Abstract: A system and method for operating centrifugal pumps related to net positive suction head (NPSH), including identifying a group of centrifugal pumps and deriving an equation for the group based on manufacturer data of the centrifugal pumps collectively in the group, the equation correlating NPSH required (NPSHr) with flowrate of pumped fluid, wherein the manufacturer data includes NPSHr for each centrifugal pump of the group as a function of the flowrate of the pumped fluid. The technique includes specifying a NPSH margin for NPSH available (NPSHa) above the NPSHr.

Abstract: A high pressure threshold detection circuit (100) is provided. The high pressure threshold detection circuit includes a pressure transducer (110) for measuring a pressure of a medium at an outlet (104) of a compressor (102). The high pressure threshold detection circuit (100) includes a controller (120). The controller (120) includes a comparator (123) and a switch (125). The comparator (123) and the switch (125) are electrically coupled. The switch (125) is electrically coupled to an enable circuit (131). The pressure transducer (110) is electrically coupled to the comparator (123) to provide a signal to the comparator (123) based on the pressure measured at the outlet (104). The comparator (123) outputs a control signal (111) to the switch (125) when the signal (111) is equal to or greater than a reference value (126). The switch (125) opens the enable circuit (131) to disable compression of the medium by the compressor (102) in response to the control signal (111).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to adaptively control a hydraulic fluid supply to supply a driving fluid for applying a driving force on a piston in a gas compressor, the driving force being cyclically reversed between a first direction and a second direction to cause the piston to reciprocate in strokes. During a first stroke of the piston, a speed of the piston, a temperature of the driving fluid, and a load pressure applied to the piston is monitored. Reversal of the driving force after the first stroke is controlled based on the speed, load pressure, and temperature.

Abstract: A support plate is accommodated in the interior of a casing, the support plate having a bearing member that rotatably supports a rotating shaft of a brushless motor, together with supporting a circuit substrate on which a control circuit is provided. The casing is constituted by combining a lower side half body and an upper side half body. A second flow passage through which cooling air (air) is allowed to flow is formed in the lower side half body, and a protrusion is provided therein, which serves as a guide member for guiding the cooling air toward the side of (a first flow passage of) the upper side half body.

Abstract: A method of making safe operation of a rotary assembly of a turbomachine including a turbine and a rotary machine, the method anticipating an event of exceeding a predetermined threshold speed by repetitively performing a prediction cycle including: measuring magnitudes relating to operation of the turbomachine, including real speed of rotation of its rotary assembly; based on the magnitudes, estimating driving and resisting torques applied to the rotary assembly; preparing a representative value representative of the difference between these two torques; and calculating a predicted speed of rotation for the rotary assembly at a given time horizon based on the representative value and the real speed of rotation. An action is taken on the operation of the turbomachine to limit an extent to which its rotary assembly exceeds the threshold speed in the event of the predicted speed of rotation exceeding the threshold speed.

Abstract: A first and a second rotary pumps are provided in a first pump casing of a pump body, which is inserted into a cylindrical recessed portion of a housing 101. A first outlet port is opened at a first space formed between a bottom surface of the cylindrical recessed portion and an axial forward end surface of the first pump casing, so that discharge pressure of working fluid of the first pump is supplied to the first space. A second outlet port is opened at a second space formed between an axial backward end surface of the first pump casing and an axial forward end surface of a second pump casing, so that discharge pressure of working fluid of the second pump is supplied to the second space.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides intelligent adaptive control for optimization of production output, energy efficiency and safety of a linear reciprocating long stroke hydraulic lift system, for use at the surface of oil and gas wells to extract fluids or gas after free flowing stopped due to natural decline of reservoir pressure. The hydraulic pump and its adaptive control system introduced in this invention are capable of optimizing its production capacity by varying multiple operating parameters, including its stroking length and speed characteristics continuously and instantaneously at any point. Merits and benefits of this invention include significant increase in production efficiency, improved durability and longevity of the pumping equipment, significant power consumption savings and an ability to adapt effectively to changing well conditions.

Abstract: A wind-power water supply pump includes a housing, a rotary disk, a vane wheel, a direction control vane, a linkage, and a plurality of expandable tubes, wherein the rotary disk is rotatably mounted to a top of the housing and the vane wheel and the direction control vane are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the rotary disk. The vane wheel is set in driving coupling with the linkage. The vane wheel, when rotated by winds, drives repeated expansion/compression of the expandable tube. The change of the volume of the expandable tube is used to deliver water so that the consumption of human labor and additional power supply that are used to deliver water in areas where power is not readily acquired but wind power is available can be cut down.

