Abstract: A high speed liquid vortex pump is fitted with a flexible tube in the discharge throat. The flow area of the flexible tube, and thus the pump output flow rate, is varied by surrounding the tube with a pressure modulated stream of the working fluid.

Abstract: The blower unloading or air volume control device is for use with an air blower assembly having a fan wheel or impeller assembly mounted for rotation about the rear orifice in the air inlet funnel. The device comprises a moveable air deflecting member or cone aligned axially with the blower assembly inlet funnel for varying the entrance dimension to the impeller blades and for sealing the rear inlet funnel orifice. A mounting structure is fixed to the blower assembly for supporting the air deflecting cone. A linear movement mechanism operative on the air deflecting cone is provided to vary the stroke of the air deflecting cone based on pressure differential demands in the system serviced by the blower assembly. The air deflecting cone is movable from a position in the impeller assembly cavity to engage the rear orifice of the inlet funnel to control the air volume throughput and to, thereby, control the operating efficiency of the air blower assembly.

Abstract: Method of filtering both noisy and fluctuating input signals for a controller which is used for controlling the operation of a turbo compressor comprises obtaining an input signal from the operating device and before delivering an input signal to the controller correcting these signals through a filter whose time constant is small in one direction for example a decreasing or increasing signal amplitude directed toward the pumping limit of the operating device whose time constant is great in the other direction increasing or decreasing signal amplitude particularly away from the limit being controlled. Advantageously the filtered signal is compared with an unfiltered signal and the time constant of the filter is set as the function of the magnitude and the sign of the difference between the filtered and unfiltered signal. In addition the time constant may be reduced to a permanently pre-selected value possibly to zero when a switching threshold in a limit stages unilaterally exceeded.

Abstract: A pump with a canned motor (1) comprises a hollow shaft (4) open at the ends (5, 6) and provided with shaft ends (7, 8) and made of a relatively thin-walled tube. The portions (7, 8) of the shaft (4) are of a reduced diameter (d.sub.1, d.sub.2). A reciprocating ball (12) is situated in the cavity between a first shaft portion (8) and a second shaft portion (7), said first shaft portion forming a shaft end and provided with a spline (17). This ball abuts seats (13, 14) resulting from the reduction of the diameter of the shaft portions (7, 8), whereby the ball (12) and the seats (13, 14) form a valve. In this manner the valve of the hollow shaft (4) is provided in a particularly simple manner as the seats (13, 14) can be provided simultaneously with the manufacture of the shaft portions (7, 8) of a reduced diameter. The shaft portion (8) carrying the impeller (10) is provided with a spline which provides the hollow shaft (4) with the necessary torsional strength.

Abstract: A leakless pump for sucking and delivering a liquid includes a rotor having an impeller thereon and rotatably journaled by bearings, and a casing surrounding the rotor and the impeller. The pump comprises a bypath for flowing part of the liquid from a high pressure portion in the proximity of an outer circumference of the impeller to a low pressure portion on a side of an inlet of the pump, at least one pressure detecting aperture formed in the casing and having an inner end communicating with the bypath for measuring change in pressure in the bypath due to wear of at least one of the bearings, and pressure detecting means provided at an outer end of the pressure detecting aperture for detecting pressure change in the bypath, thereby detecting the change in pressure to detect wear of the bearings.

Abstract: A bidirectional pump has a chamber in communication both with a drain conduit and a conduit for delivering washing liquid into a wash chamber. The drain conduit has a port communicating between the pump chamber and a drain outlet. An opening communicates between the delivery and drain conduits and is selectively sealed by a deformable diaphragm. With the pump rotating in a first direction and the liquid being delivered principally through the delivery conduit by the pump, a pressure differential is established across the diaphragm thereby urging a portion of the diaphragm sealingly against the port to prevent delivery of washing liquid through the drain conduit as during a rinsing cycle of the dishwasher. Reverse rotation of the pump reverses the pressure balance to urge the sealing portion of the diaphragm away from the drain port, thereby permitting flow through the drain conduit for suitable disposal of the used washing liquid.

Abstract: A relief valve system for a pump in which control means are responsive to the occurrence of an excessive pressure on the inlet or discharge side of the pump to relieve this condition by dumping excess pressure to atmosphere.

