Abstract: A submerged motor pump (4) has an auxiliary bearing assembly (19, 20) for supporting a rotatable main shaft (9) when the submerged motor pump is not in an operating condition or operates in a transient condition. The submerged motor pump includes a pump casing (6), at least one impeller (12), a motor (10,11), and a thrust balancing mechanism (15) for balancing thrust forces. The submerged motor pump further includes hydrostatic bearings (16, 17, 18) for supporting the main shaft at axially spaced locations by a pressurized fluid pumped by the submerged motor pump. The auxiliary bearing assembly has tapered support surfaces (FL, FU) for supporting the main shaft at the axially spaced locations.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for a surface mounted centrifugal pump utilizes the pump liquid for lubrication of a thrust bearing and radial bearings. The thrust bearing mounts to the rearward end of the intake chamber. A communication passage extends between the thrust chamber and the intake chamber. A circulation tube leads from the intake chamber to the rearward end of the thrust chamber. A portion of the water being delivered to the intake chamber is diverted through the circulation tube, where it circulates through the thrust bearing and back to the intake of the pump. The shaft passes through the thrust chamber to an electrical motor. A mechanical seal seals the shaft at the rearward end of the thrust chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping fluid includes a centrifugal pump which is mounted to a support base. The support base has a support column which extends from the base in an approximately vertical direction. Braces are connected between the pump and the column along the longitudinal axis of the pump to laterally support the pump in the vertical direction. A thrust chamber and an electric motor are coupled to the pump for driving the pump and absorbing downthrust. The braces have slidable members located within them to allow the pump to thermally grow relative to the support column due to elevated temperatures of the fluid being pumped.

Abstract: Apparatus for abrasive blasting of the bottom of a ship in a drydock includes a blast head mounted on a vertically swinging boom on a vehicle. The blast head has freedom of movement about two pivot axes which are not parallel to each other. One of the pivot axes is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the boom. The center of gravity of the blast head is below the pivot axes when the blast opening normally faces upwardly. The boom and blast head are raised by double acting hydraulic cylinders which hold the blast head against the ship with a constant force. The blast head has a side edge which extends laterally at least to the side edge of the vehicle to facilitate blasting adjacent to obstacles under the hull. An overhung load adapter connects the blast wheel to its motor to minimize radial loads on the blast wheel motor. In the blast head, a stream of blasting material falling toward a main hopper is subjected to a transverse air stream which laterally deflects lighter particles into a debris channel.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises turbine and compressor elements on a rotary shaft. The shaft is rotably mounted on preloaded axial thrust bearings. As it rotates in use the turbine and compressor elements create an axial thrust load on the bearings. According to the invention that axial thrust load is opposed by an electromagnetic coil which is energised to exert an axial force on the shaft in opposition to the axial thrust load and preferably completely balancing the axial thrust load. Bearing life is much extended.

Abstract: A damping device is provided for damping the vibration of a rotatable shaft. The shaft has a shaft end portion and a detachable thrust collar. The thrust collar has an elongated portion which extends in the direction of the axis of the rotatable shaft and is hollow. Further, the elongated portion overhangs the shaft end portion. The damping device also has a stationary portion which is associated with the elongated portion of the thrust collar.

Abstract: A thrust load compensating system for a compliant foil hydrodynamic fluid film thrust bearing is disclosed. The system includes an end cap over the free end of a rotary machine shaft, a compliant foil hydrodynamic fluid film journal bearing located at the free end of the shaft, and a source of air whose pressure varies with the square of turbomachine speed. The compliant foil hydrodynamic fluid film journal bearing located at the free end of the shaft serves as a non-contacting rotary shaft seal and, together with the end cap and free end of the shaft forms a thrust piston chamber. The thrust load compensating system of the present invention can be utilized in high speed rotary machines that have a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel that generate large axial aerodynamic forces that increase with speed.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for a surface mounted centrifugal pump utilizes the pump liquid for lubrication of a thrust bearing and radial bearings. The thrust bearing mounts to the rearward end of the intake chamber. A communication passage extends between the thrust chamber and the intake chamber. A circulation tube leads from the intake chamber to the rearward end of the thrust chamber. A portion of the water being delivered to the intake chamber is diverted through the circulation tube, where it circulates through the thrust bearing and back to the intake of the pump. The shaft passes through the thrust chamber to an electrical motor. A mechanical seal seals the shaft at the rearward end of the thrust chamber.