Abstract: A wind-power water supply pump includes a housing, a rotary disk, a vane wheel, a direction control vane, a linkage, and a plurality of expandable tubes, wherein the rotary disk is rotatably mounted to a top of the housing and the vane wheel and the direction control vane are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the rotary disk. The vane wheel is set in driving coupling with the linkage. The vane wheel, when rotated by winds, drives repeated expansion/compression of the expandable tube. The change of the volume of the expandable tube is used to deliver water so that the consumption of human labor and additional power supply that are used to deliver water in areas where power is not readily acquired but wind power is available can be cut down.

Abstract: A reciprocating machine such as a vacuum pump includes a cylinder in which a reciprocating piston is disposed for reciprocating movement. A variable voltage driver is provided for driving the piston and a vibration sensor is provided for sensing contact between the piston and ends of the cylinder. A controller interconnects the sensor and driver to control movement of the driver and piston to maximize piston stroke and reduce if not eliminate contacting of the piston with the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved fluid motor powered lift system having a valve arrangement for reducing or interrupting the fluid flow supplied to the motor when the pressure in the lift system exceeds a predetermined pressure. A valve arrangement is provided to shut-off or throttle back the fluid supplied to the fluid motor when the fluid pressure in the lift reaches a predetermined level. When the pressure in the lift system exceeds the predetermined level, pilot pressure is supplied to an automatic shut-off valve, and this in turn reduces fluid flow to fluid air motor thereby reducing or preventing pump pressure.

Abstract: A miniature diaphragm pump includes a motor unit, a compression portion, and an air collection portion. The output air is injected into the inner space of the pump through the air inlet formed at the motor unit, and the air exits from the pump through an air output port provided at the air collecting portion. A pair of air bags are provided at the compression portion which are compressed by the ends of a cross-bar in alternating fashion and a system of check valves is arranged in such a manner that to prohibit a back flow of air. A follower rod extending from the cross bar is inserted into an eccentric hole formed on a rotation member in the motor unit to make eccentric circular motion when the motor rotates in order to compress one of the air bags at a time in order to send air to the air output port of the air collection portion of the pump.

Abstract: Fore many applications it is desirable to determine the operating level, i.e. the current flow rate V and the total pressure difference &Dgr;pt of a fan in the installed state without external measuring points and calibration. The invention should develop a suitable method and a corresponding fan. In the method of the invention, from a measured effective pressure difference &Dgr;pMw a flow rate V is determined and from that, via an operational characteristic curve a target value for the total pressure difference &Dgr;pst is found. By comparing the target value &Dgr;pst determined this way with its measured value &Dgr;pMt the operating level and its accuracy are determined. For this purpose on the fan of the invention measuring points are provided for measuring one or more effective pressure differences &Dgr;pMw and the total pressure difference &Dgr;pMt.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump having an active feedback system is provided. The reciprocating pump includes a reciprocating pump having a pump chamber with a rod reciprocally movable along a longitudinal axis of the pump chamber, with the rod including a ferromagnetic material. An induction coil disposed around the rod wherein relative axial movement between the inductance coil and the ferromagnetic material of the rod varies the inductance of the induction coil. Also provided is a reciprocating pump having an active feedback system in which the rod has an electrically conductive, diametrically tapered portion. A linear displacement sensor is disposed next to the tapered portion which induces a current in the tapered portion and generates an output voltage proportional to a relative position between the linear displacement sensor and the tapered portion.

Abstract: A control system, particularly adaptable to multiple-pump operations in process units, is disclosed. A measured variable, such as pressure, is sensed by a master controller. The master controller, in turn, sends a signal to the driver of the individual pumps or in other ways regulates the output of the two pumps. The master controller is configured to send different signals simultaneously to the two pumps in response to a change in the measured variable. The result is that the response time of one of the pumps is faster than the other. Thus, minor deviations from the desired setpoint of the measured variable are primarily responded to by the pump configured to react faster.

Abstract: A refueling cart, for refueling large aircraft at a major airport having pressurized fuel hydrants at loading/unloading aprons, includes auxiliary facilities on the refueling cart that are usually powered by compressed air that is obtained from compressed-air bottles carried on the cart. In order to avoid the labor and annoyance of checking and refilling the bottles of compressed air, a small air compressor is carried on the refueling cart and is powered by a hydraulic motor that is in turn powered by the flowing pressurized fuel. A variable-flow valve is placed in the path of the fuel flowing from a hydrant to the airplane. The pressure generated across the variable-flow valve by the flowing fuel pushes some of the fuel in a path that bypasses the variable-flow valve. That bypass path includes the hydraulic motor, and the bypassing fuel at the pressure difference generated by the variable-flow valve drives the fluid motor. The fluid motor, in turn, drives the air compressor.

