Abstract: An improved compressor shaft and impeller for an overhung centrifugal compressor are disclosed that enable the hydraulic attachment and release of the impeller and shaft. The shaft and impeller are also keyed together to enhance their torsional load carrying ability. The impeller and shaft have mating tapered turns that provide precision alignment and mating keyed turns axially adjacent to the mating tapered turns that are mechanically coupled, typically by a removable key. The shaft has a hydraulic passageway that connects to the tapered interface between the shaft and the impeller. By providing hydraulic pressure to this passageway, the tapered surfaces can be forced apart to more easily remove the impeller. An annular piston is disposed between the shaft and the impeller that also communicates with the hydraulic passageway. Hydraulic fluid acting on the piston forces the impeller and the shaft apart in an axial direction.

Abstract: A single stage centrifugal compressor is disclosed having a drive shaft with two thrust bearing collars disposed in a casing. The thrust collars are coupled to two sets of pads tiltingly engaged to two respective base plates. One or both of these base plates are coupled to the casing by a resilient member. This resilient member, by deflecting with the load allows the force applied to the thrust bearings to be balanced between the thrust bearings. It may be formed as two arcuate portions extending partially around the drive shaft or as a single ring. It may be formed as an annular portion with slots extending substantially radially outward from the rotational axis of the drive shaft outward to an outer surface facing away from the drive shaft, or may be made of two substantially parallel plates with an elastomeric layer sandwiched in between. The elastomeric layer may be either a single solid sheet or several elastomeric elements separated by gaps that allow the elastomer to expand outward when compressed.

Abstract: An improved stepped bushing for a trapped bushing seal utilized in connection with compressors incorporates pressure dams on the interior circumference of the bushing. A plurality of pressure dams are located in both the inner bushing segment and the outer bushing segment to completely eliminate cross coupling and the resultant subsynchronous vibration.

Abstract: A fluid pressure entry tap valve for use with pressurized pipes comprising a Wye device with an on-off valve of the ball type in each of two forks of the Wye. Preferably, one fork is in-line with the stem of the Wye while the other fork is at an angle thereto. The Wye stem is externally threaded for complementary engagement with a pipe saddle structure. The saddle structure is designed for either clamping to the pipe, or for being welded thereto.During use the Wye fork which is straight in-line with the stem has it's ball valve opened so a wet tap drill can be inserted to make an opening into the pipe under pressure. Then after removal of the drill the associated valve is closed. A curved guide directional shoe then is mounted upon the Wye, the valve opened again, and the guide inserted through the Wye into the pressurized pipe. Then the ball valve in the angled other fork of the Wye can be opened and a detector head of leak detector apparatus inserted therethrough into the pipe while still under pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting leaks in pressurized mains comprising input coupling structures spaced along a main, each coupling permitting insertion of a detector head connected to a hose/cable of extended length, a reel and housing holding the hose/cable which is designed to input fluid into the hose and make electrical connections to microphone and transducer structure in the head. Leaks in the main are located by depressurizing the main, inserting the detector head through a coupling, feeding pressurized fluid through the hose into rearwardly projecting jets in the head for effecting travel thereof lengthwise of the main, stopping the fluid flow, again pressurizing the main to effect any leaks, energizing the microphone while slowly retracting the head by winding up the hose/cable on the reel at the input position, listening for leak noise as the head is retracted toward the insertion point, and upon leak noise being heard, stopping the retraction and then energizing the transducer within the head.