Abstract: A compressor stage or a turbocharger having a compressor stage having an inducer shroud with two or more vents. A first vent is provided with a second vent upstream thereof, allowing for outflow during surge conditions and inflow during choking conditions. Surge line characteristics may be varied by selectively locating the position of the first and of the second vents, and by selectively determining the effective width of the vents. The vents may be circumferential slots, and may be slanted. An outer shroud is provided forming a venting chamber for recirculation of gas into the gas intake. A third vent may be provided to vent the diffuser.

Abstract: A one-piece toilet bowl and rim capable of generating superior vortex water flushing action is disclosed. Metering of the volume, flow rate, and directional orientation of the flushing water into, and within the internal rim cavity is developed by two flow passages of different diameters. The angular orientation of the flow passages generates fluid flow within the rim cavity in opposite directions. The flushing water flowing within the rim cavity is angularly discharged through a continuously slotted discharge orifice circumferentially located along the underside of the rim. The angularly discharged flushing water generates superior vortex flushing action within the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A fluid shear coupling apparatus including a driving member comprising a rotor mounted to a shaft. A driven member including a bearing housing is mounted to the shaft. A complementary surface between the driven member and the driving member is provided between which a shear fluid provides variable coupling according to the proportion of fluid in the reservoir vis-a-vis the fluid shear chamber defined by the complementary surface. A temperature responsive valve is provided to modulate the shear fluid level. The valve may modulate an overlapping inlet having a constant area. An overlap inlet may be define by an arcuate slot or by a fixed size valve aperture. The valve may be pivotable on a valve axis which is eccentric to, and radially outward of, the common axis of the driving and driven members. Temperature responsive rotation of the valve member may be provided by coupling links or by gearing mechanism.

Abstract: A vibration damper having a hub including inner and outer sidewalls and a bottom wall defining an annular cavity, an inertia ring received within the annular cavity, first and second elastomeric components received between and secured to the inertia ring and the inner and outer sidewalls, respectively, of the hub, a fluid seal received between the inertia ring and the outer sidewall, and viscous damping fluid received between the inertia ring and the bottom wall, the outer sidewall being angled axially-inward in the direction away from the bottom wall. A method for production of a vibration damper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A damper assembly for use with a rotatable shaft having a hub, an elastic material including an inwardly facing cavity in which the periphery of the hub is received, and an inertial ring including an inwardly facing cavity in which the elastic material is received. The elastic material extending radially-inward along opposite sides of the hub and being sandwiched between the hub and the inertial ring. The elastic material increases in axial width with increasing radial extension, and is maintained in axial compression between the hub and the inertial ring with the compression being uniform in terms of percent based on thickness. As used herein, the requirement of uniform axial compression refers to the compression of the elastic member being a uniform percent compression in terms of the thickness of the elastic member, as opposed to a uniform distance of compression.

Abstract: An air cycle refrigeration system which comprises an air-to-air heat exchanger, first and second turbochargers, and first and second ejector pumps. The system air to be cooled is passed through the heat exchanger and into a first turbine, cooling upon expansion and driving the coupled first compressor. The system air passes from the first turbine to the second turbine, again cooling upon expansion and driving the coupled second compressor. Each compressor is connected with the coolant air outlet of the heat exchanger and draws the coolant air therefrom. The high pressure air produced from the outlets of the compressors are used to drive corresponding ejector pumps. The ejector pumps are connected with the coolant air outlet of the heat exchanger and draw additional air therefrom. The total draw of coolant air through the heat exchanger therefore comprises the total of the inlet air to the two compressors and the induced air drawn from the heat exchanger by the two ejector pumps.

Abstract: A turbocharger having a plurality of adjustable vanes for varying gas flow to the turbine impeller of the turbocharger so as to vary the output power of the turbine. In a preferred embodiment, the turbocharger comprises a turbine empeller and a compressor impeller mounted for rotation on a common shaft. The turbocharger also includes a inlet turbine housing defining a volute shaped toroid about the periphery of the turbine impeller and having a generally circular opening forming a mating surface. An outlet turbine housing is secured to the turbine inlet housing and projects into the opening of the turbine inlet housing so as to define at least one bore. The turbocharger includes at least one vane comprising an airfoil portion, and integral shaft portion projecting from the airfoil portion, and an actuating arm portion extending from the shaft portion and having an integral pin portion.

Abstract: A fluid shear coupling apparatus includes a driving member comprising a rotor mounted to a shaft and defining several annular ridges and grooves. A driven member including a bearing housing is mounted to the shaft. A cover secured at the perimeter to the bearing housing has a disc-shaped portion defining several annular ridges and grooves positioned complementary with the ridges and grooves of the rotor. A shear fluid therebetween provides variable coupling according to the proportion of fluid in the reservoir vis a vis the working chamber defined by the complementary grooves and ridges. A temperature responsive valve cooperates with a modulation ramp encasing the valve end to provide a fluid control orifice which varies in size and radial location in response to temperature, thereby providing temperature modulation of the amount of shear fluid in the working chamber, and consequently, the degree of coupling.

Abstract: A fan apparatus including a fan spider having a hub portion and a plurality of outwardly extending arms, a plurality of fan blade assemblies, each fan blade assembly having a molded plastic blade with an attachment insert partially embedded within, the exposed portion of each attachment insert being rigidly attached to a corresponding one of the arms of the spider.

Abstract: An adjustable slow closing valve assembly includes a valve body having a bore to receive a valve cartridge with inlet and outlet ports communicating with the bore, the valve cartridge having a tubular retainer providing means defining a valve seat and means reciprocably mounting a valve stem with the stem carrying an operating handle at one end and a valve member adjacent the other end to cooperate with the seat.

Abstract: A torsional vibration isolator coupling displaying particular utility in automotive vehicles powered by internal combustion engines of the diesel or otto type. An input torque shaft having undesirable torsional vibrations, such as a torque directly derived from an internal combustion engine, is coupled to an input torque disc. The periphery of the input torque disc is coupled by an elastomer member and an intermediate rigid disc member to the periphery of a torque output disc, the periphery of the latter also carrying an elastomer member. The two torque discs are parallel and coaxial. A torque output shaft is carried by the torque output disc. A rigid cylindrical retainer axially clamps and axially compresses the elastomer members against their sandwiched torque discs. The output torque is substantially free of torsional vibrations, thus extending the life of power brake, power steering, and the like units driven by the torque output shaft.

Abstract: A fluid shear coupling apparatus is disclosed herein which includes a driving member received within a working chamber defined by a driven member. The driven member is mounted with needle bearings to a shaft portion of the driving member to have the members rotatable about a common axis. The driving and driven members include complementary shaped and positioned fluid shear and thrust surfaces defining fluid shear and thrust chambers, respectively, therebetween and cooperable with shear fluid within the chamber to transmit torque and axial thrust loads between the members. The fluid shear surfaces are defined by interdigitated ridges and grooves. A shear fluid reservoir is located in the central portion of the driven member and passageways lead from an annular groove and cylindrical cavity adjacent the driving member back to the reservoir.