Abstract: A centrifugal pump has impellers for pumping low flow, high viscous materials. The impellers have high exit angles greater than 30 degrees and preferably greater than 50 degrees. The impellers and diffusers have specific geometry that varies with viscosity. The pump has zones of impellers and diffusers with the exit angles and geometry in the zones differing from the other zones. The exit angles decrease and geometry varies in a downstream direction to account for a lower viscosity occurring due to heat being generated in the pump. One design employs small diameter impellers and high rotational speeds.

Abstract: Carbon fiber brake preforms (20), specifically, annular discs built up of fabric arc segments (21) composed of continuous fibers (25) and staple fibers (26). Most of the continuous fibers (25) in the fabric segments (21) are arranged to be located within 60° of radially from the inner diameter to the outer diameter of the annular disc (20). The fabric arc segments have substantially all of their continuous fibers oriented in the radial direction and parallel to the segment arc bisector, or the segments are arranged in alternating layers in which, respectively, half the continuous fibers are oriented at a +45 degree angle with respect to the segment arc bisector and half the continuous fibers are oriented at a −45 degree angle with respect thereto.

Abstract: A centrifugal submersible pump has wear resistant features to resist erosion due to sand laden fluid from a well. The pump has a plurality of stages, each having a diffuser and an impeller located within a housing. The diffuser has a sleeve in its inner portion that has a flange on its upper end. The sleeve is a separate component from the remaining portions of the diffuser and harder. The impeller has a vane section and a hub. The hub is carried inside the sleeve. The hub has a flange that bears against the flange of the diffuser sleeve. The impeller hub is a separate component from the vane section of the impeller and is of a harder material.

Abstract: A pressure compensator for a submersible pump has features to prevent damage while lowering the pump into the well. The pressure compensator includes a bellows located below the pump. A retainer will mechanically retain the bellows in a position other than its maximum lubricant volume position while lowering the pump assembly into the well. Once the motor begins operation, the retainer will release the bellows for normal movement. The retainer includes a linkage member that is connected to the top of the bellows and extends upwardly to the drive shaft. A latching device latches the linkage member to the drive shaft. A reverse threaded portion in the latching device unscrews the latching device from the linkage member once the motor begins to rotate.

Abstract: The bin unloader belt drive for a combine includes a clutching idler mechanism in which the start-up torque delivered by the belt (11) from a drive pulley (12) to a driven pulley (13) is limited by using a dampener (51) which retards the spring biased movement of a clutching idler pulley (21) from its drive disestablishing position to its drive establishing position.

Abstract: A pivoted safety door for a harvester is disposed ahead of the concave and has a separately pivoted lip which normally rests on a front edge of the concave. An adjustably biased detent mechanism releases the lip, permitting it to pivot out of engagement with the concave, when a rock or the like of substantial size attempts to enter the threshing chamber and is engaged by the threshing rotor. A first manual control is provided for pivoting the main body of the door from its tripped position to a closed position. A second manual control is provided for pivoting the lip relative to the door to restore it to its detented position, this last mentioned function being effected after the main body of the door has been restored to a closed position. The detent mechanism for the lip includes a pair of adjustably loaded spring biased plungers which act on opposite sides of a detented part.