Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for automatically purging oil from the jets supplying lubricant to bearings and seals in a turbine engine after shutdown. To accomplish this task, pressurized air is tapped from the air plenum just downstream of the engine compressor stage. The pressurized air is stored in a small tank using an air check valve in the incoming line so that the air tank is charged to the highest pressure achieved by the engine compressor during its operation. The outlet of the air tank is connected to the oil jets used for lubricating the engine bearings and seals. A snap action valve is inserted in the air supply line to activate and deactivate airflow out of the tank. The snap action valve is designed to be switched "off" whenever there is positive oil pressure in the lubricating supply line of the turbine engine. After engine shutdown, lubricant flow drops, reducing oil pressure to zero.

Abstract: A flow stabilizer is presented which equalizes the flow of fluid through the passageways of the channel diffuser used with a centrifugal type rotary compressor. Slots are formed in the sidewalls of the flow separating vanes in the diffuser. The slots open into cavities within the vanes. The multiplicity of cavities communicate by means of openings through the diffuser wall into a common closed manifold. The fluid interconnection between the multiplicity of passageways in the diffuser and the encircling common manifold increases the operating range of the compressor since pressure surges in one or more passageways are quickly equalized.

Abstract: A flow stabilizer is presented which equalizes the flow of fluid through the passageways of the channel diffuser used with a centrifugal type rotary compressor. Slots are formed in the sidewalls of the flow separating vanes in the diffuser. The slots open into cavities within the vanes. The multiplicity of cavities communicate by means of openings through the diffuser wall into a common closed manifold. The fluid interconnection between the multiplicity of passageways in the diffuser and the encircling common manifold increases the operating range of the compressor since pressure surges in one or more passageways are quickly equalized.

Abstract: An air pump useful in pumping gases containing abrasive particles is disclosed. A housing is constructed with a primary flow channel centered around the pump axis and a secondary flow channel annularly surrounding the primary channel just inside the outer housing wall. Within the midsection of the pump a powered impeller rotating within an axially symmetric shroud accelerates air drawn from the primary flow channel causing it to be discharged through an annular shaped ejector nozzle into a suction chamber. Presence of the high velocity airstream in the suction chamber draws the contents of the secondary flow channel into the suction chamber. The entrained contents of the primary and secondary flow channels are carried into the diffuser where the velocity energy of the mixture is converted into pressure. The pressurized mixture is then discharged through the exhaust section.

Abstract: A flow stabilizer is presented which equalizes the flow of fluid through the passageways of the channel diffuser used with a centrifugal type rotary compressor. Slots are formed in the sidewalls of the flow separating vanes in the diffuser. The slots open into cavities within the vanes. The multiplicity of cavities communicate by means of openings through the diffuser wall into a common closed manifold. The fluid interconnection between the multiplicity of passageways in the diffuser and the encircling common manifold increases the operating range of the compressor since pressure surges in one or more passageways are quickly equalized.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for pumping gases laden with abrasive particles. The pump comprises a cylindrical outer housing within which there are three axially adjacent sections, namely; an inertial bypass inlet; a powered rotor midsection; and an annular exhaust diffuser. The inertial bypass inlet consists of an axially symmetric cone which diverts the heavier sand and dust particles toward the outer walls. Behind the conical deflector is an axially symmetric circular shroud. A rotor within the shroud draws in and accelerates partially clean air from the lee side of the cone while the majority of the sand and dust laden air passes between the shroud and the outside wall. Recombination of the entire airstream occurs at an ejector nozzle serving as an output of the powered rotor midsection. Contaminated air from the ejector nozzle experiences a pressure rise in the annular exhaust diffuser.