Using Flexible Sleeve, Boot, Or Diaphragm Patents (Class 277/315)
  • Patent number: 11548172
    Abstract: A robot having a shaft extending in vertical directions at an end of an arm pivoting in horizontal directions around a pivot axis parallel to the vertical directions and performing work using an end effector attached to a lower end of the shaft, the shaft having a helical groove and a longitudinal groove to enable upward and downward motion in the vertical directions and pivot around an axis of the shaft, includes a ring-shaped packing having a convex portion to engage with the longitudinal groove, fitted on the shaft, and sandwiched and fixed by a stopper portion and a collar portion in an extension direction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Takehito Ikema
  • Patent number: 10677358
    Abstract: A seal assembly (10) includes a seal ring shell (12) and an insert (14). The seal ring shell includes an inside diameter surface, and may also include a seal ring shell tapered portion that extends radially inwardly from the inside diameter surface. The insert includes an upper surface, and may also include an insert tapered portion. With embodiments, a portion of the upper surface of the insert contacts or operatively engages the inside diameter surface of the seal ring shell, and a portion of the insert tapered portion engages the seal ring shell tapered portion such that the seal ring shell tapered portion may impede movement of the insert in a direction substantially along the inside diameter surface (e.g., in an axial direction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Gerald M. Berard
  • Patent number: 10247229
    Abstract: A method of fastening a sealing bellows to a ball joint as well as to a ball joint is shown comprising a joint housing, a ball stud pivotally received in the joint housing, and a sealing bellows which, related to a joint axis, comprises a first axial end of the bellows resting against the ball stud and a second axial end of the bellows fastened to the joint housing, the joint housing for fastening the sealing bellows comprising a seat of the bellows forming a radial stop as well as an axial stop for the second axial end of the bellows, and wherein a closed retaining ring is provided which is spaced from the joint housing and acts upon the sealing bellows in radial inward direction against the seat of the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: THK RHYTHM AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventors: Vladimir Ponukarin, Cengiz Erdogan
  • Publication number: 20130292908
    Abstract: A sealing tube is wrapped around the rim and inflated such as to seal the gap between tire and rim if the seal between the tire bead and rim has lost its integrity. After this, the tire can be inflated to specified pressure at a slow rate using a portable compressor. The repair can be done at roadside on any vehicle using inflatable tires usually without demounting the wheel or even jacking up the defective wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Patrick Clancy
  • Publication number: 20130154193
    Abstract: A system for sealing a port of a pulverizer. A pulverizer has journal assembly and a port for receiving the journal assembly. At least a portion of the journal assembly extends through the port. The system further includes a seal having a first end and a second end. The seal includes a first opening at or near the first end and a second opening at or near the second end. A bore extends between the first opening and the second opening. One of the first end and the second end is coupled to the pulverizer and the other one of the first end and the second end is coupled to the journal assembly. The seal inhibits fluid communication through the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Randal Michael Racine, Christopher D. Curl, Theron J. Bliss
  • Patent number: 8221251
    Abstract: An articulated joint includes a first rotational member and a second rotational member coupled with and positioned generally coaxial to the first rotational member. The joint also includes a boot. The boot is selectively deformable in response to an increase in pressure in a joint chamber to increase the volume of the joint chamber. The volume of the joint chamber is selectively changed due to, at least in part, relative movement of the boot end to the second rotational member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Leslie Cassell
  • Publication number: 20120085120
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body portion having an air supply and an air return, a door hinged to the body portion, and an icemaking unit located on the door and having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet and air outlet are adjacent the air supply and air return, respectively, when the door is closed, to receive and return chilled air therefrom and thereto. At least a first sealing member is located at the air supply, the air return, the air inlet, and/or the air outlet. The at least first sealing member includes a first membrane with a slit formed therein, and a first projecting member. The slit and the first projecting member are configured and dimensioned such that the slit is closed when the door is in an open position and that the slit is opened when the door is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew William DAVIS, Wayne Edward Lawson, Krzysztof Struminski