Abstract: A process for periodically calibrating an algorithm in a control unit of a system for balancing loads on a thrust bearing of a gas turbine engine rotor is disclosed involving the steps of initializing a calibration of the control unit algorithm, causing the engine to attain a crossover condition, measuring the residual load on the rotor thrust bearing, calculating a residual load on the rotor thrust bearing by means of the control unit algorithm, comparing the measured residual load and the calculated residual load on the rotor thrust bearing to determine a difference therebetween, and modifying the control unit algorithm to compensate for the difference between the measured and calculated residual loads on the rotor thrust bearing.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a hybrid magnetic bearing thrust disk. In one embodiment the hydrid magnetic bearing thrust disk comprises a high magnetic permeable portion that is supported by a high specific strength circumferential ring. The high specific strength circumferential ring resisting the dynamic loads applied to the hydrid thrust disk.

Abstract: A single stage centrifugal compressor is disclosed having a drive shaft with two thrust bearing collars disposed in a casing. The thrust collars are coupled to two sets of pads tiltingly engaged to two respective base plates. One or both of these base plates are coupled to the casing by a resilient member. This resilient member, by deflecting with the load allows the force applied to the thrust bearings to be balanced between the thrust bearings. It may be formed as two arcuate portions extending partially around the drive shaft or as a single ring. It may be formed as an annular portion with slots extending substantially radially outward from the rotational axis of the drive shaft outward to an outer surface facing away from the drive shaft, or may be made of two substantially parallel plates with an elastomeric layer sandwiched in between. The elastomeric layer may be either a single solid sheet or several elastomeric elements separated by gaps that allow the elastomer to expand outward when compressed.

Abstract: A system for controlling thrust forces on a thrust bearing in a rotating structure of a gas turbine engine at designated operating points including a device for providing thrust load compensation to the thrust bearing, a control for operating the thrust load compensation device, and a sensor for detecting rotational cage speed of the thrust bearing. The sensor provides a signal to the control when the rotational cage speed of the thrust bearing drops below a specified ratio of the rotational speed for the rotating structure, the signal being indicative of an incipient skid condition for the thrust bearing. The control then causes the thrust load compensation device to provide an additional predetermined load on the thrust bearing when it receives the signal from the sensor so that a resultant load thereon is within a specified load range which extends the life of the thrust bearing.

Abstract: Fluid-flow machine having shaft (1) which is mounted in an axially fixed fashion, and a balancing piston (6) firmly arranged thereon. In order to reduce the leakage flow, the balancing piston (6) is partially replaced by a porting ring (12) which forms with the balancing piston a choke gap (11), through which radial flow occurs, and a cylindrical upstream throttle (13) through which axial flow occurs.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump adapted to be positioned in a wellbore in an inverted position to pump fluids downhole includes a pump housing, a rotatable shaft positioned within the pump housing, at least one pump stage positioned within the pump housing, with each pump stage comprising an impeller connected to and fixed relative to the shaft, and a stationary diffuser, and an upthrust bearing assembly positioned within the pump housing and comprising a rotatable thrust plate connected to the shaft and cooperating with a stationary thrust plate supported to the pump housing. The upthrust bearing assembly eliminates the need for a separate costly bearing assembly, such as would be included within an additional motor protector, when a centrifugal pump is positioned in a wellbore in an inverted position to pump fluids downhole.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for predicting the performance of a centrifugal pump with a balance mechanism comprising the steps of assuming leakage amounts in the back of an impeller and a thrust balance mechanism to calculate a flow-rate of the impeller for monitoring a leakage amount of a front and a back of the impeller, calculating a leakage amount in the thrust balance mechanism for judging whether or not a result of the calculation converges, to a set value. If the result does not converge, repeating the steps from the analysis of the flow in the thrust balance mechanism to the calculation of the leakage amount in the thrust balance mechanism. If the result converges, calculating a leakage amount in the pump. If a result of the calculation does not converge, repeating the steps from the calculation of the flow-rate in the impeller until the convergence.

