Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor housing including an inlet opening and a diffuser outlet, the compressor housing includes a first recirculation passage extending from the diffuser outlet to a mounting face of the compressor housing. The compressor housing defines a cavity that receives a compressor wheel. An inlet adapter is mounted to the mounting face of the compressor housing and the inlet adapter includes a second recirculation passage in communication with the first recirculation passage in the compressor housing and with a compressor air inlet passage of the inlet adapter. A recirculation valve is mounted to the inlet adapter and is disposed in communication with the second recirculation passage for providing a selective connection of the first recirculation passage to the compressor air inlet passage.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a compressor includes an inlet defining an intake passage, a plurality of inlet guide vanes, an impeller, and a plurality of swirl nozzles. Fluid flow through the plurality of inlet guide vanes into the intake passage is selectively adjustable to control fluid flow through at least the portion of the intake passage downstream of the swirl nozzles. The impeller includes a plurality of blades and directs fluid from the intake passage toward an outlet. The swirl nozzles have outlets positioned downstream of the plurality of inlet guide vanes and upstream of the impeller. The swirl nozzles are configured to introduce fluid into the intake passage to cause swirl of fluid in the intake passage between the plurality of inlet guide vanes and the impeller.

Abstract: One example includes an aircraft retrofit system to provide a retrofitted aircraft from an original aircraft. The system includes a plurality of multi-axis vectoring nozzles configured to replace a respective plurality of original nozzles of a respective plurality of original engines of the original aircraft and empennage of the original aircraft, such that the retrofitted aircraft includes no empennage. The system also includes retrofit electronics for controlling the plurality of multi-axis vectoring nozzles to provide yaw control of the retrofitted aircraft.

Abstract: This centrifugal rotary machine includes an impeller having a disk, blades, and a cover. The centrifugal rotary machine further includes a casing which accommodates the impeller radially inward and forms a gap between an outer circumferential surface of the cover and the casing. The centrifugal rotary machine further includes a sealing device which seals the gap. The casing includes an end wall surface which is disposed to face one axial side of a cover end surface facing one axial side of the cover, extends in the radial direction and forms a radial flow path between the end wall surface and the cover end surface. The casing further includes a foreign matter introduction path which is formed inside the casing and communicates with a radially outer side of the radial flow path.

Abstract: A diaphragm 1 for a centrifugal compressor having a rear surface 2 configured to at least partly face an impeller 3, the rear surface 2 having a first portion 2a defining at least in part a diffuser 4 and a second portion 2b facing the impeller 3; the diaphragm has a duct 5 provided with an inlet 6 and an outlet 7, the outlet 7 being located on the second portion 2b of the rear surface 2, the inlet 6 being located on the rear surface 2 at a point where the static pressure is higher with respect to the static pressure at the outlet 7.

Abstract: A hydraulic-pneumatic energy storage and recovery system, which comprises first and second sealed containers within each of which a volume of liquid is introducible and from which the introduced liquid is pneumatically propellable; a turbine interposed between the first and second containers and coupled with a generator, to produce power when caused to be rotated by the pneumatically propelled liquid; and collection-delivery apparatus located externally to the first and second containers, for collecting energy-depleted liquid gravitating from the turbine and for delivering the collected liquid to one of the first and second containers, to be used in subsequent energy recovery cycles.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow in a turbomachine, in an embodiment, a centrifugal compressor; the device includes a plurality of fixed blades and a plurality of adjustable blades adjacent to the plurality of fixed blades so that each of the adjustable blades has an aerodynamic interaction with one of the fixed blades; each of the adjustable blades is pivoted to rotate about a fixed axis substantially located at the center of pressure of the adjustable blade; the center of pressure is evaluated when the blade is at a reference orientation.

Abstract: This fin is intended to be installed in a protruding manner inside a discharge pipe of a hydraulic machine. The fin includes a first face which has holes and a second face which is solid. The fin defines by itself, between the first face and the second face, a cavity connecting the outside of the discharge pipe to the holes in the first face.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of this disclosure relates to a centrifugal refrigerant compressor system. The system includes a condenser, an evaporator, and an economizer between the condenser and the evaporator. The system further includes a centrifugal compressor having a first impeller and a second impeller downstream of the first impeller. The compressor includes at least one port. Fluid from a recirculation flow path and an economizer flow path is introduced into a main flow path of the compressor by way of the at least one port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a high-pressure pump. A high-pressure outlet (4) of the high-pressure pump is connected to a high-pressure accumulator (23) that has at least one accumulator outlet (13a, 13b) for connecting to a fuel injector. According to the invention, a fuel injection system which is compact and operates in a highly reliable manner is provided. This is achieved in that the high-pressure accumulator (23) is directly adapted to the high-pressure pump and in that the accumulator outlet (13a, 13b) is aligned in a precisely defined position with respect to the high-pressure pump.