  • Patent number: 8136816
    Abstract: A multiple layering means of a protective laminated multiple-layered split boot layer assembly, providing both very important qualities of easy installation and reliable boot sealing performance. Easy installation is easy to achieve but the reliable boot sealing performance of substantially high degree of reliable boot sealing performance is very much needed but has eluded many investors until now. Many different solutions and approaches are used, such as multiple layering, reinforcement with fastener such as glue sealant adhesive, reinforcement encircling rings, and appropriately positioning each split boot layer's cut (53) split line, in relationship to the cut (53) of preceding and adjacent split boot layer, with alternating slit (or seam) facing feature, for maximized sealing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Eddie York-Shin Lou
  • Publication number: 20110248450
    Abstract: A bulkhead seal includes a housing configured to be attached to a bulkhead about a shaft and defining an annular recess. An annular diaphragm seal is rotatably disposed in the annular recess of the housing and about the shaft. A plurality of orifices extend through the annular diaphragm seal to prevent air pressure differentials from locking the annular diaphragm seal with respect to the housing. A lip seal is provided on each side of the annular diaphragm seal. Each lip seal includes a seal portion disposed to seal the orifices in the presences of liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Marthinus van Schoor, Steven Klepper, Andrew Cutler
  • Patent number: 7950669
    Abstract: The invention provides a method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. The invention includes a method comprising the steps of substantially sealing the constant velocity joint with the primary boot which includes first and second ends, fixedly associating the first end of the primary boot with the constant velocity joint, and slidably associating the second end of the primary boot with the shaft which extends from the constant velocity joint. In one aspect, the invention includes a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In another aspect, the invention includes a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Keith A. Kozlowski, Federico Villalobos, Sergio Molinar, Dennis R. Hansen, Jerry L. Eaton
  • Publication number: 20110018205
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a cargo container door seal system can provide seal members to hinder leakage of conditioned air along the top edge and the side edges of an access door of a temperature-controlled cargo container. For example, the seal system may include mating seal members proximate to a top edge of a roll-up door of a refrigerated trailer, and may also include flexible side seal members proximate to the left and right side edges of the roll-up door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: FG PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Chad Nelson
  • Patent number: 7767908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible sealing element sealingly attached to a cable intended for connection to attachment means on e.g. the roof of a base station cabinet. When attaching the cable the front end of the sealing element is retracted to a position uncovering connecting means at the cable end. After attachment the front end is moved back to a position covering the connected cable end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventor: Herman Sylvan
  • Publication number: 20100066025
    Abstract: The invention provides a seal for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle. The slide-out room is movable in a range of positions including a retracted position and an extended position. The seal is compressible between the slide-out room and a side wall of the vehicle and includes at least one sensor capable of detecting a force or a lack thereof on the seal, to indicate if adequate compression of the seal has been achieved in a stop position of the room or if there is an obstruction in between the stop positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Publication number: 20100044965
    Abstract: A laminated multiple-layered split boot layer assembly, providing both very important qualities of easy installation and reliable boot sealing performance. Easy installation is easy to achieve but the reliable boot sealing performance of substantially high degree of reliable boot sealing performance is very much needed but has eluded many inventors until now. Many different solutions and approaches are used, such as multiple layering, reinforcement with fastener such as glue sealant adhesive, reinforcement encircling rings, and appropriately positioning each split boot layer's cut (53) split line, in relationship to the cut (53) of preceding and adjacent split boot layer for maximized sealing performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Eddie York-Shin Lou
  • Publication number: 20090243220
