Abstract: A retainer portion of a cage of a bearing has a plurality of spokes and web sections extending between an outer ring section and an inner ring section with a plurality of cavities formed on an annular side face of the retainer portion. The cavities communicate with socket portions formed in the retainer portion to provide lubrication to rotational elements of the bearing. A latch and catch mechanism secures like retainer portions together to form a cage of the bearing.

Abstract: A flexible coupling element for connecting two shafts in a coaxial alignment has a resilient member with an inner surface and an outer surface. The resilient member inner surface has a plurality of notches adapted to receive connection members projecting axially from respective ends of the shaft. The resilient member has a plurality of torque-transmitting elements disposed between the notches. The torque-transmitting elements are more rigid than the resilient members, thereby allowing the torque to be transmitted between the two shafts in the event the flexible element fails.

Abstract: A bearing has an outer ring with an annular side face with an outer ring raceway on an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and an interface formed on an outer peripheral surface at an axial end portion of the outer ring adjacent the annular side face. A compressible element is disposed at the interface. A seal carrier is deformingly connected to the outer ring with a portion of the seal carrier conforming to the interface with the compressible element disposed therebetween forming a seal between the outer ring and the portion of the seal carrier attached thereto.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a motor with a stator comprising a plurality of laminations stacked side to side to form a contiguous stator core with each of the laminations having a plurality of radial fins projecting outward from a periphery of the lamination, and a rotor with permanent magnets spaced about the rotor configured to synchronously magnetically couple with a rotating magnetic field in the stator. The method further comprises providing a cooling tower with a fan disposed therein having a shaft extending from a center of the fan for rotating the fan. The motor is installed in the cooling tower such that the rotor of the motor is coupled directly to the fan shaft and rotates the fan when the motor is energized during normal operation of the cooling tower.

Abstract: A bearing is disclosed. The bearing has an inner ring concentrically disposed with an outer ring with rotational elements therebetween adapted for allowing rotational movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. The outer ring has a crowned outer surface. A waveform expansion sleeve is disposed about the outer ring. The waveform expansion sleeve has a cylindrical outer surface dimensioned to be received in a bore of a bearing housing and an inner surface with a profile matching the outer ring outer surface. The waveform expansion sleeve has an undulating radial cross-section sufficient to exert radial pressure at its inner surface against the outer ring outer surface when mounted in the bore of the bearing housing to sufficiently secure the bearing in the housing. The expansion sleeve inner surface forms a seal with the outer ring outer surface when the bearing is installed in the bearing housing.

Abstract: A bearing is disclosed comprising an inner ring concentrically disposed with an outer ring with rotational elements therebetween adapted for allowing rotational movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. A flinger may be secured to the inner ring having an extension member formed from a resilient material. The extension member may extend radially outward from the flinger along an axial side of the bearing and engages a portion of a side face of the outer ring during operation of the bearing.

Abstract: A superconducting coil system includes a superconducting coil and a protective link of superconducting material coupled to the superconducting coil. A rotating machine includes first and second coils and a protective link of superconducting material. The second coil is operable to rotate with respect to the first coil. One of the first and second coils is a superconducting coil. The protective link is coupled to the superconducting coil.

Abstract: A coupling system is disclosed for coupling rotating elements such as a pairs of shafts, flywheel and a shaft, and so forth. A first hub assembly is attached to a shaft via a tapered sleeve mechanism. A flexible element is captured by the hub assembly and is used to couple one rotating member to another. The hub assembly includes a hub, a flange, and an adjusting nut that are used in conjunction with fasteners to compress the flexible element. The flange has anti-rotation features that engage similar features on the outside diameter of the hub. The adjusting nut has internal threads that engage external threads on the hub outside diameter. The flexible element either mounts directly to the second rotating element or is captured by a second hub assembly. The second hub assembly is attached to the second shaft via a tapered sleeve mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method are provided whereby at least two motors driven by an inverter coupled to a DC bus are configured to alternate between regenerative and injection braking such that at least one motor is placed in regenerative braking mode and at least one motor is placed in motoring mode. Energy is simultaneously placed on and removed from the DC bus in a manner allowing a large current to flow in as many motors as possible, for fast stoppage of load inertia. At least one motor may be placed in regenerative braking mode and at least one motor in DC injection mode, such that energy is simultaneously placed onto and removed from the DC bus, respectively. Further, a single motor may be is alternated between regenerative braking and DC injection braking, such that energy is alternately placed onto and removed from the DC bus, respectively.

