Abstract: A steam turbine of the type which incorporates a turbine case defining a plurality of passages having outlets opening through an inside end wall of the turbine case in a direction generally parallel to the turbine shaft, with nozzles positioned over the outlets to direct steam against the periphery of the turbine wheel, can be modified to a higher efficiency design. To perform the modification, the nozzles are removed, an arcuately shaped housing is positioned in covering relationship with the outlets, and an arcuately shaped louver is positioned so as to form an end wall of the housing. The louver has a plurality of vanes to direct the steam against the periphery of the turbine wheel to cause rotation of the turbine shaft and the housing forms a confined steam flow path from the outlets to the louver. The downstream turbine blading can be modified if desired.

Abstract: A method for removing a stator tube from a position about a rotor of a progressing cavity pump is provided. The apparatus includes an actuator assembly having a base and a piston which is longitudinally displaceable relative to the base, and a pusher rod. The base of the actuator assembly is removably attachable to a discharge end of the stator tube. The pusher rod is longitudinally releasably attachable to the piston at a plurality of locations along the length of the pusher rod and is located to engage the rotor when the base is coupled to the stator tube. The pusher rod is coupled to the piston and the piston is driven by the actuator assembly. With only slight modifications the apparatus may also be used to install the stator tube on the rotor when operated in a substantially opposite way.

Abstract: A method of removing a sensing rod from a hydraulic water pump includes an access plug, a sealing o-ring, and an end block modified to receive the access plug. The access plug preferably includes a front flange, a threaded body, and a rear tapered end. An o-ring groove is formed adjacent the front flange to retain the sealing o-ring. An internal thread is preferably formed in the modified end block to threadably receive the access plug. An opening is formed through the length of the access plug which is sized to receive the sensing rod. The access plug is unthreaded to allow the sensing rod to be removed. A nut removal tool inserted through the internal threads of the modified end block to unscrew a rod nut. Once the rod nut has been unscrewed, the sensing rod may be removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive and easily produced method for refurbishing transmission pump assemblies. The method of converting a transmission pump assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration comprises the steps of: a) providing a first configuration transmission pump assembly comprising a pump body and a pump cover, wherein the pump body and the pump cover each have a plurality of fluid passageways formed between worm tracks on at least one side thereof; b) removing a portion of the worm tracks from both the pump body and the pump cover; c) providing at least one insert; d) attaching the at least one insert into a predetermined position; and e) machining the pump cover and pump body to the second configuration.

Abstract: A pair of steam turbine inlet ports are disposed at opposite sides of a steam turbine housing for flowing steam in opposite circumferential directions in a generally annular steam chamber to first stages of a turbine through axially opposite outlets. Portions of the chamber in the upper and lower housing have decreasing cross-sections in a generally circumferential direction away from the steam inlet portions to provide a substantially uniform flow of steam about the chamber in a generally radially inward direction and about and through the axial outlets.

Abstract: A motor stator is fixed to a body shell by shrinkage fit with a large fitting margin, and a compression mechanism is then shrinkage fit with a small fitting margin, and welded thereafter. Afterwards, an auxiliary bearing assembly is fixed in position with reference to the compression mechanism by shrinkage fit with a small fitting margin, followed further by welding.

Abstract: An blade row for use in a compressor is provided. The blade row has a plurality of inlet guide vanes. Each inlet guide vane has a meanline approximately equal to NACA standard A4K6 meanline, a thickness distribution approximately equal to NACA standard SR 63 thickness distribution, a stagger angle, and a lift coefficient between 0.0 and 0.8.

Abstract: Cracks in the shaft of a reactor coolant pump adjacent a tapered end on which the impeller is mounted are removed by machining a circumferential groove in the pump shaft to a depth and an axial length which removes the cracks but does not extend into the tapered end of the pump shaft. A split ring fills the groove to an outer diameter which matches the outer diameter of the pump shaft. A thermal sleeve shrink fit over the split ring has internal annular ribs engaging the shaft and the ring to form an annulus which communicates with the pump chamber sufficiently to maintain a layer of substantially stagnant coolant over the split ring and the pump shaft at the pressure of the coolant being pumped.

Abstract: The timing gear device or structure (26) has a pair of timing gears (28, 30) mounted on parallel rotating shafts (22, 24). Each timing gear (28, 30) has an outer gear portion (32) and a concentric interfitting inner gear portion (34). Outer gear portions (34) have teeth (48) which intermesh to transmit torque from drive shaft (22) to driven shaft (24). Each concentric inner gear portion (34) has longitudinally extending splines (44) in meshing relation with splines (46) on the inner periphery of outer gear portion (32). As shown in particular in FIGS. 5-8, the timing gears can be replaced by timing structure (26) by angular alignment or indexing of driven shaft (24) with inner gear portion (34) secured thereto while outer concentric gear portion (32) is removed. For indexing, drive shaft (22) is fixed and timing gear (28) is mounted thereon by key (40).

Abstract: A rotary lobe pump is provided with an improved sealing mechanism between the rotor and outside diameter of the shaft upon which the rotor is mounted. An adapter is provided for the drive shaft which enables the drive shaft to be easily coupled to a variety of drive mechanisms. The adapter can be replaced with an alternative adapter suited to fit alternative drive mechanisms. An improved means for mounting the timing gears on the drive and driven shafts is provided which enables the timing gears to be easily adjusted during assembly to improve the rate at which rotary lobe pumps can be assembled. An improved shaft configuration is provided with a thicker boss section providing additional structural support at the timing gear. The shaft may be cast molded. An improved seal assembly is also provided whereby the seal is frictionally accommodated inside a sleevelike seal housing which, in turn, is frictionally accommodated inside the rotor.

Abstract: A coating for a portion of the flowpath of a diffuser of a centrifugal compressor. The coating covers a portion of the diffuser against which flows high velocity air from the compressor blades. The coating is a smooth, tenacious, heat-resistant powder paint that reduces the aerodynamic drag of the diffuser walls on the high velocity air thus increasing the efficiency of the compressor.

Abstract: An air bleed tube is attached to a single-stage centrifugal pump, which has an impeller and a liquid suction tube whose inlet is at a center of the impeller. The air bleed tube is attached with its air inlet at an exposed eye of the impeller to bleed air from the pump and thereby reduce the likelihood that the pump will lose its prime. A light-touch check valve at an air outlet of the air bleed tube allows air at the impeller eye to be discharged from the pump and at the same time prevents air from being sucked by venturi vacuum pressure in the pump back into the air bleed tube and the pump.