Abstract: A segmented seal ring and spring system for very low pressure drop zones in steam turbines for minimizing leakage between rotating and stationary components, and preventing damage and wear thereto, including a segmented seal ring, with first springs biased against the seal segments to urge the segments radially inwardly toward a small clearance position of the seal ring with respect to the turbine shaft secondary springs to counter the weight of the segments; with the combination of said springs gently urging the seal segments into the small clearance position while allowing clearance enlargement with small resulting forces on the shaft during periods of misalignment and rubbing.

Abstract: A segmented seal ring and spring system for steam turbines for minimizing leakage between rotating and stationary components, and preventing damage and wear thereto, with a single gravity spring contained in the lower half seal ring segment to produce an upward force which neutralizes the downward force caused by the weight of all the packing segments; so that only a small fluid pressure force is required to close the lower seal segments; the various segment lenths being adjustable to optimize closure sequence; with pairs of adjacent seal ring segments being optionally hinged to optimize proper motion capability, and individual segments optionally having one or more seal teeth removed to optimize motion capability; with adjacent pairs of ring segments optionally being slideably pinned to force simultaneous radial motion.

Abstract: A combination baseball cap and fielder's glove having a concave crown of appropriate size to fit the head of a wearer with a brim attached to a forward edge of the crown and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom and having finger openings extending through the brim of appropriate size to allow the fingers of the wearer to extend therethrough for firmly grasping the brim and enabling the cap to be used as a glove when removed from the wearer's head, with the crown serving to catch and hold a baseball.

Abstract: Springs are arranged in elastic fluid turbine seal ring systems to accomplish a condition of relatively large clearance while starting and during low load conditions but in cooperation with pressure forces occurring at higher loads permitting said seal ring to relocate to a position of relatively small clearance to improve sustained efficiency. Geometry of existing packing rings is improved to enhance proper motion and improve efficiency benefits by either machining the outer arcuate surface of the seal ring segment, or including raised local surfaces on both ends of the seal segments, or, in the case of multiple seal ring segments, removing a seal tooth from the discharge side of each segment and adding the removed tooth to the upstream side of the following segment, or widening the neck of a seal ring by moving its discharge side in the downstream direction.