Abstract: A turbine rotor disk assembly for an axial flow gas turbine engine includes a rotor disk (18) and a faceplate (22) axially engaged therewith by rotationally engaged securing means such as a pair of corresponding hooked members (42, 44). Disengagement of the faceplate (22) and the rotor disk (18) is prevented by the cooperation of an axially projecting tab (58), integral with the turbine blade, (20) and a corresponding faceplate recess (60).

Abstract: An outlet section for a turbofan gas turbine engine (10) includes an internal flow separator (24), and a small convoluted mixer (28) for initiating mixing between the coaxial fan air stream (22) and hot core engine exhaust gas (26). Mixing is enhanced by an increasing-decreasing diameter nozzle plug (38), having a maximum diameter (40) proximate the annular outlet opening (16). The downstream edge (42) of the outer engine fairing (14) is turned radially inward for enhancing forward thrust in cooperation with the decreasing diameter surface (18) of the plug (38).

Abstract: A heat management system is provided for a gas turbine engine (10) having first and second oil cooling loops (14, 16). The system distributes excess fuel flow from a main fuel pump (44) among a plurality of upstream locations (58, 60, 68) for managing the transfer of heat between the oil loops (14, 16) and the flowing fuel. A diverter valve (62) regulates the distribution of the bypass fuel responsive to engine heat generation, oil temperature, and/or fuel temperature. A passive fuel distribution configuration using one or more fuel flow restrictors (72, 74, 76) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the dynamic imbalance in a bearing ball (10) includes a support member (32) having a concave surface (34) for receiving and positionally retaining the ball (10). A cushion of compressed gas is established between the concave surface (34) and the ball (10) by a plurality of flow passages (36) disposed in the support member (32). Rotating motion is imparted to the ball (10) by an intermittent gas jet (46) and the subsequent motion (28) of the axis of rotation (22) resulting from the presence of any dynamic imbalance within the sphere (10) is measured (68, 70, 72).

Abstract: A bearing support in which a rotating shaft (2) is disposed within a fixed support structure (14) and includes a bearing assembly (4) centered within the fixed support structure (14) by a plurality of resilient centering rods (20). A seal carrier (28) is urged against a rotating sealing surface (26) by a spring (32) and is radially positioned by a plurality of guide pins (34) secured to the fixed support structure (14). The guide pins (34) are disposed circumferentially intermediate the centering rods (20) to achieve a low profile configuration.

Abstract: A sliding expansion joint (68) for the interface between an annular combustor head (24) and a downstream-extending liner (47) of a combustion chamber (18) includes an inward facing cylindrical surface (78) on the head (24) and a thickened upstream ring (74) in the liner (47). A cooled, radially extending bulkhead (36) isolates the joint (68) thermally from the high temperature combustion reaction (50). A region of reduced static air pressure is induced adjacent the joint (68) by the flow of air (86) over the convex combustor dome (30). Any air leakage through joint (68) adds to the existing flow of cooling air (106) adjacent the liner (47).

Abstract: A fluid damper for controlling transverse orbital movement (14) of a non-rotating cylindrical body (12) is provided with a sealed, fluid filled reservoir (30) in fluid communication with a vent opening (24) disposed in a surrounding support member (10). A sized orifice (34) controls the volumetric flow rate of the damping fluid, maintaining an elevated average static fluid pressure in the annular volume (16) and resisting surge flow into the reservoir (30) through the vent (24) during the periodic occurrence of high fluid pressure in the annular volume (16) adjacent the vent opening (24).

Abstract: A damper for absorbing nutating motion of a rotating shaft (10) at a bearing (12) includes a radially-extending, non-rotating flange (30) flanked axially by fluid-filled damping volumes (34, 36) formed between the flange (30) and a stable support frame (18).

Abstract: A check valve (22) is provided with a tapered plug (32), freely longitudinally movable with respect to a valve seat surface (34) disposed about the opening of the inlet passage (24). A plurality of cutouts (36) are disposed about the outer edge of the plug (32) for passing the forward flowing fluid. An exit nozzle (38) directs reverse flowing fluid against the rear of the plug (32), assisting valve closure.

Abstract: A fail-safe valve actuator includes a hydraulic piston (17) and cylinder (15) for driving the valve stem (9) and gate member (35) of a gate valve into a first flow control state responsive to sufficient pressure delivered by a fluid or gas supply line (92). Upon failure or other loss of sufficient control line pressure, a volute spring (7) drives the cylinder (15), and hence the stem (9) and gate member (35), axially outward resulting in the valve being moved into a second flow control state.

