Abstract: A method for lubricating a joint of a mammal by administering into a cavity of the joint a composition of liposomes that are multilamellar vesicles (MLV) dispersed in a fluid medium, the liposomes having a mean diameter of between about 0.8 ?m to about 10 ?m and including membranes of at least one glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two C12-C16 hydrocarbon chains which are the same or different. These membranes have a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. and being lower than the temperature of the joint.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of joint lubrication and/or prevention of cartilage wear making use of liposomes having membranes with at least one phospholipid (PL) of the group consisting of a glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two, being the same or different, C12-C16 hydrocarbon chain and a sphingolipid (SPL) having a C12-C15 hydrocarbon chain, the one or more membranes having a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being within a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. for lubrication of joints.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the preparation of structurally and compositionally modulated composite surfaces that can potentially reduce friction and increase resistance to wear and scuffing in rolling, rotating and sliding bearing applications. Preparation of nano-to-micro size pores, holes, or dimples on a given solid surface and filling them with soft or hard coatings at desired thickness to achieve such properties.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of joint lubrication and/or prevention of cartilage wear making use of liposomes having membranes with at least one phospholipid (PL) of the group consisting of a glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two, being the same or different, C12-C16 hydrocarbon chain and a sphingolipid (SPL) having a C12-C15 hydrocarbon chain, the one or more membranes having a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being within a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. for lubrication of joints.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the preparation of structurally and compositionally modulated composite surfaces that can potentially reduce friction and increase resistance to wear and scuffing in rolling, rotating and sliding bearing applications. Preparation of nano-to-micro size pores, holes, or dimples on a given solid surface and filling them with soft or hard coatings at desired thickness to achieve such properties.

Abstract: A fluid-film bearing including: (a) a first surface region having a first bearing surface, for attaching to a first machine component; (b) a second surface region having a second bearing surface, for attaching to a second machine component; the surface regions designed and configured such that first surface and the second surface are disposed opposite one another, the surface regions further designed and configured such that the first surface and the second surface move in a relative motion with respect to one another and (c) a fluid disposed between the surfaces, wherein at least one of the surfaces is a micropore-containing surface having a plurality of micropores disposed so as to effect an equivalent clearance convergence between the surfaces, in a direction of the relative motion, such that the relative motion, acting on the fluid, generates a pressure so as to generate a lifting force between the surfaces.

Abstract: A method of texturing a surface of an electrical contact including the steps of: (a) providing a first surface region for conducting electrical current; (b) providing a second surface region for conducing electrical current, the second surface region substantially opposing and operatively connected to the first surface region, and (c) utilizing beam radiation to form a plurality of micropores on at least one of the surface regions.

Abstract: A lubricated hydrostatic seal comprising (a) surface regions having opposing surfaces; (b) a plurality of micropores in one or more of said surfaces having a pore geometry; and (c) a flow of fluid between said surfaces, wherein said flow of fluid past said micropores provides a lifting force between said surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the opposing surfaces of the surface regions are nominally parallel. Nominally-parallel surfaces are simple to manufacture and are considerably less expensive than the various converging-surface configurations of the prior art. The nominally-parallel surface configuration can also be utilized in both liquid-lubricated and gas-lubricated hydrodynamic seal applications, and in hybrid-seal applications in which both hydrodynamic and hydrostatic lift are generated.

Abstract: A method for designing bearings, of improved performance, the load-bearing surfaces of which feature micropores about 2 to 10 microns deep and, preferably, aspect ratios on the order of 7 to 20. The hydrodynamic pressure distribution of a suite of bearing surfaces with different micropore geometries and densities is modeled numerically. The load-bearing surfaces of the bearings are fabricated with micropores having the optimal density and geometry determined by the numerical modeling. Conical micropores may be created by single laser pulses, with the pore size and shape controlled by controlling the laser beam profile, the laser beam power, and the optical parameters of the focusing system.

