Abstract: A method of enabling operation of an ignition system for outdoor power equipment may include monitoring status of a plurality of switches associated with respective components of the equipment where at least one of the respective components corresponds to one or more binary start fault operators, and setting a start enabling status for the one or more 5 binary start fault operators responsive to actuation of a start fault clearance operator.

Abstract: Embodiments for a hybrid drive are provided. In one example, a hybrid module for arrangement on an internal combustion engine, which is configured for starting the internal combustion engine, includes an electric motor, for generating a torque, and an output element connected in a torque-transmitting manner to the electric motor and positioned on an output axle, for transmission of the torque to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. According to the disclosure, the hybrid module has a magnetic transmission, wherein the torque of the electric motor is transmitted via the magnetic transmission to the output element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain or driveline that includes an engine and an integrated starter/generator are described. In one example, the integrated starter/generator may crank the engine via a pinion gear during a first engine start. The integrated starter/generator may crank the engine via a belt during a second engine start.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.

Abstract: An ignition system for a tandem-type hybrid vehicle. The tandem-type hybrid vehicle comprises a plurality of engines (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150).

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine with at least one piston-cylinder unit, and preferably a plurality of the piston-cylinder units, whereby, in a detection mode of the internal combustion engine one or more knock-promoting measures are taken until knocking has occurred in at least one piston-cylinder unit, and the measure(s) is/are intensified until a termination criterion is reached, whereby it is detected in which of the piston-cylinder units knocking has occurred, and whereby, in piston-cylinder units detected as knocking, the ignition time for a normal operating mode of the internal combustion engine is retarded.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting heating of intake valves to improve engine startability. An engine laser ignition system is operated prior to, and during, an engine start to heat intake valves, thereby improving fuel vaporization. The ignition system is also operated to initiate cylinder air/fuel combustion.

Abstract: An energy harvesting pendulum device is provided to oscillate in a semi-circular path on an inclined plane with a low friction surface in response to wave motion of an ocean surface. An electrical production source is mounted to an underside of the plane to convert kinetic energy of a pendulum bob of the pendulum device into electrical energy. The pendulum device can be enclosed by an enclosure floating on the ocean surface with the pendulum moving bob on the inclined plane within the enclosure. The length of the pendulum and the angle of the inclined plane are determined so that the pendulum operates in a resonant state at the ocean motion frequency. The pendulum bob can include rollers for minimal friction when contacting the inclined plane.

Abstract: An adjusting device for an axial piston machine includes an actuating piston that delimits an actuating space configured to be connected to a control oil source or a control oil drain via a control valve. A control piston of the control valve is loaded firstly by a control spring and secondly by a spring arrangement that is also in active engagement with the actuating piston.

Abstract: A joint assembly for a wind turbine rotor blade includes a male structural member extending longitudinally through female structural members configured with a plurality of rotor blade segments. The female structural member includes first bore holes on opposing sides thereof that are aligned in a chord-wise direction. The male structural member includes second bore holes on opposing sides thereof that are aligned with the first bore holes. At least one chord-wise extending gap is defined between an outer side surface of the male structural member and an inner side surface of the female structural member. A chord-wise extending pin extends through the first and second bore holes to join the male and female structural members. At least one flanged bushing is arranged in the first and second bore holes such that a flange of the bushing extends within the chord-wise extending gap.

Abstract: A wind turbine system comprising a plurality of wind turbine modules mounted to a support structure, wherein each of the wind turbine modules comprises a rotor including one or more variable-pitch blades, each defining a respective blade pitch angle and being controlled by a pitch control system, and a control system operable to control the blade pitch angles of the plurality of blades of the wind turbine modules. The control system is configured to identify the presence of a predetermined stop condition and, in dependence thereon, is operable to control the blade pitch angles of the respective blades to predetermined stop positions that reduce oscillation of the support structure. Aspects of the invention also relate to a method of controlling a wind turbine system, to a controller for implementing the method, and to a computer program product.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a rotational speed of a rotor of a wind turbine having a rotor with blades connected thereon, at least one blade including a blade profile changing equipment, the method including: changing the blade profile dependent on a rotational speed deviation of an actual rotational speed of the rotor or the generator rotor from a reference rotational speed.