Abstract: A device for dispensing oils, antifreeze and other fluids from drums or other bulk containers has a rotary air motor which powers a gerotor-type pumping element. The pumping element has at least one magnet thereon and an electronics package is provided which counts the number of magnetic pulses which occur during the rotation of the gerotor and converts it over to the quantity of material pumped. A valve controls the flow of air to the air motor which in turn allows an operator to control the dispensing of fluid from the outlet of the pumping element.

Abstract: A low pressure drop valve connectible to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for modulating hydraulic fluid flow is provided; it includes a valve body defining an axially extending tapered bore and having hydraulic flow inlet and outlet ports, a plug valve movable axially in that bore and having an externally tapered surface facing the tapered bore and movable axially relative thereto to increase or decrease a gap formed between the tapered surface and the tapered bore, for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid via the gap and at least one of said ports, and apparatus responsive to a side stream of pressurized hydraulic fluid to control axial movement of the plug valve in the tapered bore, including first and second pistons connected with the plug valve to move axially therewith, the valve body forming first and second cylinders respectively receiving the pistons for application of hydraulic fluid pressure to the pistons for displacing the pistons and plug valve axially, and protective O-rings in the cy

Abstract: In a thrust vector control system of the type in which a solid-propellant s generator powers a turbine-driven pump for driving hydraulic actuators for controlling the direction of thrust, the improvement being a feed back control system in which a variable-area gas valve is disposed inline between the gas generator and the turbine. The turbine speed is fed back to an electronic controller where it is compared with a commanded turbine speed. The controller applies forward-loop compensation to provide a signal that adjusts the area of the gas valve to control the operating pressure of the gas generator to drive the turbine speed to the commanded value.

Abstract: A hydraulic power supply system utilizing a turbine-driven pump in a hydraulic circuit and a solid propellant gas generator providing gas for driving the turbine. A gas pressure relief valve is operable to maintain the gas generator at constant pressure and has a range of pressure settings to vary the burn rate of gas generator and, thus, the power delivered to the turbine dependent upon the flow demands on the pump. There is a relatively low pressure setting when there is a reduced flow demand on the pump. The control provided by the settable hot gas relief valve reduces the size and weight of a number of components of the hydraulic supply system.

Abstract: A turbocharger control device for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine includes a turbine driven by exhaust gases; a compressor connected with the turbine by having a shaft having a hole through the diameter; a photo projector and photo receiver facing each other across the shaft at the location of the through-hole for generating a light pulse signal proportional to the rate of rotation of the shaft; a photo-voltage converter connected optically with the photo receiver for converting the light pulse signal to an electrical pulse signal; an engine control unit connected electrically with the converter for generating a control signal in response to the electrical signal; an actuator connected with the engine control unit for movement in response to the control signal; an exhaust gas bypass passage connected between upstream and downstream portions of the turbine; and a bypass valve operatively connected to the actuator and associated with the bypass passage for controlling the flow through the

Abstract: Sewerage pumping apparatus is provided for delivering sewerage collected by gravity in a wet well to a force main which supplies sewerage by force to a remotely located sewerage treatment plant. The sewerage pumping apparatus comprises a hydraulically driven submersible pump located in the wet well for supplying sewerage to the force main. Two trailer-mounted hydraulic pump units (main and standby) adjacent the wet well are alternatively operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to drive the submersible pump. Check valves prevent the operative pump unit from supplying hydraulic fluid to the inoperative pump unit. The main pump unit is driven by an electric motor energized from a nearby electric utility power line. The standby pump unit is driven by an internal combustion engine. Float switches sense the sewerage level in the wet well and regulate operation of the in-service pump unit (and submersible pump) accordingly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing the level of noise emitted by air turbine machinery, particularly a pneumatically driven hydraulic pump for an airplane, wherein a modulating valve meters the flow of air from a source of pressurized air through a conduit to an air turbine to control the speed of the turbine. A pressure regulating valve is located in the air conduit upstream of the modulating valve to regulate and maintain the upstream pressure on the modulating valve at substantially the minimum pressure required in order to permit operation of the air turbine over its full range of speed as the amount of airflow is varied with the modulating valve. Reducing the pressure across the modulating valve in this manner minimizes the production of supersonic airflow and attendant noise by the modulating valve, which noise is otherwise propagated to the atmosphere through the turbine exhaust stream and is additionally radiated by the turbine casing.

Abstract: A by-pass valve apparatus for an exhaust turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is disclosed; the by-pass valve opening is controlled by the total pressure of air flow at the impleller outlet of a compressor of the turbocharger, in place of using the suction conduit static pressure of conventional apparatus.

