Abstract: An improved variable geometry diffuser (VGD) mechanism for use with a centrifugal compressor. This VGD mechanism extends substantially completely into the diffuser gap so that the VGD mechanism may be used more fully to control other operational functions. The VGD mechanism may be used to minimize compressor backspin and associated transient loads during compressor shut down by preventing a reverse flow of refrigerant gas through the diffuser gap during compressor shutdown, which is prevented because the diffuser gap is substantially blocked by the full extension of the diffuser ring. During start-up, transient surge and stall also can be effectively eliminated as gas flow through the diffuser gap can be impeded as load and impeller speed increase, thereby alleviating the problems caused by startup loads at low speeds. The VGD mechanism can be used for capacity control as well so as to achieve more effective turndown at low loads.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan and an air conditioner using the same are provided. A gurney flap having a rectangular plate or a S-shaped, twisted gurney flap may be formed in a tip of a blade provided in or on a hub of the centrifugal fan, so that noise may be effectively reduced, and efficiency increased. Further, the blade with the gurney flap may be easily formed integrally with the hub, enhancing productivity.

Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.

Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.

Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.

Abstract: A blower unit is provided which is suitable for use in a pneumatic transmission system. The blower unit includes a housing having at least two inlet/outlet openings through which air can flow. Disposed within the housing are one or more blower motors, each blower motor for moving a volume of air from one of the at least two inlet/outlet openings to another. Also disposed within the housing are one or more bypass paths, each bypass path providing a route by which air can flow without flowing through an associated blower motor. A valve element is disposed within at least one of the bypass paths for substantially blocking air-flow through that bypass path when the associated blower motor is active.

Abstract: A particulate material accelerator conveyor includes a housing having a wall with openings therein for an air inlet, a particular material inlet, and a mixture outlet; a feed auger rotatably mounted in the housing and in fluid communication with the particulate material inlet so as to convey particulate material from the inlet into an acceleration chamber within the housing; and a fan rotatably mounted in the housing in fluid communication with the air inlet and the acceleration chamber. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades for accelerating air from the air inlet toward the housing wall and thereby providing a flow of accelerated air along the inside of the wall and toward the particulate material and move therewith toward the mixture outlet. The positioning of the fan in the housing and the resulting air flow therefrom prevents particulate material from contacting the fan blades and thereby damaging the particulate material.

Abstract: A high efficiency exhauster which is capable of attaining operating efficiencies of up to 70% when employed in a solid fuel pulverizer firing system that includes a pulverizer which is operative to effect the pulverization therewithin of the solid fuel supplied thereto and a furnace into which the pulverized solid fuel is injected for combustion therewithin. The high efficiency exhauster includes a casing, an inlet ring supported on the casing, a rotor mounted on the casing for rotation therewithin, a multiplicity of blades, each of a preestablished length and width, mounted in spaced relation one to another on the circumference of the rotor so as to extend at a preestablished angle, and an outlet formed in the casing.

Abstract: An impeller assembly having a housing supporting a rotatable impeller. The housing has a bottom entrance opening and a top exit opening separated by a curved back wall. A liner of low friction and abrasion resistant plastic material located adjacent a portion of the inside of the back wall prevents material buildup on the back wall. The liner is removeably mounted on the housing so that it can be replaced without taking the housing apart. The impeller has a plurality of pivoted paddle assemblies. Each paddle assembly has a body carrying a generally U-shaped liner of low friction and abrasion resistant material to minimize the collection of material on the paddle assemblies. The housing includes a knife adjacent the entrance opening. The body of the impeller assembly has a transverse lip that moves in close relation relative to the knife to cut material.

Abstract: An impeller assembly having a housing supporting a rotatable impeller. The housing has a bottom entrance opening and a top exit opening separated by a curved back wall. A liner of low friction and abrasion resistant plastic material located adjacent a portion of the inside of the back wall prevents material buildup on the back wall. The liner is removeably mounted on the housing so that it can be replaced without taking the housing apart. The impeller has a plurality of pivoted paddle assemblies. Each paddle assembly has a body carrying a generally U-shaped liner of low friction and abrasion resistant material to minimize the collection of material on the paddle assemblies. The housing includes a knife adjacent the entrance opening. The body of the impeller assembly has a transverse lip that moves in close relation relative to the knife to cut material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for the separation of solids entrained in fluid streams. The apparatus consists of a pipecross chamber which is divided into two regions by a perforated deflector/separator plate angularly disposed within the chamber. A shear jet is disposed perpendicular to the flow path and higher pressure fluid is thereby injected into the chamber to deflect and separate entrained solids. Embodiments are disclosed in which no deflector/separator plate is disposed within the chamber, separation being effected by the shear jet alone. In preferred embodiments the apparatus and method are used to protect a centrifugal pump impeller from damage by the solids. While conventional pipe joints and parts can be used, an alternate embodiment provides removable side plates and a removable deflector/separator plate for ease of installation and maintenance. Further enhancements include pipe elbow means having a jet in the direction of fluid flow through the elbow.

