Abstract: A CO2 compressor for an air conditioner of a motor vehicle is suggested having a sealing device, assigned to the driveshaft of the CO2 compressor, which is implemented as a sliding ring. The CO2 compressor features a lubrication device, in which the sealing device is supplied a lubricant flow effected by centrifugal forces.

Abstract: In a lubricant-cooled gas compressor (10) the temperature of separated lubricant returned to the air-side (11) is monitored by a thermostatically controlled restrictor valve (22) which minimises the flow of returned lubricant when temperature is low as on start up or when running on reduced load but increases the flow as the lubricant temperature increases. This will minimise he condensation of water from indrawn air when the temperature of the compressed air is too low to retain the water as vapour, so that the returned lubricant is contaminated with water which will damage the moving components of the air-end.

Abstract: A sanitary centrifugal pump with a hygienic mechanical seal flushing system. The pump has a housing with a pumping chamber defined therein. An impeller is at least partially contained in the housing and is connected to a shaft for rotation. The rotation of the impeller creates a first liquid flow path through the pumping chamber between the inlet port and the outlet port, and the first liquid flow path creates a high pressure area in the pumping chamber. The pump includes additional seal flushing passages by which liquid is delivered to the seal cavity from the pumping chamber and returned back to the pumping chamber, to cool and flush at least a portion of the mechanical seal in the seal cavity.

Abstract: A fastener shield for use in a fluid flow path within a gas turbine engine for reducing fluid drag and heating generated by fluid flow over a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts. The fastener shield has a radially-extending, downstream-facing mounting flange with a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes positioned to receive respective engine mounting bolts therethrough and to attach the mounting flange to elements of the turbine engine. A curved, upstream-facing fastener shield cover is positioned in spaced-apart relation to the mounting flange for at least partially covering and separating an exposed, upstream-facing portion of the bolts from the fluid flow to thereby reduce drag and consequent heating of the bolts. A plurality of closely spaced-apart, spirally-oriented channels are formed in the fastener shield cover for deflecting the fluid flow impinging on the fastener shield cover, thereby increasing the tangential velocity and lowering the relative temperature of the fluid flow.

Abstract: A turbine includes a combustion chamber with deflectors generating vortices in a secondary gas flow into the combustion chamber, thereby confining the flame front from penetrating into the cold region of the chamber under variable operating conditions, simplifying cooling of the chamber walls. The turbine further includes devices for decoupling vibrations between the high- and low-speed shafts, including a loosely mounted spline coupling the high-speed shaft to the step-down system and disk dampening means coupling the step-down system to the low-speed output shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed pump for delivering fluid media, wherein the pump bearings are lubricated by the feed medium itself. Connecting channels with valve devices are provided on the suction side and on the pressure side upstream and downstream, respectively, of a displacement element and link the bearing area of the pump with the production channel. Said connecting channels are configured as straight bores in the pump housing. The valve devices are configured as tappets that are disposed in the associated connecting channel sections so as to be displaced while being tight with respect to suction.

Abstract: An inter-fluid brush seal assembly and associated method are provided. The seal assembly defines a gas passage for supplying gas to interfaces with a rotatable member. At least one of the interfaces is defined by a brush seal, and the flow of the gas through the interfaces can prevent the flow of fluid through the assembly, thereby sealing the assembly and preventing the fluid from passing therethrough. The gas and the fluid can be drained from the assembly through one or more drains.

Abstract: A sealing system (10) which ensures the safe operation of very high pressure centrifugal compressors which process lethal gases. The system comprises sealing means (18, 19) separated by an annular chamber (12), and a discharge line (32) for collecting and eliminating any gases that may be released.

Abstract: A circulating lubrication system for a centrifugal pump, or other rotating equipment utilizing an oil sump, is disclosed. The lubrication system includes an external reservoir located distant from the main lubrication chamber, so that lubricating fluid from the main misting chamber is forced out of the main chamber, cooled and cleaned (i.e. filtered) in the external reservoir, and thereafter fed back into the main lubricating chamber. In such a manner, the lubrication system maintains substantially clean, cool, and moisture free lubricating fluid in the main misting chamber and reduces the required downtime of the device. Thus, the life span of the device is lengthened while at the same time production is increased.