Abstract: A centrifugal main fuel pump (10') for a gas turbine engine has a housing (18') in which a centrifugal impeller (12') is mounted for rotation. The impeller discharges flow to a collector (20') and diffuser (22'). A low flow diffuser (26) has its inlet opening positioned closely adjacent the outer periphery of the impeller. Proper design and placement of the low flow diffuser ensures that a high percentage of the fluid energy available in the high velocity flow adjacent the impeller outer periphery is recovered as pressure rise. The low flow diffuser produces adequate fuel flow at the pressure necessary for engine light-off while the first mentioned diffuser recovers a lower pressure rise but is adapted to supply higher engine fuel flow demand in the normal range of operation. A check valve (34) prevents flow from the low flow diffuser from returning to the impeller. The check valve opens to allow the first mentioned diffuser to supply fuel when its discharge pressure exceeds that of the low flow diffuser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a multistage hydraulic machine in which respective pressure stages are connected in series through runners and return passages and the highest and lowest pressure stages are provided with movable guide vanes, are organized such that the guide vanes of either one of the two pressure stages are controlled in accordance with the load of the hydraulic machine, while the guide vanes of the other one of the two pressure stages are controlled in accordance with a relation defined by the load of the lowest pressure stage and the load of the hydraulic machine.

Abstract: A method for protecting a compressor by reducing the differential pressure from the inlet to the outlet of the compressor by turbo-charging the inlet plenum of the compressor to reduce the normally present vacuum condition in the inlet, vacuum being simply a sub-ambient pressure. However, the inlet plenum is not increased to a pressure above ambient. Additionally by preventing a high vacuum condition from existing at the inlet plenum of the compressor by warning or even stopping the compressor if the vacuum reaches too great a level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating parallel connected turbocompressors jointly controls their operation such that each operates at the same percentage of its capacity, i.e. such that the spacing of the operating point of each from its blowoff line which is parallel to its pumping limit is the same.

Abstract: A vacuum control system and method for dewatering felts or fabrics on a papermaking machine including a suction pipe and a centrifugal exhauster connected to the suction pipe to supply a variable vacuum level. The fabric is passed over a slot in the suction pipe so that suction applied therethrough will dewater the fabric. A variable drive device is connected to the centrifugal exhauster for its operation with the variable drive device being responsive to an increase in the vacuum level in the suction pipe as fabric permeability decreases to correspondingly increase the speed of the centrifugal exhauster so as to increase the vacuum level in the suction pipe as a function of the decrease in felt permeability.

Abstract: A turbine which rotates in the same directional sense for both directions of throughflow of a working medium contains rotor blades possessing an aerofoil-shaped profile which at least over a portion of the length of the rotor blades is subdivided into profile parts or portions in order to improve the flow of the working medium about the rotor blades. The profile parts of the rotor blades are non-symmetrically constructed or arranged at least in part with respect to each plane which is perpendicular to the momentary throughflow direction of the rotor. It is therefore possible to reduce the dimensions of the turbine with essentially the same power output. Such type of turbine is particularly suitable for extracting energy from the movement of waves of bodies of water, such as the sea water of the ocean, and air moved by the waves alternately in opposite directions serves as the working or flow medium.

Abstract: A multi-stage hydraulic machine includes a rotatable shaft, a plurality of runners fixed to the shaft and arranged from a highest-pressure stage to a lowest-pressure stage, runner chambers which respectively house the runners, a return channel for connecting adjacent ones of the runner chambers with each other, movable wicket gates provided at least in the runner chamber of the highest-pressure stage and capable of moving between a position in which the movable wicket gates block the channel and a position in which said movable wicket gates open the channel, and a draft tube connected to the runner chamber of the lowest-pressure stage.

Abstract: A first control assembly is provided operative to supply gas from a supply of gas under pressure to the inlet of a centrifugal liquid pump at increasing and decreasing rates responsive to decreases and increases in the pressure of liquid discharge from the pump. The first control assembly includes spring structure for closing an associated air flow controlling valve member which is yieldingly biased toward the open position by the pressure of liquid discharged from the pump and a second control assembly is provided operative to increase and decrease the loading of the aforementioned spring structure responsive to increases and decreases in demand for liquid being discharged from the pump.

Abstract: A multistage hydraulic machine in which respective pressure stages are connected in series through return passages and the highest and lowest pressure stages are provided with movable guide vanes the degrees of openings of which are variable is controlled in load adjustment or in response to the change of a static head under a steady operation condition by controlling the degrees of openings of the movable guide vanes of the highest and lowest pressure stages in accordance with several modes.

