Abstract: A spindle assembly useful at high rotational speeds including a tool holding and releasing collet mechanism operated by an axially movable drawbar held in its tool holding position by a spring the force of which is overcome by a piston movable between first and second positions. A plurality of arms pivotally secured at one end thereof to a housing with a second end thereof engaging said piston and having a cam surface intermediate the first and second ends thereof engaging an actuator positioned to engage said drawbar, overcome said spring and move the collet mechanism to its tool releasing position. The ratio of the distance between the pivot point and cam surface with respect to the distance between the pivot point and the second end thereof being such to magnify the force of the piston sufficient to overcome the spring force.

Abstract: A spindle assembly useful at high rotational speeds including a tool holding and releasing collet mechanism operated by an axially movable drawbar held in its tool holding position by a spring the force of which is overcome by a piston movable between first and second positions. A plurality of arms pivotally secured at one end thereof to a housing with a second end thereof engaging said piston and having a cam surface intermediate the first and second ends thereof engaging an actuator positioned to engage said drawbar, overcome said spring and move the collet mechanism to its tool releasing position. The ratio of the distance between the pivot point and cam surface with respect to the distance between the pivot point and the second end thereof being such to magnify the force of the piston sufficient to overcome the spring force.

Abstract: A hydrostatic bearing design employing inherently compensated orifices whose geometric design is such that the use of multiple orifices is substantially simplified. In normal cylindrical hydrostatic bearings, the orifices are usually employed in rows. There can be from three to 120 orifices per row, and usually from one to six rows in most designs. In these designs, the orifice is usually a separate component, which is pressed into the surface that constitutes the bearing. Inherently compensated orifices are comprised of three sections, i.e. the entrance section, the restricting orifice section, and the exit section. The first two of these sections are of circular cross section. This design employs slots versus cylindrical type of construction, thereby giving square or rectangular cross sections. The manufacturing of this type of hydrostatic bearing is greatly simplified since only three or slightly more parts are required, versus a separate part for each orifice.

Abstract: An essentially completely and automatically self-adjusting fluid bearing assembly includes at least a front and rear bearing cone mounted for rotation with a driven shaft. Associated with each cone is a shell, such that a fluid gap exists between the shell and the associated cone. One of the shells, usually the rear shell, is held in place and biased by a spring or the like to urge the shell towards the associated cone to form the proper fluid gap while the other shell is provided with a differential diameter. Due to the differential diameter, the fluid pressure operates to urge the front shell towards the front cone thus keeping the fluid gaps in the proper fluid gap dimensions. Various structures are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved integral machined spring adapted to be used in high speed spindles employing a tool holding mechanism which rotates with the spindle. The spring assembly includes a plurality of lands and slots arranged circumferentially and in tiers and includes a top and bottom face. The axial width dimension of the slots adjacent to the end faces is less than the axial dimension of the slots between the end faces in order to distribute the stresses more uniformly. The lands form a plurality of circumferentially arranged lobes whose radial dimension is greater than the portion between the lobes, again to distribute the stresses more uniformly. Various forms of the invention are described including a spindle assembly having a non-rotating actuating rod.

Abstract: A fluid bearing assembly, e.g., air or gas, of the hydrostatic or hydrodynamic type, for use as a spindle and the like, includes spaced journals mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith. The housing includes spaced support bearings cooperating with the journals to form a gas gap therebetween. The support bearings are resiliently mounted in the housing for axial, radial and angular movement through the use of continuous resilient support elements positioned between the housing and the support bearings and continuously in contact with each. The resilient support elements are preferably self-energizing and comprised of relatively low coefficient of friction materials to reduce the friction of the system thus allowing rapid adjustment of the bearing in response to loads on the shaft. Various details are described with respect to the various structures illustrated, including the details of an air bearing spindle assembly of relatively light weight and capable of operating at speeds in excess of 100,000 RPM.

Abstract: A fluid bearing assembly, e.g., air or gas, of the hydrostatic or hydrodynamic type, for use as a spindle and the like, includes spaced journals mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith. The housing includes spaced support bearings cooperating with the journals to form a gas gap therebetween. The support bearings are resiliently mounted in the housing for axial, radial and angular movement through the use of continuous resilient support elements positioned between the housing and the support bearings and continuously in contact with each. The resilient support elements are preferably self-energizing and comprised of relatively low coefficient of friction materials to reduce the friction of the system thus allowing rapid adjustment of the bearing in response to loads on the shaft. Various details are described with respect to the various structures illustrated, including the details of an air bearing spindle assembly of relatively light weight and capable of operating at speeds in excess of 100,000 RPM.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved integral machined spring adapted to be used in high speed spindles employing a tool holding mechanism which rotates with the spindle. The spring assembly includes a plurality of lands and slots arranged circumferentially and in tiers and includes a top and bottom face. The axial width dimension of the slots adjacent to the end faces is less than the axial dimension of the slots between the end faces in order to distribute the stresses more uniformly. The lands form a plurality of circumferentially arranged lobes whose radial dimension is greater than the portion between the lobes, again to distribute the stresses more uniformly. Various forms of the invention are described including a spindle assembly having a non-rotating actuating rod.