Abstract: A drainage system for gas turbine supporting cushions or bearings, in particular for the second supporting bearing, consisting of a central shaft (20), surrounded by a series of supporting studs (21), which result, in their turn, with connection to a container housing (22) for studs (21), a sleeve (23) for containing the second supporting bearing of the turbine and a series of pipes (24, 25), respectively for the entry and drainage of the lubrication and cooling oil; the system consists of, in addition, a series of lateral seals (26), provided in positions facing the second supporting bearing, which create a pressure difference which permits the oil to pass under pressure within the drainpipes (25) at a well sustained speed.

Abstract: An improved diesel engine water pump includes three main features that aid in extending the maintenance-free life of the pump. The impeller shaft is carried by tapered roller shaft support bearings of which the impeller bearing has a floating outer race that is urged axially by a preload spring to provide a prescribed axial preload that maintains concentricity of the shaft with the axis and prolongs bearing life. An improved oil seal combines an oil slinger, a stationary deflector and a lip oil seal with a return passage to the engine to more effectively limit oil leakage from the pump. An improved water seal includes pressurized water jets fed from the pump volute that flush wear particles from the water seal surface and increase water seal life. Further details of these features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A turbocharger including means for preventing or reducing coking, particularly following engine shutdown, without noticeably increasing weight or volume of the turbocharger. The turbocharger bearing housing (14) has defined therein a lubrication flow path for bearing lubricant and a lubricant drain gallery (40) below a shaft (20), and in accordance with the invention at least a portion of a wall (42) of the lubricant drain gallery (40) is coated with an oil repellant and/or heat insulating coating (44).

Abstract: In a vacuum pump of the regenerative type or including a regenerative section in which a rotatable vertical shaft is supported by upper and lower bearings, a lubricating system for lubricating the upper bearing comprising an axial bore extending along the shaft and communicating at its upper end with at least one oil hole in alignment with the upper bearing, the lower open end of the axial bore extending in to a shaft reservoir located in a sump for containing lubricating fluid, the arrangement being such that centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the shaft will cause the lubricating fluid in the shaft reservoir to pass along the axial bore as a thin film towards the oil hole and hence to the upper bearing, in which at least one port is formed in a wall of the shaft reservoir to permit the passage of lubricating fluid therethrough from the sump in a controlled manner dependent upon the head of lubricating fluid in the sump above the port.

Abstract: A rotary machine is provided, such as an electromechanical device, that includes a housing having a lubricating oil disposed within the housing. A shaft is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The shaft has a passage extending to an end portion of the shaft. A screw includes a body arranged coaxial to the shaft, and preferably affixed thereto. The screw includes helical blades extending outwardly from the body adjacent to a shroud. The shroud is arranged about the screw forming a gap between the blades and the shroud. Rotation of the shaft and screw pump the oil to the end portion of the shaft and into the passage from which the oil may be delivered to other machine components, such as the bearings. A flow straightener having radial fins may be arranged between the screw and the passage for controlling the flow of oil into the passage preventing a vortex.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed pump for fluidic media, comprising a displacement body that is mounted in a pump housing and equipped with slide bearings and connecting channels that connect the slide bearings to the produce channel on the suction side for recirculating the fed medium that lubricates the slide bearings. The connecting channels are linked to control channels that lead to the exterior and guide channels are provided in the extension of the connecting channels in the housing of the cover. Said guide channels accommodate the valve plungers, each of which has a constriction. The section of the valve plunger lying adjacent to the product channel has a length and a diameter, which correspond to the length and diameter of the connecting channel.

Abstract: Abnormality in an amount of a working gas leaked from between a rotating ring adapted to rotate with a rotor and a stationary ring of a turbo fluid machine is detected by a pressure switch and a flow meter, which are provided in a primary seal vent line, the working gas leaking from sealing surfaces of the labyrinth seal and the secondary dry gas seal, together with a purge gas purged to the space from outside is discharged outside the machine from a flow passage via a space. When abnormality generates in the secondary dry gas seal, a control valve provided in the purge gas line operates to secure a flow rate in the purge gas line, so that a flow rate detected by the flow meter provided in the purge gas line increases, and thus abnormality in the secondary dry gas seal is detected.

Abstract: A pump system, including an impeller and an impeller shaft, which has one end secured to the impeller and another end that may be coupled to a motor to drive the impeller. The pump system further includes a substantially liquid-proof barrier which has an opening through which the impeller shaft extends. The opening in the barrier is sealed with a shaft sealing system that includes a supply chamber fluidly coupled with a cavity. The cavity surrounds, and is at least partially bounded by, the impeller shaft. The shaft sealing system further includes a pressure mechanism that is configured to pressurize lubrication matter contained within the supply chamber and cavity, so as to inhibit liquid from passing along the impeller shaft through the cavity and thereby penetrating the liquid-proof barrier. The pressure mechanism is further configured to vary pressure of the lubrication matter based on atmospheric pressure surrounding the pump system.

