Abstract: A centripetal turbine (1) comprises a housing (3) and a turbine wheel (4) mounted within the housing (3) and having turbine blades (5). The housing (3) defines an annular inlet passageway (7) arranged around a portion of the turbine wheel (4), and an outlet passageway (8) which has a generally cylindrical portion arranged around a portion of the turbine wheel (4). The housing (3) also defines a curved annular shoulder (9) curving radially outwards from the generally cylindrical portion of the outlet passageway (8) to the annular inlet passageway (7). The radially outer edge of each turbine blade (5) has a first portion (11) adjacent the generally cylindrical portion of the outlet passageway (8), and a second curved portion (12) adjacent the curved annular shoulder (9).

Abstract: A component is provided with a relative undersize in an area to be subjected to increased stress, for instance, through temperature. The component is made of a hardenable steel. The undersize is overlaid with a non-hardenable steel thereby to provide the full size. A second layer on top of the first layer can be provided. When the second layer is metallurgically bonded in a manner that generates heat, it does not cause a heat affected zone in the base hardenable steel. Blades for steam turbines benefit from this procedure.

Abstract: A tool for locating a predetermined number of turbine blades in relative operative position with each other includes a base with a space and walls with a space between them. Blades are located sequentially and adjacently. An arc of curvature is representative of the arc of curvature for a rotor for accommodating the blades ordinarily. When the blades are located, the curvature of the top conforms with the curvature of the rotor. The blades can then be adjusted and aligned such that when located in the rotor they will be accurately positioned. With a serrated root, the root is located near the plate and held with steeple screws. With a forked root, there is a post between the fork. A finger root is secured between sidewalls.

Abstract: A tool for locating a predetermined number of turbine blades in relative operative position with each other includes a base with a space and sidewalls with a space between them. Blades are located sequentially and adjacently between the sidewalls so that the blades are accurately and snugly located between the sidewalls. The top of the sidewalls has an arc of curvature representative of the arc of curvature for a rotor for accommodating the blades ordinarily. When the blades are located in the space, the curvature of the top of the sidewalls conforms with the curvature of the rotor. The blades can then be adjusted and aligned such that when located in the rotor they will be accurately positioned.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for dynamically mechanically bonding together a plurality of laminae, at least one of which comprises thermoplastic material: for example, polyethylene. In one aspect of the invention the laminae are forwarded in face to face relation through a pressure biased nip between a patterned nip defining member and an opposing nip defining member (e.g., a relief patterned cylinder and an anvil cylinder) which members are independently driven to maintain a predetermined surface velocity differential between them. In another aspect of the invention which is particularly useful at intermediate and higher line velocities--preferably for line velocities of about 300 feet or more per minute and, more preferably, for line speeds of about 450 feet or more per minute--the nip defining members may be operated with equal surface velocities.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for dynamically mechanically bonding together a plurality of laminae, at least one of which comprises thermoplastic material: for example, polyethylene. In one aspect of the invention the laminae are forwarded in face to face relation through a pressure biased nip between a patterned nip defining member and an opposing nip defining member (e.g., a relief patterned cylinder and an anvil cylinder) which members are independently driven to maintain a predetermined surface velocity differential between them. In another aspect of the invention which is particularly useful at intermediate and higher line velocities--preferably for line velocities of about 300 feet or more per minute and, more preferably, for line speeds of about 450 feet or more per minute--the nip defining members may be operated with equal surface velocities.

Abstract: A sub-sea well head comprising a connector and a christmas tree which is enclosed in a capsule is characterized in that a master valve is contained within a member forming the foot of the christmas tree, the member penetrating and being sealed into the bottom of the capsule and supporting the capsule, and in that the master valve is contained within a part of the member within the capsule.

Abstract: A capsule for enclosing a sub-sea installation part is intended to be left water-filled and thus means for sensing oil or gas leaks from the part is disposed in the upper part of the capsule to where such leakage will float.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement between a transit capsule and a sub-sea capsule comprises a member(secured and sealed to the sub-sea capsule)which seals to the transit capsule but can be disengaged from the sub-sea capsule and carried by the transit capsule to the surface for repair of the seal between the member and the transit capsule. Means are described to ensure that the seal between the member and the sub-sea capsule is reliable.

Abstract: A transit capsule for providing operator access to a sub-sea installation part in a capsule on a sea-bed, the two capsules having complementary means to form a conjunction capsule, has means selectively connecting an expansion vessel in the transit capsule to the other two capsules; on connecting the said other two capsules which are water-filled, their pressures are reduced to the atmospheric pressure in the transit capsule with only a small amount of water being ejected to balance the pressure and this small amount can be inspected to determine the state of the said other two capsules by suitable inspection means.