Abstract: An impeller assembly having a housing supporting a rotatable impeller. The housing has a bottom entrance opening and a top exit opening separated by a curved back wall. A liner of low friction and abrasive resistant plastic material covers the inside of the back wall. The liner is removeably mounted on the housing so that it can be replaced without taking the housing apart. The impeller has a plurality of pivoted paddle assemblies. Each paddle assembly has a generally U-shaped liner of low friction and abrasion resistant material. The impeller is adjustably mounted on the housing to provide a minimum of clearance between the liner and the outer ends of the paddle assemblies as they rotate within the housing.

Abstract: An abrasion-resistant liner for centrifugal solids type pumps comprises a plurality of hard metal segments attached to the inner circumferential wall of a conventional pump in spaced apart condition thereabout. The open spaces thus formed between each adjacent hard metal liner segment receive a soft abrasion-resistant material such as rubber, synthetic thermoplastic resin, or other polymer or elastomer material, bonded, vulcanized or otherwise secured to the pump housing and to the hard liner segments, thereby forming a plurality of alternating liner segments of hard and soft material, together forming an even, smooth liner surface substantially encircling the impeller of the pump. In this manner, solids and sharp objects being pumped are deflected by the spaced apart metal segments, reducing damage of the abrasion-resistant material, while the meal segments also serve to more positively secure the soft abrasion-resistant material in bonded condition on the pump housing.

Abstract: An impeller assembly having a housing supporting a rotatable impeller. The housing has a bottom entrance opening and a top exit opening separated by a curved back wall. A liner of low friction and abrasive resistant plastic material covers the inside of the back wall. The liner is removeably mounted on the housing so that it can be replaced without taking the housing apart. The impeller has a plurality of pivoted paddle assemblies. Each paddle assembly has a generally U-shaped liner of low friction and abrasion resistant material. The impeller is adjustably mounted on the housing to provide a minimum of clearance between the liner and the outer ends of the paddle assemblies as they rotate within the housing.

Abstract: A blower for conveying material includes a housing and a spout. The housing has a front wall, a rear wall and an arcuate side wall extending between the front and rear walls. A plurality of arms with paddles mounted thereon are rotatable within the housing to discharge material through the spout. Springs are provided to urge a portion of the housing side wall into a normal position while permitting this side wall portion to be flexed outwardly if a foreign object such as a rock impacts against the inside of the housing side wall with enough force to overcome the springs. Permanent deformation to the housing is thus prevented by the springs.

Abstract: A forage blower having an upwardly extending, tangential blower outlet transition member which is hinged along one of its sides so as to be moved to thereby expose the inside of the blower housing. The blower housing includes a two-portion rim sheet. A wear liner is secured in one portion of the rim sheet and is located generally in the lower part of the blower housing; this wear liner can be replaced by circumferentially shifting the rim sheet and the wear liner together to an area where the wear liner can be replaced when the blower outlet transition member is moved. The construction of the side walls, rim sheet portion and liner is such that a smooth and unobstructed inner surface of the liner and rim sheet is provided for the material being handled.

Abstract: The centrifugal fan comprises a casing having a cylindrical jacket with a tangentially directed outlet duct and lateral walls, one of the walls being formed with an axially directed inlet duct partially projecting into the casing, an impeller wheel supported for rotation in the casing opposite the opening of the inlet duct, and axially displaceable tubular partition coaxially surrounding the inlet duct and projecting into the casing toward the face of the impeller wheel to define therewith a variable gap which connects an adjustable diffusing antechamber resulting in the casing between the displaceable tubular partition and the inlet duct to a main diffusing chamber resulting between the displaceable tubular partition and the cylindrical jacket.

Abstract: In methods for transporting an aqueous slurry of particulate solids in a pipeline wherein the aqueous slurry has an effective viscosity greater than water and is pumped through the pipeline by at least one centrifugal pump wherein a flushing fluid is used to maintain the bearing surfaces in the centrifugal pump free of particulate solids, an improvement comprising; the use of a thickened aqueous flushing fluid having a viscosity equal to at least about 80 percent of the viscosity of the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A fan housing through which mire is drawn includes a plurality of rods connected around and inside the periphery of the housing and a belting placed thereover, ends of the belting extending through a side opening in the housing and connected to a rocker arm or other oscillating means, thereby flexing the belting and scraping the belting against the rods to prevent mire build up and to remove existing mire without having to shut down fan operation.