Abstract: A thermally actuated shutdown seal for a rotating shaft having a narrow annular fluid flow path surrounding the shaft. The seal surrounds the shaft with the annulus therebetween during normal operation and constricts against the shaft when the shaft slows or stops rotating. The annulus is maintained open during normal operation by a spacer interposed between opposing ends of a split ring. When the shaft stops rotating, the temperature of the annulus rises, which actuates removal of the spacer from the split ring constricting the split ring against the shaft blocking the annulus. The blocked annulus causes a pressure differential across the seal which urges a polymer seal ring, downstream of the split ring against the shaft which seals the annulus. In one embodiment, the spacer is formed of a meltable material. In a second embodiment, the spacer is removed from the split ring by a thermally responsive actuator.

Abstract: A thermally actuated shutdown seal for a rotating shaft having a narrow annular fluid flow path surrounding the shaft. The seal surrounds the shaft with the annulus therebetween during normal operation and constricts against the shaft when the shaft slows or stops rotating. The annulus is maintained open during normal operation by a spacer interposed between opposing ends of a split ring. When the shaft stops rotating, the temperature of the annulus rises, which actuates removal of the spacer from the split ring constricting the split ring against the shaft blocking the annulus. The blocked annulus causes a pressure differential across the seal which urges a polymer seal ring, downstream of the split ring against the shaft which seals the annulus. In one embodiment, the spacer is formed of a meltable material. In a second embodiment, the spacer is removed from the split ring by a thermally responsive actuator.

Abstract: A system for reducing waste and encouraging recycling through a vending system which refills only those containers which are compatible with the vending system. The vending system distinguishes a container's compatibility with the vending system to permit refilling of the container.

Abstract: A thermally actuated shutdown seal provides a shutdown seal usable in a pump having a primary seal assembly positioned circumferentially about a rotating shaft for separating a region of high pressure coolant fluid from the shaft. The shutdown seal includes a two-piece interlocked housing which encompasses carbon graphite ring segments positioned circumferentially about the shaft, a garter spring and a series of compression springs. The replaceable insert with machined recess contains the shutdown seal assembly and is biased axially with a wave spring and held with the annular recess by a closure ring. The seal is designed with coolant fluid flow directly in contact with such ring segments and specially designed paths around the ring segments during normal pump operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the bore diameter of a hole as a function of hole depth is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a diametric probe, for generating first measured bore diameter data along a diametric probe sensitive axis; a foot, for positioning the diametric probe sensitive axis in a plane parallel to the hole; a linear distance probe, coupled to the diametric probe, for generating first measured depth data describing the depth of the diametric probe sensitive axis within the hole; and a data acquisition system, for recording first measured bore diameter data from the diametric probe and first measured depth data from the linear distance probe of an insertion of the diametric probe into the hole.

Abstract: Higher order cuprate complexes are prepared by means of a transmetalation from a corresponding zirconate intermediate. This process is particularly valuable with respect to the preparation of vinylic side chains such as are present in prostaglandins, as it is possible in accordance with the present invention to proceed directly from the acetylenic precursors via the reactive cuprates to the desired final products in a one-pot operation without isolation of intermediates and in high yields. Sequential additions to zirconium intermediates of components which together comprise the cuprate involved in transmetalation with the zirconium intermediate are disclosed as alternative procedures.