A labyrinth barrier is disclosed and comprises two or more members each defining respective vertical axes. One or more of the members are constructed at least in part of a shape memory material having a first energy state and a second energy state. The members are oriented relative to one another by their respective vertical axes in an original state to create a flow pathway that restricts fluid flow in a direction transverse to the respective vertical axes. The members are urged towards one another to further restrict the flow pathway when the shape memory material transitions from the first energy state to the second energy state.

A hub bearing and a seal device therefore are disclosed. In one example, the hub bearing seal device includes inner and outer rings, a ring-shaped seal, and a seal retaining ring. A metallic framework is provided inside the seal. The seal is fixed to the outer ring via the metallic framework and a seal lip edge is provided on the metallic framework of the seal. The seal lip edge is in contact with the seal retaining ring in interference fit. The seal is further provided with another layer of metallic framework having a different thermal expansion coefficient from that of the metallic framework. Together, the metallic frameworks form a bimetallic sheet type framework. During the operation of the seal device, the bimetallic sheet type framework can adjust the amount of interference between the seal lip edge and the seal retaining ring dynamically according to temperature change.

In an embodiment, in a slide component, a negative pressure generation mechanism 12 that generates negative pressure by relative rotational sliding of a stationary-side seal ring 5 and a rotating-side seal ring 3 is provided on a sealing face of one of the stationary-side seal ring 5 and the rotating-side seal ring 3, and at least the surface of the negative pressure generation mechanism 12 is covered by an adhesion-resistant material film 15. With the configuration, deposition of precipitates on a negative pressure portion of a sealing face can be inhibited.

A seal includes a carbon seal that is disposed about an axis and extends between a first axial end and a second axial end. The second axial end includes a seal surface and a radially outer edge of the seal surface is axially spaced from a radially inner edge of the seal surface along the axis.

A fluid balancer includes: a shaft; a cylinder; a base member which includes a through hole through which a shaft is inserted; a spacer which is provided between the shaft and the base member, and includes a plurality of grooves which are formed in a surface opposed to the shaft in the circumferential direction of the shaft at intervals and extend along the axial direction of the shaft and elastic support portion which supports the spacer with respect to the base member.

When the compressed air is not applied, an inclined surface, which is positioned at an upstream side with respect to the supply direction of the compressed air, of the lip part is in contact with the inclined surface of the inner ring. When the compressed air is applied, a contact area between the inclined surface, which is positioned at the upstream side with respect to the supply direction of the compressed air, of the lip part and the inclined surface of the inner ring becomes smaller, as compared to when the compressed air is not applied.

An embodiment includes a gate valve comprising: a valve body including a cavity coupled to a channel having proximal and distal portions; a gate to seal and unseal the channel; proximal and distal seats adjacent the gate; wherein (a) the proximal seat traverses towards the gate and stops at a first position when the gate is closing and the proximal channel portion is more highly pressurized than the cavity, and (b) the distal seat slides away from the gate and stops at a second position when the gate is closing and the cavity is more heavily pressurized than the distal channel portion. Other embodiments are described herein.

A cycle residual boost and two release cavities are provided on a cylinder wall. Wankel cycle air pump is provided with additional cavities which allow the pressure output higher than its fixed compression ratio and further increase compression efficiency. An apex seal active tracking mechanism is also provided. Wankel cycle air pump rotor plates passage makes apex seals keep firmly contact against a cylinder.

A stop seal for application of high temperature and high pressure is disclosed. A stop seal contains a first seal member and a second seal member, wherein the stop seal can prevent a fluid of high temperature and high pressure from leaking into an atmospheric space because, when the fluid of high temperature is introduced and the first seal member is moved toward a direction adjacent to a pump shaft, an opposite side of the second seal member is moved from a first position to a second position by the first seal member so as to block a gap between a pump side and a housing.

A split labyrinth seal assembly having split stationary and rotary sealing elements, and a split clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is configured to secure the rotary element to a rotating shaft. The rotary element can also include an integrally formed valve element that moves between a contacting and a non-contacting position in response to rotation of the shaft. The rotary element and the clamping mechanism can have surface features associated therewith to promote nesting between the components.