    Abstract: A component to be repaired includes a relatively rigid plate. On a surface that may have been subject to fracture, a resin material is first laid down, then a relatively flexible material is positioned outwardly of the resin material to repair the barrier. A part may also be formed initially with the flexible material. In another feature of this application, a method of forming a barrier includes providing a composite material, and applying a relatively flexible material on a surface of the composite material, and concurrently molding the relatively flexible material with the composite material using a composite mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Ted H. Lancaster, William Bogue, Brian Kenneth Holland, Christopher J. Hertel
  • Publication number: 20090194946
    Abstract: Sealing for ball-and-socket joints, where ball-and-socket joint is defined as the joint between a swivel sphere and a fixed part, and said fixed part is anchored to a structure on which the ball-and-socket joint is mounted. The sealing comprises a frame arranged around the circumference where the swivel sphere is joined to the fixed part, and a brush. The brush is made up of a set of threads or hair of a material that is natural or synthetic, and flexible. And frame and brush are stuck to the fixed part by means of an adhesive of the type that cures with the local application of heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Zamora Gomez Ignacio
  • Publication number: 20090166976
    Abstract: An inflatable seal for sealing an annular space between two flange parts is formed by a hollow ring composed of elastic material. The hollow ring has a tubular cross-section with a peripheral wall and is provided with a connection for an inflation medium. The peripheral wall comprises, in at least one area of the tubular cross-section, a blocking element having a substantially larger cross-sectional dimension than the remaining part of the peripheral wall. Furthermore, a set of flange parts and a container comprising such a seal, and a method of manufacturing such a seal are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Aeromatic-Fielder AG
    Inventors: Lars Rubner-Petersen, John Peter Donovan
  • Publication number: 20090152817
    Abstract: A seal assembly usable with a well includes a seal ring that is adapted to expand radially inwardly and radially outwardly in response to being longitudinally compressed between a first energizing ring and a second energizing ring. The seal assembly may also include a first backup ring between the seal ring and the first energizing ring and a second backup ring between the seal ring and the second energizing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael H. Du
  • Publication number: 20080277878
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for contamination-free and/or sterile sealing between two interconnectable connecting means having opposing openings. Interconnection allows transfer of a fluid between the openings. Sealing elements are arranged on the connecting means around the openings, and protective films are provided, covering the sealing elements and the openings and adapted to be removed in the final interconnection. The sealing elements are each provided with at least one recess which extends wholly or partly around the associated opening and receives a gas. In use the sealing elements are moved into engagement with each other, interleaved with the protective films, to reduce the volume of the recesses and, thus, increase the pressure of the gas therein. During removal of the protective films, the gas flows out of the recesses to the environment to prevent penetration of contamination into the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Nils Arthun, Sten Johansson, Lennart Myhrberg, Hakan Samuelsson
  • Publication number: 20080230996
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible sealing element sealingly attached to a cable intended for connection to attachment means on e.g. the roof of a base station cabinet. When attaching the cable the front end of the sealing element is retracted to a position uncovering connecting means at the cable end. After attachment the front end is moved back to a position covering the connected cable end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Herman Sylvan
  • Publication number: 20080191420
    Abstract: An insert seal unit includes a frustoconical body. A lower slip assembly is in operable communication with the body as is an upper slip. A seal element is in operable communication with each of the upper slip and the lower slip assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Jamie L. Imhoff, Sidney Kenneth Smith
  • Publication number: 20080191421
    Abstract: A method for producing a sealing arrangement between an opening of the support, bore and a screw which comprises a head connected to a body and is provided with a threaded section for interacting with the hole of a part to be assembled with a support whose mechanical strength is lower than that of the screw. The invention is characterized in that, starting from an enlarged opening, the inventive method consists in engaging the screw into the bore in such a way that the head thereof is brought into contact with the opening, in screwing the screw into the hole of the part to be assembled in such a way that a pressure applied by the head sealingly presses the opening against the part of the under-head surface of the screw by removing a part of material of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: VALEO EQUIPEMENTS ELECTRIQUES MOTEUR
    Inventors: Remi Bertolino, Christian Tournier