Abstract: An assembly for supplying gas-conveyed solid fuel to the interior of a double wall gasification vessel includes a conduit (4) for conducting the fuel-gas mixture across the annular region (16) formed between the inner (3) and outer (2) vessel walls. A flexible coupling (11) is provided at one end of the conduit proximate the penetration of the fuel-gas stream across the vessel pressure boundary. An expansion joint (14), disposed about the conduit (4) and sealed to the inner vessel wall (3) conducts secondary gas into the inner vessel across the annular region (16) and prevents leakage of corrosive gases from the inner vessel interior.

Abstract: A sliding plate valve for a gas chromatograph or the like is provided with a pneumatic actuator (22) for reciprocating a slider assembly (24) and slide pad (26) over the face surface (28) of the valve body (20). Flow passages (44) are aligned with flow openings (42) in the face surface (28) as the slide pad (26) reciprocates between purge and sample positions. The slide pad (26) is urged against the face surface (28) by force springs (60) which are movable with the reciprocating slider housing (64). The slide pad (26) and assembly (24) are maintained in alignment by the interaction of chamfered grooves (68, 70) and chamfered lip surfaces (76, 78).

Abstract: A multistage separator for oilfield emulsions is disclosed. The separator utilizes a mechanical inclined plate separator constructed of electrically nonconductive materials disposed downstream of an electrostatic separation section. Electrostatic charges imparted to the flowing emulsion by the electrostatic section migrate to the mechanical portion and establish a surface charge on the inclined plates thereof. This surface charge results in enhanced coalescence of the aqueous and nonaqueous dispersions present in the emulsion.

Abstract: An actuator for imparting a series of stepwise rotational movements to a valve shaft (2) or the like is provided. A bidirectional actuator, comprised of two opposing unidirectional actuators, includes a central drive wheel (6) secured to the shaft (2) and a pair of drive pistons (8, 10) axially reciprocable along the shaft (2). During reciprocation of the drive pistons (8, 10) protruding follower pins (30, 32) move within cam races (44, 46) disposed in the fixed housing (4). The cam races (44, 46) are so configured to allow the drive pistons (8, 10) to move into engagement with the drive wheel (6), before imparting a stepwise rotational movement thereto. During the return motion of the drive pistons (8, 10) the cam races (44, 46) are so configured to allow the pistons to disengage the drive wheel (6) before returning to their starting positions. A detent (54) for holding the drive wheel (6) and shaft (2) in any one of a preferred plurality of index positions is also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator for moving the stem (9) of a gate valve or the like is provided with hydraulic means (15,17) for driving the stem (9) axially inward and a volute spring (7) for returning the stem axially outward upon loss or other removal of the control hydraulic pressure. A ball screw (49) and ball nut (54) assembly rotatable by a disengageable drive shaft (63) is operable to manually drive the stem (9) inward during periods of insufficient control pressure.

Abstract: An integrated method of removing alkali metal compounds from sulfur-bearing coal is disclosed. The coal is comminuted (4) and mixed (10) with water (8) to form a slurry (12). In the preferred embodiment, the slurry (12) is comingled with an SO.sub.2 -bearing gas (16) in a transport pipeline (52) to form an acidic slurry which dissolves the alkali compounds out of the coal. The slurry is then separated (22) into a solid portion (24) and a liquid portion (26), the solid portion (24) being combusted (34) to form the SO.sub.2 -bearing gas (16).

Abstract: Two parallel heat exchange tubes having that part of a support structure between them to be interrogated for defects. A pair of radiation sources are positioned in the one tube to straddle the interrogated support portion, and a radiographic film is positioned in the tube behind the interrogated portion.

Abstract: An atomizer (14) for producing a finely dispersed spray (16) of a solid-liquid slurry (18) includes a mixing body (22) having an internal mixing chamber (28) and a spray outlet passage (30). The flow cross-section of the mixing chamber (28) is elongated in shape, with an atomizing medium inlet passage (24) for injecting an atomizing medium (20) into the mixing chamber (28) co-linearly with the spray outlet passage (30). The slurry inlet passage (26) injects the slurry (18) into the mixing chamber (28) at an angle (32) oblique to the flow of atomizing medium and perpendicular to the mixing chamber flow cross-section elongation.

Abstract: A normally non-rising stem valve having a valve stem (30) journaled between bearings (38, 40) is equipped with an energized drive spring (56) for positively engaging backseat seal surfaces (64, 66) upon melting of a fusible ring (52). The spring (56) is compressed axially against the retainer (46) by the cooperative action of the compression nut (58) and the tubular spacer (50), thereby normally avoiding undesirable axial thrust on the bearings (38, 40).