Abstract: A system for recovering energy in a gas compression plant. The system comprises at least one centrifugal compressor configured to suck the gas, at a certain inlet pressure, from a suction conduit and configured to deliver the gas, at a certain outlet pressure that is greater than an inlet pressure, through a delivery conduit The system also includes at least one gas recirculation system configured to redirect the gas from the delivery conduit to the suction conduit when the gas flow rate entering into the compressor is below a certain limit value. In the portion of the plant arranged downstream of the compressor, at least one turbo-expander and at least one valve are installed in parallel so that they cooperate with each other and are controlled by electronic devices so as to protect the compressor and to produce useful energy during recirculation mode.

Abstract: A torque drive mechanism for a gas compressor incorporates one or more air or gas engine starters to initiate rotation of a gas compressor and its associated driving electric motor. The air or gas engine starters are advantageously driven by natural gas from a supply pipeline, where the natural gas is present at sufficient pressure to drive the starters even before the natural gas is compressed.

Abstract: A pressure washer, connected to a water source by a hose, includes a frame, an engine supported by the frame and having a crankshaft, a pump driven by the engine, a wheel supported for rotation relative to the frame, an input configured to receive water from the hose and discharge the water against the wheel to cause the wheel to rotate, and a spring having a first end that is coupled to the crankshaft and a second end that is rotatable about an axis relative to the first end in response to rotation of the wheel to wind the spring. The wound spring is released to rotate the crankshaft to start the engine.

Abstract: Improvements in product water throughput from a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane achieved by thinner feed spacers in the RO element (22), enhanced recovery (ratio of permeate to feed), pressure recovery of the retentate fluid pressure opposing the feed water pressure, and fluid pulsing of the RO element feed stream. These features are preferably combined to optimize the performance and cost per unit volume of water produced. The system of the invention preferably comprises a dual head reciprocating pump (20), an RO element (22) with a housing, and a differential pressure activated (“DPA”) valve (24). The DPA valve (24), in combination with offsetting fluid pressures on the two pump heads (28, 30), generate energy recovery. The frequency and amplitude of the reciprocating pump (20) create a pulse wave in the RO element (22) that improves permeate quality and throughput.

Abstract: Improvements in product water throughput from a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter achieved by thinner feed spacers in the RO element, enhanced recovery (ratio of permeate to feed), pressure recovery of the retentate fluid pressure opposing the feed water pressure, and fluid pulsing of the RO element feed stream. The system of the invention preferably comprises a dual head reciprocating pump, an RO element, and a differential pressure activated (“DPA”) valve. The DPA valve, in combination with connecting the two pump heads to reduce required pump pressures, generates energy recovery. The frequency and amplitude of the reciprocating pump create a pulse wave in the RO element that improves permeate quality and throughput. A control system preferably monitors system parameters to optimize the reciprocating pump speed and amplitude in order to obtain maximum throughput and permeate quality from any given RO element configuration. Also a highly compact, portable RO system comprising a piston and a DPA valve.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system increases the precision, reliability, and safety of dispensing medications and other liquids. An electronic brake grounds a power terminal of a pump motor to absorb the kinetic energy of the motor and other mechanically coupled components. The electronic brake reduces overage and overage variation in the dispensing of liquids at very little cost or complexity. A watchdog circuit monitors a controller heartbeat signal and disables the motor in the absence of a regular beat. The watchdog circuit along with redundant power switches greatly reduce the possibility of motor runaway in the event of component failure. A controller begins or ends each dispensing cycle with a diagnostic which determines whether the liquid dispensing system is fully operational. If not, the controller may disable the motor, emit an alarm tone, and display an alarm message.

Abstract: A cooling system is simple in structure, efficient, and durable due to a lowered burden on bearings and reduced loss of drive power. The cooling system includes a compressor having a first rotor for compressing air, a cooler for cooling high-temperature, high-pressure air delivered form the compressor, and an expander having a second rotor for effecting adiabatic expansion of air cooled by the cooler. The expander has a speed change mechanism for transmitting drive torque of a prime mover to the compressor and a common shaft that extends through the first and second rotors. The expander is interposed between the speed change mechanism and the compressor.

