Abstract: An intravenous container has a siphoning port which permits use with differently sized piercing pins. The container has an access port through which the piercing pin is inserted into the container. A siphon area is provided which is in operative relationship with the access port, is dimensioned to accommodate the piercing pin, and which is in fluid communication with the solution in the container. The piercing pin is inserted into the container through the access port and positioned within the siphon area to create a siphoning effect for maximizing the use of the solution in the container.

Abstract: A containment system for a radial flow turbine assembly includes a housing assembly, and a turbine rotor journalled for rotation about an axis and having a hub portion and a generally tapering disc portion extending radially outward from the hub portion. An annular nozzle assembly normally secured in the housing assembly against rotation forms a tapered rotor chamber within which the rotor rotates with minimum axial and radial clearance between the rotor and the chamber. A plurality of support struts extend axially inward from the nozzle assembly to a minimal axial and radial clearance with the hub portion of the rotor and forms a first stage of containment. The rotor must first break through the nozzle struts and separate the nozzle assembly. A rotatable nozzle assembly then absorbs some of the force by rotating in the housing assembly and containment ring. An armored containment ring stops the fragments that escape the nozzle assembly and finally, an outer housing provides still further containment.

Abstract: A hatch closure assembly having high security includes a hatch locking spring and lever which is actuated by an adjustable screw. The actuating screw can be turned only by a special wrench.

Abstract: An impulse tool has an air motor connected to rotate a housing that carries a spindle adapted to be connected to a tool. The housing and cavity provide a pulsating force for rotating the spindle and tool to a pre-selected torque limit. When the limit is reached a rod in the housing is moved rearwardly to contact an "L" shaped arm. The "L" shaped arm is moved to release a valve assembly that operates to close off the air supply to the air motor and thereby turn off the tool.

Abstract: The lubricator of the invention is a one-shot or non-continuous type. It has a first reservoir within which to receive a charge of lubricant, and a second reservoir from which to expel a charge of lubricant, and a piston slidable therebetween for moving lubricant from the first reservoir to the second reservoir, and also for discharging lubricant from the second reservoir and externally of the lubricator. Upon the piston moving, slidably, in a first direction it creates a partial vacuum in the first reservoir and, consequently, ingests lubricant into the first reservoir. Then, as the piston moves in the second, opposite direction, it diminishes the volume of the first reservoir, and displaces lubricant therefrom through a channel formed centrally in the piston. The lubricant conducted through the channel is deposited in the second reservoir, and is expelled therefrom, by the piston, when next the piston moves in the first, slidable direction.

Abstract: An ultra fast-acting shut-off valve utilizing a slotted spool in registry with a slotted sleeve which provides full opening with an extremely short valve throw. The valve may be operated by any suitable actuator. An electric solenoid is provided in the preferred embodiment described, making it compatible with electronic micro-processor control systems.

Abstract: A magnetic/centrifugal-fluid seal is characterized by a common region serving as both the magnetic gap for the magnetic seal and a fluid-receiving pool for the centrifugal seal. A magnetically permeable annular rotating member extends radially into an annular space defined by a magnetically permeable stationary member to form an annular space of U-shaped cross-section between the members. A closed magnetic circuit is established through the members and the space, which space thereby acts as a magnetic gap to retain the fluid therein when the rotating member is at rest or rotated at low speeds. The common region also retains the fluid when it is centrifugally pressurized during high speed rotation of the rotating member. The fluid remains substantially in the same location during speed-up and slow-down, thereby avoiding compromise of the seal during speed transitions.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder hot gas engine having an equal angle, V-shaped engine block in which two banks of parallel, equal length, equally sized cylinders are formed together with annular regenerator/cooler units surrounding each cylinder, and wherein the pistons are connected to a single crankshaft. The hot gas engine further includes an annular heater head disposed around a central circular combustor volume having a new balanced-flow hot-working-fluid manifold assembly that provides optimum balanced flow of the working fluid through the heater head working fluid passageways which are connected between each of the cylinders and their respective associated annular regenerator units. This balanced flow provides even heater head temperatures and, therefore, maximum average working fluid temperature for best operating efficiency with the use of a single crankshaft V-shaped engine block.

