Abstract: An annular vane diffuser is disposed within a compressor housing of a turbocharger and employs a wave-type compression spring interposed between the vane diffuser and a backplate to provide a desired pressure loading on the vane diffuser to urge the vanes against the wall of the compressor housing forming one side of the diffuser. The vane diffuser constructed in this manner maintains contact with the compressor housing during turbocharger operation as it moves axially relative to the backplate, thereby providing improved diffuser efficiency.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a casing, an overhung-mounted rotor in the casing having a feed chamber, which centrifugally accelerates the liquid flowing centrally to it, and a discharge chamber positioned axially behind it and connected to the feed chamber in the vicinity of the inner circumference of the rotor, as well as a scoop pipe guided centrally into the discharge chamber close to the inner circumference thereof and by means of which the liquid is discharged. For the discharge of liquids from a vacuum chamber, the discharge chamber is connected by means of a line centrally introduced into it to the gas phase of the vacuum chamber, so that the liquid flowing in via the feed chamber forms on its inner circumference a liquid ring, into which is immersed the feed end of the scoop pipe, and that on the drain side the scoop pipe is closed by an automatically closing valve, which opens under the operating pressure.

Abstract: A fully submersible apparatus for generating electricity from liquid flow as in an ocean or river current. A buoyant structure is fully submersible and has at least one pair of counter-rotating side-by-side motors with a plurality of angularly spaced radial vanes each having a plurality of rotatable subvanes such that current impinging upon the motor will impinge on a closed or solid vane to effect rotation of the motor and its shaft during a first phase of the rotational cycle and will impinge on open vanes for free passage therethrough on the return or second phase of rotation of the motor. Motors may also be provided with vanes in overlying and underlying relationship. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: An air door assembly for a fan shroud assembly includes a door having an upper portion, a lower portion and a hinge portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, a frame defining an opening in the fan shroud assembly, and a hinge defining a pivotal axis pivotally coupling the hinge portion of the door to the frame. The door is adapted to pivot relative to the frame about the pivotal axis between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The upper portion of the door and the lower portion of the door may be in a substantially horizontal orientation when the door is in a fully open position. The hinge may include a pair of pivot pins extending along the pivotal axis at least partially into the opening from opposite lateral sides of the frame and a corresponding pair of at least partial sleeves at opposite lateral sides of the hinge portion of the door, the pair of pivot pins being received within the pair of at least partial sleeves to couple the door to the frame.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-shaped fan blade for use in a fan apparatus. The blade has a cross-section which is essentially an inverted pan-shape with an intermediate section, a leading edge section, and a trailing edge section which form concave and convex surfaces. The trailing edge has a flange doubled back toward the leading edge within the concave envelope.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-shaped propeller blade. The blade has a cross-section which is essentially an inverted pan-shape with an intermediate section, a leading edge section, and a trailing edge section which form concave and convex surfaces. The trailing edge has a flange doubled back toward the leading edge within the concave envelope.

Abstract: A gravity-operated anti-surge valve for a turbine pump consists of a poppet adapted to be moveable under fluid pressure between a closed position and a valve seat for the poppet. The weight of the poppet biases the poppet in the closed position against the valve seat in the absence of fluid pressure. Fluid pressure developed by the pump forces the poppet open. As fluid pressure decreases when the pump is shut off, the weight of the poppet allows the poppet to gradually close against continuing fluid flow, preventing water hammer. As fluid pressure approaches zero, the poppet completely closes, preventing the weight of a column of water from rushing down the lineshaft at high speed and driving the pump impellers in reverse. The valve is located above the top bowl of the pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pump device, comprising a pump casing (1) having an inlet (2) and an outlet (3), an impeller device inside the casing (1) having one or more pump stages (5-7) with a common rotary shaft (4), and a non-return valve (8) between inlet (2) and outlet (3). The device is characterized in that the non-return valve (8) is provided on the discharge side of at least a first pump stage (5).

Abstract: A centrifugal pump, includes a pump volute having a substantially axial inlet port and a substantially radial outlet port and is substantially symmetrical about the axis of the outlet port, with the outlet port being flanked by a first and second side wall, an impeller rotably mounted inside the pump volute, a drive motor coupled to the impeller for imparting rotational movement to the impeller, and a gate mounted between the impeller and the outlet port. The gate is in the form of a resilient flap having a fixed end and a free end. The flap free end is movable between a first operating position where the free end is biased against one of the first and second walls during operation of the pump and a second non-operating position in which the gate is disposed in a normal unbiased position spaced between the first and second walls when the pump is not in operation.