Abstract: A method of operating a take-up frame is disclosed herein. Specifically, a method of operating a take-up frame is disclosed which includes reading a force indication, wherein the force indication is obtained and provided through mechanical means. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the amount of force applied to achieve a desired amount of force.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides an apparatus for assembling a rotor. The exemplary apparatus includes a base that has a central aperture and a seating surface for receiving the rotor. An arbor then extends through the central aperture, the arbor having a longitudinal axis that is substantially orthogonal to the seating surface, and including threaded ends opposite with respect to one another. The exemplary apparatus also includes at least one member of a family of fixtures coupleable to the arbor, the family including a pressure fixture that has first and second piston assemblies disposed at diametrically opposite locations to one another, the family also including a support fixture coupleable the arbor and having members extending axially therefrom, the members being configured to support securing members of the rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a system for measurement of a current in a conductor such that the conductor current may be momentarily directed to a current measurement element in order to maintain proper current without significantly increasing an amount of power dissipation attributable to the current measurement element or adding resistance to assist in current measurement. The apparatus and methods described herein are useful in superconducting circuits where it is necessary to monitor current carried by the superconducting elements while minimizing the effects of power dissipation attributable to the current measurement element.

Abstract: A heat pipe is partially-filled with a liquid, such as water, and is used to transfer heat from a rotating element, such as a rotor, via phase change and internal recycle of the liquid. Several heat pipes may be disposed radially around the rotating axis of the rotating element. The heat pipes may have a curved inner surface with a curvature not corresponding to the central axis of the heat pipe and positioned opposite the rotating axis so to experience greater centrifugal forces, to advance formation of a liquid film to improve heat transfer. For a rotor, the heat pipes, though individually placed as revolving heat pipes, in total exhibit behavior that approximates the favorable heat-transfer behavior of a single larger rotating heat pipe, but with heat-transfer surface area dispersed throughout the rotor, and without compromising structural integrity of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a bearing assembly. The sealing system comprising a removable cover and a rotatable member. The bearing assembly also comprising a bearing insert and a bearing housing. The removable cover is securable to the bearing housing. The rotatable member is secured to the removable cover. The rotatable member has an opening for a rotatable shaft to pass into the bearing assembly through the rotatable member. The opening through the rotatable member is adapted to receive the rotatable shaft and to form a seal against the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A bearing lubrication (oil circulation) system having a check valve configuration for preventing overflow of an oil reservoir or tank. The pressurized oil circulation system may comprise a pump that pressurizes oil from the tank and circulates the oil through a supply conduit to a bearing, and returns the oil to the tank through a return conduit. The system may include a check valve disposed in the supply conduit and a pilot-operated check valve disposed in the return conduit. The pilot may be taken from the supply conduit upstream of the check valve disposed on the supply conduit. When pressure is discharged from the oil circulation, such as with shutdown of a circulation pump, the check valves automatically close and thus prevent oil contained in the supply and return conduits from draining (i.e., by gravity) to the oil tank. Therefore, flooding of the oil tank with excessive oil is prevented. Furthermore, loss of oil from the bearing sump is also prevented.

Abstract: An integrated motor and drive assembly includes a motor, a fan, and a drive unit. The motor is responsive to at least one drive signal. The fan is axially aligned with the motor and operable to generate a cooling flow. The drive unit is axially aligned with the fan and operable to generate the drive signal. The cooling flow traverses the motor and the drive unit.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one condition of a seal including an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source. The optical fiber is embedded in the seal and operatively coupled to an interferometric system. The interferometric system is operatively coupled to a processor. The interferometric system provides the processor with information relating to wear of the optical fiber, and the processor determines wear of the seal, rate of wear and remaining useful life of the seal based on the information relating to wear of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A permanent magnet motor having a rotor and a stator and configured such that when the leading edge of each pole of the rotor aligns with a stator tooth the trailing edge of that pole is generally not aligned with a stator tooth.