Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed which is encased in a housing with a bonnet mounted at one end and an end cap on the other end. Inside, an actuator shaft is slidably mounted through a bore on a guide connected to the bonnet. A piston is slidably mounted with respect to the guide and creates a variable-volume cavity between itself and the guide. The shaft is connected to the piston by virtue of a disk which, when bolted down to the top of the shaft, puts a preload in the spring. A connecting member is placed into contact with the disk and the piston once the spring has been preloaded. The connecting member is segmented and fits between spacers which hold the spring at a distance from the disk and allow insertion of the connecting member after preloading of the spring. The spring bears on the connecting member. Pressurization of the cavity results in an overcoming of the spring force and movement of the shaft between a first and second position.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device is provided including a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on a boat for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally vertical steering axis, the propulsion unit having a propeller shaft supporting a propeller, an internal combustion engine drivingly connected to the propeller, and a corrosion protection system, which device also includes at least one bushing made of a conductive plastic to allow a path for electrical connection to the corrosion protection system to be established across the bushing.

Abstract: The high voltage electrically insulative safety coupler for moling or earth augering equipment prevents high voltage electric shock to the equipment operator. The coupler is composed of first and second coupler elements, with the second coupler element including a shaft surrounded by an elastomeric retention member formed of a dielectric material such as polyurethane capable of withstanding high voltages of on the order of 50 kilovolts without breaking down. The retention member is compressed within a cavity in the first coupler element and frictionally engages the interior walls of the cavity. A hard dielectric guide bearing member fixed in position at the bottom of the cavity partially surrounds the second coupler element and prevents lateral movement of the shaft at the cavity bottom, and a second hard dielectric collar closely surrounds the shaft at the top of the cavity and fits at least partially within the cavity to prevent lateral movement of the shaft at the cavity top.

Abstract: A ceramic shaft machinery element having an incorporated cooled bearing runner surface providing superior support for the ceramic shaft.

Abstract: A lubricated bearing apparatus for a hydraulic machinery has rotary-side ceramic sliding plates disposed in contact with bearing-side ceramic sliding plates. The rotary-side ceramic sliding plates are disposed in receiving grooves of a main shaft sleeve member fixed to the main shaft. The main shaft sleeve member is provided with preventing portions for preventing the rotary-side ceramics sliding plates from being broken by the centrifugal force. Thus, ceramic materials can be used both on the rotary side and the bearing side, thereby lengthening the usable life of the bearing apparatus.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a suspension system having a torsilastic spring including a pair of diametrically opposed tapered elastomeric thrust rings operative to take up thrust forces as well as forces normal to the axial centerline of such elastomeric thrust rings. The elastomeric rings are under compression and take up axial thrust forces and rotation forces.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure type bearing comprising an outer cylindrical member made of metal and a thin walled inner cylindrical member made of synthetic resin and joined to the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical member. The inner periphery of the inner cylindrical member is formed with a plurality of grooves for generating dynamic pressure. The thin walled inner cylindrical member is joined to the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical member during the moulding time by a joining means.

Abstract: A combination of a sliding-contact race (12) and bearing (10) in which a generally ring-shaped race member (12) and a generally ring-shaped bearing member (10) are fitted for relative sliding-rotation, the bearing member being within the race member. One of the members is comprised substantially of copper and the other of the members is comprised substantially of titanium. The members (10, 12) have lubricated contact surfaces (16, 18) for sliding-rotation, the member being comprised substantially of titanium having its lubricated contact surface being coated with chromium oxide (16).

Abstract: An unlubricated sliding member composed of a pair of sliding bodies. The sliding part of one sliding body is composed of a ceramic base portion and a thin film of, for example, Nb, which is integrally provided on the surface of the base portion. The sliding part of the other sliding body is composed of a diamond containing surface.The sliding member enables the coefficient of the friction caused when the pair of sliding bodies slide to be reduced, thereby keeping a long life of the sliding member.If the ceramic base portion is further subjected to ion implantation, the wear resistance of the sliding member is enhanced.

