Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for controlling parameters of fluid-driven systems. A control unit of the invention compares an input control signal to a tachometer signal from a fluid-driven turbine to produce a flow signal for controlling the turbine speed. The speeds of turbines in series are linked by the tachometer signal of the first turbine acting as the control signal for the following turbines. A critical speed interval is identified in relation to a range of values of the control signal. As the speed of a turbine is increased or decreased, its control unit holds the turbine speed at the limit of the critical speed interval, then rapidly accelerates the turbine through the interval to avoid prolonged operation at the turbine's critical speed. The individual critical speeds of separate turbines in series may be accommodated by critical speed intervals defined in separate control units for each of the turbines.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved rotary apparatus comprising an outer body member having an internal generally axially directed first thrust area. An inner body member is mounted within the outer body member for relative rotation of the two body members. The inner body member has a second generally axially directed thrust area generally opposed to the first thrust area. The body members define fluid passageways and the thrust areas define a fluid-receiving space therebetween in communication with the passageways. First and second annular seals of differing diameters seal between the thrust areas, and a thrust control system is provided for selectively varying the fluid pressure in the annular portion of the fluid-receiving space bounded by the two seals by selectively providing pressure equalizing communication between that portion and a plurality of zones of differing pressures external to the annular portion.

Abstract: A rotary fluid handling device, such as a turbine or a compressor, comprising a stationary body and a rotor rotatably mounted therein. The rotor has a flowway therethrough having a radially extending end. An annular seal coaxially surrounds the rotor within the stationary body axially distal the radially extending flowway end. The device further comprises a bypass passageway system having an inlet communicating with the area between the rotor and the stationary body on the axially opposite side of the seal from the radially extending flowway end and an outlet communicating with the flowway. The inlet opens at least partially radially outwardly into the stationary body.

Abstract: An improved bearing assembly comprising a shaft and a journal bearing member having an annular journal portion receiving the shaft for relative rotation. The journal bearing member also includes an annular flange portion extending radially outwardly from the journal portion and having effective radial rigidity less than that of the journal portion. The assembly may also include a thrust bearing member on the shaft opposed to the flange portion of the journal bearing member and an improved system of lubricant passageways for delivering lubricant to the bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A coupling for two members such as a shaft and a compressor rotor or a turbine rotor carried thereby in which it is necessary that the rotor be firmly and tightly fixed with respect to the shaft at all times and in which the rotor and shaft may be subjected to widely different temperatures at any one time. On one of the members, usually the rotor, there are provided three fingers or projections extending toward the other member, while the other member is provided with recesses to receive and fit such projections. The projections are wedge shaped with side plane surfaces parallel to a radius extending from the axis of rotation so that the portions of the members carrying the fingers and recesses can move radially simultaneously outwardly or inwardly relative to one another as one expands or contracts more than the other, without tightening or loosening the coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system for extracting heat from hot unrefined water for the purpose of using this heat to do useful work, and specifically for extracting such heat while minimizing the undesirable effects caused by formation of scale and other solid build-up of scale-forming impurities in the hot unrefined water. Before contact with a heat exchange surface the hot unrefined water has added thereto an agent capable of increasing the formation of non-scale-forming species of said scale-forming impurities. These agents may be added immediately before passing the hot unrefined water through heat exchange equipment and/or directly into a geothermal well.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for sealing about a shaft employed for conveying power between the interior of a working chamber having working fluid under high pressure, and the exterior of such chamber. The working fluid is sealed from escape along the shaft by interposing a liquid lubricated seal to sustain substantially all of the pressure differential, and between the working chamber and the lubricated seal interposing a second seal employing a sealing fluid which is preferably gaseous at the temperatures and pressures to which it is subjected. This second seal fluid is not significantly soluble in the first seal fluid used in the lubricated seal and is compatible with the working fluid used in the working chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for extracting heat from hot unrefined water for the purpose of using this heat to do useful work, and specifically for extracting such heat while minimizing the undesirable effects caused by formation of scale and other solid build-up of scale-forming impurities in the hot unrefined water. Before contact with a heat exchange surface the hot unrefined water has added thereto an agent capable of increasing the formation of non-scale-forming species of said scale-forming impurities. These agents may be added immediately before passing the hot unrefined water through heat exchange equipment and/or directly into a geothermal well.

Abstract: A rotary system including a rotor, a rotating shaft, and a housing surrounding the shaft and the rotor, sealing between a process zone containing the rotor and a lubricant zone being provided by a seal fluid injected into the housing between the two zones at a relatively high pressure, the seal fluid having been separated from the working fluid used in the process zone.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting heat from hot unrefined water and ultimately using this heat to do useful work, while avoiding the danger of damage to heat exchange equipment by scale and corrosion, which is many times attendant on such methods. The hot unrefined water is passed through a housing containing porous material giving up its heat to the porous material. A volume of clean water is then passed through the housing picking up the heat from the porous material. The heated clean water can then be passed through a more or less conventional heat exchanger without danger of damaging the internal surfaces of the exchanger with scale and corrosion.