Abstract: A three stage hydrogen generator (10), comprises a low BTU, carbon monoxide and hydrogen containing gas generation stage, a first reactor stage (12) for exothermically reducing ferric oxide with the low BTU gas and for generating superheated steam and a second reactor stage (14) for endothermically reacting steam and iron to produce substantially pure hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas together with unreacted steam from the third stage (16) is directed to a condenser (18), preferably an air cooled unit, wherein the steam is condensed and the hydrogen gas recovered. The condensate (20) is cycled back to the second reactor (14) as the feed water for generating superheated steam and the heated cooling air (22) is directed to the first stage (12) for use in the generation of the low BTU gas. At least one, and preferably all, of the stages utilize a rotating fluidized bed. Desirably the condenser (18) is a rotating fluidized bed heat exchanger.

Abstract: A rotating fluidized bed combustor particularly adaptable for mounting on conventional gas turbine engines comprising an annular fluidized bed, defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial, cylindrical, perforated walls, which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. Compressed air and solid or liquid fuel enter the bed through the outer perforated wall and fluidize the bed. The air reacts with the fuel within the bed to produce hot combustion gas which exits the bed, together with unreacted compressed air, through the inner perforated wall. When employed with gas turbine engines, the gases exiting the bed are directed into the guide vanes of the gasifier turbine. Cooling tubes pass substantially longitudinally through the rotating fluidized bed and compressed air is directed through the tubes to absorb combustion heat from the bed.

Abstract: A bearing having a generally flat planer surface of pearlite, and an array of microasperities of martensite on the planer surface, each microasperity including a gently sloping front surface in relation to the direction of movement of the bearing and a sharply sloping rear surface in relation to such direction of movement. A pulsed laser beam or other heat source is focussed on the bearing to produce the array with microasperities of controlled size and shape.

Abstract: A rotating fluidized bed heat exchanger particularly adaptable as a heat exchange unit in the recuperator section of conventional gas turbine engines comprising an annular fluidized bed, defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial cylindrical, perforated walls, which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. The bed is comprised of pulverulent inert particulate material and includes fluid-containing heat exchange tubes passing substantially longitudinally therethrough. Hot gases, such as turbine exhaust gases, enter the bed through the outer perforated wall, heat and fluidize the bed particles, heat the fluid, usually compressed air, in the tubes, and exit the bed through the inner perforated wall. The heat exchange tubes direct the fluid flowing therein from an inlet adjacent the inner perforated wall to an outlet adjacent the outer perforated wall such that the fluid flows substantially countercurrently to the hot fluidizing gas.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00929 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 1, 1979 Sec. 102(e) date Nov. 1, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 1, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO81/01295 PCT Pub. Date May 14, 1981A rotating fluidized bed gasifier system especially useful in compound engines comprising an annular fluidization chamber containing a bed of carbon containing pulverulent solid materials. The chamber, which is defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial, cylindrical, perforated walls, rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. Steam enters the bed, which is maintained at about 1800.degree. F., through the outer perforated wall and fluidizes the particles. The steam reacts endothermically with the carbon to produce reaction product gas which exits the bed, together with unreacted steam, through the inner perforated wall. In a preferred form of the invention the bed is maintained at approximately 1800.degree. F. by combining a rotating fluidized bed combustor with the gasifier.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US 79/00843 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 15, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 15, 1979 PCT Filed Oct. 15, 1979 A combination rotating fluidized bed combustor and rotating fluidized bed heat exchanger particularly adaptable as the combustor and heat exchange unit, respectively, of conventional gas turbine engines is preferably arranged with the combustor nested within the heat exchanger for maximum compactness. The heat exchanger comprises an annular fluidized bed, defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial cylindrical, perforated walls, which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. The bed is comprised of pulverulent inert particulate material and includes fluid-containing heat exchange tubes passing substantially longitudinally therethrough. Hot gases, such as turbine exhaust gases, enter the bed through the outer perforated wall, heat and fluidize the bed particles, heat the gas, usually compressed air, in the tubes, and exit the bed through the inner perforated wall.

Abstract: A method of producing a fiber reinforced concrete structure of desired thickness including the steps of extruding a sheet of concrete substantially free of fibers, distributing an effective amount of reinforcing fibers on the sheet, repeating the foregoing steps until the desired thickness is approached and before the concrete sheets have set up, and extruding a further sheet of substantially fiber-free concrete over the structure resulting from the foregoing steps to achieve the desired thickness. The amount of fiber distributed over each sheet may be varied to concentrate the fiber in the areas where the greatest stress concentration is expected. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing microasperities for enhancing lubrication is provided. A pulsed laser beam or other heat source having high resolution with respect to time and space is focused onto a surface such as a thrust bearing surface to produce an array of microasperities of controlled size, shape and density. The staggered ramp shaped asperities produce an enhanced lubrication effect.

Abstract: A reflective mirror system for controlling the supply beam of a laser is provided. The system includes a first mirror having the surface of a partial section of the surface of a paraboloid of revolution and mounted in a housing relative to a collimated beam such as produced by a laser, so as to reflect the beam from the direction of travel on to a second mirror. From the second mirror the beam is reflected through an opening in the first mirror and converged to a point of focus for doing useful work on a workpiece.