Abstract: A washer pump, which adapted to selectively supply wash fluid to one of front and rear windows of an automobile, comprises a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism has two wash fluid conduction pipes communicating with two wash fluid feed pipes in a pump body, two wash fluid delivery pipes, two valve seats provided on respective ends of two wash fluid conduction pipes and facing each other, and a valve body arranged between two valve seats and capable of closing one wash fluid passage at one valve seat on a low pressure side while opening the other wash fluid passage at the other valve seat on a high pressure side. The valve body has two diaphragms including elastically-deforming portions respectively, whereby the center area of one of two elastically-deforming portions acts as one side seal portion engageable with one valve seat and the center area of the other of two elastically-deforming portions acts as the other side seal portion engageable the other valve seat.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a fluid recirculation system which operates in a wash mode for spraying liquid onto objects supported on dishwasher upper and lower racks. The dishwasher includes a pump having a pump impeller disposed within a pump chamber for supplying wash liquid to first and second spray devices, associated with the lower rack and upper racks, respectively. The pump impeller draws wash liquid into the pump chamber and imparts a rotary motion to the wash liquid disposed in the pump chamber. A rotatable diffuser or flow director having a plurality of vanes extending into the pump chamber selectively directs the rotating wash liquid toward the spray devices and thereby controls wash liquid recirculation within the dishwasher responsive to the rotational motion of the wash liquid in the pump chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus achieves passive damping of flow disturbances to control centrifugal compressor surge. The apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor for compressing a low pressure fluid. The centrifugal compressor has an impeller, an inlet which communicates with an atmosphere and a discharge through which compressed air is supplied to a compressed air system. A fluid flow control is flow connected with the inlet for controlling the flow of a low pressure fluid to the compressor. A check valve is flow connected with the discharge for preventing high pressure fluid from back flowing to the compressor. A vane diffuser assembly fluidly communicates with the impeller. A spring-mass-damper system is coupled to any one or all of the fluid flow control, check valve or vane diffuser to dampen low amplitude flow disturbances of the compressible fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus achieves passive damping of flow disturbances to control centrifugal compressor surge. The apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor for compressing a low pressure fluid. The centrifugal compressor has an impeller, an inlet which communicates with an atmosphere and a discharge through which compressed air is supplied to a compressed air system. A fluid flow control is flow connected with the inlet for controlling the flow of a low pressure fluid to the compressor. A check valve is flow connected with the discharge for preventing high pressure fluid from back flowing to the compressor. A vane diffuser assembly fluidly communicates with the impeller. A spring-mass-damper system is coupled to any one or all of the fluid flow control, check valve or vane diffuser to dampen low amplitude flow disturbances of the compressible fluid.

Abstract: Fluent material is discharged with a radial velocity component from outlet orts of a positive displacement compressor for flow through a continuous volute passage to a receiver. The volute passage has a flow path geometry arranged to both minimize pulsations of the fluent material delivered to the receiver and optimize operation of the compressor.

Abstract: An AC motor driven centrifugal pump includes an AC motor, a symmetrical pump volute, and an impeller shaft which is coupled to an impeller hub having a plurality of radial vanes or fins. The pump volute is symmetrical about a vertical axis with an axial inlet port and substantially tangential side walls feeding a radial outlet port. According to the invention, a movable gate is arranged between the impeller and the outlet port. The impeller hub is arranged axially with the inlet port and has a smaller diameter than the inlet port so that fluid entering the inlet port is free to flow around the impeller hub and into the spaces between the vanes. The gate is free to move and to rest against the interior of opposite tangential side walls of the volute. When the impeller begins to turn, the pivotal gate moved under the force of the fluid flow to rest against the opposite side wall blocking the passage of fluid backflow.

Abstract: This invention relates to a closure for the outlet of a fan. A fan has an outlet opening 12 in a fan case volute 10 which is closed by a hinged flap 13, the weight of the flap being compensated by a counterweight arm 15. When the flap 13 closes opening 12, counterweight arm 15 is latched by latch 32 carried by spring 26 which must deform before the flap can open. Alternatively, the latch 32 is itself a resilient spring. The flap will only open when sufficient static pressure is applied by the fan, and the resilient latch 25, 32 will prevent "flutter" which might be otherwise caused by outside air currents.

