Abstract: Flexible seal assemblies having a relatively low torsional rigidity and high longitudinal flexure to thereby allow the flexible seal assembly to flex between adjacent components and maintain a seal, even when movement between adjacent components occurs, is described. In some embodiments, the flexible seal assembly includes one or more layers of metal matrix material, the metal matrix material being comprised of a plurality of short segments of thin wire arranged randomly and sintered together to form a semi-rigid sheet. The one or more layers of metal matrix material can be sandwiched between an upper casing and a lower casing of a metal alloy casing. In various embodiments, additional features are provided for helping to make sure the seal assembly stays together, such as spot welds formed through the seal assembly, an S-shaped casing, and a recess/protrusion feature provided on adjacent layers of metal matrix material.

Abstract: Flexible seal assemblies having a relatively low torsional rigidity and high longitudinal flexure to thereby allow the flexible seal assembly to flex between adjacent components and maintain a seal, even when movement between adjacent components occurs, is described. In some embodiments, the flexible seal assembly includes one or more layers of metal matrix material, the metal matrix material being comprised of a plurality of short segments of thin wire arranged randomly and sintered together to form a semi-rigid sheet. The one or more layers of metal matrix material can be sandwiched between an upper casing and a lower casing of a metal alloy casing. In various embodiments, additional features are provided for helping to make sure the seal assembly stays together, such as spot welds formed through the seal assembly, an S-shaped casing, and a recess/protrusion feature provided on adjacent layers of metal matrix material.

Abstract: Flexible seal assemblies having a relatively low torsional rigidity and high longitudinal flexure to thereby allow the flexible seal assembly to flex between adjacent components and maintain a seal, even when movement between adjacent components occurs, is described. In some embodiments, the flexible seal assembly includes one or more layers of metal matrix material, the metal matrix material being comprised of a plurality of short segments of thin wire arranged randomly and sintered together to form a semi-rigid sheet. The one or more layers of metal matrix material can be sandwiched between an upper casing and a lower casing of a metal alloy casing. In various embodiments, additional features are provided for helping to make sure the seal assembly stays together, such as spot welds formed through the seal assembly, an S-shaped casing, and a recess/protrusion feature provided on adjacent layers of metal matrix material.

Abstract: A debris removal method includes at least any one step of varying i) flow, ii) turbulence, and iii) pressure, within a pipe gas stream. Another embodiment is a cleaning system including a viewer to view inside pipe, and a turbulator associated with the viewer, to vary in a gas stream any of flow, pressure, and turbulence.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention is a system comprising a feeder to feed projectiles. There is a conveyor for metering the projectiles, and that conveyor is in communication with the feeder. A pipe is in communication with the conveyor, for impelling projectiles through the pipe. In another it is use of a barrel internally lined with a helical blade for unconfined metering of projectiles to clean a gas pressurized pipe.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention is a system comprising a feeder to feed projectiles. There is a conveyor for metering the projectiles, and that conveyor is in communication with the feeder. A pipe is in communication with the conveyor, for impelling projectiles through the pipe. In another it is use of a barrel internally lined with a helical blade for unconfined metering of projectiles to clean a gas pressurized pipe.

Abstract: In a geothermal power system that includes a turbine generator, a down-hole heat exchanger, and a turbine pump assembly, various arrangements for the turbine pump assembly are described. Those arrangements address considerations related to the design of the down-hole turbine pump. In such a system, the turbine generator receives a high pressure working fluid from the down-hole system to drive a generator. The turbine generator is in fluid communication with the down-hole heat exchanger and with the turbine portion of a removably disposed down-hole turbine pump assembly. The pump portion of the down-hole turbine pump assembly is in fluid communication with the down-hole heat exchanger and a source of geothermal fluid.

Abstract: A debris removal method includes at least any one step of varying i) flow, ii) turbulence, and iii) pressure, within a pipe gas stream. Another embodiment is a cleaning system including a viewer to view inside pipe, and a turbulator associated with the viewer, to vary in a gas stream any of flow, pressure, and turbulence.

Abstract: A demand initiated method for regenerating a water softener which operates the softener ion exchange bed over a capacity range in which the resin is most efficiently restored by exposure to brine. The reserve capacity of the softener is adjusted in response to the amount of softening capacity used since the last regeneration, as is the quantity of saturated brine to be used for the next regeneration, which is scheduled when the reserve capacity is exceeded, or the remaining available capacity will not be adequate for normal usage on the next day of the week.