Abstract: A compliant hydrodynamic fluid thrust bearing includes a resilient support system having a two-stage spring arrangement for supporting a flexible bearing sheet. The spring arrangement includes a bundle of nested Belleville springs arranged in parallel and a corrugated spring member arranged in series with the Belleville spring bundle. This arrangement provides an overall spring characteristic of relatively low stiffness under light load, an increased stiffness under the loads normally encountered during operation of the bearing, and a decreased stiffness under loads in excess of the rated capacity of the bearing. This spring characteristic enables the bearing sheet to deflect early under light hydrodynamic loads to assure the correct filt with respect to the thrust runner to establish supporting fluid films; to support the axial load during normal operating conditions; and to deflect under extreme transient loads to share misalignment or gross vibration loads with adjacent bearing areas.

Abstract: A multi-pad compliant hydrodynamic fluid journal bearing includes three bearing modules spaced uniformly around a bearing sleeve. Each module includes a resilient supporting element formed in a corrugated pattern to provide spaced resilient support projections for an overlying bearing sheet having a bearing surface which faces the rotating shaft. One end of the sheet is welded to one end of the supporting element with an intervening spacer block having a recess in the center thereof. The other end of the bearing sheet includes a tongue which lies under the bearing sheet of the adjacent module within the recess of the spacer block of that module.

Abstract: A resilient support for a compliant hydrodynamic fluid bearing includes a series of corrugated spring metal strips arranged side-by-side. The corrugations on adjacent strips are displaced axially a distance equal to one-half of the wave lengths of the corrugations so that the peaks on one strip are laterally aligned with the valleys on adjacent strips. This arrangement provides a uniform matrix of support zones for the bearing sheet to minimize localized deflections of the bearing sheet. It produces a bearing sheet profile under hydrodynamic loading which is approximately cylindrical so the supporting hydrodynamic fluid film is more uniform for the generation of greater pressures over a greater area.

Abstract: A compliant hydrodynamic fluid journal bearing includes a bearing sleeve having a cylindrical bore which receives a bearing sheet having a radially inwardly facing bearing surface. The bearing sheet is supported by a compliant support element having spaced resilient projections for resiliently supporting the bearing sheet. One end of the support element is welded adjacent to one end of the bearing sheet with an intervening spacer block, and the assembly is fixed in the bearing sleeve. A second block is welded adjacent to the other end of the bearing sheet so that the ends of the bearing sheet extend slightly beyond the blocks. A spring is disposed between the two blocks and is retained in place by the bearing sheet overhangs. The spring exerts a circumferential spreading force on the two blocks and through them on the two ends of the bearing sheet.

Abstract: An automatic inspection system is provided for determining surface defects on cylindrical objects such as nuclear fuel pellets or rods. The active element of the system is a compound ring having a plurality of pneumatic jet units directed into a central bore. These jet units are connected to provide multiple circuits, each circuit being provided with a pressure sensor. The outputs of the sensors are fed to a comparator circuit whereby a signal is generated when the difference of pressure between pneumatic circuits, caused by a defect, exceeds a pre-set amount. This signal may be used to divert the piece being inspected into a "reject" storage bin or the like.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for a rotary machine includes a breakdown bushing having a close running fit with the outer periphery of the shaft of the rotary machine for throttling sealing fluid moving from a high pressure fluid injection region to a first region of lower pressure. The breakdown bushing includes an axially extending step-like portion of constant diameter spaced from the outer periphery of the shaft and disposed immediately adjacent to the fluid injection region to restrict the flow of fluid moving from the injection region. The restricted fluid develops a radially acting hydrostatic force on the surface of the step-like portion to move said seal member radially outward with respect to the shaft. An annular seal ring is integrally connected to said breakdown bushing to prevent the working fluid from escaping into a second low pressure region.

Abstract: A remotely operable sampler is provided for obtaining variable percentage samples of nuclear fuel particles and the like for analyses. The sampler has a rotating cup for a sample collection chamber designed so that the effective size of the sample inlet opening to the cup varies with rotational speed. Samples of a desired size are withdrawn from a flowing stream of particles without a deterrent to the flow of remaining particles.