Abstract: A system for measuring pump efficiency includes a pump configured to pump a fluid, a suction pipe disposed upstream of a suction side of the pump, a discharge pipe disposed downstream of a discharge side of the pump, a first pipe section disposed between the suction pipe and the suction side of the pump, and a second pipe section disposed between the discharge pipe and the discharge side of the pump. Each of the first pipe section and the second pipe section includes a temperature sensing pipe liner configured to measure a temperature of the fluid in the first pipe section, and a thermal insulator disposed radially outward of the temperature sensing pipe liner.

Abstract: A distribution manifold includes a main trunk line at a first end of the manifold proximate a boost pump, two branch lines at a downstream end of the main trunk line, a first Y-connector coupling upstream ends of the two branch lines to the downstream end of the main trunk line, two sub-branch lines at a downstream end of each of the two branch lines, and two second Y-connectors coupling upstream ends of the four sub-branch lines to the downstream ends of the two respective branch lines. A sum of cross-sectional areas of downstream ends of the four sub-branch lines is equal to the cross-sectional area of the upstream end of the main trunk line.

Abstract: A distribution manifold includes a main trunk line at a first end of the manifold proximate a boost pump, two branch lines at a downstream end of the main trunk line, a first Y-connector coupling upstream ends of the two branch lines to the downstream end of the main trunk line, two sub-branch lines at a downstream end of each of the two branch lines, and two second Y-connectors coupling upstream ends of the four sub-branch lines to the downstream ends of the two respective branch lines.

Abstract: A system for measuring pump efficiency includes a pump configured to pump a fluid, a suction pipe disposed upstream of a suction side of the pump, a discharge pipe disposed downstream of a discharge side of the pump, a first pipe section disposed between the suction pipe and the suction side of the pump, and a second pipe section disposed between the discharge pipe and the discharge side of the pump. Each of the first pipe section and the second pipe section includes a temperature sensing pipe liner configured to measure a temperature of the fluid in the first pipe section, and a thermal insulator disposed radially outward of the temperature sensing pipe liner.

Abstract: A suction manifold for providing fluid flow to a pump for hydraulic fracturing includes an input port configured to receive a flow of fluid from a source, a plurality of output ports configured to direct the flow of fluid to a plurality of corresponding cylinders of the pump, and a chamber configured to direct the flow of fluid from the input port to the output ports. The input port is configured to direct the flow of fluid in a direction parallel to a direction in which the output ports direct the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A propeller system for an aircraft includes an assembly for modifying a sound field of the propeller system. The propeller system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor and blades are operable to propel an aircraft to travel in a direction. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis. The blade tips define a circumferential rotational path as the blades are rotated by the rotor. The propeller system includes an acoustic resonator or multiple resonators having openings disposed within a distance to the propeller blade tip that is small compared to the wavelength of the propeller's fundamental blade tone and proximate to the rotor plane. The resonators are excited by tip flow of the blade as it passes the opening.

Abstract: A propeller system for an aircraft includes an assembly for modifying a sound field of the propeller system. The propeller system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor and blades are operable to propel an aircraft to travel in a direction. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis. The blade tips define a circumferential rotational path as the blades are rotated by the rotor. The propeller system includes an acoustic resonator or multiple resonators having openings disposed within a distance to the propeller blade tip that is small compared to the wavelength of the propeller's fundamental blade tone and proximate to the rotor plane. The resonators are excited by tip flow of the blade as it passes the opening.

Abstract: A fan system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a fan axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the fan axis. A first acoustic resonator has an opening disposed on a first side of the rotor plane and a second acoustic resonator has an opening disposed on a second side of the rotor plane. The acoustic resonators are configured to provide a dipole resonator system operable to at least partially reduce a blade pass frequency tone in an upstream and a downstream direction simultaneously.

Abstract: A fan system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a fan axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the fan axis. A first acoustic resonator has an opening disposed on a first side of the rotor plane and a second acoustic resonator has an opening disposed on a second side of the rotor plane. The acoustic resonators are configured to provide a dipole resonator system operable to at least partially reduce a blade pass frequency tone in an upstream and a downstream direction simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for allowing visual access to the interior of a tire wheel assembly under dynamic conditions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel rim having a window or access area such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions. An alternate embodiment includes the camera and the light attached to the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for allowing visual access to the interior of a tire wheel assembly under dynamic conditions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel rim having a window or access area such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions. An alternate embodiment includes the camera and the light attached to the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is actuator having a shaft delivering mechanical power to a load, a first active element adapted to be driven by an oscillating signal, and at least one mechanical diode operatively connected to the shaft in the act of development. A plurality of mechanical diodes may also be used. Mechanical diodes can be either rotary mechanical diodes or linear mechanical diodes. The mechanical diodes can also be bi-directional.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel rim having at least one window such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is actuator having a shaft delivering mechanical power to a load, a first active element adapted to be driven by an oscillating signal, and at least one mechanical diode operatively connected to the shaft in the act of development. A plurality of mechanical diodes may also be used. Mechanical diodes can be either rotary mechanical diodes or linear mechanical diodes. The mechanical diodes can also be bi-directional.

Abstract: A dynamic load simulator is provided to simulate the suspension system of a vehicle. A spindle, connected to a suspension system, receives a tire in engagement with a rotating drum. A force gauge and velocity gauge are maintained at the spindle to monitor axle forces and movement. Road force is monitored by gauges maintained within the rotating drum. Adjustable springs, dampers, resonators, and weights allow the characteristics of the suspension system to be tailored to simulate those of an actual or conceptual.