Abstract: A plain bearing comprises a metal cylinder as an external member and a resinous cylinder as an internal member, in which the outer surface of the resinous cylinder is firmly engaged and bitten with a concavo-convex portion formed on the inner surface of the metal cylinder. A process for manufacturing the plain bearing comprises producing the metal cylinder, forming the concavo-convex portion on the inner surface of the metal cylinder, combining the concavo-convex portion of the metal cylinder with the resinous cylinder, inserting a core pin into the interior of a combined cylinder of the metal cylinder and the resinous cylinder, squeezing the combined cylinder through a draw die and producing a finished plain bearing.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprised of a split-ring annular bearing member having overlapping free ends and being molded of self-lubricating plastic material having a pressure velocity value at least equal to 1800 at 100 feet per minute surface speed and an annular continuous elastomeric combined sealing member and spring mounted in supporting relation to the split-ring bearing member and formed of a flowable rubber-like material, the combined sealing and spring member being mounted within a groove behind the bearing member so as to continually apply light pressure thereto to urge the same against the bearing surface so as to maintain a seal thereat; the combined sealing and spring member being of right-angled polyganol cross-sectional configuration and have concaved sides and convex corner lobes and being more narrow than the groove and sufficiently forgiving to avoid undue pressure and consequent wear upon the bearing member over the full range of temperature variations, created by high speed relative movement bet

Abstract: A sealing ring, having a ring body made, for example, of high-temperature resistant compressed metal fibers includes a roughened surface adapted to be pressed against and displaced by sliding relative to a counter-face.

Abstract: A bearing for supporting a rotatable shaft is particularly adapted to support a shaft rotating in an arcuate motion that produces a primary wearing portion of the bearing. The bearing structure is a solid block of high molecular weight plastic. A cylindrically shaped bearing bore, adapted to receive a shaft within it, extends between two opposed sides of the block. A plurality of fastener bores symmetrically provide locations for sleeves in the block to receive fasteners for mounting the block to a supporting member in such a manner that the bearing may be dismounted, rotated, and remounted to change the primary wearing portion within the bore. The sleeves are slightly longer than the fastener bores so that the fasteners may be tightened against the sleeves to secure the bearing without deforming the block.

Abstract: A pin guide and damping bushing for the caliper of a floating-caliper spot-type disc brake which is provided with a brake carrier and a caliper axially slidable relative to the brake carrier and straddling a brake disc and brake shoes. The brake carrier or the caliper is provided with a least one pin which is guided in a bore of the caliper or of the brake carrier. At least one elastic guide element (4) is provided for the pin and inserted in the bore, a stop element (6) which on itself is rigid and limits radial motions of the pin within the bore and which is configured with a base body having a substantially circular cylinder-shaped cross-section and is provided with outwardly extending extensions (26) constituting stop faces. One section of the damping and guide element (4) is arranged in interstices which are formed externally between said extensions.

Abstract: A gas bearing and bearing surfaces capable of operating in an unlubricated configuration and providing reliable wear-resistant, start/stop cycling. The bearing typically comprises opposed surfaces of the same or different materials. A first surface is typically formed by ion implantation of boron into a beryllium metal bearing structure. The boron is typically implanted at a predetermined depth into the beryllium surface to provide a substantially pure beryllium surface. The second surface is typically PYROCERAM, a ceramic metal composite, such as a titanium diboride beryllium structure or a surface having titanium diboride and beryllium applied to a beryllium metal bearing structure by hot isostatic pressing facing. The second surface is adapted to run against the first, or against itself in the ceramic or ceramic surface case. The bearing configuration is capable of running reliably and with acceptably low wear through many start/stop cycles without the application of any lubricant.

Abstract: A retainer bushing for connecting a male member such as a shaft, rod or pin, for example the coupling pin of a motor vehicle clutch pedal, to a mechanical component having a bore accepting the shaft, rod or pin in the bore, for example the input member of an hydraulic master cylinder hydraulically connected to a slave cylinder actuating a clutch release mechanism. The retainer bushing has a flange at one end and one or more longitudinally projecting tangs at the other end. A closure wall is integrally formed at the other end of the retainer bushing. Each tang, which is elastically deflectable outwardly and inwardly, has a radially inwardly directed abutment surface for engagement with the other end of the bore when the flange is engaged at one end thereof, and an inwardly radially directed prong for engagement in a peripheral groove formed in the pin.

Abstract: A fuel assembly has a plurality of fuel rods arranged and held in parallel with one another in the cells of spacer assemblies arranged at suitable intervals. During the assemblying and transportation of the fuel assembly, flexible sleeves are inserted in respective cells such as to separate the fuel rods from parts provided on the walls of the cells, thereby protecting the fuel rod surfaces against any damage and scratch which may otherwise be caused due to interference between the fuel rod surface and the parts provided on the walls of the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poromeric article of manufacture comprising a felt sheet of fibers impregnated with microporous elastomer having a work surface, side surfaces joining the work surface and a support surface joining the side surfaces, wherein a majority of the fibers are oriented primarily transverse to the work surface such that the majority of fiber ends adjacent to the work surface form an angle of between about 45.degree. and about 135.degree. with respect to the work surface, and preferably, wherein the fibers have a uni-directional orientation substantially perpendicular to the work surface. The present invention also includes a plurality of such articles bonded together and oriented such that the work surfaces of adjacent articles are substantially coplanar to form a laminated article of manufacture. Further, processes for making the basic and laminated articles are set forth as other aspects of the invention.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises coengaging inner race and outer race members movable relative to one another. The inner race member has an outer bearing surface to which is fixedly secured a self-lubricating bearing material which engages and is movable relative to the bearing surface of the outer race member.