Abstract: An apparatus is given for feeding a lubricating and cooling material to a pump or other device having a rotating member that operates intermittently. In particular it deals with methods for delivering lubricant to the pump whenever, and only whenever, the pump is running and with ensuring that the pump is always adequately lubricated when it is running. It is particularly useful for centrifugal pumps on mobile equipment, such as pumps used in cementing in the oil industry.

Abstract: A water pump (10) and impeller (30) for use in applications such as internal combustion engines. A plurality of holes (40, 44) are formed near the hub and periphery of the impeller (30) of the water pump to provide coolant flow through a cavity (22) housing a seal. The seal (18) is thereby cooled to prevent premature failure of the seal (18) due to overheating.

Abstract: A fluid-flow machine includes at least one rotor and a free number of stators flown by a fluid, with at least one blade thereof positioned on throat-confining surfaces provided with both a device for fluid removal from the flow path and a device for fluid supply into the flow path (bi-functionality). The machine includes at least one line associated with the device for fluid removal for returning the removed fluid to an upstream position in the flow path and at least one further line associated with the device for fluid supply for supplying the fluid from a further downstream position in the flow path.

Abstract: A system of conditioning elements is described for supply of conditioned seal gas to the seal chamber of a rotary machine employing gas lubricated, non-contacting seals. It includes elements to remove particulate solid and liquid and volatile components from the gas and to heat the gas to a predetermined level. It also includes an element to amplify the pressure of the gas. The pressure amplifier is operative in response to a condition of the gas to be supplied to the seal chamber, to ensure that an adequate supply of seal gas is available. The system of conditioning elements may be assembled onto a single skid.

Abstract: A drainage system for gas turbine supporting cushions or bearings, in particular for the second supporting bearing, consisting of a central shaft (20), surrounded by a series of supporting studs (21), which result, in their turn, with connection to a container housing (22) for studs (21), a sleeve (23) for containing the second supporting bearing of the turbine and a series of pipes (24, 25), respectively for the entry and drainage of the lubrication and cooling oil; the system consists of, in addition, a series of lateral seals (26), provided in positions facing the second supporting bearing, which create a pressure difference which permits the oil to pass under pressure within the drainpipes (25) at a well sustained speed.

Abstract: One or more stator seal assemblies are mounted in the housing of a rotating machine such as, for example, an air turbine starter for a gas turbine engine, and surround a rotating shaft. The seal assemblies each include a seal case and a seal. The seal has a face that engages an axial face of a face seal rotor to form a seal. One or more anti-rotation tabs in the seal case engage anti-rotation notches formed in the peripheral surface of the seal. The anti-rotation notches each include substantially arcuate sections formed in notch end surfaces. The arcuate sections increase the amount of wear in the notches that can be tolerated before a potential seal lock-up, thus increasing seal assembly lifetime.

Abstract: A turbocharger component cooling system employs an ejector using energizing gas from the turbocharger system to draw cooling fluid through a plenum around the component to be cooled into the secondary inlet of the ejector and dumping the combined energizing and cooling gas flows into a low pressure dump. Energizing gas is drawn from the high pressure side of the compressor or turbine flows in the turbocharger and returned to the low pressure side in the same flow.

Abstract: A gas bearing system for use in a turbocompressor or similar device that embodies a uniquely configured thrust washer or disk that exhibits superior strength characteristics when the disk is rotated at high speed. The thrust washer is a generally circular-shaped disk, has a predetermined diameter and comprises a body portion having spaced apart faces and a generally “V” shaped groove formed intermediate the spaced-apart faces to define a pair of radially outwardly extending segments.

Abstract: A system of conditioning elements is described for supply of conditioned seal gas to the seal chamber of a rotary machine employing gas lubricated, non-contacting seals. It includes elements to remove particulate solid and liquid and volatile components from the gas and to heat the gas to a predetermined level. It also includes an element to amplify the pressure of the gas. The pressure amplifier is operative in response to a condition of the gas to be supplied to the seal chamber, to ensure that an adequate supply of seal gas is available. The system of conditioning elements may be assembled onto a single skid.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining lubrication oil at the sliding surface of a double-type shaft seal device disposed within an oil chamber of a submersible pump. The apparatus prevents lubrication oil from scattering from the center portion of the oil chamber of the submersible pump toward the circumferential wall, and prevents entrapment of air into the lubrication oil through formation of an oil film in the oil outlet, irrespective of variation in rotational speed of the pump shaft, so that the seal apparatus is lubricated and cooled effectively.

