Abstract: An agitator for grape mash comprising a rotary shaft and blade-shaped stirring wings having at least one first section inclined at an angle relative to the sense of rotation is characterized in that the said first section (19, 23) ends--viewed in at least one sense of rotation--in a second wing section (20, 21, 25, 26, 50, 51) inclined in the same direction but at an angle smaller than the angle of inclination of the said first section.

Abstract: The free-flow pump has an impeller housing (9, 10) laterally of its free flow chamber (4), and the impeller (6) is located in the impeller chamber (9, 10). The external, radial limiting member (10) of the impeller housing is drawn forwardly into the free flow chamber so as to decrease in the direction of rotation from the housing tongue (11) to the pressure pipe outlet. The limiting member (10) causes a constriction in the external portion (4') of the flow chamber, and such constriction decreases from the housing tongue towards the pressure pipe outlet. These measures permit the pump characteristics to be improved, and in particular the throttle characteristic of the free-flow pump can be stabilized.

Abstract: An axial fan having a central fan structure from which a plurality of blades extend radially and a center body extending axially from said central fan structure. The center body occupies a volume in which turbulence would otherwise occur. At least one side branch resonator is disposed within the center body to attenuate resonance produced by said fan in a particular frequency band.

Abstract: A circumferentially extending apparatus 46 for containing particles having an axial component and a radial component of velocity is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a support structure 48 and a flexible casing 50 formed of a fabric 78. The external surface of the support structure has a first diameter and a second diameter not equal to the first diameter at a location spaced axially from the location of the first diameter. The fabric is preloaded to increase the length of the fabric and is wrapped under tension about the surface of the support structure such that the installed length of the fabric is greater than the free length of the fabric. A method for forming the circumferentially extending structure is disclosed which includes the steps of forming a support structure and wrapping a preloaded fabric about the support structure to cause an elongation of the fabric and tension in the fabric in the installed condition, which varies depending on the diameter of the support structure.

Abstract: A mixing chamber for liquids, which are supplied to the mixing chamber in measured quantities one after the other alternating over a period of time, in particular for liquid chromatographs is divided by a fine-pored filter plate (109) into two areas (105, 106). The inlet pipe (111) is connected to one area and the outlet pipe (112) is connected to the other of these areas. The two areas (105, 106) each widen out in a conical shape from the opening of the connected pipe (111) towards the filter plate (109). The filter plate (109) preferably consists of a steel or glass frit with a pore size in the range of 2 to 50 .mu.m.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump is provided for degrading antimisting fuel. The centrifugal pump has a rotary impeller closely surrounded by a vaned diffuser for receiving fuel therefrom. The diffuser includes a plurality of recirculation channels disposed along its inner circumferential surface for directing some of the fuel which passes from the impeller to the diffuser back to the impeller for enhancing the degradation of the fuel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to turbine blades and in particular to turbine blades for use in gas turbine engines. Tensile stresses are introduced into turbine blades when they rotate at high speeds on a turbine rotor. In order to minimize the stresses in an outer skin of an aerofoil of the turbine blade, the outer skin is secured to a platform and an inner core, and in operation a temperature difference is set up between the outer skin and the inner core. The temperature difference produces a thermal compressive stress in the outer skin which opposes the tensile stress produced due to the rotation of the turbine blade. The extremities of the outer skin may be secured to the platform with either a tensile or compressive prestress depending upon the temperature difference between the outer skin and inner core at normal operating conditions.

Abstract: An operation control method for a multistage regulated hydraulic machine wherein channels of the stages from the lower pressure side to the higher pressure side are successively communicated with each other through return guides and at least two said stages are provided with respective guide vanes capable of having their degrees of opening controlled in synchronism with each other.

Abstract: A rotary type pumping machine such as a pump turbine in a pumped storage hydro-electric plant, wherein, when the pumping operation of the runner of the machine is started, compressed air is introduced into the runner chamber to depress the water surface in the runner chamber to facilitate the start up of the runner and, when the runner is accelerated to a predetermined speed, the air in the runner chamber is discharged through an air discharge valve to commence the pumping operation. Water pressure available in the water passageway on upper reservoir side of the runner chamber is applied to the valve closing mechanism of the air discharge valve. The valve opening force exerted by a valve operating mechanism and acting on the valve opening mechanism of the air discharge valve is selected to be greater than the valve closing force generated by the water pressure applied to the valve closing mechanism of the air discharge valve.

Abstract: A multistage hydraulic machine such as a pump/turbine having at least three pressure stages in which the highest and lowest pressure stages are provided with movable guide vanes the degree of opening of which are variable, and the other intermediate pressure stages are provided with stationary guide vanes the degree of opening of which are not variable. The movable and stationary guide vanes are simultaneously or independently controlled in accordance with a change of an operational condition at the time of steady operation in a manner such that the degree of opening of the movable guide vanes of the lowest pressure stage becomes relatively larger or smaller than that of the stationary guide vanes in a high flow-rate range or in a low flow-rate range, respectively, while maintaining the degree of opening of the movable guide vanes of the lowest pressure stage to be equal to or smaller than that of the highest pressure stage.