Abstract: A control method for dynamically controlling active and reactive power capability of a wind farm includes obtaining one or more real-time operating parameters of each of the wind turbines. The method also includes obtaining one or more system limits of each of the wind turbines. Further, the method includes measuring at least one real-time wind condition at each of the wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes continuously calculating an overall maximum active power capability and an overall maximum reactive power capability for each of the wind turbines as a function of the real-time operating parameters, the system limits, and/or the real-time wind condition. Further, the method includes generating a generator capability curve for each of the wind turbines using the overall maximum active and reactive power capabilities and communicating the generator capability curves to a farm-level controller of the wind farm that can use the curves to maximize the instantaneous power output of the wind farm.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a wind turbine from extreme wind gusts includes monitoring a wind speed and a wind direction at the wind turbine. The method also includes determining a wind gust threshold, wherein wind speeds and wind directions exceeding the wind gust threshold, respectively, are indicative of an extreme wind gust occurring at the wind turbine. In addition, the method includes comparing, via a controller, the monitored wind speed or a function thereof and the wind direction or function thereof to the wind gust threshold, respectively. Thus, the method includes implementing, via a controller, a corrective action when the monitored wind speed and the monitored wind direction exceed the wind gust threshold, respectively.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for wind power generation. In one aspect, a wind power generator includes a support base; inductors positioned over the support base in a circular array; an annulus ring track fixed to the base support and providing a circular track around which the inductors are located; an annulus ring rotor placed on the annulus ring track and engaged to rollers in the circular track so that the annulus ring rotor can rotate relative to the an annulus ring track, in which the annulus ring rotor include separate magnets to move through the circular array of inductors to cause generation of electric currents; and a wind rotor assembly coupled to the annulus ring rotor and including wind-deflecting blades that rotate with the rotor and a hollow central interior for containing a wind vortex formed from deflecting wind by the blades to convert into the electric energy.

Abstract: Controlling a wind turbine during a grid fault where the grid voltage drops below a nominal grid voltage. After detection of a grid fault, the total current limit for the power converter output is increased to a total maximum overload current limit. Depending on whether active or reactive current generation is prioritized, an active or reactive current reference is determined. The active current reference is determined in a way so that a reduction in active power production due to the grid voltage drop is minimized and based on the condition that the vector-sum of the active output current and the reactive output current is limited according to the total maximum overload current limit, and a maximum period of time is determined in which the power converter can be controlled based on the active/reactive current references. Afterwards the power converter is controlled based on the active and reactive current references.

Abstract: The invention concerns an airborne device comprising at least three supporting wings and a linking device, the wings being linked to each other by first flexible cables, each wing being further linked to the linking device by a second flexible cable, the linking device being linked to a third flexible cable intended to be linked to a base, the first second, and third cables being tensioned when the airborne device is carried in the wind.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vibration monitoring and diagnosing system for monitoring conditions of a wind power generator and diagnosing a defective portion thereof using vibration characteristics obtained from acceleration sensors mounted to the wind power generator. A vibration-based defect detecting method may include: collecting vibration data of the wind power generator using the plurality of sensors; extracting a first characteristic value of a time domain based on the vibration data; extracting characteristic values in one or more frequency bands for a location of each sensor in a frequency domain or an envelope frequency domain if the first characteristic value is greater than a preset alarm setting value; and determining that a defect is present when at least one characteristic value of the characteristic values is greater than a preset normal value.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a working platform mounted within a nacelle of the wind turbine during a repair procedure. More specifically, the working platform may be mounted to a bedplate within the nacelle in an area where one or more drivetrain component(s) would normally be during operation of the wind turbine, but have been removed due to repair or replacement thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a tower, a machine head having a generator, and a rotor mechanically coupled to the generator. The rotor includes a hub and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to and extending outwardly from the hub. The wind turbine also includes an adaptor coupled between the tower and the machine head, with the adaptor defining an interior chamber. Furthermore, the wind turbine includes one or more electrical components electrically coupled to the generator, with the one or more electrical components being positioned within the interior chamber defined by the adaptor.