Abstract: A self regulating bleed valve for a gas turbine engine is provided which taps or bleeds a portion of a gas, typically air, from a duct of the gas turbine having a wall bounding the gas flow. The bleed valve has a valve member pivotally attached to the wall such that the valve member extends through a main opening formed in the wall. The valve member has an internal cavity in communication with a gas inlet opening and a gas exhaust opening and is pivotally movable between an extended position wherein the gas inlet opening portion of the valve member extends into the gas flow duct such that the inlet opening faces generally in an upstream direction so as to deflect a portion of gas flow into the internal cavity, and a retracted position wherein the inlet opening extends obliquely, generally parallel, to the gas flow so as to minimize the air tapped or bled from the gas flow.

Abstract: A mechanism for preventing back-flow for a discharge pipe of a pump. The discharge pipe terminates in a container and essentially runs vertically upward. A bell-shaped hood is turned over the exit opening of the discharge pipe so as to form a low-loss siphon. At least one venting apparatus is connected to one of the discharge pipe and the hood.

Abstract: A directional changeover pump in accordance with the present invention is capable of changing the direction of a fluid flow depending upon the rotational direction of an impeller. The directional changeover pump employs a reciprocable member for opening one discharge port and closing the other discharge port. As a result, the directional changeover pump has an extended service life and a simplified structure, since the wear of the discharge ports is automatically compensated by a spherical configuration of a reciprocating member and the sealing member between the operating components is eliminated.

Abstract: A novel centrifugal pumping system is disclosed for supplying fuel to aircraft gas turbines. The system has a common rotor with two different sets of impeller blades on opposite sides. A regenerative/liquid-ring starting pump is located on one side of the rotor, and a centrifugal impeller is located on the other. During engine start-up, the regenerative/liquid-ring pump is capable of priming itself and supplies engine fluid and pressure. The starting pump delivers fuel until the main pump reaches a speed sufficient to provide adequate pressure for fuel delivery. At that time, the starting pump is switched off, via a valving system.

Abstract: The invention is a turbo machine comprising a rotatably mounted blade row, such as a compressing or pumping rotor and apparatus for providing aerodynamic feedback to the blade row which feedback apparatus has substantially zero pressure difference across it. The feedback may be provided by various apparatus, including at least one free-rotor that is mounted in aerodynamic feedback with the blade row, for instance coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation of the blade row and freely rotatably with respect to the blade row. The free-rotor may also be located in ductwork in communication with the blade row. The feedback may also be provided by a blade row having a variable stagger angle and apparatus to adjust the stagger angle so that the mean pressure rise across the variable stagger angle blade row is zero. The invention also includes a method for controlling operating anomalies such as rotating stall and surge of a turbo machine such as a compressor using the above described apparatus.

Abstract: An oscillating centrifugal pump is disclosed which has a housing, an impeller and a magnetic drive. The housing has a longitudinal axis, having a front end and a rear end that are spaced apart on the longitudinal axis. The housing includes a pumping chamber within and at the front end of the housing. The pumping chamber is created by a continuous transverse front wall that closes the pumping chamber at the front end of the housing, a transverse rear wall axially-spaced from said transverse front wall and has a central opening, and a longitudinal closed side wall which is between the front and rear transverse walls. The housing is closed except for an inlet in the housing that is outside of and is axially spaced from the pumping chamber. An outlet is provided in the longitudinal side wall of the pumping chamber, and the housing is free of mechanical bearings, flexing or external seals or apertures that lead to the exterior of the housing except for said inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A double diaphragm leakproof sealing device for electric windscreen washer pumps has a directing chamber housing two very resilient diaphragms which may be provided with compensating elements for loss of resilience. When there is no leaning liquid pressure, the two diaphragms permanently block, by way of their own resilient action and, as the case may be, by the action of the resilience loss compensating elements, the corresponding discharge ports of the chamber. Depending on the direction of rotation of the pump impeller, the cleaning liquid will cause the resilient deformation of the corresponding diaphragm, allowing the cleaning liquid to flow through the associated discharge passage. When the impeller stops rotating, the diaphragm reestablishes the sealing action on the discharge port.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting knitted outlet guide vanes in a gas turbine engine comprises an exhaust difusser cone, an exhaust discharge duct surrounding and coaxial with the diffuser cone, and an annular array of the vanes extending radially between the diffuser cone and the discharge duct. Each guide vane has a root engaging the diffuser cone, and a tip. Each vane is mounted adjacent its tip to the discharge duct so as to pivot about an axis extending through the vane. A spring means is provided to urge each vane into engagement with the exhaust diffuser cone.