Abstract: A pump system, including an impeller and an impeller shaft, which has one end secured to the impeller and another end that may be coupled to a motor to drive the impeller. The pump system further includes a substantially liquid-proof barrier which has an opening through which the impeller shaft extends. The opening in the barrier is sealed with a shaft sealing system that includes a supply chamber fluidly coupled with a cavity. The cavity surrounds, and is at least partially bounded by, the impeller shaft. The shaft sealing system further includes a pressure mechanism that is configured to pressurize lubrication matter contained within the supply chamber and cavity, so as to inhibit liquid from passing along the impeller shaft through the cavity and thereby penetrating the liquid-proof barrier. The pressure mechanism is further configured to vary pressure of the lubrication matter based on atmospheric pressure surrounding the pump system.

Abstract: An air turbine starter with an improved seal assembly is provided. A fluid conduit or channel allows higher pressure fluid into one side of a bearing seal. For example, the seal assembly may include a face seal, and a second seal forming a chamber therebetween and a flow passage opens into the chamber for exposing the chamber to the higher pressure.

Abstract: To avoid formation of condensate or freezing in the tandem gas seals (12, 13) of a gas compressor (1), such as for use in the compression of production of natural gas, when the compressor is temporarily stopped for maintenance or repair of the compressor or instrumentation, the settle out pressure (SOP) in the high pressure gas discharge line (7) from the compressor (1), arising from equalising the inlet and outlet gas pressures, is directed to cause gas to flow through a branch line (25) to the outboard gas seal (13), the gas being heated by an electrical heating coil (28) and its pressure being reduced in a controlled manner. In this way, the gas is prevented from entering its liquid-vapor phase, so that no condensate can form in the inboard and outboard gas seals (12, 13).

Abstract: A draining and cooling system for gas turbine cushions where the above-mentioned gas turbine has its own drain unit (11), which consists of two essentially concentric rings connected to each other by means of a number of spokes (12, 13). In the draining system described, the lubricating and cooling oil is fed into the gas turbine's drain unit (11) by means of at least a first pipe (14), located inside one of the spokes (12) and is drained by means of at least a second pipe (20), located inside one of the spokes (13).

Abstract: A device for pumping paint includes a pump house adapted to receive paint from a paint source, a pump shaft for driving a pump member to rotate inside the house for pumping paint therethrough. The pump shaft is connected to an output shaft of a motor arranged outside the pump house through an intermediate shaft piece through a wall of the pump house. The motor is arranged to drive the pump shaft and the pump member. A sealing member is arranged to counteract paint leaking out of the pump housing along the pump shaft. The sealing member is arranged to seal by bearing substantially axially against substantially axial surfaces of the pump shaft around the pump shaft, in which the sealing member and/or these axial surfaces are preferably of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A sealing system to prevent loss of a process fluid from a device having a device opening and a rotating member operable for rotational movement within the device opening. A rotary shaft seal such as a labyrinth seal, seals the rotating member in the device opening to inhibit leakage of process fluid. A chamber is connected to the device to recover leakage of the process fluid that leaks from the rotary shaft seal. A barrier seal is connected to the chamber to inject a barrier fluid under pressure to prevent the escape of process fluid from the chamber. The chamber discharges a mixture of barrier and process fluid to a filter, such as a coalescing filter, to separate the barrier fluid from the process fluid. Barrier fluid vapor and water vapor traps can also be used for purification purposes. The barrier fluid is recovered and recycled back to the barrier seal. The process fluid is returned to the device.

Abstract: A method of minimizing oil consumption in a gas turbine engine, by avoiding reliance on air intake into the engine oil circuit for bearing chamber oil sealing purposes. The engine has an oil circuit with at least one bearing supporting at least one engine shaft at a support point along a shaft axis, at least one bearing chamber enveloping each bearing and maintaining a volume of oil with an oil-air interface in communication with a volume of air, and an oil circulation system in flow communication with each bearing chamber for supplying a flow of oil to a bearing chamber inlet and for evacuating spent oil from an outlet of the bearing chamber. The method involves sealing each bearing chamber with a hydropad seal between the shaft and bearing chamber. The hydropad seal having an annular ring mounted to the shaft and an annular pad mounted to the chamber, each having abutting seal surfaces.