Abstract: A multistage canned motor pump comprising a pump section including a plurality of pump chambers and a motor section behind the pump section, both the sections having in common a single rotation shaft, and further a balance disk between the pump and motor sections, wherein an external circulation system is provided so that a part of a treating liquid discharged from a last stage pump chamber is circulated from a front rotor chamber through a pressure chamber accommodating the balance disk to a rear rotor chamber while the remaining part of the treating liquid is supplied to a rear bearing section for lubrication of the bearing section and further circulated through an external pipe to a pump section port for cooling of the motor section, and wherein an annular balance sheet is provided a verge at a high pressure side of the balance disk in the pressure chamber to control a flow rate of the treating liquid to thereby reduce a pressure of a circulation flow of the treating liquid toward the motor section.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a rotatable shaft. A bush has a circumference with the bush being disposed about the shaft. The bush has a plurality of openings disposed throughout the circumference. Each of the plurality of openings is spaced from the remaining openings. A slot, having a first end and a second end, is disposed between the shaft and the bush. The first end is exposed to fluid having a first pressure. The second end is exposed to fluid having a second pressure which is less than the first pressure. The plurality of openings is exposed to fluid having a third pressure which is less than the first pressure and greater than the second pressure such that fluid flowing from the plurality of openings into the slot exits exclusively from the second end of the slot.

Abstract: A multi-stage centrifugal pump has a shorter shaft length compared to conventional multi-stage pump with the same number of impellers on the drive shaft (e.g. about 17-28% shorter length). The shorter length is obtained by utilizing first and second annular slide bearings. Adjacent at least one end (and preferably both) of a rotatable elongated shaft of the pump (which mounts the impellers) within a casing the first slide bearing is mounted to a stationary end structure while the second slide bearing is mounted to the shaft for rotation with it. A plurality of O-rings may be provided to mount the second slide bearing to the shaft. A sleeve with shoulder engaging opposite ends of the second slide bearing may be provided, and the slide bearings may have a clearance of about 0.04-0.1 mm between them, with a lubricant in the clearance. A labyrinth seal is typically provided in the most remote shoulder.

Abstract: A pump for pumping fluids in a filtration system is disclosed. The pump has a thrust balancing means to reduce axial loads on motor bearings of the pump during operation of the pump. A drive system of the pump includes an elongate flexible shaft interconnecting a drive shaft and an impeller shaft. The elongate flexible shaft bends and twists to accommodate misalignment during assembly of the drive system. A seal assembly is provided for sealing about a drive shaft. The seal assembly is evacuated to prevent pumped fluid from contaminating fluids in the motor. A concentric coupling and method for making the same are taught which include a cylindrical block which is concentrically bored and cut into an annular L-shaped segment having an L-shaped notch and a semi-cylindrical mating segment which is received into the notch. The coupling concentrically joins a pair of shafts together.

Abstract: A turbo vacuum pump has a housing provided with a suction port and a discharge port, an evacuation pump disposed in the housing for compressing a gas suctioned through the suction port and discharging the compressed gas through the discharge port, and a motor for driving the evacuation pump, the motor and the evacuation pump having a common rotor. The rotor is supported at its both axial ends by bearings. A spiral grooved dynamic seal is disposed in the vicinity of the suction port and at the opposite side of the suction port to the evacuation pump. The diameter of the spiral grooved dynamic seal, at the smallest, is greater than the outside diameter of the final stage impeller of the evacuation pumps.

