Abstract: A machine is provided, including a magnetic thrust bearing having a rotor portion, a stator portion, and a housing. The housing substantially surrounds the stator portion and the rotor portion. The rotor portion includes a thrust disk adapted to be circumferentially attached to a rotor and to rotate with the rotor. The thrust disk defines a thrust disk first side and a thrust disk second side, the first side being opposite to the second side.

Abstract: An auxiliary bearing system for a magnetically supported rotor system according to which the auxiliary bearing system includes at least two mounting pad assemblies having compliantly mounted body members.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for guiding one or more tools are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the apparatus for guiding one or more tools can include an elongated member. The elongated member can have one or more switchable magnets disposed thereon.

Abstract: A fluid handling assembly is for a fluid machine that includes a casing and a shaft disposed within the casing so as to be rotatable about a central axis. An impeller is mounted on the shaft and has an inlet and a rotary separator is mounted on the shaft and has axially spaced apart inlet and outlet ends and an interior separation chamber. The separator is coupled with the impeller such that the separator and the impeller generally rotate as a single unit about the shaft axis and fluid within the separation chamber flows from the separator outlet end directly into the impeller inlet. Preferably, the separator includes a plurality of generally radially-extending blades disposed proximal to the separator inlet end and spaced circumferentially about the axis, the plurality of blades being configured to accelerate fluid flowing into the separator inlet end during rotation of the separator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing underwater devices on sub-sea structures. The apparatus can include a body having at least one pair of support members extending therefrom. At least one actuator, adapted to move in a linear direction, can be disposed on each support member. At least one connector can be disposed on each actuator. The connector can include at least one aperture disposed therethrough for receiving an attachment member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for positioning one or more components relative to a work surface are provided. The apparatus can include a frame having a first support member extending therefrom. At least one extendable member can be disposed on the first support member. The extendable member can be adapted to move in a linear direction. At least one magnet can be disposed on the frame. The magnet can include at least one contact side that can be switchable between a magnetized state and a non-magnetized state.

Abstract: An energy conversion system, including a wave chamber, and a turbine wheel coupled to a shaft and fluidly coupled with the wave chamber. The energy conversion system may also include a first radial flow passage fluidly coupled with the wave chamber and the turbine wheel, and first vanes disposed at least partially in the first radial flow passage, each of the first vanes being compliantly mounted and pivotal between first and second positions, the first vanes being configured to allow a motive fluid to flow in a first radial direction through the first radial flow passage when the first vanes are in the first position, and the first vanes being configured to substantially prevent the motive fluid from flowing through the first radial flow passage in a second radial direction when the second vanes are in the second position.

Abstract: A seal ring for a rotatable shaft in a turbo machine includes a seal body configured for disposing around the shaft wherein a radial gap is defined between an inner surface of the seal body and the shaft. An upstream surface defined by the seal body extends from the inner surface, and an annular obstruction extends from the upstream surface of the seal body, wherein the obstruction is spaced away from the inner surface.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system and a method for operating a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The system comprises a waste heat exchanger, a waste heat source, an expander, a recuperator, a cooler, a pump, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit. The mass management system comprises a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and configured to passively control an amount of working fluid mass in the working fluid circuit.

Abstract: An auxiliary bearing system for supporting a rotating shaft including a first auxiliary bearing coupled to the rotating shaft. A first inertia ring is coupled to and circumscribes the first auxiliary bearing. A second inertia ring circumscribes the first inertia ring. A radial clearance is defined between the first and second inertia rings when the rotating shaft is supported by a primary bearing system, and the first inertia ring engages the second inertia ring when the rotating shaft is not supported by the primary bearing system. A second auxiliary bearing is engaged with an outer surface of the second inertia ring.

Abstract: A stator for a turbomachine. The stator includes a plurality of nozzle vanes, with the distance between each of the plurality of nozzle vanes varying circumferentially around the stator in a repeating pattern configured to distribute a vibration energy over a plurality of side band vibration frequencies around a nominal passing frequency in a rotor.

Abstract: A connector spool for connecting a compressor casing to a drive casing of an industrial compression system includes a spool body having a substantially cylindrical shape. The body has a first end coupled to the compressor casing and a second end coupled to the drive casing, and the body defines an interior region. Access ports are formed in the body for providing access to the interior region, and a hoop-shaped pressurized member covers the access ports.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed for developing an N-phasic finite element model for performing fully coupled analyses of multi-phase compositional fluid flow and heat flow in nonlinearly deforming porous solid media with time-dependent failure. The method can include formulating a finite element model of the behavior of a coupled solid-fluid formation, having complex geometry and behavior, and applying the model to derive the response of the formation in the form of one or more displacement fields for the solid phases and one or more pressure fields for the fluid phases in a zone of interest in a formation. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is disclosed for estimating the uncertainties in the derived displacement and pressure field solutions for the response of the fully coupled solid-fluid phases.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing glycerol into one or more products are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method can include decreasing a pH of a mixture comprising glycerol and fatty acids to produce an emulsion comprising a glycerol-rich portion and a fatty acids-rich portion. At least a portion of the glycerol-rich portion can be reacted with an acid comprising phosphorus at conditions sufficient to produce a reacted product comprising glycerophosphoric acid, glycerol, and a portion of the acid.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably attaching a pushing tool to one work piece such that a pushing force can be applied to a second work piece and allow alignment of the two work pieces for joining the work pieces together.

Abstract: A fluid deflector is for a fluid separator including a central axis and an enclosed wall having an open end and an inner circumferential separation surface extending about the axis to define an interior separation chamber. The fluid deflector includes a base disposable proximal to the wall open end and having a central axis collinear with the separator axis. A plurality of vanes are connected with the base so as to be spaced circumferentially about the central axis. The vanes define a plurality of flow channels each bounded by a separate pair of adjacent vanes and having an inlet and an outlet. Each vane directs flow through a bounded channel generally radially inwardly from the channel inlet toward the channel outlet and generally circumferentially and radially outwardly from the channel outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a subterranean structure. The method can include, but is not limited to, removing at least a portion of earth disposed above a subterranean structure to provide a foundation; depositing an isolation layer above the subterranean structure; and depositing at least a portion of the removed earth, a fill material or both to at least partially cover the isolation layer.

Abstract: A closure device for a casing having at least one access opening wherein the closure device includes a cover member movably disposed within an interior chamber of the casing so as to be slidably displaceable along or in the direction of a casing central axis between an open and a closed position, the cover member being spaced at least partially axially from the access opening in the open position so as to permit access to the interior chamber and generally extending across and substantially obstructing the at least one access opening in the closed position.

Abstract: An expandable tubular liner includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanical coupling for coupling the first and second tubes, and an insert coupled to the mechanical coupling. The insert is capable of forming a metallurgical bond with at least one of the tubes when energy is injected into the insert.

Abstract: A support device for a bearing assembly includes a housing with a bore and a centerline and a bearing having a bore for receiving a rotatable shaft. The support device has an annular body disposable within the housing bore and having a central axis and inner and outer surfaces extending circumferentially about the axis, the inner surface defining a central bore for receiving the bearing. One or more first integral spring portions extend generally between the inner and outer surfaces and have a first stiffness and one or more second integral spring portions are each spaced circumferentially from the first spring(s). The second spring extends generally between the inner and outer surfaces and has a second, greater stiffness. The body is adjustably angularly positionable about the body axis to adjust a position of the shaft axis with respect to the housing centerline when disposed within the support bore.