Abstract: A fluid-current energy-conversion plant, especially useful for electricity generation, utilizing an axial flow turbine as the energy conversion element, has self-inflated flexible collector elements for capturing a portion of the fluid current, increasing its velocity, guiding at least some of each portion into the turbine's mouth, then returning the captured flow into the stream.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying the nozzle area in the turbine section of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. Nozzle guide vanes extend across the flow path for the working medium gases and are rotatable to alter the area of the nozzle. In one embodiment the rotatable vanes are cantilevered from the outer engine case and are opposed at their radially inner ends by a shroud which is affixed to the inner engine case.

Abstract: A turbine diaphragm assembly comprising a hub and a spaced retaining ring with an arcuate array of investment cast nozzle blocks having interfitting shroud segments disposed therebetween with the exit edges of the nozzle blades being substantially radially disposed and the flow passages having constantly uniform throats throughout the full radial extents thereof to maximize turbine efficiency. Manufacture is effected by arcuately grooving the front side of a plate, disposing the arcuate nozzle block array in the groove and bonding the same therein, and removing the web from the other side of the plate to open the flow passages.

Abstract: A stator vane capable of use in the high temperature environment of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. Various construction details implement vane cooling concepts which are designed to prolong the service life of the vane. An effective leading edge cooling system is built around the uniform flow of film cooling air over the exterior surface of the leading edge from a cavity within the airfoil section of the vane.

Abstract: A fan arrangement has an inlet bounded by an edge portion. A rotor has impeller blades which respectively sweep past the inlet. The edge portion forms an angle with each of the impeller blades so that noise generated by the blades during their rotation is substantially reduced. The edge portion may have any arbitrary shaped outline, such as linear, annular or curvilinear.

Abstract: In a hydraulic plant comprising one or more machines of the reaction turbine or rotary pump type, the conventional single spiral casing of each machine is replaced by several partial volutes connecting the periphery of the fixed supporting blade ring by several independent tubular connection elements to a pressure pipeline.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for balancing radial forces in rotor dynamic machines, especially centrifugal pumps which are provided with a seal between the pump impeller and the surrounding pump housing. A stationary seal ring is provided with two or two groups of notches. These are arranged peripherally and one of the groups of notches is exposed to the interior of the pump housing and the second group of notches is exposed to the surroundings, generally atmospheric. A pressure differential then exists which brings about a radial force on the impeller in a direction opposite that caused by radial reaction forces from the surrounding pump housing.

Abstract: A shroud closely surrounding a high thermal inertia rotor is provided with a support structure having low thermal inertia characteristics. The support structure is selectively exposed to different temperature mediums during transient operation by way of a thermal actuated valve so as to cause a rapid growth thereof during periods of engine acceleration and a slow shrinkage thereof during periods of deceleration of the engine. In this manner the clearance relationship between the shroud and enclosed rotor is maintained at a minimum during periods of steady-state and transitional operation to thereby increase the efficiency of the combination.

Abstract: The control valve uses a rotor assembly to control the flow through the valve. The rotor assembly is rotatably mounted within the valve housing and cooperative with a scroll-shaped means in the flow passage which directs the flow of fluid circumferentially around and then through the bladed portion of the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly converts the motion of the fluid therethrough into rotational movement, thereby creating a predictable pressure drop. Means are provided for varying the pressure drop, namely, by axially positioning the rotor assembly relative to the opening formed by the valve seat.

Abstract: An inlet guide vane for a turbofan engine comprises a principal airfoil portion fabricated of metal and a radially outward and rearward corner portion fabricated of a frangible material which is attached to the metal portion and completes the airfoil structure. When foreign objects are ingested into the airstream to cause the closely spaced fan blades to deform forwardly to impact against the inlet guide vane, the frangible rearward corner of the inlet guide vane is caused to break off into small pieces and pass through the system without causing any significant secondary damage, thereby leaving the principal portion of the inlet guide vane to function as a relatively efficient airfoil.

