Abstract: An electric motor protection device comprising a body, an electric strip, a plunger, and pressure and temperature sensitive snap discs. The electric strip moves from a current conductive, closed position to a current nonconductive, open position when the current conducted through the strip exceeds a preset level. The plunger engages the electric strip also to move the strip from the closed position to the open position. The pressure and temperature discs move from normal positions to overcenter positions to engage the plunger and move the electric strip from the closed position to the open position, respectively, when the vapor pressure forces on the pressure disc and the temperature of the temperature disc exceed preset values.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for operating a series compression refrigeration circuit with supplemental heating means are disclosed. The supplemental heat source is arranged to supply heat energy to the refrigerant being supplied to the high stage compressor suction line. A quench conduit is provided for effectively regulating the temperature of the refrigerant entering the high stage compressor. This arrangement allows for the simultaneous heating of the refrigerant for supplying supplemental heat energy and for continued utilization of the outdoor heat exchanger for absorbing heat energy from the outdoor ambient air for transfer to a space to be conditioned.

Abstract: A capacity control for a multi-cylinder refrigeration compressor includes a modulating valve disposed between a suction manifold and less than all of the cylinders of the refrigeration compressor. The modulating valve regulates the flow of refrigerant gas from the manifold to the cylinders in communication therewith, with the valve functioning to increase the flow of refrigerant gas to the cylinders as the load on the refrigeration unit increases and to decrease the flow of refrigerant as the load on the refrigeration unit decreases.

Abstract: A lead screw is coated with Teflon to protect the screw from a high humidity atmosphere and to eliminate the need for lubricants which would tend to collect corrosion products and form a grinding compound. A nylon nut is used in combination with the Teflon coated screw since the nylon deforms to load all of the threads whereby the Teflon coating is not peeled off.

Abstract: A piston assembly and a method for manufacturing piston assemblies. The piston assembly comprises a piston body, a connecting rod, a wrist pin, and a retaining spring holding the wrist pin within the piston body and maintaining the connecting rod spaced from a sidewall of the piston body. The retaining spring includes a central member, first and second side members, and resilient tab means. The central member is located between the wrist pin and a head of the piston body. The first and second side members extend rearward from opposed sides of the central member, between the connecting rod and the sidewall of the piston body, maintaining the connecting rod spaced therefrom, and define aligned spring openings receiving the wrist pin. The resilient tab means extends forward from the central member, engages the head of the piston body, and urges the first and second side members into pressure contact with the wrist pin to maintain the wrist pin within the piston bore.

Abstract: An electrical connector for use with an electric device including first and second winding sections. The connector comprises a plug including a plurality of outwardly extending blades and a socket defining a plurality of receptacles for receiving the blades. The socket has first and second longitudinally spaced apart positions. In the first position, the receptacles receive the blades for connecting the winding sections in parallel and for connecting the winding sections to a first voltage source; and in the second position, the receptacles receive the blades for connecting the winding sections in series and for connecting the winding sections to a second voltage source.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a turbomachine includes a primary pump operatively connected to the rotor of the turbomachine. The system further includes independently driven stand-by pump means for maintaining lubricating oil flow to the turbomachine when the primary pump is unable to deliver the oil as required. The system further includes a by-pass connecting the primary pump outlet to the oil reservoir. The by-pass is activated for permitting oil flow from the primary pump outlet to the reservoir when the secondary oil pump is activated.

Abstract: Film cooling of the blades of an expander is achieved by supplying steam generated at the outlet of the expander to a plurality of discharge points. In one embodiment, a plurality of passages are formed in the hub of the expander and underlie each of the vanes. Tubes are located at the inlet end of each vane and form a fluid path with the associated underlying passage and discharge steam over the entire height of the inlet end of the vane. Additional passages provide fluid communication between the underlying passages and the base of the associated vane so that film cooling is supplied to the entire inducer section of the expander.

Abstract: A variable capacity refrigeration system and a fluid flow control device particularly well suited for use therewith. The fluid flow control device includes a body, a Belleville spring, and a plug. The body defines a fluid flow passage, and the plug is secured therewithin. The Belleville spring is positioned within the fluid flow passage and includes an inside edge defining a radially extending spring port for conducting fluid through the spring. The Belleville spring has a normal position, where the inside edge of the spring engages the plug to close the spring port, and an overcenter position, where the inside edge of the spring is spaced from the plug to allow fluid flow through the spring port.

Abstract: A Belleville spring type of overspeed trip mechanism is made to rotate at the same speed as the shaft by preventing slippage between the spring and the other members of the trip mechanism. Slippage is prevented by forming grooves in the periphery of the interior portion of the spring and using pins which coact with the grooves to prevent rotation of the spring relative to the other members.