Abstract: A method for designing bearings, of improved performance, the load-bearing surfaces of which feature micropores about 2 to 10 microns deep and, preferably, aspect ratios on the order of 7 to 20. The hydrodynamic pressure distribution of a suite of bearing surfaces with different micropore geometries and densities is modeled numerically. The load-bearing surfaces of the bearings are fabricated with micropores having the optimal density and geometry determined by the numerical modeling. Conical micropores may be created by single laser pulses, with the pore size and shape controlled by controlling the laser beam profile, the laser beam power, and the optical parameters of the focusing system.

Abstract: A method for designing bearings, of improved performance, the load-bearing surfaces of which feature micropores about 2 to 10 microns deep and, preferably, aspect ratios on the order of 7 to 20. The hydrodynamic pressure distribution of a suite of bearing surfaces with different micropore geometries and densities is modeled numerically. The load-bearing surfaces of the bearings are fabricated with micropores having the optimal density and geometry determined by the numerical modeling. Conical micropores may be created by single laser pulses, with the pore size and shape controlled by controlling the laser beam profile, the laser beam power, and the optical parameters of the focusing system.

Abstract: A method for designing bearings, of improved performance, the load-bearing surfaces of which feature micropores about 2 to 10 microns deep and, preferably, aspect ratios on the order of 7 to 20. The hydrodynamic pressure distribution of a suite of bearing surfaces with different micropore geometries and densities is modeled numerically. The load-bearing surfaces of the bearings are fabricated with micropores having the optimal density and geometry determined by the numerical modeling. Conical micropores may be created by single laser pulses, with the pore size and shape controlled by controlling the laser beam profile, the laser beam power, and the optical parameters of the focusing system.

Abstract: A high-pressure, low-capacity pump comprises a rotor (3) of a smooth, planar, circular surface rotating in a pump casing (1) provided with a stator surface (21) facing the rotor surface at a short distance. The stator surface (21) is in the shape of a circular, flat-topped ridge having its center displaced in respect of the rotor center by a given distance. The circular ridge is characterized by that it is bisected along a line extending through both the center of the circle and the rotor center and that it is of different height on both sides of the bisecting line, creating a respective narrow gap (h) and a wide gap (H) between the ridge and the rotor surface. A fluid inlet (11) is provided in the casing on the outside of the circular ridge and a fluid outlet (22) on the inside of the ridge.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic, non-contacting end-face seal for a rotary machine comprises a rotor mounted on the machine shaft and a ring-shaped stator facing the flat and smooth surface of the rotor at a short distance. The stator encloses the machine shaft, is eccentrically positioned in respect of the rotor center, and is urged towards the rotor surface by a helical spring.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to improve the film stiffness of a face seal without increasing the sealing and dam area.The improved sealing apparatus (16) has a primary seal ring (20) in the form of a nose piece. A spring (24) forces a sealing surface (28) on the seal ring into sealing contact with a seat (18) to form a face seal. A circumferential clearance seal is formed in series with this face seal by a lip (34) on the nose piece. The width of the surface (36) of the lip is substantially the same as the width of the sealing surface (28) on the face seal. Also the clearance between the surface (36) on the lip and the shaft (10) is substantially the same as the spacing between the face sealing surfaces (28 and 30) on the face seal when the shaft is rotating.The circumferential clearance seal restricts the flow of fluid from a main cavity (14) to an intermediate cavity (32) with a resulting pressure drop.

Abstract: A self-stabilizing radial face seal comprising an axial member, a primary seal ring juxtapositioned to a seal seat, at least one of said primary seal ring and seal seat being affixed to said axial member so as to rotate therewith, said primary seal ring having a front face which opposes a face of said seal seat, said seal having both high-pressure and low-pressure regions of fluid, said seal seat being provided with a porous ring-like circumferential structure in the face of said seal seat opposite said front face of said primary seal ring.

Abstract: A gas-lubricated bearing employing at least one pad mounted on a rectangular cantilever beam to produce a lubricating wedge between the face of the pad and a moving surface. The load-carrying and stiffness characteristics of the pad are related to the dimensions and modulus of elasticity of the beam. The bearing is applicable to a wide variety of types of hydrodynamic bearings.