Abstract: The present invention relates to an unsintered composite powder composition comprising silicon carbide and aluminium nitride, a sintering process and a sintered silicon carbide material obtained or obtainable therefrom, as well as a SiC—AlN composite ceramic, uses thereof and articles comprising the same. In one aspect, the present invention provides an unsintered composite powder composition comprising from 90.0% to 99.9% by weight silicon carbide and from 0.1% to 10% by weight of aluminium nitride. In another aspect, the present invention provides a SiC—AlN composite ceramic material having the formula x(SiC)—1-x (AlN), wherein 0.999?x?0.900; and wherein the composite ceramic material has a fracture toughness of greater than 4.5 MPa·m1/2; and a thermal conductivity of greater than 120 W/m K.

Abstract: A dry gas seal includes a mating ring that can be coupled a the rotating shaft to rotate with the rotating shaft, a retainer ring that can be fixedly attached to the compressor and a carrier ring moveably coupled to the retainer ring. The carrier ring including a primary ring carrying face, a rear face and a sealing surface extending between the primary ring carrying face and the rear face. The sealing surface including an oleophobic coating disposed thereon.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: Coupling members to join two rotary members are described. The coupling members (300) include a unitary body having a first coupling element (302), a second coupling element (304), and a hub (306), wherein the unitary body forms a single piece with the hub (306) extending between and connecting the first coupling element (302) to the second coupling element (304). The first coupling element (302) defines a first plane, the second coupling element (304) defines a second plane with the first and second planes being parallel, and the hub (306) defines a hub axis normal to the first and second planes. Each of the first and second coupling elements (302, 304) comprises a plurality of connection elements (308, 310) arranged about a respective circumference having a respective radius extending from the hub axis, wherein a material of the respective coupling element in a respective circle and in a respective plane is less than the area of the circle.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: A dry gas seal includes a mating ring that can be coupled a the rotating shaft to rotate with the rotating shaft, a retainer ring that can be fixedly attached to the compressor and a carrier ring moveably coupled to the retainer ring. The carrier ring including a primary ring carrying face, a rear face and a sealing surface extending between the primary ring carrying face and the rear face. The sealing surface including an oleophobic coating disposed thereon.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fatigue induced failure of an assembly having a single flexible element or a series of flexible elements stacked in juxtaposed engagement, for transmitting power from one component to another, the assembly having a cyclic operating speed frequency that includes at least one sensor mounted in proximity to said assembly, the sensor providing an analog signal corresponding to an airborne acoustic signal emitted by the assembly, means for amplifying the analog signal, filter means to reduce background noise from the analog signal, an analog to digital converter for converting the analog signals to a digital signal, means for sampling the digital signals in respect of the operating speed frequency of the assembly and means for analyzing the digital signals and providing an output upon the occurrence of one or more digital signal spikes in an operating cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fatigue induced failure of an assembly having a single flexible element or a series of flexible elements stacked in juxtaposed engagement, for transmitting power from one component to another, the assembly having a cyclic operating speed frequency includes at least one sensor mounted in proximity to said assembly, the sensor providing an analogue signal corresponding to an airborne acoustic signal emitted by the assembly, means for amplifying the analogue signal, filter means to reduce background noise from the analogue signal, an analogue to digital converter for converting the analogue signals to a digital signal, means for sampling the digital signals in respect of the operating speed frequency of the assembly and means for analysing the digital signals and providing an output upon the occurrence of one or more digital signal spikes in an operating cycle.