Abstract: A ball bat includes outer shell segments longitudinally spaced apart from each other to form a gap between them. A joint connects the segments. A first outer shell segment may include a barrel portion of the ball bat and at least part of a tapered portion of the ball bat. A second outer shell segment may include at least part of the tapered portion. The joint may include a tubular element having a first portion positioned within the first outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the first outer shell segment, and a second portion positioned within the second outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the second outer shell segment. The tubular element may include an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the joint may be formed by an elastomeric material connecting the outer shell segments in the gap.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to hydrodynamic bearings for use in X-ray sources are provided. In one aspect, a hydrodynamic bearing system includes a sleeve assembly including a cross-member fluidically dividing a first interior cavity from a second interior cavity, a first shaft positioned in the first interior cavity, and a second shaft positioned in the second interior cavity. The hydrodynamic bearing system may further include a first journal bearing including a first fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the first cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads and a second journal bearing including a second fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the second cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to hydrodynamic bearings for use in X-ray sources are provided. In one aspect, a hydrodynamic bearing system includes a sleeve assembly including a cross-member fluidically dividing a first interior cavity from a second interior cavity, a first shaft positioned in the first interior cavity, and a second shaft positioned in the second interior cavity. The hydrodynamic bearing system may further include a first journal bearing including a first fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the first cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads and a second journal bearing including a second fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the second cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to hydrodynamic bearings for use in X-ray sources are provided. In one aspect, a hydrodynamic bearing system includes a sleeve assembly including a cross-member fluidically dividing a first interior cavity from a second interior cavity, a first shaft positioned in the first interior cavity, and a second shaft positioned in the second interior cavity. The hydrodynamic bearing system may further include a first journal bearing including a first fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the first cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads and a second journal bearing including a second fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the second cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to hydrodynamic bearings are provided. One example hydrodynamic bearing system includes a sleeve assembly including a cross-member fluidically dividing a first interior cavity from a second interior cavity, a first shaft positioned in the first interior cavity, and a second shaft positioned in the second interior cavity. The hydrodynamic bearing system further includes a first journal bearing including a first fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the first cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads and a second journal bearing including a second fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the second cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to hydrodynamic bearings are provided. One example hydrodynamic bearing system includes a sleeve assembly including a cross-member fluidically dividing a first interior cavity from a second interior cavity, a first shaft positioned in the first interior cavity, and a second shaft positioned in the second interior cavity. The hydrodynamic bearing system further includes a first journal bearing including a first fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the first cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads and a second journal bearing including a second fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the second cantilever shaft and configured to support radial loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to hydrodynamic bearings are provided. One example system includes a hydrodynamic bearing including a rotational component configured to attach to an anode and a stationary component. The stationary component includes a bearing surface having a plurality of grooves configured to generate pressure in a fluid interface during rotation of the rotational component and where the bearing surface includes at least one recessed section profiled based on an expected pattern of wear.

Abstract: Liquid metal bearing assemblies and methods for operation of said assemblies are provided. One example liquid metal bearing assembly includes a liquid metal interface positioned between a stationary component and a rotational component. The rotational component includes a liquid metal reservoir configured to contain a liquid metal and positioned radially inward from the liquid metal interface, a liquid metal passage extending between the liquid metal reservoir and the liquid metal interface, and an anti-wetting surface in the liquid metal passage.

Abstract: A valve for an extraction device of a molten metal or molten alloy atomizing chamber comprises a valve member which is rotatably mounted in a pipe. The peripheral edge of the valve member has a groove in which is located a rubber seal. A protecting member is located in the pipe upstream of the valve member with respect to the flow of an atomizing gas and metal particles through the pipe. The protecting member is positioned such that when the valve member is in the open position the protecting member is immediately upstream of the peripheral edge of the valve member to prevent metal particles impinging upon and wearing the rubber seal. The protecting member is also supplied with cooling gas and is arranged to direct the cooling gas through passages over the surfaces of the valve member to prevent the seal overheating.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the manufacture of brush seals which comprise a plurality of filaments of brush material sandwiched between two sideplates. The apparatus comprises a workplate onto which is mounted one of the sideplates of the seal. A plurality of first clamping members clamp against the sideplate. Each member can be lifted to enable a tuft of brush material to be inserted and clamped against the sideplate. To enable more than one layer of tufts to be built up on the sideplate a second clamping means is provided to enable the first clamping members to be released. An indexing mechanism allows the first clamping members to be moved relative to the clamped tufts and when the assembly of tufts is complete a second sideplate is clamped onto the tufts and first sideplate. The apparatus also includes means for cutting a prewound ribbon of adhesively bonded wires into short lengths to form the tufts.