Abstract: A force operated latching device for use with a switch, valve or motor includes a sleeve-piston combination responsive to the force and which is latched and delatched in response to the force, usually in the form of fluid pressure. The latching device may be incorporated into a manifold for control of internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A turbocharger system includes a compressor driven by a turbine and a mixing device so connected that a portion of the outlet of the compressor is mixed with a portion of the exhaust gas of the combustion engine and is used to power the turbine. In one form the mixing device is an ejector and in another form, the compressor, turbine and mixing device are a unitary structure. Also described is a turboejector and a system is which a heat exchanger is used to preheat the compressor air prior to admixture with the engine exhaust gas. Various forms and structures are described.

Abstract: A unique and improved turbomachine for increasing the pressure of one fluid stream by an energy exchange with that of another fluid stream, at relatively high efficiency, includes a housing supporting a compressor turbine wheel for rotation on bearings. Low pressure fluid enters the compressor, driven at the same rpm and by the turbine, such that the tangential velocity of the fluid leaving the compressor is increased. A high pressure fluid enters the housing through an ejector nozzle and is expanded and mixed with the fluid leaving the compressor, the mixed fluid flowing through the turbine. Since a greater amount of fluid flows through the turbine than through the compressor, there is a sufficient amount of energy to drive the compressor and to provide an output from the turbine which is at a pressure higher than that of the fluid entering the compressor. Various forms and systems are described.

Abstract: A heating and air conditioning system and method involves the use of turbomachinery and a working fluid capable of changing phase at specific temperature and pressure and powered by an external heat source. The pressure of a portion of the working fluid in liquid form is increased and thereafter heated to change phase to a gas for use as a high energy working fluid component which is flowed through the turbo-drive. Another portion of the working fluid, at an intermediate pressure is expanded to a lower pressure and then passed through an evaporator, whose output forms a low energy working fluid component in gas form. The low energy working fluid is flowed into the turbo-device for admixture with the high energy working fluid, to effect an energy exchange therebetween. The turbo-device includes an output which is condensed and at an intermediate pressure. Various systems, turbo-devices and working fluids are described.

Abstract: A pumping system deriving power from a heat source and heat sink, for producing either a liquid or gaseous output, utilizes the available thermal potential energy for conversion to work. A liquid, such as a cryogenic liquid is pumped to a first pressure and at least a portion of the output is pumped to a second and higher pressure. The liquid at the higher pressure flows through a heat exchanger to vaporize the liquid to a gas which drives a turbine for generating power to power the pumps or an electrical generator or both. The exhaust output of the turbine flows into the output of the first pump or stage. A recondensing heat exchanger may be used to recondense the turbine exhaust. The system may produce a liquid output or a gas output.

Abstract: An energy conversion system for the production of power from hot fluid sources which may contain dissolved solutes and undesirable noncondensable gases is disclosed in which direct heat transfer is utilized by said hot fluid sources to vaporize a working fluid which is then in turn utilized for the production of power. In the given system the working fluid is employed in such a manner as to blanket the appropriate interior surfaces of the apparatus thus preventing contamination by any of the dissolved solutes which subsequently may have precipitated out during the energy conversion stage of the power. Also disclosed is a modification of said energy conversion system whereby any loss of the said working fluid is prevented, thereby eliminating the necessity of their replacement, so that the given system can operate for extended periods of time without the added expense of providing for make-up fluid.

Abstract: An improved pump system includes a booster turbine unit including a turbine mounted on the same shaft as the booster pump and utilizing a primary pump as the primary fluid power source. Various forms of turbine and booster pump may be used such that either the pressure or rate of flow from the primary pump may be increased substantially by a relatively simple and reliable system. The output of the primary pump may be flowed through the booster turbine including the booster pump or one fluid may be used as the same source and another as the pump system output. Various forms and designs are described.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for obtaining pure components from a fluid mixture employing a minimum amount of energy. A rectification column is utilized in which the fluid mixture is separated into its components whereby the heat addition and cooling required is accomplished by means of a heat pump transfer system. The system transfers heat energy to a working fluid to power a compressor structure in a heat pump cycle by supplying heat to the liquid phase. Compressor structure is disclosed in the forms of an ejector and a turbine-powered compressor. As disclosed, the same working fluid is employed in the power cycle and the heat pump cycle. Specific structures are disclosed for obtaining greater efficiency including an arrangement for heat regeneration in the power loop of the heat pump cycle and also disclosed is an arrangement whereby individual systems are staged for the separation of multicomponent mixtures.

Abstract: A system is disclosed incorporating a positive-displacement compressor-and-engine arrangement for converting heat of a working fluid to attain a pressure increase in a working fluid that is supplied to a turbine system. The system employs a heater interposed to pass exhaust fluid from the drive engine to the turbine system at an elevated temperature. As disclosed, the housing of the compressor-and-drive structure incorporates cooling apparatus, for example so that the reciprocating compressor may approach isothermal operation. Also, the turbine system is divided into one unit which supplies mechanical output power and another to drive a rotary compressor or supercharger, which supplies intake fluid to the positive-displacement compressor, the output of which supplies the positive-displacement engine.