Abstract: A vertical turbine pump is provided which includes a housing, a magnetic drive assembly attached to the housing, a vertical shaft assembly, an impeller assembly, and a thrust-compensating device. The vertical shaft assembly has an impeller-rotating section, a drive-interfacing section, and a transfer section therebetween. The impeller assembly is mounted to the impeller-rotating section of the shaft assembly and the housing includes a diffuser-bowl section which interfaces with the impeller assembly. The drive-interfacing section of the vertical shaft assembly is situated in a drive-interfacing position and rotational motion is magnetically conveyed from the magnetic drive assembly to the shaft assembly and thus to the impeller.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump with an open-faced impeller for conveying a working liquid, the pump comprising at least one open-faced impeller provided with blades placed inside a casing defining a suction pipe facing the bottoms of the blades in the vicinity of a central shaft that drives the impeller and forming a part of a rotary assembly, and a delivery pipe fitted with a fixed diffuser disposed facing the peripheral ends of the blades. An active axial balancing system for the rotary assembly, which balancing system is integrated in the impeller and comprises a balancing chamber interposed between the rear face of the body of the impeller and an outer rear portion of the casing.

Abstract: A modular multistage centrifugal compressor with plural rotors on a common drive shaft driven by a high speed drive. A throttled leakage path between adjacent stages of the compressor reduces the axial loading on the rotors, which have axial freedom on the common drive shaft, to essentially zero. This same throttled leakage path flows between stages in the area around the common drive shaft, eliminating the need for interstage shaft seals. The compressor accommodates a family of drive sources including motors, diesel and gas engines, CNG engines and direct drive turbines.

Abstract: A multi-stage centrifugal pump is described having a linear series of impellets mounted on a common impeller shaft, with axial thrusts imparted to the shaft by the impellets being balanced by a sealed high-pressure thrust bearing assembly secured to the pump casing. The pump is particularly suitable for using in pumping an abrasive fluid. A clean lubricating oil is supplied to the thrust bearing assembly at a pressure slightly greater than that of the abrasive pumped fluid, to ensure that the fluid that migrates across a mechanical seal interposed between the impeller assembly and the thrust bearing assembly is the lubricating oil, not the abrasive pumped fluid. High pressure differentials across a breakdown bushing involving the abrasive pumped fluid, and a resulting wear and erosion of pump components, thereby are avoided.

Abstract: A control stator comprising a plurality of stationary vanes, ribs, or cavities is provided in a centrifugal pump having a shrouded impeller. The function of the control stator is to slow the swirl of fluid in the cavity between the casing and the impeller front shroud and thereby provide a very cost effective solution to the problem of excess axial thrust. The control stator is a simple, inexpensive non-rotating part that can be affixed in an existing space in the pump casing between the casing wall and the front shroud of the impeller.

Abstract: A thrust control system for fluid handling rotary machines, such as turbo expanders equipped with a magnetic thrust bearing, includes a magnetic thrust control circuit for providing a thrust signal which is a measure of the magnitude and direction of the thrust force on the thrust bearing. The rotor and stator of the machine have generally axially opposed thrust areas separated by a thrust cavity. Valves are connected between the thrust cavity and high and low pressure fluid sources. A controller, responsive to the thrust signal, controls the valves to selectively conduct fluid between the cavity and the high and low pressure sources to increase or decrease the fluid pressure in the cavity to minimize variations of the thrust force from a preset value which could be zero, for example.

Abstract: An industrial gas turbine engine includes in serial flow relationship a first compressor, a second compressor, a combustor, a first turbine, and a second turbine. The first compressor and the second turbine are fixedly joined together by a first shaft, and a turbine rear frame having a hub is disposed downstream of the second turbine for rotatably supporting the first shaft. A balance piston is fixedly joined to the first shaft, and means for channeling a fluid first to the balance piston for balancing thrust force on the first shaft and then to the turbine rear frame for heating the hub are provided. The apparatus is effective for carrying out a method including channeling a fluid first to the balance piston for thrust balancing the first shaft and then channeling the fluid to the tubine rear frame for heating the frame hub.