Abstract: A centrifugal main fuel pump (10') for a gas turbine engine has a housing (12') in which a centrifugal impeller (16') is mounted for rotation. The centrifugal impeller includes a disc (24') which carries starting flow impeller elements (34) which are positioned in a radially outer location on the disc and also carries main flow impeller elements (26') positioned in a radially inner location on the disc. The starting flow impeller elements discharge to a starting flow collector (38) and diffuser (44) and the main flow impeller elements discharge to a separate collector (30') and diffuser (32'). The starting flow impeller elements produce adequate fuel flow at the pressure necessary for engine lightoff while the main flow impeller elements are adapted to supply engine fuel flow demand in the normal range of operation. A check valve (46) prevents starting flow from returning to the centrifugal impeller.

Abstract: A method of and system for controlling a hydraulic turbine including a variable throttle valve located in fluid channel upstream or downstream of the hydraulic turbine adapted to be closed simultaneously as guide vanes of the hydraulic turbine are closed at a velocity higher than a predetermined velocity. The variable throttle valve is closed to a certain degree of opening in response to the sudden closing action of the guide vanes, but slowly opened to an original full open position after the guide vanes has closed to a predetermined degree of opening.

Abstract: Methods of controlling operation of power generating water wheels and apparatus therefor are disclosed. When a guide vane will not close upon occurence of a state of emergency, the inlet valve is kept open until the flow to the wheel starts to suddenly decrease, and then the valve is closed to cut off the flow. The above operation control can be applied to each of a plurality of water wheels forming at least one closed loop water channel. For simultaneous cutoff of the plurality of water wheels, when one guide vane has been closed but other guide vanes will not close, or when guide vanes are closed with a time lag the inlet valves of the plurality of water wheels are closed to cut off the flow, thereby preventing mutual interference among the water wheels to eliminate generation of abnormal water pressure in the closed loop water channel.

Abstract: A rotary type pumping machine such as a pump turbine in a pumped storage hydro-electric plant, wherein, when the pumping operation of the runner of the machine is started, compressed air is introduced into the runner chamber to depress the water surface in the runner chamber to facilitate the start up of the runner and, when the runner is accelerated to a predetermined speed, the air in the runner chamber is discharged through an air discharge valve to commence the pumping operation. Water pressure available in the water passageway on upper reservoir side of the runner chamber is applied to the valve closing mechanism of the air discharge valve. The valve opening force exerted by a valve operating mechanism and acting on the valve opening mechanism of the air discharge valve is selected to be greater than the valve closing force generated by the water pressure applied to the valve closing mechanism of the air discharge valve.

Abstract: A method of operating a water-turbine or a pump water turbine in which, when the runner is idling for phase modification running or stand-by running, the main machine is tripped by means of a main machine tripping circuit when the flow rate of cooling water supplied to the seal portions of the runner is maintained below a predetermined limit for a predetermined period of time. The main machine tripping circuit is excited to become operative only after the pressure around the runner comes down to a level approximating the water pressure in the draft pipe.

Abstract: A centrifugal vapor compressor having a two-position, pressure controlled diffuser throttle ring is disclosed. The throttle ring is positively maintained in a minimum or a maximum throttling position by supplying either a relatively low pressure or a relatively high pressure, respectively, to a cavity behind the throttle ring. The throttle ring may be one of any of a variety or types of throttle rings including a new, improved throttle ring having a back portion with a sealing means which facilitates sliding movements of the throttle ring and which prevents vapor flow between the cavity behind the throttle ring and the diffuser passageway.

Abstract: A water-jet drive mechanism for driving and controlling a watercraft. A centrifugal water pump is encased in the support housing so that its inlet and its discharge nozzle open through the undersurface of the support housing. The pump drive shaft is inclined and lies in a vertical plane arranged at an angle to the direction of water discharge from the nozzle. A normally open ventilating valve provided in a wall of the pump is closed by the flow of water through the pump.

Abstract: A variable breadth centrifugal pump arrangement includes two intermeshing peller sections that are mounted to a common pump shaft so that one of the impeller sections is axially moveable relative to the other impeller section. The impeller sections are rotationally interconnected by a torque transmitting member in the form of a bellows element, which may comprise an axially resilient metal tube formed with a plurality of pleats or a plurality of radially spaced pleated metal tubes that are separated by elastomeric material. Another form of torque transmitting bellows element comprises a plurality of dish-shaped element connected together at their central and peripheral edge portions.

