Abstract: In order to effect a seal; a porous material which comprises one side of two opposing surfaces is used to restrict and evenly distribute externally pressurized gas, liquid, steam, etc. between the two surfaces, exerting a force which is opposite the forces from pressure differences or springs trying to close the two faces together and so may create a non contact seal that is more stable and reliable than hydrodynamic seals currently in use.

Abstract: A steam turbine with a shaft seal is provided. The shaft seal steam barrier is supplied with a slight excess pressure. In order to avoid complex additional devices necessary for liquefying the water vapor once again, a condensation chamber, which is sealed from the surrounding air as well as from the steam barrier chamber with brush seals, is provided between the steam barrier chamber and the surrounding air. The condensation chamber is constructed in such a manner that the heat, developing in the interior thereof, is discharged to the outside.

Abstract: A polishing jig of a hydraulic integral system is improved to increase efficiency. A polishing jig 1 for bearing for use in back-up roll of rolling mill including a shaft member 2 on which an inner ring 104 of a bearing 100 for use in back-up roll of rolling mill is fitted; and a pressure-oil chamber 12 operative in association with the feeding of a pressure oil into the shaft member 2 to protrude an outer circumferential part of the shaft member 2 radially outwardly, the polishing jig includes an inner-ring fixing portion 16 for axially fixing individual inner rings 104 of a plurality of the bearings 100 fitted on the shaft member 2 as axially arranged, wherein a plurality of the pressure-oil chambers 12 are formed internally of the shaft member 2 in correspondence to the plural bearings 100 fixed on the shaft member 2.

Abstract: A bearing hub for a gas turbine engine comprises an inner annular member defining a bearing chamber and an outer annular member extending around the inner annular member. Each annular member defines an aperture to receive a conduit which can extend to the bearing chamber. The outer annular member is configured to slidingly engage the conduit at the aperture in the outer annular member.

Abstract: A polishing jig of a hydraulic integral system is improved to increase efficiency. A polishing jig 1 for bearing for use in back-up roll of rolling mill including a shaft member 2 on which an inner ring 104 of a bearing 100 for use in back-up roll of rolling mill is fitted; and a pressure-oil chamber 12 operative in association with the feeding of a pressure oil into the shaft member 2 to protrude an outer circumferential part of the shaft member 2 radially outwardly, the polishing jig includes an inner-ring fixing portion 16 for axially fixing individual inner rings 104 of a plurality of the bearings 100 fitted on the shaft member 2 as axially arranged, wherein a plurality of the pressure-oil chambers 12 are formed internally of the shaft member 2 in correspondence to the plural bearings 100 fixed on the shaft member 2.

Abstract: A work-piece deflection management system including: (a) a first and a second vacuum chambers, each said vacuum chamber having an air-bearing seal circumscribing one of its sides, and (b) a work-piece plate; wherein the air-bearing seals are aligned to face one-another with the work-piece plate respectively there-between, allowing the work-piece to be laterally slid with respect to the air-bearing seals while maintaining a first predefined vacuum level within the first vacuum chamber and maintaining a second predefined vacuum level within the second vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spindle motor used in a hard disc drive or a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, wherein air discharge guiding arrangement prevents foreign matter such as lubricating particles and dust scattered in the bearings of the spindle motor from flowing into a clean space by guiding air flows in the direction opposite to the clean space, without using any separate hermetic seal.

Abstract: A cable retractor comprising interconnected restrainer segments attached end-to-end by pivot pins, such that the entire structure is foldable into a small space. A fiber optic cable is attached to restrainer segments in a manner such that the total path length of the fiber optic cable does not substantially change as the retractor is unfolded to an extended position from a folded position.

Abstract: A vacuum motor bearing protection system includes a barrier wall interposed between a motor assembly and a fan assembly. A shaft interconnecting the assemblies is rotatably received within a bearing received by the barrier wall. In order to prevent moisture and debris from attacking the bearing, apertures are position in the top plate of the fan assembly nearest the bearing and in juxtaposition thereto for drawing air away from the bearing and into the fan eye. Accordingly, this scavenging action draws any moisture or debris from the area of the bearing. To assist in the pumping action, the barrier wall, fan top plate, or a spacer interposed therebetween may be provided with vanes positioned and configured to direct moisture laden air to the apertures in the fan top plate and into the fan eye.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for sealing the bearing of a machine, especially a turbomachine, in which a shaft is disposed inside a housing which includes a partition traversed by the shaft and separating an air chamber from an oil chamber, the housing including an axial boss on the side of the oil chamber, this system further including a device for generating a flow of air for pushing back the oil, which has penetrated into the space existing between the housing and the shaft, towards the oil chamber.

Abstract: A fiber-optic address detector comprises fiber-optic delay lines on one surface of which a metal thin film is evaporated, the fiber-optic delay lines being connected in a melting state to fiber-optic couplers, wherein inputting address photonic signals are tapped by the inputting fiber-optic couplers, reflected by the metal thin films at the end portion of the fiber-optic delay line and then re-combined by the inputting fiber-optic coupler, whereby it can reduce the number of the fiber-optic coupler used in the conventional fiber-optic address detector to one half as well as obtain the same address detection effect.