Abstract: A magnet pump is provided with a heat insulating member arranged between a shaft serving as the rotating axis and an impeller or a magnet can, heat conduction cut-off grooves on a heat conducting path, and a safety lock mechanism. These elements ensures to prevent frictional heat, even if generated due to abnormal operating conditions such as a non-load operation, from being conduted to parts with lower heat resistivity such as the impeller and the casing, deflection in rotation caused by looseness due to thermal expansion, and accordingly the magnet pump is protected from damages.

Abstract: A cemtrifugal pump in which the thrust generated by an impeller is balanced by the operation of a balancing disc device. In the pump, a magnetic bearing is employed as an axial thrust bearing. The distance between the surface of a balancing disc and an axial displacement detecting surface which, together with the pump shaft, and the distance between such surface of a balancing disc seat is a fixed-side member which faces the balancing disc surface. The surface of a displacement sensor is another fixed-side member which faces the axial displacement detecting surface and are made equal to each other, or the latter distance is made slightly larger than the former distance. The neutral position of the magnetic thrust bearing is made to substantially coincide with the axial position of the rotator of the pump and is determined by the balancing disc device during running of the pump.

Abstract: Thrust compensating apparatus for providing a thrust force to compensate for the thrust forces applied to the shaft of single stage overhung turbo machines by the fluid pressure in the cavity of the turbo machine is disclosed and includes a thrust compensating member attached to the shaft of the turbo machine and having a first surface subjected to the fluid pressure in the cavity, an annular seal, an annulus cavity formed by a second surface of the thrust compensating member and the annular seal and venting apparatus for controlling the fluid pressure in the annulus cavity resulting in a compensating thrust force being applied to the thrust compensating member as a result of the differential in pressure across the first and second surfaces of the thrust compensating member.

Abstract: An axial thrust force-compensating apparatus is provided in a gas turbine engine having relatively rotatable first and second structures. The axial thrust force-compensating apparatus includes a first annular part mounted to the first engine structure and having an annular end surface, a second annular part mounted to the second engine structure and having an annular end surface which opposes and faces toward the end surface of the first annular part, and a primary hydraulic pressure balance mechanism for providing separate outer and inner fluid flows to the respective outer and inner regions between the end surfaces at pressures responsive to the amount of separation existing between the end surfaces at those regions. The separate fluid flows at the pressures produce a film of fluid flowing between and in contact with the respective end surfaces which generates primary compensating moment forces acting on the end surfaces to maintain the end surfaces in generally parallel relationship.

Abstract: In order to compensate for the axial displacements of the rotors of steam turbines occurring in operation by simultaneous displacement of the inner casing (11, 12) and, by this means, to keep the axial clearance between the stator and rotor blading rows constant, the inner casing (11, 12) of a double-casing turbine is supported in its outer casing (9, 10) so that it can be displaced relative to it. Lever pairs (18, 19), each having a two-arm displacement lever (20, 27), which is supported on bearing blocks (21, 28) fixed relative to the outer casing, and an expansion lever (22, 29) interacting with it are used for the displacement. An extension (.DELTA.l), occurring due to the operational heating in a section of length (1) of the inner casing (11, 12), between two bearing trunnions (23, 26) is transmitted by the expansion levers (22, 29) to the displacement lever (20, 27), whose pivoting about the bearing trunnion (26) in the clockwise direction achieves the necessary displacement (.DELTA.x, .DELTA.x2).

Abstract: An axial thrust limiting system for a steam turbine including a rotor having a shaft, the turbine containing a plurality of chambers each defining a pressure zone containing a fluid which, during operation of the turbine, is at a pressure which influences the axial thrust load on the shaft, the turbine being constructed such that at least during rapid shut down a pressure differential can develop between two of the chambers to create an excessive axial thrust load on the shaft. The axial thrust limiting system includes controllable valve connected in a fluid flow path between the two chambers, and valve operating components connected for operating the valves during rapid shut down of the turbine in order to reduce the pressure differential between the two chambers.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine a novel method and apparatus that measures axial thrust loads in engine bearings is characterized by a controller which dynamically selects axial loads on an engine thrust bearing by varying internal gas pressures in bearing trim cavities in accordance with a predetermined schedule.

