Abstract: An impeller of an impeller assembly for a processing device has a spiral ove formed in a circumferential side face so that material entering a clearance space between the circumferential side face of the impeller and inner circumferential walls of the processing device is guided out of the clearance space when the impeller assembly is rotated. The spiral groove prevent material from lodging in the space and jamming the impeller assembly.

Abstract: An elastomeric mount for a thrust bearing shoe comprising a piston fluidly operative in a platform cavity, the piston isolated and sealed from the cavity by an elongated elastomeric bearing-seal. The piston lockingly engages a thrust shoe with a compound dovetail connection whereby the shoe may be installed and removed after the piston and elastomeric bearing-seal are bonded into the platform cavity.

Abstract: A hydrostatic apparatus for supporting a collared shaft bearing face which xially translates creating thrust force on a button bearing face wherein the button bearing is radially supported and fluidly sealed by two separate means. This arrangement avoids sustantial non-parallelism between said shaft bearing face and said button bearing face.

Abstract: A leak free floating packing shaft seal is provided for a rotatable shaft d a supporting annular structure wherein the supporting annular structure has a high pressure upstream side and a low pressure downstream side. The floating seal includes an annular holder which is slidably mounted in the supporting structure for radial movement therein. A ring of packing material is mounted in a recess in the inner circumferential side of the holder. A first O-ring arrangement is mounted between the supporting structure and the upstream side of the holder for effecting a seal from the high pressure environment, and a second O-ring arrangement is mounted between the supporting structure and the downstream side of the holder. At least one passageway is provided for communicating the upstream and downstream size of the holder for balancing the pressures therebetween. With this arrangement the holder is free to undergo the radial movement without leakage and the detriment of lateral forces thereon.

Abstract: A shaft seal that is slidably mounted in a housing with essentially equal balanced forces acting on each radial side. Fluid from the high pressure side of the shaft is communicated to equal areas on the two sides by ducts and constrained to the design areas by "O" rings. The seal moves radially in response to shaft displacements while maintaining a sealing relationship between packing material and the shaft.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly includes a rotor rotationally keyed to a propeller ft; a non-rotating, floating bushing surrounding the rotor; and means for maintaining a fluid seal between the bushing and a housing for the seal assembly. The adjacent surfaces of the rotor and the bushing define a water lubricated bearing interface wherein one of the surfaces is formed of a thin, compliant material and the other surface has axially extending grooves formed therein. The lubrication grooves are arranged in an alternating pattern wherein adjacent lubrication grooves extend from opposite surfaces edges and have portions which axially overlap in spaced apart relationship.

Abstract: An airflow control valve for a circulation control rotor helicopter blade wherein the airflow path is equally distributed about the closure element so as to prevent the generation of unbalanced pressure forces.