Abstract: An impeller fixing mechanism is provided in a centrifugal pump for immobilizing the impeller, relative to the pump shaft and drive shaft of the pump, while effecting repairs to the pump, thereby eliminating much of the labor-intensive need for realigning the pump shaft and drive shaft and assuring accurate positioning of the impeller relative to the pump shaft. A method for effecting repairs of centrifugal pumps employs use of the impeller fixing mechanism of the invention to immobilize the impeller relative to the pump shaft, thereby facilitating the repair.

Abstract: A liner assembly for use in a grinding mill, the liner assembly including a liner body including a mounting member, and an elastomeric cushioning member operatively connected to the mounting member. The cushioning member includes a plurality of support cavities therein, and a plurality of wear elements mounted within the support cavities.

Abstract: A cushioning element suitable for use in a liner assembly for a grinding mill, the liner assembly including a mounting element having a recess therein, the cushioning element being located within the recess, and a wear element operatively connected to the cushioning element, the cushioning element including a cushion body of elastomeric material including a side section and opposed end sections, a plurality of cavities within the cushion body and extending from at least one of the end sections towards the other end section.

Abstract: A cyclone structured for separating feed material having mixtures of differently sized material, the cyclone having a separating section and an inlet head having a feed inlet zone, wherein the feed inlet zone has a volute axis and adjacent sectors in which the volute axis progressively decreases relative to and in the direction of the central axis through subsequent sectors extending downstream from the inlet port of the inlet head. The inlet head is also structured with a vortex finder extending into the feed chamber a distance L1, and an inlet port formed in the inlet head which extends a vertical distance H1, such that the ratio of L1 to H1 is less than one (L1:H1=0.0 to 0.95).

Abstract: An inlet head for a cyclone, the inlet head including a feed chamber therein having an inner side wall, an end wall at one end of the side wall, an open end at the other end of the side wall, the open end being of circular cross-section with a central axis. The inlet head further includes an inlet port adjacent the end wall for delivering material to be separated to the feed chamber, the inlet port having a feed height dimension H1 in the direction of the central axis, an overflow outlet in the end wall which is coaxial with the central axis, a vortex finder at the end wall or extending into the feed chamber in the direction of the central axis a distance L1 from the end wall, and a feed inlet zone in the inner side wall of the feed chamber having an upstream end adjacent the inlet port and a downstream end.