Abstract: The sleeve of the axial-thrust equalizer is provided with radial bores which deliver working liquid to the annular gap between the sleeve and dummy piston without pre-rotation. The delivered liquid divides within the annular gap so that a sub-flow of liquid is returned to the contiguous pump chamber to prevent pre-rotating liquid from entering directly into the gap from the pump chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically monitoring and adjusting the axial thrust acting upon the rotor assembly of a rotating machine having an adjustable balancing mechanism for balancing the axial load acting thereon. A pair of surfaces on the rotor structure and a pair of flow circuits are arranged to direct a pressurized fluid against each surface. The back pressure is each circuit is monitored to determine when the axial forces are unbalanced and the data applied to a control mechanism for automatically balancing the axial forces acting on the rotor structure.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the vortex-flow type includes a pump housing defining therein an arcuate pump chamber in surrounding relationship with a central sealed chamber, and a disc-like impeller rotatably and axially movably assembled within the pump housing and having opposite end faces each forming a close clearance with a corresponding internal end wall of the pump housing between the sealed and pump chambers, the impeller having on either end face of the rim portion thereof a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced vane grooves which cooperate with the pump chamber to produce a discharge pressure therein and being formed with at least one pressure balancing hole extending axially therethrough in the interior of the sealed chamber.

Abstract: A plurality of lubricating plugs are disposed in the stationary backup face adjacent to the axial stop face of a rotating impeller mounted in a turbopump for pumping liquid oxygen or liquid hydrogen. The stop face and the backup face are those surfaces which engage when the axial load on the impeller exceeds the load balancing capability. The plugs have a truncated conical configuration so as to be trapped in the backup face, and are disposed at varying radii on the face to provide complete surface lubrication. The plugs may be formed from Teflon, Kel-F or bronze filled Teflon.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher includes a cabinet enclosing an interior washing chamber with a pump mounted in the cabinet for pumping liquids into and out of the washing chamber. The pump includes a housing having spaced apart walls and a rotatable motor shaft extending into the housing from a first one of the walls. A rotatable impeller is mounted for longitudinal movement along the motor shaft and is keyed to rotate with the motor shaft between the spaced apart walls of the housing. A removable bearing mount that supports a thrust bearing is threaded into the pump housing and, with the thrust bearing, provides an axial stop for limiting the movement of the impeller along the motor shaft. The bearing mount also includes an annular surface disposed near the exposed edges of the blades of the impeller and spaced therefrom by a predetermined, desired clearance or gap. The optimization of the clearance maximizes the efficiency of the pump.

Abstract: A magnetic clutch drive for rotary pumps is characterized by a motor driven outer magnetic clutch member juxtaposed to an imperforate wall of a pump housing. Within the interior of the housing a pump impeller shaft carries an inner magnetic clutch member juxtaposed to the wall opposite from the outer member. The wall is of a nonmagnetic and electrically nonconductive material, so magnetic lines of force penetrate the wall and magnetically lock the outer and inner clutch members, without any mechanical connection between the two. Consequently, as the motor is brought up to speed, the two clutch members magnetically lock the motor shaft to the impeller shaft to drive the impeller shaft at the same speed as the motor shaft, without generating eddy current losses in the wall.

Abstract: A buffer device for the spiral housings of water turbines wherein the housing includes an extension located along the axis of the inlet conduit into the housing and wherein a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly is disposed between the extension and a fixed support with a fluid conduit extending between the housing and the cavity of the hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly.

Abstract: A plurality of openings are provided in a stationary wall of a gas turbine engine aft of the compressor discharge to admit compressor discharge air into a sealed cavity formed between the stationary wall and the rotor of the gas turbine engine. A valve, biased to an open position, is associated with each of the openings so that under low speed conditions some of the compressor discharge air is admitted to the cavity to provide supplementary axial force on the rotor in one direction to prevent crossover under such conditions. Under higher speed conditions the increase in compressor discharge pressure overcomes the force biasing the valve to its open position, thereby causing the valve to close and terminate flow of compressor discharge air to the cavity, terminating the aforementioned supplementary axial force on the rotor.

