Abstract: A rotary machine includes a rotor with a plurality of plates defining openings therebetween, a housing enclosing the rotor, and a flow restrictor. The flow restrictor includes a body attached to a plate of the plurality of plates of the rotor and extending from the rotor toward the housing. The flow restrictor also includes a plurality of extensions extending from the body toward the housing to form a groove between extensions of the plurality of extensions.

Abstract: A rotary machine includes a rotor that is configured to rotate, a housing that encloses the rotor, and an elastomeric member that is attached to the housing. The housing includes a plate extending along the rotor, and the elastomeric member extends from the plate to form a seal with the rotor.

Abstract: An adsorption machine includes a stationary matrix of adsorbent elements and a movable duct system. The stationary matrix of adsorbent elements defines channels that extend from a first end of the stationary matrix to a second end of the stationary matrix. The movable duct system includes a first duct portion positioned adjacent the first end of the stationary matrix and a second duct portion positioned adjacent the second end of the stationary matrix. The first duct portion and the second duct portion are configured to move in synchronization with respect to the stationary matrix so that the first duct portion can guide a desorbing flow into the stationary matrix and the second duct portion can guide the desorbing flow, together with any substances desorbed from the stationary matrix, away from the stationary matrix.

Abstract: A housing for a rotary adsorption machine includes a peripheral section configured to circumferentially surround a rotor and define a plurality of zones through which the rotor can rotate, including an adsorption zone, a desorption zone, and a regeneration zone. The housing may include two or more sector plate assemblies that define the plurality of zones. The housing may include a plurality of ducts that define passageways into and out of the plurality of zones, and the peripheral section may connects each duct inlets with its duct outlet. The housing also includes structural reinforcements and thermal expansion elements. The structural reinforcements that support the rotor, balance internal pressures in the housing, and/or dampen or eliminate titling or deflections in the housing. The thermal expansion elements that allow the two or more sector plate assemblies to create seals between the plurality of zones.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a series of genes are identified in Group B Streptococcus, the products of which may be located on the outer surface of the organism. The genes, or functional fragments thereof, may be useful in the preparation of therapeutics, e.g. vaccines for the immunization of a patient against microbial infection.

Abstract: A protein from Group B Steptococcus is shown to be an outer surface protein and is a useful target for antimicrobial therapy.