  • Publication number: 20080190032
    Abstract: A tunnel barrier (11) adapted to seal a mine tunnel, the tunnel barrier (11) comprising an inflatable bladder having a front wall (14), a rear wall (15) and a side wall (16) and being adapted to be inflated by a suitable gas, wherein the side wall is adapted to contact the tunnel walls, including the roof and floor to thereby seal the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Heinrich Jan Roelofs
  • Publication number: 20080185789
    Abstract: The invention provides a method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. The invention includes a method comprising the steps of substantially sealing the constant velocity joint with the primary boot which includes first and second ends, fixedly associating the first end of the primary boot with the constant velocity joint, and slidably associating the second end of the primary boot with the shaft which extends from the constant velocity joint. In one aspect, the invention includes a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In another aspect, the invention includes a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Keith A. Kozlowski, Federico Villalobos, Sergio Molinar, Dennis R. Hansen, Jerry L. Eaton
  • Patent number: 7380964
    Abstract: A recessed luminaire having a moisture barrier is disclosed. The recessed luminiare has a socket cup which receives a removable and deformable moisture barrier gasket, the moisture barrier gasket forming a seal along an inner diameter of an aperture which receives a lamp. The recessed luminaire has a moisture barrier which isolates the electronic compartment area of the socket cup of a luminaire and prevents moisture access therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC
    Inventor: Craig S. Nevers
  • Patent number: 7377174
    Abstract: A remote seal assembly includes a seal body and an extension. The seal body defines a cavity with a diaphragm that seals the cavity from a process fluid. The extension is connected with the seal body on a first end and is configured for connection to a capillary tube on a second end. The extension defines a bore extending from the first end to the second end that is fluidically coupled to the cavity. A length of the extension is related to a temperature of the second end of the extension such that the second end of the extension is at or below an outgassing temperature of the material used to connect the extension and the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Sundet
  • Patent number: 7267330
    Abstract: A split ring seal having a structured split formed with first and second overlapping leaves, movable between a compressed state and an expanded state, and having a first bore through the first leaf and a second bore through the second leaf such that, in the compressed state, the first and second bores are mutually aligned. A method of installing one or more packing trays in a process tower comprising providing such a split ring seal carried by one or more packing trays, locking each split ring seal in its compressed state with a pin through the overlapping leaf bores, placing the packing trays in the process tower and removing the pin to allow the split ring seals to expand and seal to the process tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Jaeger Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Bradley Fleming, Donald Clifton Hoyle
  • Patent number: 6951336
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a boot seal for use in sealing a joint. The joint comprises first and second relatively movable parts. The boot seal is configured in the form of a sleeve to extend between and around the vehicle relatively movable parts. The sleeve has a laminate wall which comprises at least two layers of thermoplastic elastomeric material which are bonded together. At least one of the layers is a stretch-toughenable polyester thermoplastic elastomer which has been diametrically stretched in an amount effective to increase the toughness of said one layer. The laminate wall has a percent elongation to rupture of at least 100, and a flexural modulus which is less than 100,000 psi. The laminate wall preferably has a puncture resistance of at least 50 Newtons/mm wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Jon W. Martin
  • Patent number: 6932346
    Abstract: A method of installing a gaiter (10) around a joint defined between joint members of joints of vehicles, such as steering joints and constant velocity joints. The method provides a range of gaiters for use with a range of joints of different dimensions, the range of joints being greater than the range of gaiters and at least some of the gaiters (10) in the said gaiter range being stretchable to fit two or more joints of the said joint range so the said joint range can be accommodated by the range of gaiters wherein a gaiter is selected from the gaiter range to fit a particular joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Phillip Fields Hayward
  • Patent number: 6708986
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device a metod for ductchs sealing composed by a sealed bag, with no valve and or accesses, divided by a separator device wich can be un-welded before the application, containing separated chemical substances able to react and generate gas or any other action able to generate an inner pressure into the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Megarad Srl