Abstract: A vertical centrifugal hydraulic pump assembly is provided fitted with at least one replaceable pack incorporating the centrifugal hydraulic elements of the pump, the pack being clamped between two flanged end plates and mounted vertically in a receiving bore of a pump body, the base region of the receiving bore housing a flat annular non-return valve fitted between the inner wall of the bore and the outer wall of a central inlet connector, the valve opening in the direction of delivery of the pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to secondary power system apparatus and method for use aboard aircraft in place of conventional auxiliary power units (APU's) and emergency power units (EPU's). The invention integrated power unit (IPU) performs the function of both an APU and an EPU, while avoiding the use of hazardous monofuels. The IPU includes a turbine engine operable on pressurized ambient air, or on pressurized stored air, along with jet engine fuel. The structure of a combustion chamber for the engine which is able to use pressurized air from two separate sources; of a control able to selectively operate the engine as an EPU, as an APU, and to effect operating transition from EPU to APU; and of a composite secondary power system with the IPU are all disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system having reduced high speed emissions comprising an exhaust driven supercharger having turbine pressure dependent control means for regulating turbine pressure and turbine speed to a substantially constant value to produce a decreasing compressor pressure profile with increasing engine speed and to reduce mass air flow through the engine during high speed operation, thereby reducing engine emissions and improving durability.

Abstract: A gas turbine rotor assembly includes axially spaced rotor discs carried on a shaft, together with first and second generally cylindrical actuators mounted at each of their opposite ends to the shaft and extending toward one another to overlap at their distal ends. The actuators lie within the interior surface of the rotor discs and have openings in their overlapped portions. Upon a transient condition, the forward actuator thermally expands in an axial direction to register at least in part its openings with the openings of the second actuator to provide air flow through the partially aligned openings to opposite sides of an aft rotor disc. The second actuator thermally expands in a forward axial direction to increase the registration of the openings and, hence, the flow-through area, affording increased air flow.

Abstract: A positive displacement type pump for use in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine having a pump housing that includes a pump chamber and a vapor vent valve to allow vapor to flow out of the pump chamber. The vent valve includes a valve seat, a valve and a spring biasing the valve away from the valve seat. During pump operation, the liquid fuel flow pressure within the pump chamber is great enough to seat the valve and prevent fuel from escaping through the vapor vent valve. However, if the internal pressure drops due to a loss of pumping pressure caused by the ingestion of air or vapors, the vent valve automatically opens to allow vapor or air flow through the pump with a resultant cooling effect on the pump assembly.

Abstract: A high volume aeration device comprises a motor and propeller tube suspended in a pond by a float. A propeller on the motor shaft and inside the propeller tube creates a generally hollow water output stream that rises out of the propeller tube. A diffuser plate is longitudinally slidable inside the hollow water output stream. The water output stream strikes the diffuser plate and locates it at an equilibrium location whereat the force of the water output stream on the diffuser plate periphery equals the weight of the diffuser plate. If the propeller cavitates, the reduced water output stream causes the diffuser plate to fall toward the propeller and redirect the water output stream to the propeller. The redirected water output stream reloads the propeller and enables the aeration device to resume full output without outside intervention after the cause of the cavitation has been eliminated.

Abstract: The pressure side of the pump unit is provided with a valve (6) which during certain periods opens a connection between the pump and the pump station to obtain circulation in the station. The valve (6) is opened and closed by a valve ball (9) which is controlled by the pump pressure.

Abstract: A windshield washer pump including comprising an impeller chamber having a reversible impeller rotatably mounted therein and an inlet for windshield washer fluid communicating therewith. Dual outlets communicate between the impeller chamber and opposite ends of an adjacent outlet chamber. A piston is slidably mounted in the outlet chamber intermediate axially aligned tubular discharge passages extending from the outlet chamber. Oppositely disposed projections are formed on the piston for being alternately urged into engagement with the tubular discharge passages, permitting the alternate pumping of fluid through the tubular discharge passages.

