Abstract: A shaft mounting assembly includes an elongate shaft with an outer surface having a substantially circular cross-section and a cylinder having an inner surface defining a bore housing the shaft. A spring having a substantially circular discontinuous band with correspondingly shaped axially arcuate inner and outer surfaces. One of the surfaces comprises a groove, and the spring is positioned in the groove with both axial edges of the band located therein. In a de-energised state of the spring, the height of the band is greater than the depth of the groove, a portion of the band between the axial edges protruding out of the groove, the axial width of the band being less than the width of the groove; and, an energised state with the spring compressed within the bore to reduce the height of the band and increase the axial width compared to the de-energised state.

Abstract: The present invention describes a ring fastener (10) comprising a discontinuous band (11) having a first end (14) and a second end (16). The first end (14) comprises a pair of spaced-apart elongate finger members (15a,15b) (having a first finger member (15a) and a second finger member (15b)), and the second end (16) comprises an elongate tongue member (17). The finger members (15a,15b) and the tongue member (17) are interlockable, such that when interlocked, the band (11) comprises a continuous circumference. The ring fastener (10) further comprises a closed configuration wherein the finger members (15a,15b) and the tongue member (17) are substantially aligned with a circumferential surface (13) of the band (11); and an open configuration wherein the first finger member (15a) is radially and/or axially deflected from its substantially aligned position, so that it is angled with respect to the circumferential surface (13) of the band (11).

Abstract: The present invention describes a ring fastener (10) comprising a discontinuous band (11) having a first end (14) and a second end (16). The first end (14) comprises a pair of spaced-apart elongate finger members (15a,15b) (having a first finger member (15a) and a second finger member (15b)), and the second end (16) comprises an elongate tongue member (17). The finger members (15a,15b) and the tongue member (17) are interlockable, such that when interlocked, the band (11) comprises a continuous circumference. The ring fastener (10) further comprises a closed configuration wherein the finger members (15a,15b) and the tongue member (17) are substantially aligned with a circumferential surface (13) of the band (11); and an open configuration wherein the first finger member (15a) is radially and/or axially deflected from its substantially aligned position, so that it is angled with respect to the circumferential surface (13) of the band (11).

Abstract: The apparatus, which can be used in aspirating face seals or thrust bearings, spaces two relatively rotatable facing surfaces in use by entraining gas between the surfaces. The apparatus includes a first portion (1) defining a generally frusto-conical surface (3); a second portion (2) defining at least one flat surface disposed adjacent the first portion so that the two surfaces face each other and define at least one point of closest engagement between the surfaces, with diverging gaps extending between the surfaces on either side of a plane which contains the point or points of closest engagement and which extends generally orthogonal to the direction of relative rotation, and a device (4) for biasing the flat surface towards the frusto-conical surface to maintain the gaps within a predetermined dimensional range.

Abstract: Apparatus is for spacing two relatively rotatable facing surfaces in use by entraining gas between the surfaces. The apparatus includes a first portion defining a generally frusto-conical surface, a second portion including at least one flat surface disposed on a carrier, the flat surface being located adjacent the first portion so that the generally frusto-conical surface and the flat surface face each other and define at least one point of closest engagement between the surfaces, with diverging gaps extending between the surfaces on either side of a plane which contains the point or points of closest engagement and which extends generally orthogonal to the direction of relative rotation, and a device for biasing the flat surface towards the frusto-conical surface to maintain a gap between the surfaces within a predetermined dimensional range. The carrier includes a plurality of portions releasably connected together.

Abstract: This invention relates to sealing rings for use in gas turbines and methods of making them. In one embodiment the method consists in forming a sealing ring for a gas turbine including: (a) forming a ring to the in use dimensions less a coating thickness of the ring; and (b) depositing a coating having a thickness between about 0.125 mm and 0.077 mm. wherein the ring requires no further machining after step (b). Additionally or alternatively a shot peened sealing surface may be used.

Abstract: A spring filter element having a plurality of coils. The coils are pre-tensioned with the degree of pre-tension varied progressively along the length of the filter such that any part of the filter, in one vertical orientation of the element, supports the dependent remainder of the filter to maintain a closed coil state during normal use. This allows substantially equal opening of the filter gaps between the coils when the element is extended and submerged in fluid.