Abstract: A control system primarily for variable speed drives having input and output sheaves with axially movable flanges and a belt interconnecting the sheaves, in which a fluid actuating mechanism moves the flange on the input sheave to vary the pitch thereof, and consequently, the output speed of the drive. A fan or other fluid pressure creating device, is driven by the output element of the drive and is connected to a control mechanism which is responsive to a condition sensing device for providing a pressure varying according to the condition to be maintained. The control mechanism is connected to a source of operating pressure and is regulated by the pressure from the pressure creating device and the condition sensing device for varying the pressure in the pressure actuating mechanism to vary the position of one of the movable flanges and thereby control the output speed of the drive.

Abstract: A turbine-driven sander includes a switching system having a double-flap valve adjacent a passageway intermediate the turbine and a source of vacuum. One flap valve is a toggle which is actuated to open or close a bypass aperture, and which is connected to close and open, respectively, the other flap valve, which is mounted in the passageway. When the toggle opens the bypass aperture the turbine stops; conversely, when the toggle closes the bypass aperture, the turbine becomes activated and remains activated until the toggle opens the bypass aperture or the source of vacuum is removed or no longer produces a vacuum. When activated, the turbine vibrates a platen through a direct drive system.

Abstract: An improved fuel supply apparatus includes a booster pump assembly which is disposed in a fuel tank of an aircraft and is operable to supply fuel to an engine. The rate at which fuel is supplied by the booster pump assembly varies with variations in the demand for fuel by the engine. The booster pump assembly includes a pump having a small volumetric discharge capacity and a second pump having a large volumetric discharge capacity. An electric motor is provided to continuously drive the small pump. A fluid coupling is engaged to connect the large pump with the motor when the discharge pressure from the small pump decreases in response to an increase in demand for fuel by the engine. To engage the fluid coupling, a control assembly directs a flow of fuel to a space between input and output elements of the coupling. When the output pressure from the small pump increases due to a decrease in demand for fuel by the engine, the fluid coupling is drained to disconnect the large pump from the motor.

Abstract: A wood burning furnace or space heater having a jacket surrounding a firebox and forming a plenum through which air to be heated is forced by a fan. There is a door in the jacket which automatically opens in the event of a failure of a fan, and thus excessively heated air is immediately released.

Abstract: A control system is provided for the multi-stage axial flow compressor of a gas turbine engine. The control system embraces a stage of variable angle guide vanes, a first detector adapted to detect a first pressure in the compressor which is influenced by the vane angular setting, and a second detector adapted to detect a second pressure independent of the vane setting but bearing a functional relationship to the rotational speed of a compressor of the engine. A control unit is adapted to use the pressures detected by the detectors to cause an actuation mechanism to adjust the angular setting of the guide vanes in a predetermined manner dependent upon the ratio of the second pressure to the first pressure.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for a gas turbine turbo-shaft engine includes a stationary shroud cover over the inducer section of an impeller in the centrifugal compressor including a plurality of raised reinforcing bridges at the leading edge of the outer surface of the cover and having an annular control slot formed inboard of the bridges to communicate the inner surface of the shroud cover with surrounding gas and wherein the shroud surrounds an impeller which produces a variable cover static pressure at the point of the control slot so it serves combined functions of causing an inflow of gas from exteriorly of the cover into the impeller to add to the inlet flow to the impeller under high speed conditions of compressor operation and wherein the same slots serve to bleed gas flow from the impeller to a point exteriorly of the compressor at part speeds of rotation of the impeller thereby to flow stabilize the impeller at part speed phases of operation thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine comprising a rotor concentrically supported in a fluid hamber of the housing wherein upper and lower annular fluid spaces defined between the rotor and housing include upper cavity regions formed radially adjacent the rotor axis and lower cavity regions declined radially therefrom. Fluid supply ports in the upper cavity regions of the annular spaces permit flow of a relatively low density pressurized fluid into the annular spaces to control the level of pumped fluid therein and seal elements span the upper regions of the annular spaces for maintaining pressure differentials between the annular spaces and fluid passages of the housing. Clearance gaps, defined by circumferential edges of the rotor and adjacent surfaces of the fluid chamber, radially bound the lower cavity regions of the annular spaces for limiting the flow of pumped fluid into and out of the annular spaces.

Abstract: A high pressure centrifugal pump has an impeller assembly including two mating impeller sections which are each constituted by a shroud with fixed geometry blades. The impeller sections are fixedly mounted upon a rotatable shaft and are of a construction which permits the pressure between the impeller sections to engender flexure of the sections away from each other so as to vary the breadth of the impeller assembly. A servo control device is adapted to control the pressure behind the shrouds such that the pump delivers a constant flow at varying back pressures.