Abstract: A ram air turbine comprises a turbine housing which mounts a number of circumferentially spaced turbine blades that function predominantly as impulse turbine blades and a number of splitters, each located in between adjacent turbine blades, which function predominantly as a reaction turbine blade but are shorter in length than the turbine blades. The cross section of the turbine housing decreases between its forward and aft ends while the height of both the turbine blades and splitters increases in the same direction such that the tips of the turbine blades and splitters collectively form a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A self-adjusting non-contact seal for sealing the circumferential gap between a first machine component and a second machine component includes structure which undergoes wear in the event of inadvertent contact with one of the machine components in such a way as to allow a reset of its radial distance from such machine component, compared to initial installation tolerances, while minimizing leakage.

Abstract: An active balancing system for rotating machinery is provided which is light weight, solid state and powered by radiant energy. One or more balance rings coupled to the rotating machinery each have balancing elements which are moved to a selected position by actuators whose operation is controlled according to measured vibration resulting from imbalance of the machinery. The actuators are powered by an electrical energy generating device, such as a photo cell or a photovoltaic element, which is coupled to the machinery and located across an air gap from a source of radiant energy such as an array of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A submerged ram air turbine generating system adapted for use in a pod mounted to the wing of an aircraft comprises a submerged inlet extending substantially entirely around the outer surface of the pod housing, a stator in the form of adjustable or fixed inlet guide vanes which direct an air stream to a hybrid ram air turbine having alternating turbine blades and splitters, and, a number of adjustable exhaust panels which are movable with respect to one or more exhaust openings in the pod housing.

Abstract: A hybrid seal for sealing the circumferential gap between a first machine component and a second machine component comprises at least one shoe extending along one of the machine components in a position to create a non-contact seal, at least one spring element connected between one of the machine components and the shoe(s) and a stack of sealing elements located within a slot formed in the shoe(s), wherein a primary seal and secondary seal of the circumferential gap is created by the shoe(s) in cooperation with the spring element(s) and sealing elements, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the mass of liquid within collapsible, bulk fabric storage containers is provided wherein a number of pressure pads arranged in a grid pattern supports the container and undergo deflection creating an increase in the pressure of fluid within their interior which may be measured and correlated to the mass of the liquid within the container.

Abstract: An active balancing system for rotating machinery is provided which is light weight, solid state and powered by radiant energy. One or more balance rings coupled to the rotating machinery each have balancing elements which are moved to a selected position by actuators whose operation is controlled according to measured vibration resulting from imbalance of the machinery. The actuators are powered by an electrical energy generating device, such as a photo cell or a photovoltaic element, which is coupled to the machinery and located across an air gap from a source of radiant energy such as an array of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A self-adjusting non-contact seal for sealing the circumferential gap between a first machine component and a second machine component includes structure which undergoes wear in the event of inadvertent contact with one of the machine components in such a way as to allow a reset of its radial distance from such machine component, compared to initial installation tolerances, while minimizing leakage.

Abstract: An active balancing system for rotating machinery is provided which is light weight, solid state and powered by radiant energy. One or more balance rings coupled to the rotating machinery each have balancing elements which are moved to a selected position by actuators whose operation is controlled according to measured vibration resulting from imbalance of the machinery. The actuators are powered by an electrical energy generating device, such as a photo cell or a photovoltaic element, which is coupled to the machinery and located across an air gap from a source of radiant energy such as an array of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the mass of liquid within collapsible, bulk fabric storage containers is provided wherein a number of pressure pads arranged in a grid pattern supports the container and undergo deflection creating an increase in the pressure of fluid within their interior which may be measured and correlated to the mass of the liquid within the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the mass of liquid within collapsible, bulk fabric storage containers is provided wherein a deflection member arranged in a grid pattern supports the container and undergoes deflection creating an increase in the pressure of fluid within its interior which may be measured and correlated to the mass of the liquid within the container.

Abstract: A submerged ram air turbine generating system adapted for use in a pod mounted to the wing of an aircraft comprises a submerged inlet extending substantially entirely around the outer surface of the pod housing, a stator in the form of adjustable or fixed inlet guide vanes which direct an air stream to a hybrid ram air turbine having alternating turbine blades and splitters, and, a number of adjustable exhaust panels which are movable with respect to one or more exhaust openings in the pod housing.

Abstract: An adjustable exhaust apparatus for use with a pod having a pod housing formed with at least one exhaust opening comprises a number of exhaust panels each hinged to the pod housing in position to move between a closed position in which the at least one exhaust opening is sealed, and an open position in which the exhaust panels are oriented at up to about a 30° angle relative to the pod housing. The exhaust panels, when in the open position, are effective to create a negative pressure within at least the aft portion of the pod housing to draw air into the pod and to assists in maintaining or at least avoiding an appreciable drop in the kinetic energy of an air stream moving through the pod interior.

Abstract: A ram air turbine comprises a turbine housing which mounts a number of circumferentially spaced turbine blades that function predominantly as impulse turbine blades and a number of splitters, each located in between adjacent turbine blades, which function predominantly as a reaction turbine blade but are shorter in length than the turbine blades. The cross section of the turbine housing decreases between its forward and aft ends while the height of both the turbine blades and splitters increases in the same direction such that the tips of the turbine blades and splitters collectively form a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A seal comprises the combination of a primary seal and a secondary seal each of which acts on at least one shoe that is installed with clearance relative to one of a rotor and a stator in a position to create a non-contact seal therewith. The at least one shoe is provided with a surface geometry and labyrinth-type teeth that influence the inertia of fluid flowing across the seal, and, hence, the velocity of the fluid and the pressure distribution across the seal, ultimately affecting the balance of forces applied to the seal.

Abstract: A seal comprises the combination of a primary seal and a secondary seal each of which acts on at least one shoe that is installed with clearance relative to one of a rotor and a stator in a position to create a non-contact seal therewith. The at least one shoe is provided with a surface geometry that influences the inertia of fluid flowing across the seal, and, hence, the velocity of the fluid and the pressure distribution across the seal, ultimately affecting the balance of forces applied to the seal.

Abstract: A hybrid seal for sealing the circumferential gap between a first machine component and a second machine component comprises at least one shoe extending along one of the machine components in a position to create a non-contact seal, at least one spring element connected between one of the machine components and the shoe(s) and a stack of sealing elements located within a slot formed in the shoe(s), wherein a primary seal and secondary seal of the circumferential gap is created by the shoe(s) in cooperation with the spring element(s) and sealing elements, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the mass of liquid within collapsible, bulk fabric storage containers is provided wherein a deflection member arranged in a grid pattern supports the container and undergoes deflection creating an increase in the pressure of fluid within its interior which may be measured and correlated to the mass of the liquid within the container.

Abstract: An active balancing system for rotating machinery is provided which is light weight, solid state and powered by radiant energy. One or more balance rings coupled to the rotating machinery each have balancing elements which are moved to a selected position by actuators whose operation is controlled according to measured vibration resulting from imbalance of the machinery. The actuators are powered by an electrical energy generating device, such as a photo cell or a photovoltaic element, which is coupled to the machinery and located across an air gap from a source of radiant energy such as an array of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A predictive maintenance method and apparatus for HVACR systems including a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a gaseous phase in the refrigerant fluid at a location wherein solely liquid phase should be present if the system is functioning properly.