Abstract: A plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets are formed in the face of a stationary carbon ring. A rotating seal ring coacts with the pockets in the carbon ring to define a gas lift bearing to thereby reduce the pressure differential and leakage across the carbon ring. Alternatively the spaced pockets can be located in the rotating seal ring.

Abstract: A rotor assembly and methods for securing rotor blades within and removing rotor blades from rotor assemblies. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor disc defining a plurality of blade grooves, and including a plurality of tenons disposed between the blade grooves and defining a plurality of pin sockets radially extending inward from outside surfaces of the tenons; and a plurality of rotor blades, each blade including a root disposed within a blade groove to secure the blade against radial movement, and a blade platform overlaying a tenon and defining a radially extending pin aperture. The rotor assembly further comprises a plurality of locking pins radially extending through the pin apertures and into the pin sockets to secure the rotor blades against axial movement, each pin including a head and a base to limit radial movement of the pin.

Abstract: A suspension system for a motor compressor unit mounted within a hermetically sealed shell. The shell defines at least one chamber filled with refrigerant suction gas and a second chamber filled with refrigerant discharge gas. The compressor's cylinder block includes a wall member extending into contact with the interior surface of the shell to support the unit in a vertical plane taken through the shell.

Abstract: The load on the starting steam turbine or motor which drives the power recovery string of an FCC process is reduced on the order of 15% by increasing the specific volume of the air compressed by a fixed volume compressor in the string. The specific volume of the ambient air is increased by returning a portion of the compressed and thereby heated air to the inlet of the compressor in amounts sufficient to raise the temperature of the inlet air about 75.degree. F., or more.

Abstract: A motor-compressor unit comprising a compressor including a rotatable crankshaft, a motor, a shell enclosing the compressor and the motor, a supply of lubricant, and a lubrication system for circulating lubricant through the compressor. The lubrication system includes a first stage axial passage, a second stage axial passage extending upward from an upper portion of the first stage axial passage, a first stage radial passage extending outward from the first stage axial passage, and a second stage radial passage extending outward from the second stage axial passage. The lubrication system further comprises an interstage collection chamber for receiving lubricant directed through the first stage radial passage, and an interstage conduit for conducting lubricant from the interstage collection chamber into the second stage axial passage.

Abstract: An oil slinger is held in place on a shaft by an O-ring which serves as a detent when the shaft is at rest and as a static seal when the shaft is rotating. Because the slinger is held only by a detent action in the rest position, the slinger can be moved aside during assembly and disassembly of the companion bearing and seal structure and thereby provide greater access.

Abstract: A motor compressor unit comprising a compressor, a motor, a shell enclosing the compressor and the motor, a motor cap located within the shell, covering a portion of the motor, and defining an attenuation tube opening, and an attenuation tube connected to the motor cap and extending through the attenuation tube opening. The attenuation tube includes a body; first and second lower lips extending outward from the body, below and in pressure contact with an outside surface of the motor cap, first and second alignment flange portions projecting above the first and second lower lips, adjacent opposed surfaces of the motor cap defining the attenuation tube opening; said first and second upper lips extending outward from the body, above and in pressure contact with an inside surface of the motor cap.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed reciprocating motor compressor unit including a sealed shell. Discharge gas from the compressor is passed through the motor via suitable flow passages. The top of the motor and the interior surface of the shell define a chamber therebetween. The rotor functions as a centrifuge for separating the high pressure refrigerant gas from oil entrained therein. A substantially oil free vortex is formed encompassing a sector of the chamber defined by sides bearing 45.degree. relative to the vertical center line of the rotor. A refrigerant gas discharge tube connected to the top of the shell is located at any position which falls within the sector defining the vortex.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a plug, a socket, and a switching mechanism. The plug includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades defining parallel blade axes, and the socket defines a plurality of receptacles for receiving the blades. The socket has two longitudinally spaced positions for forming two different electrically conductive circuits with the plug. The switching mechanism is provided for moving the socket along the blades axes away from the first socket position, then along the longitudinal axis of the plug, and then back along the blade axes toward and into the second socket position.

Abstract: A flexible damped bearing arrangement for rotatably mounting a shaft wherein the shaft bearing is supported within a movable member suspended from a stationary frame by means of a series of resilient springs adapted to permit the member to move radially in reference to the shaft. A squeeze film cavity, provided with high pressure fluid, is established between the movable member and the stationary frame to dampen the bearing's response to the shaft. Seals are provided outside the damping cavity and are arranged to act perpendicular to the direction of movement of the member whereby the interaction of the seals with the squeeze film damping is substantially minimized.