Abstract: A structure for preventing deformation of a gland portion of a low pressure steam turbine by preventing wet steam from entering the gland portion. The gland portion includes a gland casing (3) that surrounds a gland portion periphery (2) of a rotor (1). A portion of steam (20), in the form of wet steam (21a), flows into a cavity (10) through a gap (11). Accordingly, a ridge (15) is provided on and around the entire periphery of the rotor (1), and thereby the wet steam (21a) is caused to flow in a swirling manner, and is prevented from flowing toward the gland portion periphery (2). Also, water in the wet steam (21a) scatters therearound so that the gland casing (3) and the seal portion (4, 5) are prevented from being partially cooled. Thus, contact with the rotor (1) is avoided and vibration caused thereby is prevented.

Abstract: In a machine having a shaft with a shaft axis, an outer region, and a shaft seal, a component is provided for the shaft seal. The component has a cast part formed of a first metallic material directed along the shaft axis and has an inner wall shaped, at least in regions, in a circumferential direction relative to the shaft axis, and an outer wall directed towards the outer region. A fluid guide is disposed and formed in the cast part and runs in the circumferential direction, at least in regions, and opens into the inner wall. At least one fluid conduit formed of a second metallic material fluidically connects the inner wall to the outer region. The fluid conduit is also fluidically connected to the fluid guide.

Abstract: For an impeller pump, the seal/bearing unit has two rotor-stator pairs of tapered sleeves arranged back-to-back. The sleeves have a spiral groove, and convey barrier-liquid from an entry-mouth in an entry-chamber to an exit-mouth in an exit-chamber. Having two sleeves gives the units mechanical stability, thrust support capability, and resistence to vibrations and other abuses. The tapered sleeves may be arranged wide-narrow-wide, or narrow-wide-narrow. The sleeves may be mounted for sliding in the housing and on the shaft, or may be fixed to the housing or shaft.

Abstract: A low friction bearing comprises a first element having a first surface. A second element having a second surface is rotatable about a centerline relative to the first element. A flow passage extends radially outward between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface and the second surface are separated by a fluid flow. The two surfaces are complementary and positioned in close proximity. The bearing finds a preferred application in a fluid cooled turbine to create a high temperature, high efficiency turbine.

Abstract: A flow metering turbine comprises a tubular body through which flows the fluid to be measured. The tubular body houses an upstream spider and a downstream spider each formed by a hub and fixed vanes, bearing the hub in the tubular body. The mutually facing ends of the hubs have a cavity on the axis of the tubular body for receiving a support bearing and thrust bearing. A screw member formed by a hub bearing vanes and a shaft is located between the spiders, the ends of the shaft being located in the support bearings of the spiders and against the thrust bearings. At least one fluid duct runs through each spider, opening into the cavity in line with the support bearing and thrust bearing.

Abstract: A pump comprises a housing having a shaft bore and a pump chamber, a bearing provided for an inner periphery of the shaft bore, a shaft rotatively supported by the shaft bore through the bearing, and a transporting member connected to one end portion of the shaft for transporting fluid by imparting mechanical energy to the fluid sucked in said pump chamber.

Abstract: A steam turbine plant with a turbo-generator set disposed on a foundation plate and having a steam turbine which has a high-pressure part, at least one low-pressure part, and a generator. There is also an oil supply unit for supplying oil to turbine bearings and control devices. The oil supply unit includes at least one oil tank with an associated pump and filter device and is disposed in an oil sump for collecting oil leakages. Connecting lines run between the oil supply unit and the steam turbine. The turbo-generator set is disposed so as to be off-center, that is to say eccentrically, in relation to the foundation plate, and the oil supply unit is integrated into the foundation plate, that is to say into the free standing surface thereby available.

Abstract: A bearing gallery thermal movement isolation device permits the inner bearing support ring of the bearing gallery to float freely relative to the outer bearing gallery housing under thermal expansion and contraction during engine operation without transmitting thermally induced movement or forces to the oil supply and scavenge lines, or to the cooling air supply line. An oil transfer tube isolation connector is disposed on an inward end of the transfer tube and on the bearing gallery. The connector includes a radially extending sleeve on the inner bearing support ring; and a sliding O-ring engaging the sleeve and transfer tube. An oil scavenge canal is defined between the O-ring and a threaded connection between the transfer tube and the oil supply boss of the bearing gallery.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for a rotating member that is subject to axial forces causing movement in an axial direction of a rotating member. A sealing surface is positioned on at least a portion of the rotating member. A bearing is positioned adjacent the rotating member. A sealing face is positioned on the bearing. The sealing face is disposed to be in opposed relationship with the sealing surface on the rotating member. A bearing space is located between the sealing face and the sealing surface. A fluid reservoir is positioned in the bearing and is in communication with the bearing space. A passageway extends through the bearing to a volute adjacent the rotating member to supply a fluid to the fluid reservoir. A plurality of pockets are positioned on the sealing face of the bearing. The pockets are positioned to be in communication with the fluid reservoir. A plurality of wedge shaped depressions are positioned on the sealing face of the bearing.