Abstract: A device for mounting a line pipe in a rotor shaft of a wind turbine. The invention also relates to a rotor shaft for a wind turbine and to the wind turbine itself. The device includes a rotor shaft which is configured to be partially hollow and in which the line pipe is arranged. In the line pipe, different media are routed from a fixed nacelle of the wind turbine in the direction of a rotor hub connected to the rotor shaft. These can be not only electrical lines but also optical waveguides and media lines for gases and liquids. The mounting of the line pipe is achieved by a device having a plurality of eccentric fixing elements, wherein the line pipe is oriented concentrically by rotating the eccentric fixing elements.

Abstract: A busbar system includes a plurality of bar modules arranged one behind the other and connected to each other via clamping brackets. Each bar module has a plurality of busbars. The bar module end including the recesses running in a longitudinal extension is inserted into the clamping bracket and the bar module end with the recesses running transversely to the longitudinal extension is suspended on the opposite side in the clamping bracket. Each of the busbars of the one bar module rests laterally against a busbar of the other bar module and the recesses, as viewed from the side, form a through-opening, through which a tensioning element supported on the clamping bracket runs, which presses together the sides of the busbars which rest against each other.

Abstract: A Fiber-fed Pulsed Plasma Thruster (FPPT) will enable enhanced low Earth orbit, cis-lunar, and deep space missions for small satellites. FPPT technology utilizes an electric motor to feed PTFE fiber to its discharge region, enabling high PPT propellant throughput and variable exposed fuel area. An innovative, parallel ceramic capacitor bank dramatically lowers system specific mass. FPPT minimizes range safety concerns by the use of non-pressurized, non-toxic, inert propellant and construction materials. Estimates are that a 1U (10 cm×10 cm×10 cm, or 1 liter) volume FPPT thruster package may provide more than 10,000 N-s total impulse and a delta-V of 1.4 km/s delta-V for an 8 kg CubeSat.

Abstract: A housing of a hydraulic pump is configured to have a servo unit detachably attached thereto so as to control tilt direction and angle of its movable swash plate. A port block is formed therein with a pair of main ports and, and a pair of main fluid passages and fluidly connecting respective main ports and to cylinders in its cylinder block. Main ports are used to have respective external pipes connected thereto so as to fluidly connect the hydraulic pump to a hydraulic motor disposed outside of the hydraulic pump, thereby constituting a hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: A pump system/method configured to provide substantially constant flow of concrete, cement, or other material is disclosed. The system integrates a trapezoidal cutting ring and spectacle plate in conjunction with lofted transitional interfaces to the mechanical pump cylinder rams and output ejection port to ensure that pressurized discharge concrete material is not allowed to be relaxed nor backflow into the material sourcing hopper. The trapezoidal cutting ring is configured to completely seal off the trapezoidal spectacle ports as it smoothly transitions between the mechanical pump input ports during cycle changes thus generating a more uniform output flow of concrete while eliminating hopper backflow and hydraulic fluid shock. A control system is configured to coordinate operation of the hydraulic pump cylinder rams and cutting ring to ensure that output ejection port pressure and material flow is maintained at a relatively constant level throughout all portions of the pumping cycle.

Abstract: A pump system for liquid media includes at least one pump having a suction side and a delivery side, a control unit connected to the at least one pump, and at least two controllable valves connected on one side thereof to the suction side. The valves are controlled by the control unit connected thereto, such that each valve only allows passage of medium from a first source or second source connectable to their respective other valve sides. The pump system also includes at least one level sensor connected to the control unit, which level sensor is positioned at least near the source where, in the case of a critical level being exceeded, medium must be pumped away.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a packing nut lock for a fluid end assembly of a reciprocating pump. The fluid end assembly includes a fluid end block component, a set screw which may have a pointed end, and a packing nut. The set screw engages or interlocks between the a first and second thread of a threaded bore to prevent displacement of the packing nut from the threaded bore.

