Abstract: A compliant foil radial bearing (100) comprising: a bushing (110) comprising a bore defined therethrough; a spring foil (120, 130) arranged to conform to a radially inner surface of the bore; a fluid foil (140, 150) arranged to conform to a radially inner surface of the spring foil for rotatably receiving a rotor, wherein: the spring foil comprises one or more retaining portions (160) arranged to extend axially and radially outside the radially inner surface of the bore.

Abstract: A rotational component includes a monolithic compressor component for rotation about a rotor axis defining proximal and distal directions, the monolithic compressor component including a compressor shaft defining a rotor core and a compressor wheel disposed distally from the rotor core.

Abstract: A compliant foil thrust bearing subassembly comprising: a fluid plate comprising an annular mating ring and a plurality of fluid foil elements disposed radially inwardly from the fluid plate mating ring; a force transfer plate comprising an annular mating ring and a plurality of force transfer elements disposed radially inwardly from the force transfer plate mating ring; and a spring plate comprising an annular mating ring and a plurality of deflection elements disposed radially inwardly from the spring plate mating ring, wherein: the fluid plate, the force transfer plate and the spring plate are stackable such that each fluid foil element is axially supported by a corresponding pair of overlapping force transfer elements and deflection elements.

Abstract: A compliant foil radial bearing (100) comprising: a bushing (110) comprising a bore defined therethrough; a spring foil (120, 130) arranged to conform to a radially inner surface of the bushing; a fluid foil (140, 150) arranged to conform to a radially inner surface of the spring foil for rotatably receiving a rotor, wherein: the radially inner surface of the bore comprises a plurality of axially oriented pads arranged around the circumference thereof.

Abstract: A rotational component includes a monolithic compressor component for rotation about a rotor axis defining proximal and distal directions, the monolithic compressor component including a compressor shaft defining a rotor core and a compressor wheel disposed distally from the rotor core.

Abstract: A compliant foil thrust bearing subassembly comprising: a fluid plate comprising an annular mating ring and a plurality of fluid foil elements disposed radially inwardly from the fluid plate mating ring; a force transfer plate comprising an annular mating ring and a plurality of force transfer elements disposed radially inwardly from the force transfer plate mating ring; and a spring plate comprising an annular mating ring and a plurality of deflection elements disposed radially inwardly from the spring plate mating ring, wherein: the fluid plate, the force transfer plate and the spring plate are stackable such that each fluid foil element is axially supported by a corresponding pair of overlapping force transfer elements and deflection elements.

Abstract: A compliant foil radial bearing (100) comprising: a bushing (110) comprising a bore defined therethrough; a spring foil (120, 130) arranged to conform to a radially inner surface of the bore; a fluid foil (140, 150) arranged to conform to a radially inner surface of the spring foil for rotatably receiving a rotor, wherein: the spring foil comprises one or more retaining portions (160) arranged to extend axially and radially outside the radially inner surface of the bore.

Abstract: A compliant foil radial bearing (100) comprising: a bushing (110) comprising a bore defined therethrough; a spring foil (120, 130) arranged to conform to a radially inner surface of the bushing; a fluid foil (140, 150) arranged to conform to a radially inner surface of the spring foil for rotatably receiving a rotor, wherein: the radially inner surface of the bore comprises a plurality of axially oriented pads arranged around the circumference thereof.

Abstract: A ball, such as a soccer ball, comprises a sphere having a surface, a plurality of smooth portions on the surface of the sphere, and a plurality of flexible fin-like projections protruding from the surface. The fin-like projections may have a height of about 7-10 mm in the may be made from flexible and crushable rubbery material with a Shore A durometer reading of about 50-60. One effect is that the ball tends to fly a shorter distance and to stop rolling more quickly than the same ball without the fin-like projections.

Abstract: A ball with high aerodynamic drag and with the ability to rapidly come to a stop when rolling on a flat or a slight inclined surface is disclosed herein. The ball has an arrangement of fins sewn, glued or molded to its surface. These fins may be of various heights from 2.0 mm to 20.0 mm depending on the degree of the effects sought. The lattice of fins must be such that to continue to roll the ball must roll over a fin. The fundamental tradeoff in this invention is between the degree of normal behavior of the ball when struck or when bouncing and the reduced duration of flight and reduced distance to stop rolling. The preferred embodiment has fins sewn into the seams of an otherwise conventionally constructed sewn soccer ball. The effect gained is a ball that behaves like a normal soccer ball in most ways but flies a shorter distance and stops rolling more quickly.

Abstract: A butt welded and lined flange connector allows the joining of pipe sections lined with a brittle material. Spacing and a sleeved liner at the weld end protects the liner during butt welding. A conventional flange face gasket is modified to protrude into the lined zone to perform a dual sealing function. Like conventional flanged joints, the modified gasket forms a seal sandwiched between the flange interface surfaces. However, departing from current practice, the single gasket also fills the gap and seals the liner edges, protecting the pipe sections from the flowing materials. The invention avoids separate putty-like or elastomeric liner seals as well as exotic liner surface configurations. The present invention is expected to be tolerant of severe conditions and cost effective in many applications.

Abstract: A lamp reflector has a dished body with a lamp-receiving sleeve having an open end. Spring clips hold a lamp so that lugs on a flange of the latter engage against the base of slots in the sleeve. Each clip has a pair of legs which embrace the wall of the sleeve. The inner leg has a hooked end engaging over an internal rib in the sleeve. Each clip also includes an arm having a region which engages against the flange of the lamp to hold the latter in position.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing electric power from hot, pressurized geothermal brine containing dissolved toxic elements without significant precipitation of toxic solids. When sludge produced by the process is washed, non-toxic solids are produced which can be disposed of or utilized in an environmentally acceptable manner. The method includes removing geothermal brine from an underground aquifer, separating non-condensable gases therefrom, and handling the non-condensable gases separately from the processing of the non-condensable gas-free brine to prevent reactions therebetween. An air-free flashed brine handling system is established to prevent contact of air with the flashed brine, and all brine contacted with air is injected into the geothermal brine aquifer through a separate, corrosion-protected injection well. Steam derived from the brine is used to produce electric power, the steam being condensed in the process. The steam condensate is air-cooled, and is used in the steam condensation process.

Abstract: A composition and method for drilling a well into a subterranean formation containing a geothermal fluid utilizing a gas-containing aqueous drilling fluid containing both lignite and a salt of a high molecular weight acrylic polymer.

Abstract: A method of conducting foam drilling and workover operations in a bore hole penetrating a subterranean formation, particularly a high-temperature formation such as a geothermal formation, employing an aqueous solution of a N-acyl-N-methyltaurate foaming agent having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a straight chain alkyl group having from 9 to 15 carbon atoms; and M is an alkali metal or ammonium cation, with sodium being preferred. A particularly preferred foaming agent is sodium N-palmitoyl-N-methyltaurate.