Abstract: A structural member is provided for an exhaust-gas connection of a turbomachine, in particular a steam turbine, and a turbomachine bearing disposed in the exhaust-gas connection. The structural member is cast in one piece and has a connection part and/or a bearing part for accommodating the bearing as well as a supporting arm configuration with at least one supporting arm. A pipe conduit which is cast into the structural member leads through a connection part, a supporting arm and a bearing part. A set of at least two such structural members form an exhaust-gas connection and a frame for the bearing of the turbomachine.

Abstract: An integrated bearing system with journal and thrust bearings is incorporated in a single unit centrally pinned to the bearing housing and having integral thrust surface and journal surface lubrication grooves in combination with turbine and compressor wheel thrust surfaces. The bearing employs a first aperture substantially equidistant from the ends to engage the locating pin to prevent rotation of the bearing within the bearing case bore, while allowing the bearing to be free to symmetrically wobble within the bearing case bore.

Abstract: A radially sealed centrifugal pump comprises a casing (2) to which a shaft (4) is rotatably connected, and an impeller (5), connected to said shaft (4), free to rotate within said casing (2), and said pump has, between said casing (2) and said impeller (5) which are in relative motion, opposed surfaces (21, 22) which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of said impeller (5) and which form the seal.

Abstract: In a seal or bearing that uses the tapered-sleeves-with-spiral-groove technology, the capacity is increased, without increasing the space envelope, by folding the tapered surfaces. Double and triple folding is illustrated. The seal/bearing may be used in e.g. a rotary impeller pump, or as a big-end bearing.

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 high temperature pump is compact in size, reasonable in manufacturing cost and capable of stable pumping operation. The high-temperature motor pump includes a pump portion for pumping a liquid, a motor portion integrated with the pump portion for driving the same, and a rotatable shaft for transmitting rotation of the motor portion to the pump portion. A magnetic bearing is provided within the motor portion for supporting one end of the rotatable shaft by actively controlling a position thereof in a radial direction. A hydrostatic bearing is provided within the pump portion for supporting the other end of the rotational shaft in a radial direction by using a hydrostatic pressure of a portion of the liquid pumped by the pump portion.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine in which a turbine wheel is mounted to rotate about a pre-determined axis within a housing. A sidewall is displaceable relative to the housing to control the width of a gas flow passage defined adjacent the wheel between the first surface defined by the sidewall and the second surface defined by the housing. The sidewall is mounted in the sidewall cavity within the housing on axially displaceable rods extending parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel. A yoke is pivotally supported within the housing and defines arms each of which extends into engagement with a respective sidewall support rod. The yoke is pivoted relative to the housing to control the position of the sidewall relative to the housing. The yoke is located within a yoke chamber defined by the housing, and lubricant is delivered to the yoke chamber to lubricate both the bearing upon which the yoke is pivotally mounted in the housing and surfaces which interengage the yoke and the sidewall support rods.

Abstract: A pump incorporates a housing with a pump chamber and an internal bore communicating with the pump chamber, and a power driven impeller shaft supported in the housing by at least one bearing in the internal bore. The impeller shaft has an impeller in the pump chamber. A seal mechanism is in the internal bore between the bearing and the pump chamber providing a seal between the impeller shaft and the wall surface of the internal bore. The internal bore has a stepped configuration with small and large diameter portions and a vertical wall defined therebetween. The large diameter portion defines an intermediate chamber between the bearing and the pump chamber and that chamber connects with the pump chamber. The intermediate chamber contains liquid with air being trapped in the remaining portion of the intermediate chamber. The bearing and the seal mechanism are located in the small diameter portion.