    Inventors: Giuseppe Natale, Xinsheng Bian
  • Patent number: 6640823
    Abstract: A fitting including a housing (2), a rotatable body (4) which is situated in the housing and which may advantageously be constructed in the form of a conical plug, a bushing (18) provided in the housing to floatingly mount and seal the rotatable body (4), a cover (14) connected to the housing (2), a shaft (12) coupled with the rotatable body (4) and extended out through the cover (14), and at least one sealing element (30, 44) associated with the shaft (12). The fitting is configured in such a way that the bushing (18), the at least one sealing element (30, 44), and the cover (14) can be positioned and mounted centrally and free from transverse forces in relation to the axis (10) of the floatingly mounted rotatable body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Xomox International GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gonsior
  • Patent number: 6581938
    Abstract: A seal apparatus including an elongated body formed of a resilient expandable material defining an interior chamber and having a longitudinal axis. The elongated body is capable of being rolled up on itself by rolling one of the first and second ends of the elongated body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. At least one stem is attached to the elongated body and is in fluid communication with the interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: TDM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy D. McKenrick
  • Publication number: 20030088216
    Abstract: A syringe and a reconstitution syringe are provided for the delivery of controlled doses of any of numerous different sterile substances, such as vaccines, medicaments, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics, and food products. A plunger of the syringe defines a resealable stopper frictionally and slidably received within a hollow syringe body for dispensing the medicament or other substance through a dispensing tip of the syringe upon movement of the plunger. The resealable stopper defines a heat-sealable portion to allow the stopper to be penetrated by a needle or other filling device to fill the syringe with a medicament or other substance, and in turn allow the hole remaining upon withdrawal of the needle to be heat sealed by transmission of laser energy thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 6550776
    Abstract: A vacuum packing configuration and installation for use therewith, has a first part and a second part. The first part includes a hydraulically or pneumatically expandable, medium-tight volume adapted to be acted upon by an hydraulic or pneumatic medium, with a wall facing the second part and forming sealing faces fastened on the first part. The wall is a resilient metal diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Roman Schertler
  • Patent number: 6500390
    Abstract: A microplate assembly comprising a multi-well microplate, a plurality of vent caps and a porous vent film. The microplate includes a frame that houses a plurality of open wells in a rectangular array. Vent caps mount on the microplate to seal and vent the wells. When the vent caps are coupled to the wells, an interior volume is formed in each well. The wells function as a vessel for liquid samples that occupy predetermined spaces within the interior volumes. Each liquid sample remains within its predetermined space for all orientations of the microplate assembly. The vent cap comprises an array of well inserts. Each well insert comprises a sealing plug and a vent tube. A flexible perforated web interconnects the well inserts to each other. The vent tubes are fixed to the sealing plugs and terminate in a vent. A barrier formed from a plurality of nested flaps resiliently mounts on the vent tube to partially cover the vent and help inhibit the evaporation and loss of the liquid samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Boulton, Carolyn I. Solewski
  • Patent number: 6481927
    Abstract: An assembly and method of joining a pipe with a catch basin, the catch basin having an apertured side wall, the assembly and method including providing an elastomeric ring having an annular hollow expansion space, a foam injection port, a flow checking inflation valve for resesting fluid back flow within the foam injection port, and having a slide stop extending outwardly from the elastomeric ring; inserting the elastomeric ring into the catch basin's aperture; inserting an end of the pipe through the elastomeric ring; and injecting a closed cell resilient foam through the fluid injection port for expansion within the expansion space, the expansion driving the ring's annular inner and outer surfaces inwardly and outwardly, forming a seal spanning between the pipe and the catch basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Lester Kent Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20020027325
    Abstract: A method of and an implement for sealing a space (4) between an inner wall of a leadthrough (2) formed in constructional component (1) and at least one object (3) extending through the leadthrough (2) and including providing a support member (6; 15) fixedly and sealingly attachable to the constructional component (1), and a resilient diaphragm (7; 16) for sealingly connecting the support member (6; 15) with the constructional component (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Markus Kogler, Silvia Huber, Peter Vogel, Heiri Nuesch