Abstract: A pump for dispensing semi-liquid food products includes an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a dispensing path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, a rotor for pushing the product along the dispensing path, and an airtight chamber, interposed between the inlet and outlet openings and coaxially containing the rotor. The dispensing path is defined by a cyclically choked gap formed between an outer periphery of the rotor, including three projecting and angularly equidistant lobes, and an inner periphery of the airtight chamber, which is elastically deformable.

Abstract: A modularized integrated non-coaxial multiple chamber dry vacuum pump is formed by at least two modularized vacuum chambers that can be integrated into a solid multiple stage dry vacuum pump. These chambers are connected in serial to allow gas to pass through and be discharged directly to the atmosphere. Each chamber contains a pair of lobes of its own and at least one chamber does not share at least one coaxial axle with another chamber. At least two chambers do not share all co-axial(s) and can have their own power drive at different RPMs from either different motors or transmissions.

Abstract: A scroll compressor may include a casing configured to contain oil at a lower portion; a drive motor provided in the casing; a rotational shaft coupled to the drive motor, and having an oil supply passage in order to guide oil contained in the casing to an upper side; a frame provided below the drive motor; a fixed scroll provided below the frame, and having a fixed wrap; and an orbiting scroll provided between the frame and the fixed scroll, having an orbiting wrap to form a compression chamber with the fixed wrap, and having rotational shaft coupling portion. One or more oil dimples may be formed at a peripheral end surface of the rotational shaft coupling portion. With such a configuration, as oil may be smoothly supplied to an end surface of the orbiting wrap near the rotational shaft coupling portion, abrasion may be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oil separation barrel, which includes a barrel body and an oil separation and filtration structure provided in the barrel body, the barrel body provided with an oil separation cavity and an output port. An output gas flow is filtered by the oil separation and filtration structure, then enters the oil separation cavity, and finally is output from the output port. At least part of a barrel wall of the barrel body forming the oil separation cavity includes two or more layers of circumferential walls. The output gas flow flows in the oil separation cavity in such a manner that it changes the advance direction multiple times, which can make the flow field uniform and reduce noise and vibration; and the output gas flow impacts the circumferential wall surfaces in the oil separation barrel multiple times, which can further improve the efficiency of oil separation.

Abstract: Scroll compressor designs are provided to minimize vibration, sound, and noise transmission. The scroll compressor has a bearing housing, and orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members. The non-orbiting scroll member has a radially extending flanged portion with at least one aperture substantially aligned with the axially extending bore. At least one fastener is disposed within the aperture and the bore. A sound isolation member contacts at least one of the non-orbiting scroll member, the fastener, or the bearing housing, to reduce or eliminate noise transmission. The sound isolation member may be formed of a polymeric composite having an acoustic impedance value greater than the surrounding materials. The sound isolation member may be an annular washer, an O-ring, or a biasing member, by way of non-limiting example. In other variations, fluid passages are provided within the fastener and/or bearing housing to facilitate entry of lubricant oil to further dampen sound and noise.

Abstract: A communication system can include a first subsystem of a well tool that can include a first cylindrically shaped band positioned around the first subsystem. The first cylindrically shaped band can be operable to electromagnetically couple with a second cylindrically shaped band. The communication system can also include a second subsystem of the well tool. The second subsystem can include the second cylindrically shaped band positioned around the second subsystem. The communication system can further include an intermediate subsystem positioned between the first subsystem and the second subsystem. The intermediate subsystem can include an insulator positioned coaxially around the intermediate subsystem.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump includes: a rotating blade member including an impeller member and a rotor magnet associated with the impeller member, a main body casing in which the rotating blade member is accommodated, a coil portion that rotates the rotating blade member, wherein the coil portion is located on a periphery of the rotor magnet, and an axial member which is associated with the main body casing, wherein the rotating blade member pivots around the axial member. A clearance, in which the rotor magnet is allowed to move, is provided between the blade member and the rotor magnet.