Abstract: A seal system for a geothermal power plant of the type having a steam turbine operating on high pressure steam produced from geothermal fluid includes a high pressure seal housing associated with the high pressure stage of the turbine. The housing has a first internal chamber for receiving geothermal steam that leaks from the high pressure stage, and a further internal chamber for receiving geothermal steam leaking from the first internal chamber. A condenser/vaporizer is provided for condensing steam from the further internal chamber using an organic fluid and producing condensate that can be disposed of in a re-injection well. Leakage of high pressure geothermal steam through the seal is suppressed because most of the leakage with be shunted to the condenser/vaporizer, which preferably is associated with a module that includes a steam turbine and an organic turbine coupled to a generator.

Abstract: For fitment into the stuffing box of a centrifugal pump. A spiral-groove is cut on the outer surface of the rotor of a pair of tapered bearing surfaces. The groove is 0.02 mm deep, 2 mm wide, and its circumferential length is 50 cm. Barrier-liquid is fed to an entry-mouth of the spiral-groove, and groove generates a pressure in the stuffing box high enough to overcome process pressure. The barrier-liquid may be water. The interface between the bearing surfaces is sealed from the process-fluid and from the outside.

Abstract: A fluid pump having a pump body defining a pump cavity and a pump shaft rotatable on a bearing in the cavity, wherein the pump cavity contains a seal in a closed chamber between the pump body and the shaft, and the cavity is characterized by a first zone for high pressure pump discharge fluid, a second zone for low pressure pump inlet fluid, and an interconnecting passage which supplies fluid from the high pressure zone to a third zone, which exists at an intermediate pressure surrounding the pump seal and discharges its fluid into the low pressure zone, the intermediate pressure being sufficient to prevent fluid boiling and cavitation by insuring that the pumped fluid does not exceed its vapor pressure point.

Abstract: A system for lubricating bearings on a vertical rotatable shaft within a bearing housing, is comprised of an annular lower lubricant sump at a lower portion of the bearing housing; an annular upper lubricant reservoir at an upper portion of the bearing housing; and a conduit providing fluid communication between the lower lubricant sump and the upper lubricant reservoir. Provision is made for metering a flow of lubricant from the upper lubricant reservoir into upper bearings. The lubricant is pumped from the lower lubricant sump, through the conduit, to the upper lubricant reservoir at a rate exceeding the rate of metered flow into the upper bearings. A constant head of lubricant above the metering orifice is provided in the upper lubricant reservoir, as well as an outlet for shunting excess lubricant back to the lower lubricant sump.

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 centrifugal pump having a sealing flushing system. An annular flush ring insert having a plurality of radially spaced flush holes is provided adjacent the seal to be flushed so as to permit the seal to be flushed at a number of different places around the pump shaft and from a plurality of different radially spaced directions. The flushing fluid flows through a gland, into and through the flush ring insert, flushes (i.e. cleans and/or cools) the seal, and then flows on into the fluid being pumped.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal is provided having control of sealing surface taper and cavitation reduction structure between the sealing surfaces. Control of sealing surfaces taper is provided through one or more relief recesses in the seal wall to which flexing forces are applied by fluid pressure and temperature to reduce the effects of seal rigidity on the parallel relationship between the sealing surfaces. The cavitation reduction structure includes inclination of the channels leading to the sealing surface recesses in the direction of relative movement of the fluid between the sealing surfaces. Enlarged vortex chambers are disposed at the outlet of those channels within the recesses to isolate fluid vapor bubbles from the recess walls.

Abstract: A gas turbine rotor steam gland includes a steam inlet supply scroll for supplying steam through radial slots to an axially extending passage in the rotor for steam cooling of hot gas path component parts. The scroll decreases in diameter in the circumferential direction of cooling medium flow to match its velocity with the surface speed of the rotor. An aft labyrinth seal is provided about the rotor. Forwardly of the scroll, a plurality of labyrinth-type seals are interspersed with extraction ports. The extraction ports, except for the final forwardmost extraction port, are maintained at a pressure below the pressure of the inlet supply steam whereby steam leakage past the seals flows into the extraction ports for removal. The final forward extraction port is maintained at sub-ambient pressure such that final steam leakage past the forward seals and ambient air leakage past the forwardmost seal combine and are extracted from the steam gland.