Abstract: A sealing system to prevent loss of a process fluid from a device having a device opening and a rotating member operable for rotational movement within the device opening. A rotary shaft seal such as a labyrinth seal, seals the rotating member in the device opening to inhibit leakage of process fluid. A chamber is connected to the device to recover leakage of the process fluid that leaks from the rotary shaft seal. A barrier seal is connected to the chamber to inject a barrier fluid under pressure to prevent the escape of process fluid from the chamber. The chamber discharges a mixture of barrier and process fluid to a filter, such as a coalescing filter, to separate the barrier fluid from the process fluid. Barrier fluid vapor and water vapor traps can also be used for purification purposes. The barrier fluid is recovered and recycled back to the barrier seal. The process fluid is returned to the device.

Abstract: A double-seal/oil-reservoir system for motor/pump assembly includes first seal (S1) and a second seal (S2) of a carbon/ceramic ring type that are axially spaced from one another along a drive shaft (24). A containment volume “V” is defined between the first and second seals (S1 and S2) in which an oil or oil-like fluid is contained to prevent seepage or weepage of the fluid circulated by the pump.

Abstract: With a turbo type fluid machine provided with a primary dry gas seal (9) and a secondary dry gas seal (10), abnormality in an amount of a working gas leaked from between a rotating ring (7a, 7b) adapted to rotate with a rotor (4) and a stationary ring (8a, 8b) is detected by a pressure switch (14) and a flow meter (15), which are provided in a primary seal vent line (12), and meanwhile, the working gas leaking from sealing surfaces (17) of a labyrinth seal (16) and the secondary dry gas seal, together with a purge gas purged to a space (18) from outside is discharged outside the machine from a flow passage (34) via a space (33) when abnormality generates in the secondary dry gas seal, a control valve (19) provided in the purge gas line operates to secure a flow rate in the purge gas line, so that a flow rate detected by the flow meter provided in the purge gas line increases, and thus abnormality in the secondary dry gas seal is detected.

Abstract: Gear box oil pumping system employs the teeth of a gear rotatably mounted within a gear box housing acting as paddles to move oil between the gear box housing and an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A cryogenic turbo-expander has a rotary shaft which carries a turbine wheel and carries or is operatively associated with an energy dissipating device and which extends axially through a sleeve. Two sets of bearings, which are housed by two races surrounding the shaft, are axially spaced from one another. Each race has an aperture therein extending from an outer to an inner surface thereof communicating with a lubricating oil passage extending from an outer surface to an inner surface of the sleeve. Both races are arranged so that spent lubricating oil can pass therefrom to a common drain passage. The cryogenic turbo-expander additionally includes a reservoir for lubricating oil communicating with the aperture in the first race via an intermittently-operable metering pump and with the second race via an intermittently operable metering pump.

Abstract: An improved rotary compressor (1) for respiration systems with breathing gases transported in a closed system. This rotary compressor (1), which can be washed and sterilized, is has an electrically driven compressor wheel (5) mounted by means of an aerodynamic gas slide bearing. The gas slide bearing comprises radially and axially loaded surfaces, wherein either the axially loaded surface (10) of the compressor wheel (5) or the axially loaded, nonmoving housing surface (11) has grooves (22).

Abstract: A fluid pump (10) has a body housing (14) a fluid pumping chamber having a rotatable pumping member (16), a drive shaft (12) which passes through an aperture in the body into the pumping chamber to effect rotation of the pumping member in use, a seal (18) between the pump body and drive shaft to inhibit fluid moving along the shaft out of the pumping chamber, and a dividing shroud (32) operably located between the seal and the rotatable pumping member to divide the fluid pumping chamber (30) between the seal and the rotatable pumping member.

