface and a static seal surface for sealing against a static surface. The seal body has an asymmetric axial cross-sectional geometry the dynamic seal surface having a greater radius of curvature than that of the static seal surface. The dynamic and static seal surfaces are formed from different elastomeric materials, and the dynamic seal surface is formed from an elastomeric material that is harder and more wear resistant than the elastomeric material used to form the static seal surface. A rotary rock bit seal constructed in this manner is well adapted to accommodate the different operating conditions and sealing requirements that exist both at the dynamic and static surfaces of the seal to ensure optimal seal performance and, thereby enhance the service life of the rock bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris E. Cawthorne, Sujian Huang, Zhigang Fang, Michael A. Siracki
  • Patent number: 6161841
    Abstract: This invention discloses, as a manufacture, a vehicle O ring fuel cap gasket having a diagonally inverted modified C shape cross section and a groove extending for the full circumference of the O ring and in cross section the groove edges extend downward, with one or first edge extending downward to about 4 o'clock position and the other or second edge extending downward to about 7:30 o'clock, to provide a groove opening extending diagonally upwards for a depth of about 2.2.times. to about 2.5.times. the thickness T-T' of the back of the C shape, and optional ridges on the outer circumference, the inner circumference, or the top of the O ring, and the O ring formed of an elastomer having a Shore A hardness about 50 to 60 and ultimate elongation range of 200% to 315%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Richard J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6142483
    Abstract: A gasket assembly for securing a pair of surfaces together wherein an electrically conductive gasket base having a central opening is provided with a pair of layers secured to opposite sides of the gasket base, with the layers being a fusible alloy, a brazing alloy or a synthetic, thermoplastic material which will melt, without degrading, when the gasket base is heated. The surfaces may be secured to each other by a plurality of bolts to squeeze the gasket assembly therebetween or by some other clamping means. An electrical current is passed through the gasket base to heat it to a temperature sufficient to melt the layers to seal the surfaces to opposite sides of the gasket base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Melvin A. Bryant, III
  • Patent number: 6139023
    Abstract: A seal for movable structural components, like piston rods or shafts, includes a carrier body made of thermoplastic material and a sealing member locked to said carrier body and made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material. A form-lock connection is achieved by an undercut which is formed permanently in the sealing member and filled with plastic material of the carrier body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Dichtungstechnik G. Bruss GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Heine, Michael Kinzel, Heiko Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6129360
    Abstract: An oil resistant gasket and method for preparing said oil resistant gasket which comprises applying an organic polymeric coating selected from the group consisting of parylene N, parylene D, parylene C and mixtures thereof; to a porous, elastomeric gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Wacker Silicones Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Walker, Theodore D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6086763
    Abstract: A combination disc and sealing ring for a filter assembly is provided. The disc is an annular thermoplastic disc having a central aperture. The disc includes an upper side and a lower side and the upper side of the disc includes an annular thickened area that extends upward from the upper side of the disc and that is spaced radially outward from the aperture of the disc. The annular thickened area is thermally welded to a sealing ring. The height of the annular thickened area is at least one-third the height of the sealing ring. The sealing ring further includes a central aperture that has a common axis with the central aperture of the disc. The sealing ring also includes a compressible area radially disposed between the aperture of the sealing ring and the annular thickened area of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ing. Walter Hengst GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Dieter Baumann
  • Patent number: 6059292
    Abstract: A speed reducer apparatus includes an auxiliary seal assembly to inhibit ingress of particulate matter. Preferably, the seal assembly is located axially outboard of a primary seal, such as a land riding seal. The seal assembly includes a plate defining a hole through which a rotatable member extends. The hole is sized to provide a predetermined gap between the inside surface of the plate and the outside surface of the rotatable member. An annular bead member is set in place from a viscous state about the rotatable member. In particular, the annular bead member extends across the gap between the plate and the rotatable member, functioning as a dam. Methods of forming the auxiliary seal assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventor: Charles R. Firestone
  • Patent number: 6030682
    Abstract: A container for aerosols which contains 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, or a mixture thereof as a propellant, wherein the container has at least one elastomeric sealing member comprising a thermoplastic copolymer of about 80 to about 95 mole percent ethylene and a total of about 5 to about 20 mole percent of one or more comonomers which may be 1-butene, 2-hexene, and 1-octene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Paul E. Marecki
  • Patent number: 6022028
    Abstract: Gaskets especially for refrigerators are made from a polymeric material consisting of a mixture comprising a-olefin copolymers. The gaskets obtained therefrom are lighter, thinner and have better mechanical characteristics than those of the known art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Industrie Ilpea S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Cittadini, Giancarlo Buzzoni
  • Patent number: 5997009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a single-piece seal member that has a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion. The substantially flexible portion extends from and is connected to the substantially rigid portion in a substantially seamless manner. The substantially flexible portion has a durometer reading less than that of the substantially rigid portion. The substantially rigid portion has a mounting configuration that can comprise an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism has a web element, and a first flange and a second flange extending from the web element. The first and second flanges are spaced apart from each other so as to engage a surface of a base structure such as along the deck of a bathtub or a shower base structure. A gripping arrangement is formed when at least one of the first and second flanges is angled relative to the other. In order to engage an angled edge of a base structure, the first and second flanges can have a mitered joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Formica Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David Carl Geise
  • Patent number: 5988649