Abstract: A method and device for the autolubrication of the rolling bearings of turbomachines. The method and device utilize pressure differences present in the turbomachine for sucking in the lubricating oil. Moreover, a pressure is built up in centrifuges arranged on a shaft, and is used for the direct injection of the lubricating oil into the rolling bearings. For this purpose, an annular element imparting a negative pressure is arranged stationarily on the shaft, and is designed as a negative pressure chamber. The negative pressure chamber is connected via an oil suction conduit to an oil sump holding the lubricating oil and via a first air conduit to a negative pressure region of the turbomachine. The oil sump is connected via a second air conduit to an overpressure region of the turbomachine. A separating point is arranged between the oil suction conduit and the negative pressure region, preferably in the first air conduit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a marine jet drive having improved operation, especially in regard to having efficient adaptation to propulsion engine and hull design; having a drive shaft with flexible coupling at each end, internal to the jet drive; having through-the-nozzle engine exhaust; having simplified, combined means of steering and reversing; having controllable nozzle aperture and trim control; having combination reverse flow deflector and trim plane; having means to disengage the engine from the jet to obtain true neutral; having protection from and removal of debris in the water intake duct; generally having fewer overhauls, easier serviceability and lighter weight.

Abstract: An arrangement for a dry-gas sliding ring seal in a turbomachine which establishes ambient conditions in the region of the dry-gas sliding ring seals under which no fluid precipitates regardless of whether the machine is operating or not. By supplying heat to the leakage flow during standstill of the turbomachine in a manner similar to that during its operation, an undercooling in the region of the dry-gas sliding ring seal with all its negative effects can be suppressed; and the start-up of the turbomachine takes place starting from a substantially safer operating state.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal is provided that incorporates fluid passages through either or both of a first and a second element of the seal for directing a flow of cooling fluid to an exposed area of the second element which extends radially outward beyond the contact area of the seal. The fluid passages are configured and oriented to provide more cooling flow through each seal element and over the surfaces of each seal element then is achievable with prior cooling and lubrication approaches, to thereby enhance heat dissipation from the elements of the seal to such a degree that lubrication, seal life and performance of the seal are improved. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the seal elements are specially configured to create an annular gap between the elements for centrifugally pumping fluid away from a contact area of the seal.

Abstract: A sealing configuration for a passage through a stationary casing having a shaft leading through the passage and an inner space being enclosed by the stationary casing for receiving a fluid and from which the shaft emerges, includes at least one vapor chamber surrounding the shaft, having two sides and being open to the surroundings. Seals are disposed adjacent the vapor chamber on both of the sides along an axis of the shaft for admitting the fluid to the vapor chamber through at least one of the seals. A suction device is connected to the vapor chamber. A method for operating the sealing configuration includes extracting the fluid from the vapor chamber with the suction device, except for a residual quantity of the fluid being led away to the surroundings.

Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine has a barrier air flow produced by the fan or a low-pressure compressor which passes continuously through the compressor bearing chamber, while the turbine bearing chamber is supplied with barrier air by the high-pressure compressor. The barrier air flow drawn from the turbine bearing chamber passes into an ejector which is also connected to the compressor bearing chamber so that, when the pressure is insufficient, the barrier air flow is drawn-off by the ejector.

Abstract: A condensing turbine includes a live-steam inlet, an exhaust-steam outlet and at least two seals for sealing off a turbine casing in the region of a turbine shaft carrying a turbine rotor. At least one of the seals is disposed on the live-steam side and one of the seals is disposed on the exhaust-steam side. The overall construction is substantially simplified by constructing at least one respective seal as a gas-lubricated mechanical surface seal on both the live-steam side and the exhaust-steam side. The outermost mechanical surface seals in each case on the live-steam side and the exhaust-steam side seal off separate seal spaces which are acted upon through a balancing line by an identical vacuum lying below the outer atmospheric pressure. These mechanical surface seals are constructed and fitted in such a way that a flow which is necessary for gas lubrication can occur through the mechanical surface seals from the outer atmosphere into the interior of the casing.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for shaft sealing and for cooling on the exhaust-gas side of a thermal turbomachine, in particular an axial-flow gas turbine, in which the outlet-side bearing arrangement of the turbine rotor is made inside the exhaust-gas casing construction, and labyrinth seals and a gland are used for the sealing, barrier air having a higher pressure than the pressure of the exhaust gas in the exhaust-gas duct being directed for the shaft sealing into the gland and then into the exhaust-gas duct, and the rotor cooling air being extracted from a compressor stage and being fed via a pipeline through the exhaust-gas-side shaft end into the rotor, a portion of the rotor cooling-air leakage is diverted after some of the labyrinth seals and is used as barrier air.