Abstract: A pump drive for an extracorporeal blood pumping system including an adjustable drive magnet. The pump drive may be coupled to a blood pump which includes a pump impeller. The pump drive may include a stepper motor for dynamically adjusting the position of the drive magnet. The position of the drive magnet may be varied to vary the distance between the drive magnet and an impeller magnet of the pump impeller. Adjusting the position of the drive magnet may include dynamically adjusting the drive magnet and may include axially moving the drive magnet to thereby vary a magnetic attraction force between the drive magnet and the impeller magnet which may thereby minimize forces acting on one or more bearings of a pump impeller.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for a turbocharger includes an inlet-adjustment mechanism in an air inlet for the compressor, operable to move between a closed position, an open position, and a super-open position. The compressor also includes a ported shroud system. The inlet-adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of blades disposed about the air inlet and movable radially inwardly and outwardly for defining the various positions. In the closed position, the effective diameter of air inlet is reduced and the blades block flow through the ported shroud system. In the open position, the blades still block the ported shroud but the effective inlet diameter is increased relative to the closed position. In the super-open position, the blades unblock the ported shroud so that an additional amount of flow can pass through the ported shroud, thereby shifting the compressor's choke flow line to higher flow rates.

Abstract: A mixed flow fan and a method of manufacturing a mixed flow fan. The method may include molding a fan wheel with a plurality of blades and a plurality of apertures. The plurality of blades extends radially outward from an axis of rotation and a plurality of apertures arranged with one aperture positioned between each pair of adjacent blades. The method also includes molding a plug having a conical shape. The plug includes a plurality of plugging members arranged circumferentially, where the number of the plurality of plugging members corresponds to the number of the plurality of apertures in the fan wheel. The method further includes welding together the fan wheel and the plug, where each of the plurality of apertures of the fan wheel is sealed by one of the plurality of plugging members of the plug to form a continuous surface.

Abstract: A Heat Exchanger Unit comprising a venting unit, a shutter, a counter flow heat exchanger and a plurality of plenums. The venting unit pulls the outside air, or fresh/purer air, from outdoor through the shutter while it pushes the exhausted inside air through the counter flow heat exchanger and the plurality of plenums toward outside air.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly and method of operation provides a motor that drives a first stage compressor. The motor comprises a rotor. The motor uses radial aerostatic bearings to stabilize rotation and axial displacement of the rotor. The motor also uses a thrust aerostatic bearing to balance an axial force of the rotor. The radial aerostatic bearings and the thrust aerostatic bearing use a low-viscous vapor-liquid two-phase fluid as a lubricating medium. The radial aerostatic bearings supports the rotor. The thrust aerostatic bearing uses porous aerostatic bearings that use a low-viscous vapor-liquid two-phase fluid, so as to reduce radial and axial oscillation of the rotor. This enables clearance between a blade tip of an impeller and a volute. This causes a seal clearance to be reduced by a half; thereby increasing efficiency of the centrifugal compressor by at least 10 percent.

Abstract: A turbocharged device subject to a surge event during operation, the turbocharged device including a turbocharger having a controller and a bearing assembly, a first sensor configured to detect the oil pressure provided to the bearing assembly, a second sensor in operable communication with the turbocharger, where the controller is configured to determine the magnitude of the surge event based at least in part on a signal provided by the second sensor in response to the surge event, and where the controller is configured to determine the wear inflicted on the turbocharger during the surge event based at least in part on the magnitude of the surge event and a signal provided by the first sensor in response to the surge event.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and device for adjusting operation data of an air-out device. The method may involve presenting an operation data adjustment interface for adjusting the operation parameter of the air-out device in response to a user selection of the interaction element for adjusting the operation parameter of the air-out device, obtaining an adjusted operation parameter of the air-out device, generating an adjusted operation data file based on the adjusted operation parameter that is obtained, and transmitting the adjusted operation data file to the air-out device.