Abstract: There is disclosed a submerged type pump which is vertically seated on the seating face arranged on the bottom of the fluid lifting column and is comprised of a motor section and a pump section with a casing in which the treating fluid may pass, wherein a check valve is arranged at a pump discharge port and an automatic switch valve is arranged on the top of the casing so that the automatic switch valve is released by closing the fluid lifting column with the pump seating face and the check valve to discharge the treating fluid suspended in the fluid lifting column.

Abstract: A high speed liquid vortex pump is fitted with a flexible tube in the discharge throat. The flow area of the flexible tube, and thus the pump output flow rate, is varied by surrounding the tube with a pressure modulated stream of the working fluid.

Abstract: A windshield washer pump including comprising an impeller chamber having a reversible impeller rotatably mounted therein and an inlet for windshield washer fluid communicating therewith. Dual outlets communicate between the impeller chamber and opposite ends of an adjacent outlet chamber. A piston is slidably mounted in the outlet chamber intermediate axially aligned tubular discharge passages extending from the outlet chamber. Oppositely disposed projections are formed on the piston for being alternately urged into engagement with the tubular discharge passages, permitting the alternate pumping of fluid through the tubular discharge passages.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling system for industrial equipment such as, for example, controlled start transmission gear reducer. The cooling system comprises a fan disposed on the rotatable shaft of the equipment for rotation in either direction and a fan shroud disposed about the fan for directing air currents generated by said fan through a connecting duct to an item or area to be cooled such as clutch. The ducting is connected to said fan shroud by means of an outlet duct which is substantially in the center of the outer periphery of the fan shroud. Disposed within the shroud and pivoted at a point near the periphery of the fan is an air deflector element. A free end of the deflector element is swingable from one side of the outlet ducts to the other side to close off one or the other of the outlet portions of the outlet duct, depending upon the direction of rotation of the fan.

Abstract: A pump with a canned motor (1) comprises a hollow shaft (4) open at the ends (5, 6) and provided with shaft ends (7, 8) and made of a relatively thin-walled tube. The portions (7, 8) of the shaft (4) are of a reduced diameter (d.sub.1, d.sub.2). A reciprocating ball (12) is situated in the cavity between a first shaft portion (8) and a second shaft portion (7), said first shaft portion forming a shaft end and provided with a spline (17). This ball abuts seats (13, 14) resulting from the reduction of the diameter of the shaft portions (7, 8), whereby the ball (12) and the seats (13, 14) form a valve. In this manner the valve of the hollow shaft (4) is provided in a particularly simple manner as the seats (13, 14) can be provided simultaneously with the manufacture of the shaft portions (7, 8) of a reduced diameter. The shaft portion (8) carrying the impeller (10) is provided with a spline which provides the hollow shaft (4) with the necessary torsional strength.

Abstract: A bidirectional pump has a chamber in communication both with a drain conduit and a conduit for delivering washing liquid into a wash chamber. The drain conduit has a port communicating between the pump chamber and a drain outlet. An opening communicates between the delivery and drain conduits and is selectively sealed by a deformable diaphragm. With the pump rotating in a first direction and the liquid being delivered principally through the delivery conduit by the pump, a pressure differential is established across the diaphragm thereby urging a portion of the diaphragm sealingly against the port to prevent delivery of washing liquid through the drain conduit as during a rinsing cycle of the dishwasher. Reverse rotation of the pump reverses the pressure balance to urge the sealing portion of the diaphragm away from the drain port, thereby permitting flow through the drain conduit for suitable disposal of the used washing liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water pump for a window washer unit of a vehicle. The pump has a reversible motor, one inlet port and two outlet ports and is arranged to deliver water selectively to either one of the two outlet ports in dependence upon the direction of rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A pump for pumping and mixing of liquids containing suspensions comprises a housing having an impeller rotatable in both directions and a central inlet. The housing is provided with two outlets which are closed alternatively by a ball, depending on the rotation direction of the impeller.

Abstract: A pump is disclosed wherein, in order to provide switching ability between two different delivery outlets, a stator casing bounds two superimposed manifold chambers, each chamber being in communication with the pump impeller housing through a respective tangential conduit. The chambers are sealed from each other by an elastic membrane operative to selectively cut off valve seats in each manifold chamber for rotation of the pump impeller in either directions.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a blower which comprises a fan, means for driving said fan, a body housing or guard mounting said fan therein, a wind deflector mounted in the front opening of said body so that it can rotate in said front opening, and a rear guard mounted in the rear opening of said body. Said wind deflector is formed with changing vanes which are made receptive of the air wind generated by said fan for imparting a rotational force to said wind deflector. Moreover, the changing vanes are made at least partially so movable that they can be adjusted to have an arbitrary vane angle for changing a rotating speed on a rotating direction of said wind deflector.