Abstract: A bush made of plastic for use in a bicycle brake device of the type having a cylindrical portion integrally connected with a flange, which is provided at one end of the cylinderical portion, has the flange provided, successively, from the cylindrical portion toward an outer edge of the flange with a flat part, a bulged part following the flat part, and an inclined and flat part, which follows the bulged part and is inclined outwardly from in a direction opposite to the bulged portion relative to the end of the cylindrical portion. The flange construction maintains a gap between two members in a cushioning manner and enables a reduced frictional resistance.

Abstract: A resilient radial sliding bearing is intended for connecting parts, particularly motor vehicle parts which perform oscillatory movements relative to each other. The bearing comprises a resilient body of elastic material, having a slide surface which is provided with recesses for a lubricant and cooperates in rotary motion as well as, within limits, axially sliding motion, with an opposite surface of a sliding sleeve. A mounting for the bearing comprises a sleeve member having downturned edges which engages over the sliding sleeve and each end of the resilient body and limits the axial sliding movement of the resilient body to a defined clearance.

Abstract: A novel combination of sliding members operable both under dry (without lubrication) and wet (with lubrication) states, which comprises a first member made of a ceramic and a second member made of hard metal containing at least 75% by weight cemented carbide. This combination is useful as a bearing means in a pump of a vertical or inclined shaft type so as to permit actuation of the motor in the dry state and thereafter to continue operation of the pump with lubrication being provided by part of the liquid being pumped. In certain aspects, the ceramic member may be divided into a plurality of segments.

Abstract: A method of making bearings from blocks of high molecular weight plastic. The bearing is made by forming a cylindrical bore in the block and locating one or more sleeves in the block for receiving fasteners. The fasteners are provided to secure the block to a supporting member. The bearing bore is adapted to receive a shaft within the bore. The sleeve may be attached to the outer surface of the block or a plurality of sleeves may be received within one or more bores in the block. A bearing made according to the method and an apparatus for washing vehicles in which the bearing may be advantageously used are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retainer bushing for connecting a male member such as a shaft, rod or pin, for example the coupling pin of a motor vehicle clutch pedal, to a mechanical component having a bore accepting the shaft, rod or pin in the bore, for example the input member of a hydraulic master cylinder hydraulically connected to a slave cylinder actuating a clutch release mechanism. The retainer bushing has a flange at one end and one or more longitudinally projecting tangs at the other end. Each tang, which is elastically deflectable outwardly and inwardly, has a radially inwardly directed abutment surface for engagement with the other end of the bore when the flange is engaged at one end thereof, and an inwardly radially directed prong for engagement in a groove formed in the pin.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having two part housing and a block of plastic material defining a bearing surface in a bore. The two part housing when secured together defines an interior cavity which receives the block. The housing has at least one opening in either or both parts through which a shaft may be extended. The shaft also extends into the bore in the block where it contacts the bearing surfaces. The housing includes plural fastener bores circumferentially spaced from each other and disposed about the interior cavity. Fasteners inserted through the fastener bores act to retain and surround the block.

Abstract: A bearing having an outer race defining an internal channel and an inner race having integrally formed protrusions which extend into the outer race channel for load bearing support.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a fiber reinforced resin matrix composite article having fiber reinforced resin matrix bushings. These bushings are formed by tightly wrapping the fibers to form a plug having the fiber orientation from about .+-.20.degree. to about .+-.60.degree. to the central axis around which the fibers are wrapped. The plug is then snugly inserted into a hole which has been cut in the composite article such that the central axis of the plug is perpendicular to the fibers in the composite article. The entire composite article containing the plug is then cured and the plug is then drilled out forming the bushing.