Abstract: In a process in which a turbo-expander is utilized to drive a compressor, the pressure of the gas flowing to the turbo-expander is maintained at a desired level by manipulating the speed of the turbo-expander. If the turbo-expander should tend to overspeed, the discharge output of the compressor is recycled to the suction inlet of the compressor to thereby increase the loading on the compressor which will result in a reduced turbine speed. More gas can then be fed through the turbo-expander which will maintain the desired pressure. If the pressure of the gas flowing to the turbo-expander should continue to increase, a bypass valve is utilized to bypass the turbo-expander to thereby maintain a desired pressure of the gas flowing to the turbo-expander.

Abstract: A compression system is controlled so as to maintain the actual suction pressure as close as possible to a desired suction pressure without exceeding the operational limitations of the compression system. The speed of the compression system is manipulated so as to maintain the actual suction pressure equal to a desired suction pressure if no compression system constraint is encountered. If a compression system constraint is encountered, the compression system speed is manipulated so as to operate against the particular constraint encountered without exceeding that particular constraint.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system incorporating a variable displacement, pressure compensated hydraulic pump and means for varying the speed of the input shaft driving the variable displacement pump in proportion to the displacement of the pump.

Abstract: A control apparatus for antisurge protection of a dynamic compressor including a junction of a closed antisurge loop with a surge limit computing module and a two mode controller with a relay backup system with deviation alarms is characterized in operation in that during a slow disturbance, the two mode controller provides modulated antisurge protection by opening a relief valve, if the operating point of the compressor crosses the surge control line and during a dangerously fast disturbance, the relay backup system provides antisurge protection if a preestablished deviation of the operating point from the surge control line appears. A relay backup system opens the relief valve very quickly. When the relief valve is so opened, the process of the user of fluid from the compressor is compensated by increasing the performance of the compressor to maintain pressure or flow rate.

Abstract: The present hydraulic system for driving a submersible pumping unit has an above-ground pump for pumping oil through a hydraulic motor in the submersible pumping unit, and a check valve between the above-ground pump and that hydraulic motor to prevent the reverse flow of oil after the submersible pumping unit is turned off. A pressure regulating valve limits the oil pressure to the hydraulic motor. The inlet flow to the above-ground pump is filtered.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a noninteracting control and protection of a dynamic compressor having rotating vanes.The method consists of a junction of a few control circuits for controlling the performance of a dynamic compressor, for protecting compressor from approaching dangerous zones of operation, and for maintaining a required mass flow rate of a gas through the compressor.An automatic control system based on using the above method is distinguished by its simplicity, great transient and steady state precision and high reliability of surge protection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a dynamic compressor from surge. The method includes a first step for providing a simultaneous control of a smaller relief means and a main control member of a dynamic compressor or the driver thereof for changing the performance of the compressor. This combined action provides for the protection from surge and at the same time insures the invariability of the main control parameters of pressure, mass flow rate to the user, or the speed of rotation. The second step provides for controlling a larger relief means and provides for antisurge protection in those cases when the first step is not sufficient to protect the compressor from surge. Apparatus is also provided for automatically implementing the method.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a cascade control of a dynamic compressor to maintain a constant mass flow rate to a process. The method consists of a successive junction of control loops for controlling the speed of rotation, the pressure in the delivery, and the mass flow rate; the output signal of each outer loop being the input signal for the inner loop and each of the loops containing a compensating element to reduce the effects of large time constants of all previous loops.An automatic control system based on using the above method, distinguished by its great static and dynamic precision in maintaining a controlled parameter, and by the high reliability of protection of the compressor from surge, and protection from a dangerous increase of the speed of rotation and of a dangerous increase of the discharge pressure.

Abstract: A fluidic governor system for controlling the speed of a drive shaft output of a prime mover, comprising a fluidic governor, a reciprocating or vane compressor, a fluidic RC filter, and a valve. The compressor is mechanically coupled to and driven by the drive shaft output of the prime mover, and generates both pneumatic power and a pulsating fluidic signal which has a frequency proportional to the rotation of the drive shaft output of the prime mover. The fluidic RC filter blocks the passage of the pulsating fluidic signal and converts the power output to a steady pneumatic power supply which powers the fluidic governor, while the pulsating fluidic signal is acoustically sensed by the governor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a dynamic compressor from surge. The method includes a first step for providing a simultaneous control of a smaller relief means and a main control member of a dynamic compressor or the driver thereof for changing the performance of the compressor. This combined action provides for the protection from surge and at the same time insures the invariability of the main control parameters of pressure, mass flow rate to the user, or the speed of rotation. The second step provides for controlling a larger relief means and provides for antisurge protection in those cases when the first step is not sufficient to protect the compressor from surge. Apparatus is also provided for automatically implementing the method.