Abstract: A fan housing assembly for an exhaust fan is provided with an orifice pan which can be securely but removably snapped in place to close an open face of the fan housing and provide a means of supporting a ventilating grille.

Abstract: A nuclear steam supply system wherein each of a plurality of centrifugal pumps begins to operate with full cavitation in response to an abrupt drop of system pressure in the event of leakage. This is achieved by influencing the net positive suction head of each pump over the entire range of fluid flow and/or by influencing the net positive suction head upstream of the pumps. The first mode of causing the pumps to operate with full cavitation includes an appropriate selection of the inlet angle and/or inlet diameter of pump impeller, or the provision of suitably curved guide vanes in the pumps. The second mode includes interrupting the admission of undercooled fluid into the system upstream of the pumps.

Abstract: A gas compressor of the pitot type is equipped with means for separating liquid, entrained in supply gas to be compressed, from the supply gas prior to introduction of the supply gas into a pumping chamber within the compressor. A rotary casing is mounted for rotation in a selected direction about an axis of the compressor. A gas supply passage, for delivering a gas to be compressed, has an outlet to the interior of the casing. A compressed gas discharge duct leads from the compressor coaxially with the casing. A pitot tube extends radially from the compressor axis in the casing and has, adjacent its outer end, an inlet which faces in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotary casing. The pitot tube has a diffuser passage connected to the inlet and extending toward the casing axis to an outlet port connected to the compressed gas discharge duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising the dynamic performance limit of steam flow and gas flow turbines and compressors, in which a non-contacting seal is arranged in a clearance between a stationary wall in the form of a ring and a rotatable member while a non-contacting seal is arranged in the clearing and supported by the ring. The seal forms a labyrinth seal and includes throttling elements. The ring is surrounded by a housing arranged in radially spaced relationship to the ring and defining therewith an annular gap. The labyrinth seal includes an active section and at least one throttling element. The ring is provided with radially extending passages located ahead of the active section of the seal and past at least one of the throttling elements. The dimensions of the passages and of at least one of the throttling elements are so selected that the major portion of the leakage flow is passed into the clearance through the passages.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for admitting high pressure air to the seals of a hydraulic turbine runner which is rotating in a gas such as air. The high pressure air reduces the temperature of the seal and at the same time maintains a desired air pressure in the runner casing. Means are also provided to permit evacuation of air or gas from the runner casing to reduce the pressure therein below atmospheric pressure to decrease the windage losses of the rotating runner and permit lower pressure cooling air or gas to be applied to the runner seals.

Abstract: A pitot pump having a stationary vane containing a pitot tube mounted inside a rotating housing. Fluid is delivered to the interior of the housing through a plurality of radial ducts in the walls of the casing which discharge fluid by centrifugal force into the housing. Means is provided in the casing for distributing fluid discharged from the ducts in a manner to reduce impact of the fluid against the stationary vane.

Abstract: A flushing liquid system for an improved wearing ring in a centrifugal pump which wearing ring has spaced flushing liquid inlet and outlet chambers, has a first control assembly for supplying flushing liquid to the flushing liquid inlet chamber and a second control assembly for returning or draining at least a portion of the flushing liquid through the flushing liquid outlet chamber, with respective first and second control assemblies either having a predetermined setting or operatively responsive to signals from sensory devices for sensing at least one or more operating conditions of the centrifugal pump so that the operation of the first and second control devices can act to minimize flushing liquid requirements of the wearing ring and minimize dilution by the flushing liquid of the process fluid or mixture being pumped by the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid displacement apparatus and, more particularly, to fluid displacement apparatus which, with suitable modifications, can be used as a pump, compressor, pneumatic or hydraulic motor or as an internal combustion engine. The fluid displacement apparatus includes a body having a chamber defined therein. At least a portion of the inner surface of such chamber is in the form of a concave segment. Partition means are sealingly engaged with said chamber and define an enclosed space therewith. A baffle extends through said partition means in sealing engagement therewith and is movable relative thereto. The baffle has a peripheral edge shaped to sealingly engage said inner surface of said chamber in relatively movable relation thereto such that said baffle is capable of sweeping motion to and fro relative to said chamber whereby to vary the volumes of the regions located between said inner surface and said partition on the opposing sides of said baffle.

Abstract: A motor driven household mixer has a housing around a rotary motor in a plastic frame, the motor having front and rear bronze bearing assemblies with a fan adjacent the rear assembly and a beater gear box adjacent the front assembly. This is provided with an improved integral bearing strap and cooler for the front assembly comprising vents in the housing adjacent the gear box and a generally H-shaped one piece bearing strap with means securing one leg of the H to the frame forming the leg around the bearing, with the other and wider leg being bent out of the plane of the H and opening towards the vents said leg extending across the entire bearing width whereby air moved by the fan is funneled by the bent leg toward the entire bearing cooling it. The invention also includes a single means securing the one leg to the gear box in which openings are provided to direct the air to the bearing and around it and below the securing leg to cool the entire bearing and leg by forced convection.

Abstract: There is disclosed vertical shaft impeller pump apparatus especially suitable for bilge or other applications where installation space is limited. The pump apparatus, including preferred embodiments thereof, is characterized by high pumping efficiency, long service life, compactness, and flexibility of assembly geometry whereby orientation of the top portion, the discharge means, and the base of the apparatus are variously alignable relative to one another.