Abstract: A method of making bearings from blocks of high molecular weight plastic. The bearing is made by forming a cylindrical bore in the block and locating one or more sleeves in the block for receiving fasteners. The fasteners are provided to secure the block to a supporting member. The bearing bore is adapted to receive a shaft within the bore. The sleeve may be attached to the outer surface of the block or a plurality of sleeves may be received within one or more bores in the block. A bearing made according to the method and an apparatus for washing vehicles in which the bearing may be advantageously used are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wear resistant liner for use between a center plate of a body bolster and a bolster bowl of a truck bolster of a railway vehicle is provided wherein such liner comprises a polymeric laminate comprised of a first material which is adapted to reduce load concentration against a peripheral annular flange of the bolster bowl and a second material which provides an antifriction surface engaging the flange with the laminate resulting in an increased operating life for such flange.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a fiber reinforced resin matrix composite article having fiber reinforced resin matrix bushings. These bushings are formed by tightly wrapping the fibers to form a plug having the fiber orientation from about .+-.20.degree. to about .+-.60.degree. to the central axis around which the fibers are wrapped. The plug is then snugly inserted into a hole which has been cut in the composite article such that the central axis of the plug is perpendicular to the fibers in the composite article. The entire composite article containing the plug is then cured and the plug is then drilled out forming the bushing.

Abstract: A valve seat for ball valves comprises a ring-shaped or annular body fabricated of sintered metal particles having interparticulate spaces which are substantially completely filled with graphite. The seat is fabricated by pumping a dispersion of colloidal graphite in a liquid carrier through the matrix of a preformed ring-shaped sintered metal body, thereafter heating the body to drive off any portion of the liquid carrier which remains in the interparticulate spaces of the body, and then coining the body to collapse any voids which remain in the body and to mechanically bind into the body the graphite which has been trapped in said interparticulate spaces during the pumping step.

Abstract: A movable member is made from a relatively hard material and is provided with a first surface. A bearing liner is attached to the first surface and is provided with relatively thin, hard and incompressible characteristics. A stationary member made from a harder material than the movable member is provided with a bearing surface which is polished and which abuts the bearing liner. Means retain the movable and stationary members in an optimal bearing relationship.The movable and stationary members may be annular and may have a nested relationship so that the bearing surfaces are annular and the movable member is rotary. The retaining means may include a pair of stationary sleeves made from a similar material to the movable member and abutting each other at an intermediate position along the axial lengths of the bearing surfaces. Each of the sleeves may have a flange abutting axial extremities of the movable and stationary members.

Abstract: The bearings of the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine are surrounded by rings of a high temperature resistant polymer, the rings being pressed into bearing seats in the upper and lower portions of the crankcase, the rings being formed with extensions to completely separate the upper and lower portions of the crankcase. The rings enable the use of plastic materials for the lower crankcase, by insulating the lower portion of the crankcase from heat in the upper portion thereof.

Abstract: A movable member made from a relatively hard material is provided with a first surface. A bearing liner provided with relatively thin, hard and incompressible characteristics is attached to the first surface. A stationary member made from a harder material than the movable member is provided with a polished bearing surface which abuts the bearing liner. Means retain the members in an optimal bearing relationship.The members may be annular and may have a nested relationship. The retaining means may include a pair of stationary sleeves made from a material similar to the movable member and abutting each other at one end. Each of the sleeves may have a flange abutting axial extremities of the movable and stationary members. A pair of additional thin, hard and incompressible bearing liners may be respectively attached to the sleeve flanges at positions abutting the axial extremities of the movable and stationary members.

Abstract: An article comprising a component of ceramic material and a metal component has a metal felt located between opposed faces of the two components, the metal felt being permanently joined to both the ceramic face and the metal face to join the two components together. The metal felt may be brazed to both components, the brazing alloy being one which chemically combines with the ceramic material. The brazing alloy may be in the form of a foil placed between the metal felt and each of the components, and the brazing may take place in a vacuum.

Abstract: A friction-based, motion damping assembly for a chairlift or the like is disclosed in which the damping assembly is mounted between a hub provided on a cable grip assembly and the chairlift hanger arm. The improved damping assembly is formed as a sleeve mounted to the hub of the cable grip with concentric rubber block members mounted around the sleeve. The hanger arm is formed with a collar having tapered surfaces, and an axially displaceable nut on the hub is used to wedge the rubber blocks into radial compressive engagement of the sleeve to generate the necessary compression of the sleeve about the hub for frictional damping.

Abstract: A light weight, high temperature, laminate is made of a plurality of heat and pressure consolidated porous, interlocked, needle-punched, polyethylene terephthalate continuous filament mats, impregnated with a thermoset resin to a treated ratio of from about 2 to about 5.

Abstract: A plastics alloy for a bearing material comprising polyphenylene sulphide and polyether ether ketone. The alloy is formed by powder mixing, melt blending or solvent blending and applied to a metal backing either as a sheet, or in solution or in powder form. The alloy is heated and roll bonded to the backing.