Abstract: The seal assembly comprises a housing, a shaft, seals, and a reservoir. The housing has a hollow section bounded by a cylindrical surface and a first curved protrusion. The housing has a first channel and a second channel extending from the hollow section. The shaft extends through the hollow section. Seals seal the hollow section with respect to the shaft to form a chamber. The combination of the first curved protrusion and the sleeve cooperatively form a hydraulic pump for conveying a lubricating fluid from the chamber via the first channel to reservoir. The lubricating fluid is circulated from the reservoir to the chamber via a second channel. The seal assembly has a fluid level gauge or an optoelectronic leak detector for detecting leaks in the seals of the seal assembly or leaks in a fluid pump (i.e. a magnetic-drive centrifugal pump) coupled to the seal assembly.

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 compressor for a gas turbine includes a gas seal chamber to seal the space between the guide vanes and the rotor vanes from ambient air. A seal casing is positioned at a radially inner side of the inlet casing adjacent to an inlet duct and the rotor blades with an annular gap between the seal casing and the rotor shaft. The annular gap communicates for air flow with the inlet duct. A plurality of ribs are mounted on the one or both of the seal casing and rotor shaft to extend into the annular gap to provide flow resistance. The seal casing defines therewithin a sealing air chamber is connected to the inlet space and the annular gap to permit air from the inlet space to flow to the annular gap and to the inlet duct.

Abstract: An impeller for a fluid meter, the impeller comprising a bearing including a central recess suitable for receiving a pivot, and including at the periphery of the central recess, open-ended fluting with adjacent flutes being separated by ribs. Axial passages are distributed around the fluting, with each passage co-operating with at least one flute in such a manner as to facilitate a flow of fluid via the passage to the detriment of a flow of the fluid along the flute. The impeller is applicable to metering fluids loaded with particles in suspension.

Abstract: A process for sealing the rotor of a turbine which uses wet geothermal steam under pressure in which the said rotor is provided with a plurality of adjacent labyrinth sealing rings interposed with passages which extend radially of the rotor itself. The process provides at least one step in which a flow of steam is introduced into one of the said radial passages and made to pass through the labyrinth of at least one of the said sealing rings, being throttled with a drop in pressure and reduction in temperature. The portion of steam which has been throttled is collected through another of the said radial passages and exhausted or recycled to the turbine at an intermediate stage having the same pressure as the steam. The pressure and temperature values reached by the steam after throttling are such as to maintain it in a wet state. In this way, as the steam always stays wet, the salts in the original geothermal steam remain dissolved and are not deposited, thus allowing the seals to operate correctly.

Abstract: A compressor or turbine type rotary machine for compressing or expanding a dangerous gas, e.g. a gas that is toxic or explosive, comprises a closed enclosure formed outside the stator around a shaft passage receiving the shaft of the rotor, the enclosure being delimited by a bell and being filled with a liquid under pressure, a wet type mechanical seal being disposed between the rotor shaft and the stator, inside the stator. The liquid contained in the enclosure is put under pressure, and a magnetic coupling is provided to link the rotor shaft to an outside shaft. The invention makes it possible to prevent any leakage of dangerous gas from the inside to the outside of the rotary machine.

Abstract: A thermal fatigue prevention apparatus for a high temperature pump which includes an impeller in a high temperature pump casing, a pump shaft rotatably supported by a journal of a submerged bearing and projecting from a shaft through hole of a casing cover, and a shaft sealing device. The shaft sealing device is enclosed with a shaft sealing chamber which is supplied with a low temperature seal purging liquid, and a part of the seal purging liquid flows into the pump casing through the shaft through hole. A heater is provided within the high temperature pump, the heater raises the temperature of the low temperature seal purging liquid before the seal purging liquid flows into the pump casing by using the high temperature pumping liquid.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor has a plurality of seals arranged at the back of an impeller for sealing the impeller outlet and form an annular space defined at the back of the impeller. The annular space is fed with a cold gas under a higher pressure than that of the air discharged at the impeller outlet. Thus, the back of the impeller is cooled down.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a plurality of casings defining a chamber exposable to a gasflow therein, and a plurality of retaining members are associated with the housings to retain them against displacement. Each retaining member has an end portion extending into the chamber and a shield is associated with the casings to define a protective cavity within the chamber about the end portions of the retaining members thereby to isolate the end portions from the chamber. A method of assembling a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A regenerative turbine flow inducer for moving lubricating fluid through a seal chamber of a bearing assembly for lubricating sealing surfaces includes a turbine impeller rotated by the shaft and a pair of liners which enclose the impeller, the liners defining fluid inlets on both sides of the impeller, which are communicated with a source of lubricating fluid, and a fluid discharge outlet, the liners containing lubrication fluid supplied thereto and directing the fluid to the impeller as the impeller is rotated, drawing lubrication fluid through the liners. The regenerative turbine flow inducer may be used with double or tandem mechanical seals.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a turbine type air motor adapted for use in a hand-piece for dental treatment and includes an air motor body supported by both ends of a turbine shaft with axle-bearings. The air motor includes an air charging passage for introducing compressed air from the rear end, an air discharging passage provided therein in parallel with the air charging passage, and a collet adapted to detachably load a cutting tool. Air flow in the air charging passage is directed to cool one axle-bearing and other air flow in the air discharging passage is directed to cool the other axle-bearing for locally cooling frictional heat generated in both axle-bearings by the high frequency of the air turbine rotation. The collet is devised to easily load the cutting tool by pushing a knock tube provided in the rear end of the hand-piece.

