Abstract: A squeeze film damper is provided that includes a fluid source, a shaft, a bearing assembly, a static bearing support, and a dam. The shaft includes openings formed therein and an annular channel in communication therewith that is configured to receive fluid from the fluid source. The bearing assembly is disposed concentric to the shaft and includes an inner race coupled to the shaft, an outer race disposed concentric to the inner race, and a rolling element disposed between the inner and outer races. Each of the inner and outer races includes openings configured to receive fluid from the shaft opening. The static bearing support housing is spaced apart from the outer race to define a clearance therebetween. The dam is disposed adjacent the bearing assembly and extends radially inwardly relative to the bearing support housing defining a shelf for receiving the fluid from the race openings and directing the fluid into the clearance.

Abstract: A shaft oil purge system comprises an entrance seal, an exit seal and a buffer air flow. The entrance seal comprises a circumferential carbon seal running on an inner shaft and another carbon seal running on an outer shaft. The exit seal comprises a labyrinth seal positioned on the inner shaft and towards the exit end of the annulus between the shafts. An abradable material filled groove positioned radially outward from the exit seal allows the inner shaft to rub without compromising the integrity of the outer shaft. The buffer air flow enters the annulus from a cavity at the entrance seal, purges oil from the annulus and improves the efficiency of the seals.

Abstract: A support for a bearing comprises a resilient ring having unevenly spaced inner and outer bumpers. The unevenly spaced bumpers provide anisotropy to the rotor to preclude non-synchronous vibration. The inner bumpers can be ground to provide a vertical offset of the rotor centerline to accommodate the deflection due to the rotor weight. A tangential groove in the outer bumper allows oil passage during ring deflection so that oil can be squeezed out under dynamic load, providing additional viscous damping to the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a centering feature to the bearing assembly of a turbomachine to provide optimum operating characteristics of the squeeze film damper. Unlike conventional bearing centering methods and apparatus, a compact compliant centering support for the squeeze film damper interfaces between a bearing outer race, and an outer support structure. The compact design is lightweight and inexpensive, can be retrofitted easily to an existing turbomachine, such as a turbine and compressor, for improved rotor dynamic performance. The compact compliant centering support damper may be comprised of a ring with bumpers spaced around the circumference at the inside and outside diameters to form spring elements between the bumpers. The centering support may lift the rotor inside the squeeze film cavity and may eliminate rotor weight effect on the damper performance.

Abstract: A disclosed system comprises user sites with monitor devices that report uncategorized content sites requested by users to a master site via an external network such as “the Internet.” The master site administers categorization of content sites, which is carried out by an unknown site reviewer. The master site transmits the resulting site categorization data to the monitor devices. The monitor devices use this data for subsequent user requests to determine categories of content sites requested by users. The monitor device further determines whether users are authorized to access content sites according usage policies established for the users sites.