Abstract: This invention provides for the use of two similar fiber optic probes set at a fixed position differential relative to each other in order that a calibration correction signal can be obtained which may be used to create a common output signal having a gap calibration which is independent of surface reflectance.

Abstract: A power control arrangement for a Stirling engine includes a sleeve mounted in each cylinder for axial movement and a port in the sleeve leading to a dead space. The port is covered by the piston at a position that is determined by the piston position and the axial adjustment of the sleeve. The compression phase of the Stirling cycle for that piston begins when the port is covered, so the position of the sleeve is used to set the Stirling engine power level.

Abstract: A system for rotor diagnostic and trim balancing which includes vibration and rotational sensors coupled to a processor providing outputs thereto whereby the processor is capable of generating a diagnostic output listing the basis and origin of the vibration based upon pre-established standards and if possible effect trim balancing of the rotor.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder for a Stirling engine and the like having top and bottom meshing or nesting finned conical surfaces to provide large surface areas in close proximity to the working gas for good thermal (addition and subtraction of heat) exchange to the working gas and elimination of the usual heater and cooler dead volume. The piston fins at the hot end of the cylinder are perforated to permit the gas to pass into the piston interior and through a regenerator contained therein.

Abstract: A compression intensified thermodynamic gas process that includes a compressor rotor having a series of passage forming blades between which a process gas is conducted during compression. A coolant metering system is contained within the rotor structure which is arranged to introduce a liquid coolant directly into the gas flow as the gas is being compressed. Coolant nozzles are strategically positioned throughout the rotor so that coolant droplets that are introduced into the flow stream will pass freely out of the rotor without impacting the rotor blades.

Abstract: A four piston hydraulic pump driven by a four cylinder free-piston Stirling engine has four stepped pistons operating out of phase in pairs. The hydraulic fluid pumped between the hydraulic cylinder can be tapped for hydraulic power. The stepped pistons give the option of utilizing low flow/high pressure, or high flow/low pressure. The non-utilized flow ensures that the timing between pistons will always remain correct. Since the arrangement is symmetrical, it remains balanced.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic fluid film bearing having a series of axially aligned foil bearing modules which act in concert to extend the load carrying capability of the bearing assembly while providing whirl free operation.

Abstract: A new and improved resonant free-piston Stirling engine and method of operation employing a novel virtual rod displacer is described. A rod is secured to and reciprocally moves with the displacer within the Stirling engine and has a rod piston area formed on the end of the rod remote from the displacer with the rod piston area also being subjected to the working gas periodic pressure wave. Suitable support bearings are designed within the Stirling engine housing for reciprocatingly supporting the displacer and rod assembly within the Stirling engine with a set of opposed acting gas springs being provided to act on the displacer end and rod assembly area end of the displacer and rod assembly.

Abstract: An open Rankine cycle heat pump that utilizes a multistage compressor having interstage desuperheating wherein process fluid in the form of water drawn from a waste heat producing process is used as the working fluid in the heat pump thereby eliminating the need for heat exchangers at the conventional evaporator and condensor locations. Heated return water drawn from the process is flashed to a vapor and the vapors passed through the compressor to provide thermal energy that is used in compatible process related equipment.

Abstract: A combined magnetic/centrifugal seal for a rotating shaft rotatably journalled within a housing. The rotating shaft has a generally circular cross section and at least one radially extending generally Vee-shaped cross section circumferential portion formed about its periphery. A plurality of radially extending circumferential teeth are concentrically arrayed around the periphery of the rotating shaft in parallel relationship to the Vee-shaped circumferential portion on the rotating shaft on at least one of its sides and spaced closely adjacent thereto. The housing has a complementary generally Vee-shaped cross section within which the Vee-shaped circumferential portion of the rotating shaft rides and in conjunction with the Vee-shaped cross section portion defines a space within which the concentrically arrayed circumferential teeth extend.

Abstract: In a piston rod seal of the type comprising a gland through which the piston rod is passed the piston is provided with a sleeve surrounding the piston rod and extending axially so as to axially partly overlap the gland when the piston is in its bottom dead center position.