Abstract: A mechanical face seal is provided that incorporates fluid passages through either or both of a first and a second element of the seal for directing a flow of cooling fluid to an exposed area of the second element which extends radially outward beyond the contact area of the seal. The fluid passages are configured and oriented to provide more cooling flow through each seal element and over the surfaces of each seal element then is achievable with prior cooling and lubrication approaches, to thereby enhance heat dissipation from the elements of the seal to such a degree that lubrication, seal life and performance of the seal are improved. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the seal elements are specially configured to create an annular gap between the elements for centrifugally pumping fluid away from a contact area of the seal.

Abstract: An impeller-type pump system includes a housing defining a pump chamber and a fluid inlet communicating with the chamber. An impeller is rotatably mounted in the pump chamber downstream of the inlet. The impeller includes a rear magnet hub mounting an axially facing driven magnetic coupling. Bearings are provided about the outside of the impeller for rotatably mounting the impeller in the pump chamber. Ceramic barrier discs are located behind the impeller to define a closure sealing the rear of the pump chamber. Ball bearings are mounted in a cup-shaped recess in the rear face of the magnet hub and bearing against the ceramic barrier discs at least during start-up of the pump. The sidewalls of the recess diverge away from the ceramic barrier discs, whereby the ball bearings move away from the ceramic barrier discs under centrifugal force in response to rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the playing of a game disclosing in the preferred embodiment of the invention the use of a multi-level pyramid game board 10 which is collapsible into a generally planar arrangement 52. Dice 78, 80 are used both to determine an amount of movement upon the board 10 as well as the direction associated therewith. Additionally, game players are to do battle by the generation and the later comparison of a plurality of hand symbols 100-104 that define which token, if any, is to be moved upon the game board 10. The invention relates to a method and apparatus for playing a game.