Abstract: A multistage hydraulic machine in which respective pressure stages are connected in series through return passages and the highest and lowest pressure stages are provided with movable guide vanes the degrees of openings of which are variable is controlled in load adjustment or in response to the change of a static head under a steady operation condition by controlling the degrees of openings of the movable guide vanes of the highest and lowest pressure stages in accordance with several modes.

Abstract: A hose end pattern sprinkler has a sprinkler housing supported on a base with a hose end coupling for connecting a garden type hose to a water inlet of the housing, a pressure regulator having an inlet pressure balanced valve member which is adjustable externally of the housing for controlling the pressure of water flowing within the housing, a variable leaf spring stator for shaping water flow from the pressure regulator into a variable width stream in response to the water pressure, a water driven turbine including an impeller wheel having turbine vanes positioned to be impinged with water flowing past the variable leaf spring, a rotatable nozzle having an outer drive gear and triangular bottom nozzle inlets having apexes converging in a center bore, and an annular pattern plate of ring configuration having an internal gear, the plate being operable externally of the housing for moving the plate beneath the associated nozzle inlets with the pattern plate having a plurality of different configured pattern or

Abstract: A turbine pump includes a rotor having blades disposed between blades of inlet and outlet guide vanes. The blades of the inlet and outlet guide vanes are mounted to swivel on spindles. Various control mechanisms are used to determine the rotation angle of the inlet blades relative to the rotation angle of the outlet blades. A simple control mechanism uses pinions and cranks to control the blade angle. More complicated versions of the control mechanism may use a camming arrangement or an electric motor. The turbine pump is especially advantageous for applications where the speed, flow, and pressure may vary greatly, for example hydraulic transmissions for vehicles.

Abstract: Hot spots in the first stage turbine nozzles of small and medium sized engines are eliminated by spinning the nozzle assembly which consists of an annular hub circumscribed by a nozzle diaphragm having an inner and outer shroud ring between which are a multiplicity of symmetrically positioned vanes of airfoil design. Power to turn the nozzle assembly is obtained by connecting it to a rotary-type, vaned diffuser stage which lies in radial alignment with the impeller of the engine compressor. The rotary diffuser and nozzle combination is configured to turn at 50-1,000 rpm enabling the combined assembly to be mounted on unlubricated ceramic bearings.

Abstract: Two anti-backdraft shutters are each supported in an exhaust fan assembly casing on a set of upper and lower parallel support arms. Outer ends of each set of these arms are pivotably mounted in the casing in closely adjacent relation to the other set on substantially vertical axes in closely adjacent relation to an exhaust fan motor and between the motor and an intake port defining the intake end of the casing. The shutters can move between an open position in almost parallel relation to each other with the fan-motor in between under the action of air being exhausted, and a closed position where the shutters close off the entire intake port. A coil spring urges the shutters to move toward closed condition.

Abstract: The efficiency of a centrifugal compressor is optomized over a wide range of flow rates by providing a diffuser which is a combination of fixed vanes and a movable wall member and which throttles the diffuser passage in accordance with compressor load.

Abstract: This invention involves a windmill apparatus and method of operation therefor. The windmill has a mirror-image pair of blade assemblies mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis. Each blade assembly has a vortex creating or directing means positioned substantially thereabout which serves to channel the incoming wind about the horizontal axis to create a vortex of whirling winds. The creation of the vortex intensifies the driving force of the incoming wind to increase the rotational velocity of each blade assembly and the efficiency of the windmill. A common aligning means for the pair of blade assemblies serves to continuously align the windmill into the incoming wind with the horizontal, rotational axis of each blade assembly substantially perpendicular to the direction of the incoming wind.

Abstract: A reversible turbine pump for producing bi-directional liquid flow wherein there is provided a housing having a substantially annular outer wall and top and bottom walls closing the ends of the outer wall. Within the housing there is a rotatable impeller having an annular series of blades extending outwardly and forming with the wall a toroidal space. First and second spaced outlet openings are provided in the housing and also first and second circumferentially spaced channels between the impeller and each of the outlet openings in liquid flow communication with the toroidal space. A dam is located between the channels. An inlet opening is located in each of the channels.