Abstract: A down-hole signal transmitter includes an annular impeller mounted on a cylindrical casing and arranged to be driven by the mud flow passing along a drill string. Each of the impeller and the casing incorporates two sets of magnets with their poles arranged axially relative to one another such that axial movement of the impeller in one direction will tend to be resisted by a force of magnetic repulsion acting between the first set of casing magnets and the second set of impeller magnets and axial movement of the impeller in the opposite direction will tend to be resisted by a force of magnetic repulsion acting between the second set of casing magnets and the first set of impeller magnets. In this way the axial thrust due to the fluid flow is largely taken up. Furthermore the magnetic coupling between the magnet sets in such as to enable driving torque to be transmitted by the impeller to a rotary drive member on which the casing magnets are mounted.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor of the type in which disassembly and assembly of the compressor is effected by taking out and inserting internal component parts including end walls for closing ends of a cylindrical rotor chamber wall from and into a cylindrical rotor chamber in the axial direction thereof, including intake chamber side communication holes communicating with an intake chamber formed within the cylindrical rotor chamber and a propelling force balance chamber side communication hole communicating with a propelling force balance chamber formed within the cylindrical rotor chamber. The intake chamber side communication holes are formed in the internal component part and in the cylindrical rotor chamber wall, respectively.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes an impeller of a make-up (compressing) pump stage, a first balancing ring for generating axial thrust on an impellar shaft for balancing the axial thrust generated by the make-up pump stage, an impeller of a recycle stage and a second balancing ring disposed between the make-up pump stage and the recycle stage. The impellers and balancing rings are fixedly mounted on the same impellar shaft in a common casing. The diameters of the first and second balancing ring and a liner ring disposed at a suction side of the impeller of the recycle stage are substantially identical with each other.

Abstract: A turbine construction in which the axial loading on the rotor including the compressor and turbine resulting from cooling air pressure in the compartment between the compressor and turbine is balanced by making the compressor and turbine areas exposed to the cooling air of equal area as by having the seals at compressor and turbine ends of the compartment equal in radius with respect to the air of the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifugal submersible pump has wear resistant features to resist erosion due to sand laden fluid from a well. The pump has diffusers and impellers located within a housing. Wear resistant inserts are secured to the diffusers and impellers. The inserts include inserts with cylindrical surfaces for radial support and sealing, and inserts with flat transverse surfaces for thrust. The inserts are preferably formed of tungsten carbide and are harder than the material of the impellers and the diffusers.

Abstract: A thrust reducing apparatus for a progressing cavity pump used in a well and driven by a submersible pump motor. A piston is mounted to the top of the rotor and located in a bore between the stator and the tubing which extends to the surface. A bypass passage enables fluid discharged from the pump to flow past the bore and the piston. An annulus passage extends into the bore above the piston for communicating fluid pressure in the annulus to the top of the piston. The lower side of the piston is exposed to discharge fluid pressure from the pump, resulting in a net upward force on the piston. The piston pulls upwardly on the rotor to reduce the downward thrust on the rotor.

Abstract: A steam turbine having a chamber in the inlet end thereof adjacent the thrust balance piston and dummy ring formed so that the temperature is substantially reduced while the pressure is only slightly reduced to optimize the pressure temperature affect on the balance piston and rotor utilizing labyrinth seals and a static seal together with vent ports in fluid communication with the chamber and an area downstream of the first row of rotatable blades to provide a more efficient and reliable turbine.

Abstract: An air storage gas turbine which, in the thermal part, comprises: a high pressure turbine with air inlet; a low pressure turbine with a rotor which requires cooling and a vane carrier; one high pressure balance piston and one low pressure balance piston located on a common shaft for the high pressure turbine and the low pressure turbine, respectively; and an impulse turbine being connected between the air inlet of the high pressure turbine and the consumers of low pressure auxiliary air.