    Abstract: A seal ring for placement in the space between a radial groove of a cylindrical member and a housing forming a bore in which the cylindrical member is movably positioned, which is free of scoring and has a fracture line through its thickness to form opposing faces. The faces are rough and mesh together such that when the faces are forced into contact, the faces are then interlocked. Furthermore, the seal ring has true roundness to enable the seal ring to seal the space despite presence of the fracture line. The seal ring is made up of a rigid polymer such as a polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, polyphenylene sulfide, and polybenzimidazole. The seal ring of the present invention is capable of single ring sealing of the space between the bore and the radial groove. The present invention also provides a device for fracturing the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Richard Gerard Van Ryper, James Ronald Mott, Arnold Wayne Raymond, Christopher Scott Stenta
  • Patent number: 5958571
    Abstract: In order to improve the sealing property and the resistance to pressure of a gasket coated with foam rubber layers, the foam rubber layers are formed on both surfaces of a metal plate from a rubber which is swollen by the medium to be sealed by the gasket, e.g. a rubber having an oil swelling property such as an NBR, is used. In this way the sealing property thereof is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nichias Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Omura
  • Patent number: 5895058
    Abstract: A gasket (20) is provided for sealing a member with a rough micro-surface to a member with a smooth micro-surface. The gasket (20) has a layer (24) of graphite material and a layer (32) of an elastomeric or fibrous gasket material. An inner surface (28) of the graphite layer (24) is laminated to an inner surface (30) of the elastomeric or fibrous layer (32). When used for sealing, the graphite layer (24) is placed adjacent the member with the smooth micro-surface and the elastomeric or fibrous layer (32) is placed adjacent the rougher member. Alternatively, in addition to having a layer (32) bound to an inner surface of the graphite layer (24), a layer (38) of elastomeric or fibrous gasket material may be bound to the outer surface (26) of the graphite layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Penberthy, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary G. Sanders
  • Patent number: 5876566
    Abstract: A composite is provided for forming a sealing strip for use in a suction roll of a papermaking machine that has extended usability and wear. The composite is a blend of a nitrile rubber, graphite, carbon black, and polytetrafluoroethylene, optionally with a phenolic resin. The sealing strip has polytetrafluoroethylene evenly distributed over the contact surface and when installed into a suction roll provides a reduced frictional surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Appleton Specialty Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Frawley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5853178
    Abstract: An improved seal or boot for inhibiting contaminants from interfering with operation of a mechanism having two flexibly interconnected components which axially extend from opposite ends of the seal. The seal is formed as a one-piece hollow and elongated body defining an enclosed cavity wherein the pivotal connection of the mechanism is arranged and having first and second annular mounting ends. The first and second annular mounting ends are configured to allow the components of the mechanism protected by the seal to axially extend therefrom. To permit flexural movement of the seal and the interconnected components of the mechanism protected by the seal, a plurality of bellow-like configurations are disposed along a major length of the seal between the first and second mounting ends. Each bellow-like configuration on the seal has predetermined root and crest diameters with wall sections of a predetermined material thickness extending therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal E. Wydra, David W. Geick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5842700
    Abstract: A high performance rock bit journal seal is formed from a composite material comprising an elastomeric material and a nonelastomeric polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably in the form of fibers woven into a sheet. The elastomeric material includes at least one lubricant additive. The composite seal material comprises a number of repeating sheets of polymeric fabric that are bonded together with the elastomeric material. In one embodiment, the seal includes a body formed entirely from the composite material, in which case both the static and dynamic seal surfaces are the same. In another embodiment, the seal includes a first body portion formed from the composite material, and a remaining body portion formed from a noncomposite elastomeric seal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhigang Fang, Sujian Huang, Chris E. Cawthorne, Brian A. James, G. Steven Kyker, Robert Denton
  • Patent number: 5842701
    Abstract: Dual functioning seals for use in forming a lubricant seal in a rotary rock bit comprise an annular elastomeric seal body having a dynamic seal surface for sealing against a dynamic surface and a static seal surface for sealing against a static surface. The seal body has an asymmetric axial cross-sectional geometry the dynamic seal surface having a greater radius of curvature than that of the static seal surface. The dynamic and static seal surfaces are formed from different elastomeric materials, and the dynamic seal surface is formed from an elastomeric material that is harder and more wear resistant than the elastomeric material used to form the static seal surface. A rotary rock bit seal constructed in this manner is well adapted to accommodate the different operating conditions and sealing requirements that exist both at the dynamic and static surfaces of the seal to ensure optimal seal performance and, thereby enhance the service life of the rock bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris E. Cawthorne, Sujian Huang, Zhigang Fang, Michael A. Siracki
  • Patent number: 5836589
    Abstract: A sliding member used as a sealing ring for a rotary shaft made of a lightweight aluminum alloy in an automatic transmission instead of a conventional cast iron sealing ring in order to prevent leakage of oil and reduce abrasion of the shaft consists of a PEEK resin composition which includes, as binder, 15.about.20 percent by weight of amorphous alumina powder having an average particle diameter of 5.mu. or less, 3.about.8 percent by weight of graphite powder having an average particle diameter of 5.mu. or less and 6.about.9 percent by weight of carbon powder having an average particle diameter of 30.mu. or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken
    Inventor: Tatsuei Sakata
  • Patent number: RE36452
    Abstract: An elastomeric o-ring rock bit seal is disclosed with two or more integrally bonded elastomers or phenolic type materials joined together to form the seal. The dynamic sealing face adjacent the journal bearing is fabricated from an elastomer/phenolic engineered specifically for wear resistance The bulk of the seal adjacent the static seal retention cavity typically formed in the rotary cone is molded from an elastomer engineered specifically for precise control of the seal contact force adjacent the dynamic seal face when the seal is compressed against the dynamic face by the seal retention cavity in the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Upton, Michael E. Hooper, Jerry Pyka, Robert Chambers, Gary Portwood, Randy Johnston