Abstract: A free piston engine having a fluid pressure unit which includes a cylinder and a piston arranged within the cylinder and reciprocating therein between the bottom dead center and the top dead center. The piston includes a plunger-shaped piston extension cooperating with the fluid pressure unit. This fluid pressure unit is equipped with an auxiliary member for moving the piston in a direction to its bottom dead center. This auxiliary member includes a connecting channel adapted to communicate a liquid pressure source with a room in which the plunger-shaped piston extension extends and which room is closed on one side by an axial face of the piston extension which is directed such that, by pressure loading the axial face, the piston is moved towards the bottom dead center. The axial face is formed on a ring slidably arranged on the plunger-shaped extension. The plunger-shaped extension includes a stop adapted for engagement by the ring when it is moved for displacing the piston to its bottom dead center.

Abstract: An internal combustion hydraulic engine is powered by compression and ignition of pressurized fuel to pressurize hydraulic fluid. The timing and operation of the engine is controlled by a hydraulically driven distributor valve. A pair of starting valves are employed to hydraulically actuate the distributor valve for starting the operation of the engine. An intensifier pump powered by the engine and coordinated with the operation of the engine is employed to pressurize the fuel which is combusted for powering the engine.

Abstract: A warm water storage system for supplying warm water to a network with water under pressure characterized in that the storage is pressureless and takes place in a ventilated container, and that between the take-off region of the container and the warm water supply network is incorporated a booster pump.

Abstract: A centrifugal boost pump, a primary centrifugal pump and a dynamic machine are driven through a common drive shaft. At low speeds, such as during pump start-up, the elements are in the aforementioned fluid serial relationship such that the dynamic machine, functioning as a pump, provides the primary fluid pressurization. Once a predetermined primary pump discharge pressure is attained, a clutch disengages the centrifugal boost pump and dynamic machine from the primary centrifugal pump, and the discharge of the dynamic machine is routed to a low pressure source. Thereafter, primary fluid pressurization is accomplished by the primary centrifugal pump which also pumps fluid through the dynamic machine, now functioning as a motor and driving the centrifugal boost pump.

Abstract: A self-contained pneumatic starting system and method for initiating starting of a gas turbine machine includes a reservoir of pressurized gas which delivers motive gas flow to an expansion type pneumatic motor directly coupled to the compressor of the gas turbine machine for initiating rotation of the compressor during start up. Upon reaching self-sustaining speeds, the compressor delivers a flow of pressurized gas to replenish the reservoir for subsequent starting operation. A pressure amplifier increases the pressure of the recharging gas being supplied to the reservoir. Embodiments for driving the pressure amplifier both hydraulically and pneumatically are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved pump system includes a booster turbine unit including a turbine mounted on the same shaft as the booster pump and utilizing a primary pump as the primary fluid power source. Various forms of turbine and booster pump may be used such that either the pressure or rate of flow from the primary pump may be increased substantially by a relatively simple and reliable system. The output of the primary pump may be flowed through the booster turbine including the booster pump or one fluid may be used as the same source and another as the pump system output. Various forms and designs are described.

Abstract: Portable apparatus is provided for compressing gases such as air. The apparatus preferably includes a massive fly wheel, a gas compressor and a compressed gas storage vessel mounted on a portable platform. The fly wheel is rotatably mounted whereby it may be rotated by a temporary outside source of power and then the momentum thereof is used to power the gas compressor. The resulting compressed gases may be stored temporarily in the compressed gas storage vessel and thereafter used to power compressed air tools or other apparatus, or for other purposes requiring a source of compressed gases. Excess compressed gases not needed for other purposes may be used to drive the fly wheel and thereby keep it rotating for a maximum period of time. The apparatus does not require an outside souce of power once the fly wheel is rotating at a satisfactory speed and thus thereafter it may be transported to a desired site and used to compress gases without causing a pollution problem.

Abstract: The pressure vessel of a boiling water reactor has several openings, one for each of a set of internal primary recirculating pumps. The body of each pump extends into the respective opening and is provided with a ring-shaped chamber which receives feed water and surrounds the pump shaft which is driven by a normal, wet or canned electric motor. The shaft carries a single-stage or multi-stage turbine which is located upstream of the pump rotor and serves to prolong the deceleration of the pump rotor to zero speed in the event of unintentional motor stoppage due to current failure. The pressure chambers of the turbine and pump rotor communicate with each other by way of an annular flow restricting bypass.

Abstract: A device for transferring pressure from one fluid stream to another utilized in conjunction with a storage vessel where fluid is stored at ambient pressure and a desired temperature. An entering fluid stream at another temperature is introduced to the device under pressure and the energy of the fluid stream is utilized to pump a second fluid stream of approximately the same flow and pressure from the vessel. The entering fluid flows into the vessel at approximately ambient pressure at its original temperature where it replaces the removed fluid.