Abstract: A diffuser for association with a centrifugal compressor includes a circumferentially disposed array of like, individual diffuser vanes each having integrally formed opposed flange pairs thereon joined by a bridge segment having a continually increasing depth from an inlet end of each of the vanes to the outlet end thereof. Adjacent ones of the vanes have their flange pairs juxtaposed to form a three-dimensional air flow passage between each of the vanes and wherein each vane has a spiral formed inlet wall pair extending radially inwardly at the inlet of each vane to form a spiral configured open inlet path into each of the three dimensional flow passages; the individual vanes being held in the circumferentially disposed array by spaced apart side support plates and fastening means directed through each of the side support plates and the bridge segments of each of the vanes.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a reaction type turbine wheel instead of an impulse type turbine which is normally used for receiving the wind and more efficiently deriving power therefrom and an augmenter means for producing a vortex downstream of the turbine at the exit of the turbine to increase the pressure differential across the turbine thereby increasing the power that may be extracted from the wind.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for use in pumping hot liquids under pressure. A rotatable shaft, having an impeller at its lower end, is positioned along the axis of a generally cylindrical pump casing. The pump casing has a suction nozzle at its lower end, and a discharge nozzle near the upper end. A cylindrical outer shell surrounds the shaft within the casing, and a flange on the outer shell is secured to the top of the casing. A cylindrical inner shell is positioned inside the outer shell, surrounding the shaft, and a space is formed between the inner shell and the outer shell. The space provides an effective thermal barrier to protect the shaft. A bearing assembly for the shaft is secured to the inner shell, and a cooler is positioned between the bearing assembly and the impeller, thereby protecting the bearing assembly from the heat of the fluid being circulated by the pump. Seals are inserted within the inner shell above the bearing assembly, and these seals confine the high-pressure liquid within the pump.

Abstract: A choke valve (safety valve) is provided in association with a submergible pump employed in oil wells or the like to prevent the flow of well fluid toward the well head when the pump is not operating. Differential pressure across the pump is employed to open the valve, and the valve closes automatically when the pump is de-energized. Bottom-hole pressure merely closes the valve more tightly. A reciprocating tapered valve member controls the opening and closing of a longitudinal passage through a tubular valve housing, the differential pump pressure being applied across an annular piston reciprocating in an annular chamber surrounding the longitudinal passage and connected to the valve member by a plurality of longitudinal piston rods, springs surrounding the piston rods biasing the valve member to a closed position. The storm choke can be operated by fluid pressure applied from the earth's surface in order to permit "killing the well" or flushing sand from the choke.

Abstract: A cone pump, fundamentally in design based on an Archimedes screw, comprising a tubular member having a helical screw mounted therein, integrally joined thereto, the flights of the screw being radially inclined to the longitudinal axis of the tube, the entire structure having a central longitudinal opening, the end discharge being characterized by a liquid seal, the structure being designed to have its lower or intake end immersed in liquid, and carrying solids such as watery sewage sludge, and, by rotation, to lift the sludge through elevations as high as 20 and 30 foot head (6 to 10 meters) through an angle of elevation of from 30.degree. to 50.degree., the preferred range being 36.degree. to 45.degree..

Abstract: A centrifugal pump wherein the inducer in front of the impeller is a propeller and has a hub whose rear end face, which is immediately adjacent to the front end portion of the impeller, has a circumferential groove. When the pump is in operation, especially in the partial load range, the customary turbulence develops in the groove so that it does not interfere with the flow of fluid from the intake into the impeller. This reduces the tendency of fluid to pulsate with attendant reduction of noise.

Abstract: Centrifugal pump including: (a) impeller drive with parallel low speed input and high speed output shafts having integral drive and pinion gears: (b) a combination housing-pumphead configured to maintain concentricity in critical areas and adapt the pump for either a gas engine or an electric motor drive; and (c) a clearance ring assembly which will allow clearance ring and impeller to shift radially to natural positions.

Abstract: A structural housing has a generally toroidal part horizontally positioned and having an upwardly inclining lower base extending upward from a circumference to a first generally circular central area and an upwardly inclining upper base extending upward from a circumference equidistantly vertically spaced from the circumference of the lower base to a second generally circular central area equidistantly vertically spaced from the first central area. The lower and upper bases are coaxial. The housing also has a hollow cylindrical part extending upward from the second central area and coaxial with the lower and upper bases. Partitions in the toroidal part of the housing compress air entering the housing between the circumferences of the lower and upper bases and direct the compressed air in a whirlwind manner to the cylindrical part of the housing and thereby greatly increase the force of the air.

Abstract: A two-way fluid flow metering pump for accurately measuring the rate of f of a liquid is disclosed. A section of a cylindrical shaft is disposed in a bearing made of metal or a fairly rigid nondeformable plastic. An indentation or notch is made in a shaft section passing an inlet and outlet in the bearing, and liquid is transported by the indentation or notch from the inlet to the outlet, or vice versa, depending upon the direction of shaft rotation. A rubber or soft plastic seal inserted in an opening in the bearing remote from the inlet and outlet deforms and conforms to the shaft indentation at each rotation so that the liquid is not transported past the seal.

Abstract: Wind motors which are propelled by the impact of the wind against the vanes of an impeller wheel, that have wind channeling devices that gather the wind from a large area and funnel it at increased density and pressure to apply multiplied impact against the impeller vanes.