  • Patent number: 6234488
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a bearing (24) linking first and second vehicle parts (12, 14) for movement relative to each other, and a boot seal (30) protecting the bearing (24). The boot seal (30) is a tube of heat shrinkable thermoplastic material. The tube (30) has a first end portion (34) shrunken against the first vehicle part (12), a second end portion (42) shrunken against the second vehicle part (14), and a flexible intermediate portion (44) which is deflectable between the opposite end portions (34, 40) upon movement of the vehicle parts (12, 14) relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Jon W. Martin, Xinhua He
  • Patent number: 6203019
    Abstract: A diaphragm weld assembly for preventing fluid leakage from a flange. The diaphragm weld assembly has a flange having a platform, the platform having an opening and an annular weld pocket concentric with the opening, a diaphragm resting on the platform and having a ring extending from the bottom face of the diaphragm, the ring engaging with the opening, a weld bead formed in the annular weld pocket and welding the diaphragm to the flange, and a flange cover fastened to the flange. A method of creating the diaphragm weld assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Charles Millman
  • Patent number: 6120033
    Abstract: A process diaphragm seal includes a diaphragm seal body having a seal body ring portion surrounding a cavity and a diaphragm having a diaphragm ring portion. The diaphragm ring portion includes a diaphragm ring outer portion that corresponds to a seal body ring outer portion of the seal body ring portion and a diaphragm ring inner portion that corresponds to a seal body ring inner portion of the seal body ring portion. A first weld of the diaphragm ring outer portion to the seal body ring outer portion forms a closed path around the seal body ring portion. A second weld of the diaphragm ring inner portion to the seal body ring inner portion forms a closed path around the cavity. Between the first and second welds a diaphragm ring back surface is in substantially continuous contact with the seal body ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Filippi, Jon R. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6082183
    Abstract: An improved system for the non-destructive testing of the fluid tight integrity of an installed fluid transfer line such as a drain pipe or vent and wastewater system of a building. A removable test baffle is held in place between ends of adjacent sections of an installed fluid transfer line to isolate a portion of the line for testing. The test system comprises a baffle carriage, a removable test baffle, and a sleeve adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the adjacent sections to seal the junction and the test installation from leaking and optionally to provide one or more gaskets between the section ends and the baffle carriage. In optional preferred embodiments of the test system the baffle carriage is an integral part of the sleeve. Preferred baffles for use with the invention are flexible, of larger diameter than the fluid line, and comprise dual-gasket sealing means and means for removal of the baffles from either side of the test seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Donald G. Huber
  • Patent number: 5951019
    Abstract: A method of forming a metal-to-metal seal in high pressure applications with low contact stress. Firstly, providing a first elongate pressure containment member having a surface of revolution. Secondly, providing a second elongate pressure containment member having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a remote end, and a thin walled extension sleeve having a first end and a second end. The first end of the thin walled extension sleeve is conjoined with the second elongate pressure member at the remote end. The second elongate pressure containment member is of a greater thickness than the sleeve. Thirdly, coupling the first elongate pressure containment member and the second elongate pressure containment member with the sleeve positioned in close relation to the surface of revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Centre for Engineering Research Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Slack, Jaroslaw Nowinka, Trent Kaiser
  • Patent number: 5826886
    Abstract: An anchored guide tube centered on an axis and a conduit passing axially through the tube are relatively sealed by a feedthrough fitting having a flexible and shrinkable sleeve having an inner portion secured to an outer surface of the guide tube at an end thereof and a outer portion folded back over the inner portion and forming an annular fold generally at the tube end. A lubricant or the like is provided for facilitating sliding of the outer portion on the inner portion from a storage position folded back over and lying on the inner portion and a use position extending outward past the tube end away from the inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Hauff-Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Hauff, Gerhard Gauland, Ernst Seifried