Abstract: A guide blade set for diverging jet streams in a steam turbine which has blades (2, 2') whose concave and convex surfaces are orthogonal firstly to the jet stream floor plate (3) and secondly to the jet stream passage ceiling plate (4) at their respective ends.Efficiency is improved by reducing losses in the neighbourhood of the jet stream ceiling plate.

Abstract: A continuous conveyor composting apparatus to provide a method of completely mixing semi-solid sewage sludge, compost material and refuse into a non-compacted, readily compostable material. A variable capacity mixing chamber is provided to receive a partially mixed product from several hopper bins which are equipped with variable speed auger systems. The mixing chamber is equipped with a compost-throwing member which mixably engages the product to lift, separate and fluff the material.

Abstract: A combination air and oil cooled seal housing is provided which also utilizes trapped stagnant air as an insulator. The combination prevents coking of the oil supplied as a lubricant to the bearings and seals in the hot section of a turbine engine. Pressurized air is introduced from the compressor into the inner structure support housing by means of hollow passages. The pressurized air absorbs heat as it traverses the passages in the structure. The oil supplied is connected to an annular shape cavity allowing the oil to be circulated therein and cool the seal support structure. Additional insulation is provided by cylindrically shaped trapped air shields surrounding the bearing package. Oil flowing through the structure can then properly lubricate the seals and bearings which support the turbine rotor stages within the housing assembly.

Abstract: A stirring apparatus is disclosed for stirring mortar or the like, wherein foaming is controlled to the minimum, and moreover, satisfactory stirring effects can be obtained.This apparatus has a roof-shaped stirring blade including two plate-like members inclined to each other, each of which is provided therein with a plurality of flow holes, the stirring blade being reciprocated in the mortar tank.

Abstract: To avoid torsional stress on a foundation crossbeam and undue movement of a bearing housing at the mounting point, it is proposed, in order to displace the fixed point of the stationary parts of a turbine, that the turbine housing be connected rigidly in an axial direction to the foundation crossbeam by a retaining device via a supporting rib and a sway brace. Further the turbine housing is mounted on the bearing housing via a mounting lug resting axially movably on a bearing face.

Abstract: A circumferentially extending structure 30 for containing particles having an axial component of velocity and a radial component of velocity is disclosed. The structure includes an inner casing 48 and an outer casing 50. The outer casing is formed of a plurality of layers of flexible fabric and includes layers having differing masses per unit length in the fabric. The layers of fabric extend about the inner casing. A means for applying a load to the fabric engages the fabric to place the fabric in tension. One such means is a plurality of bars 80, 82 and turnbuckles 74. In one embodiment, the fabric has a greater mass per unit length in the leading edge region and a greater tension is applied to the leading edge region than other regions of the fabric. A method of forming the structures is disclosed.

Abstract: A circumferentially extending structure 30 for containing particles having an axial component and a radial component of velocity is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a hollow annular beam 48 and a fabric 46 wrapped under tension about the annular beam such that the installed length of the fabric is greater than the free length of the fabric. In one particular embodiment the fabric is coated with a layer 116 of epoxy resin such that the resin penetrates only the top layer of the fabric to form a shield. The shield layer protects the containment fabric from injury.

Abstract: A dovetail type circumferential slot fixing for retaining blades of a bladed rotor assembly of a turbomachine which requires no additional loading slot. The shape and dimensions of the dovetail roots of the blades and the dovetail blade-retaining slot are such as to allow the blades to be loaded by introducing a flank of each root dovetail into the slot and rolling the blades in an axial direction. The blades are held outwards against radially inward facing faces of the blade-retaining slot by a support means which may be a detachable plate, flange member or nose bullet that engages the blade platforms.

Abstract: A combination air and oil cooled seal housing is provided which also utilizes trapped stagnant air as an insulator. The combination prevents coking of the oil supplied as a lubricant to the bearings and seals in the hot section of a turbine engine. Pressurized air is introduced from the compressor into the inner structure support housing by means of hollow passages. The pressurized air absorbs heat as it traverses the passages in the structure. The oil supply is connected to an annular shape cavity allowing the oil to be circulated therein and cool the seal support structure. Additional insulation is provided by cylindrically shaped trapped air shields surrounding the bearing package. Oil flowing through the structure can then properly lubricate the seals and bearings which support the turbine rotor stages within the housing assembly.

Abstract: Fluid pumping apparatus comprises(a) a housing,(b) an impeller rotatable in the housing to discharge fluid centrifugally outwardly,(c) a rotary spool having an inducer section through which intake fluid passes to the impeller,(d) a rotary diffuser associated with the rotary spool and having driving vanes located at the inlet of the diffuser and outwardly of the impeller periphery for rotatably driving the spool in response to outward flow of said discharged fluid against and between the vanes.