Abstract: A pump unit includes a pump housing having a valve assembly positioned on a wall thereof and adapted to be coupled to an inflatable device, and an air control assembly that is housed inside the pump housing. The air control assembly includes an impeller section that houses an impeller, and has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air control assembly further includes a motor housing that houses a motor, the motor housing having an air vent that communicates the interior of the motor housing with the air inlet and the air outlet, and a vent opening that communicates the interior of the motor housing to the environment. The air outlet is aligned with the valve assembly when the pump unit is operated in the inflation mode, and the air inlet is aligned with the valve assembly when the pump unit is operated in the deflation mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a slidable sleeve valve actuation system for a turbocharger compressor. In one example, an actuator assembly for a slidable sleeve of a turbocharger compressor may comprise: a fork arm coupled to the slidable sleeve; a rotatable lever arm coupled to the fork arm via a rigid connecting shaft; a connector rod coupled between the lever arm and a rotatable element; and an actuator unit coupled to the rotatable element and attached to an attachment case, the attachment case coupled to the turbocharger compressor. The actuator assembly may be actuated to move the slidable sleeve from one position along a casing treatment to another position along the casing treatment, thereby adjusting the alignment of sleeve slots on the slidable sleeve relative to choke or surge slots on the casing treatment.

Abstract: Systems for pumping water are described. The system can include a covered pool containing a first volume of water, an oared water pump with a plurality of radial oars, an upper reservoir configured in fluid communication with the covered pool, a lower reservoir and a hydroelectric system. The oared pump can pump water from the covered pool into the upper reservoir. The upper reservoir can be configured to communicate water to the lower reservoir through the hydroelectric system with the lower reservoir configured in fluid communication with the covered pool.

Abstract: A compressor for a turbomachine, with at least one rotor disc and a space that is at least partially enclosed by the at least one rotor disc and that is arranged axially in front of or behind the at least one rotor disc, wherein vortex reducers are arranged inside the space, wherein the vortex reducers are connected to the structural components in a form-fitted and/or in a frictionally engaged manner partially via first scallops at a first structural component and partially via second scallops at a second structural component that is adjacent to the first structural component in the axial direction, wherein the first scallops and/or second scallops are arranged at a retaining ring, which can be connected or is connected to the first rotor disc and/or the second rotor disc. What is further described is a method for mounting a compressor.

Abstract: A compressor airfoil of a turbine engine having a geared architecture includes pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position to a 100% span position. The airfoil has a relationship between a camber angle and span position that defines a curve with a decreasing camber angle from 80% span to 100% span.

Abstract: A compressor airfoil of a turbine engine having a geared architecture includes pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position to a 100% span position. The airfoil has a relationship between an axial stacking offset and span position that includes a curve with a negative slope from 90% span to 100% span. The negative slope leans forward relative to an engine axis.

Abstract: A fan blade includes a metallic body, a first composite cover, and a second composite cover. The metallic body may have a first side, a second side, a plurality of first retention slots, and a plurality of second retention slots, in accordance with various embodiments. The first and second retention slots may extend from the first side to the second side of the metallic body. The first composite cover may be coupled to the first side of the metallic body and may include a plurality of first fingers that extend through the first retention slots and are coupled to the second side of the metallic body. The second composite cover may be coupled to the second side of the metallic body and may include a plurality of second fingers that extend through the second retention slots and are coupled to the first side of the metallic body.

Abstract: A fan includes a fan housing and a motor accommodated therein. The motor has a stator and a rotor, which is connected to a fan wheel. The fan housing consists of at least a housing upper part and a housing lower part. The housing upper part has an axial opening on the axial inner face of which facing the housing lower part the stator is arranged. On the axial outer face of the axial opening at least electronics are arranged.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan includes: an impeller driven by a drive motor to rotate; a scroll casing including an inlet-port face having an opening and a wall portion having positions at which distances from an axis line that is a rotation center of the impeller differ from each other, and changing an air flow in a centrifugal direction generated by rotation of the impeller into an air flow in one direction; an air admitting portion including a bell mouth portion having a large-diameter side end placed on an inlet-air-flow upstream side of the inlet-port face; and a protruding portion extending from the air admitting portion in a direction orthogonal to the axis line, which is the rotation center of the impeller, and in a direction away from the rotation center and surrounding part of the bell mouth portion.