Abstract: A turbopump which operates at cryogenic temperatures to pump cryogenic liquid fuels to high pressure, and which includes a rotating group supported on process fluid foil journal bearings and a hydrostatic and hydrodynamic foil thrust bearing. A back-face surface of a pump rotor reacts thrust forces to the foil thrust bearing and receives counter acting hydrostatic fluid forces dynamically moderated to achieve an equilibrium axial position and force balance.

Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly for use in a pump seal chamber, through which a pump shaft rotates and in which a process fluid is contained by a stationary seal and a rotating seal, converts the velocity head of the circulating process fluid in the seal chamber back to a positive static pressure at the stationary seal and rotating seal faces and ensures a steady film of the process fluid at the seal faces. The mechanical seal assembly converts the velocity head to a positive static pressure through one or more velocity recovery tubes that project outwardly from the pump housing into the sealed chamber, or that project outwardly from the rotating seal into the seal chamber, and communicate with respective passages through the seals and channel the process fluid to the seal faces.

Abstract: A pump assembly including an impeller mounted on a shaft for rotation in an impeller casing to move liquid through the casing, the shaft being supported by bearings located in a bearing housing which contains bearing lubricating fluid, a primary seal providing a seal between the shaft and the impeller casing to prevent leakage of liquid from the casing, a secondary seal providing a seal between the shaft and the bearing housing to prevent leakage of lubricating fluid from the bearing housing and a containment vessel interposed between the impeller casing and the bearing housing connecting the impeller casing to the bearing housing and enclosing the primary seal and the secondary seal, the containment vessel having an orifice through a wall thereof for communicating the interior of the containment vessel with a storage container, the orifice being sized to pass liquid emissions from the primary seal during normal pumping operations to the storage container, but to restrict the amount of pumped liquid that is p

Abstract: A rotary impeller pump having a permanent magnetic drive is disclosed. An impeller disposed on a rotating shaft which is supported by a bearing assembly within a housing assembly. The bearing assembly is supported by a fixed ring assembly having a channel disposed therethrough, with one open end of the channel terminating above and adjacent the bearing assembly. A scoop wheel is disposed to rotate with the impeller and shaft. The scoop wheel raises fluid from a location below the bearing assembly to a location above the bearing assembly and adjacent a second open end of the channel. During normal operation, the housing assembly is substantially filled with the fluid medium to be pumped, and the fluid medium provides lubrication and cooling for the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A system for providing seal oils to a gland seal that surrounds the shaft of a generator with the temperature differences between the oils minimized. The temperature of one of the seal oils is utilized as a reference for controlling the oil temperature of the other seal oil. In particular, the temperature of the air-side seal oil is determined and utilized as a reference. The temperature of the hydrogen-side seal oil is determined, and a differentiator produces a signal based upon the difference between the air-side and hydrogen-side seal oils to control either the water flow rate to the hydrogen-side cooler, or to control mixing of cooled and uncooled oil in the hydrogen-side of the system. The system advantageously prevents thermal differential expansion from occurring in the generator shaft, and allows for the elimination of a controlled cooler in the air-side oil system. Further, the air-side oil can be suplied from the main lube oil system.

Abstract: A pump assembly which overcomes a shaft and cover cracking problem comprising a means for heating the seal purge water flowing along the shaft before it exits into an annulus (mixing region) thus reducing the temperature difference between the cooler seal purge water and the hotter product water prior to the mixing of the two waters.