Abstract: A shaft seal system prevents working gas in a centrifugal compressor from leaking outside from the compressor. The shaft seal system is of an oil film seal type and located in the compressor in which a plurality of centrifugal impellers are fitted on a single rotary shaft and are adapted to be rotated at a high speed. The system has two kinds of seal rings, that is, an atmospheric side seal ring and a gas side seal ring, which are loosely fitted in a casing in which bearing for rotatably journalling the rotary shaft are incorporated. A sealing sleeve shrinkage-fitted on the rotary shaft is arranged on the inner diameter side of the two kinds of seal rings. The rotary shaft is formed in its center axial part thereof with a bore extending from a suction side end to a position where the oil film seal is arranged, and a plurality of oil feed holes extending through the rotary shaft from the bore to the outer periphery of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A spindle device can prevent a drive fluid for a turbine rotor from being leaked to a gap between a fixed housing and a spindle which is rotatably supported on the housing as much as possible and hence, the spindle device can efficiently make use of the supplied drive fluid and can increase the rotational torque of the spindle. The spindle device rotatably drives the spindle using the turbine rotor. The rotation of the spindle to the housing is supported using a radial dynamic pressure bearing. Further, supply holes and receiving holes for the drive fluid for the turbine rotor are formed such that these holes penetrate the radial dynamic pressure bearing in the radial direction.

Abstract: A seal gas pressure booster system for use with a gas compressor, particularly of the type used for boosting pressure in gas transmission, process or utility industries and which contains pressure about the shaft/casing interface with the use of dry gas seals. Seal supply gas is supplied from the discharge side of the compressor. During normal operation, sufficient head across the compressor exists to supply the necessary flow of seal supply gas against the restrictions provided by the filters, interconnections and components in the seal gas supply system. During startup, or during modes of operation where sufficient head across the compressor does not exist, the pressure booster system increases the pressure of a stream of compressor discharge gas to provide the necessary pressure differential to supply the dry gas seal with a continuous flow of clean, filtered gas.

Abstract: A buffer seal arrangement is provided for improved buffer sealing of oil sump seals in gas turbine engines. The buffer seal arrangement includes a three section labyrinth seal. Disposed between the first and second section is a buffer air supply annulus for delivering pressurized air from the engine to said first and second sections of the seal. Oil drains are disposed between said second and third sections and adjacent the third section. The first section has four knife seals, and the second and third sections have three knife seals. Rig testing has shown that this buffer seal arrangement can prevent the leakage of oil into the gas path of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: An air turbine starter with an improved seal assembly disposed between the turbine and the housing is provided. The seal assembly comprises a face seal, a non-contacting seal axially spaced therefrom to define an air filled annular chamber therebetween and a flow passage having an exit fluidly communicating with said chamber and an inlet fluidly communicating with a source of air.

Abstract: In a multiple-stage rotary type vacuum pump, gas is compressed in one pump section and passes through a communication path into the next pump section for successive compression. The mechanical seals 51, 52 are arranged in the sides of the housing of the bearings 351, 352. An oil pump 42 for lubrication oil for the bearings is arranged for supplying lubrication oil to the bearings. The oil pump is communicated with the oil vessel 40. The discharge opening of the oil pump is communicated with oil supply pipes 311, 312 communicated with the supporting bodies 341, 342 of the mechanical seals. A return oil piping 43 is arranged for returning the lubrication oil.

Abstract: A foil bearing assembly for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The assembly includes an annular bearing carrier mounted to the housing of the engine. An annular foil carrier disposed within the bearing carrier and carrying a plurality of overlapping foils that engage an outer surface of a journal. The journal is mounted to the rotating assembly of the engine to define a cavity. Disposed in the cavity is a showerhead having an inlet for receiving a flow of cooling air and a plurality of orifices for providing impingement cooling of the inner surface of the journal. The use of a showerhead in a thrust foil bearing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spindle device can prevent a drive fluid for a turbine rotor from being leaked to a gap between a fixed housing and a spindle which is rotatably supported on the housing as much as possible and hence, the spindle device can efficiently make use of the supplied drive fluid and can increase the rotational torque of the spindle. The spindle device rotatably drives the spindle using the turbine rotor. The rotation of the spindle to the housing is supported using a radial dynamic pressure bearing. Further, supply holes and receiving holes for the drive fluid for the turbine rotor are formed such that these holes penetrate the radial dynamic pressure bearing in the radial direction.

Abstract: Centrifugal pump, in particular a hygienic centrifugal pump, provided with a primary and a secondary shaft seal (7,8) at the rear wall (2) of the pump chamber (1). Cooling flushing and barrier fluid is passed to and from a compartment (12) between these seals (7,8), optionally in a flushing fluid circuit. A sensor means (18) is provided in a discharge pipe (16) from the compartment (12) and adapted to measure at least the turbidity, electrical conductivity and temperature of the flushing fluid for activation of an alarm in case of leaking pump fluid through the primary seal (7). As a result the centrifugal pump is more sensitive to leaking pump fluid through the primary seal such that the pump activates an alarm (or optionally shuts down), if the leakage is too extensive.