Abstract: A bearing device suitable for a spindle motor, which comprises a base, a spindle stood on a central portion of the base, a radial cylindrical member (4) fixed on the spindle, a pair of thrust plates (3) secured to both end surfaces of the radial cylindrical member, and a radial sleeve (6) rotatably supported by the thrust plates (3) and the radial sleeve (6), wherein a radial hydrodynamic bearing is formed by the radial cylindrical member (4) and the radial sleeve (6), thrust hydrodynamic bearings are formed by both end portions of the radial sleeve (6) and the thrust plates (3), a gas is employed as a fluid for generating dynamic pressure in the thrust hydrodynamic bearings, the radial bearing has a minute clearance, a chamfer portion is provided on the outer periphery of each end of the radial cylindrical member (4), and another chamfer portion is provided on the inner periphery of each end of the radial sleeve (6), thereby providing an air gap (13) at each axial end of the radial hydrodynamic bearing, whic

Abstract: A dynamic seal is disclosed which prevents foreign material from entering the air bearing for a rotor apparatus. The rotor apparatus includes a housing, a generally cylindrical rotor disposed within the housing and having a shoulder, a fluid stream and a flexible seal plate with an inner wall forming a generally circular hole. The seal plate is secured to the housing with the seal plate inner wall normally abutting the shoulder of the rotor. In operation, the fluid stream is directed in the bearing space defined by the housing and exterior surface of the rotor and displaces the seal plate inner wall from the shoulder. A method for preventing foreign material from entering the bearing space defined by a housing and the exterior surface of a generally cylindrical rotor is also disclosed. The method comprises securing a flexible seal plate to the housing, with the seal plate having an inner wall forming a generally circular hole that normally abuts a shoulder portion of the rotor.

Abstract: A bearing structure, preferably for supporting a rotary table (4) in metrological apparatus, includes both a journal bearing (34,36,38) and a thrust bearing (56,66). The journal bearing is made up of three dry pads (34,36,38), one (38) of which is radially adjustable, and the thrust bearing (56,66) comprises first and second air bearings. The axis of rotation of the bearing is vertical, and the lower (66) of the air bearings is less stiff than the upper one (56).

Abstract: A hydraulic elevator buffer contains a piston (plunger) which is pushed down into a volume of hydraulic fluid. The buffer has no seals separating its interior from the atmosphere. As the piston is pushed down, the displaced fluid is forced through ports in the cylinder which gives rise to a restricting force. The displaced fluid escapes into a volume in which an air/fluid mixture is produced. A nozzle area surrounds the piston at the top of the container, and the mixture is forced through the nozzle, separating the fluid and air. The fluid condenses down, lubricating the piston. The air is forced out through the space between the fluid container and the piston, removing any contaminants around the piston. The buffer contains a fluid-fill port which is at a horizontal angle at which a minimum and maximum fluid level in the buffer can be determined by looking in the port.

Abstract: Rotary gas bearing and seal apparatus is disclosed which seals a region between the two planar bearing surfaces that is radially offset from the axis of rotation of the bearing. In the preferred embodiment, two arcuate gas sink channels sink the gas of the bearing away from the region. The gas outside the region and the two channels coact to effect the seal. A gas bearing and vacuum seal embodiment using air or alternatively nitrogen as the bearing gas is described.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a housing and a mechanism in the housing for actuating the sewing elements of the machine. The mechanism includes a rotating shaft with a drive end which protrudes from the housing and carries a handwheel. The handwheel has a surface which is proximate to the housing to provide a thin space between the surface and the housing. Wheel rotation during machine operation causes centrifugal movement of air in the space toward the circumference of the space. The wheel has openings which supply air to the space to cool the wheel and prevent the aspiration of fluids from the housing by the centrifugal movement of air in the space.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agitator for the agitation of liquid media, and more specially for use while completely submerged in the medium. The bearings and the coupling for the agitator shaft are placed in a downwardly opening gastrap, there being a gas cushion between the bearings and the coupling on the one hand and the medium to be agitated on the other hand in order to keep the medium clear of the bearings and the coupling and damaging same.The gas cushion may replenished through a supply duct periodically or continuously.

Abstract: A vacuum-to-vacuum entry system which uses a rotary transport to transfer workpieces between two vacuum environments in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation and through the interface of a combination rotary gas bearing and seal. The combination gas bearing and seal seals off a zone in the gap between its two planar bearing surfaces that is radially offset from the axis of rotation of the bearing which is coincidental with the transport axis. Two arcuate gas sink channels on one of the bearing surfaces sink the gas of the bearing away from the zone. The bearing gas outside the zone in the gap and the two channels coact to effect a peripheral seal about the zone allowing the two vacuum environments when appropriately aligned to be in sealed communication with each other through the zone. A preferred embodiment is described for the transfer of ceramic substrates with circuitized surfaces between two vacuums environments.

Abstract: The atmospheric pressure of lubricant containing cavities, from which leakage occurs, is lowered to a point below atmospheric pressure such that air from the environment is drawn thereinto. Since the air being drawn in occupies the passages through which lubricant leakage occurs, such leakage is effectively retarded.