A method and an ejection device are provided for discharging contaminants out of a seal chamber of a rotating-fluid machine driving a main flow of contaminated fluid. The ejection device incorporates an obstacle for arresting a portion of the flow in the seal chamber to stagnation pressure, whereby a zone of fluid at stagnation pressure is created. A discharge passage is disposed in the seal chamber adjacent to a region of concentration of contaminants and in the zone of stagnation pressure created by the obstacle, whereby contaminants are pumped out via the discharge passage into the main driven flow. The discharge passage is disposed upstream of the obstacle and provides fluid communication between the seal chamber and a process side of the machine. The method and the ejection device are operative with a machine driving fluid in clockwise direction, in counterclockwise direction, and in both clockwise and counterclockwise direction.

Described herein are a viscous drag reduction apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a pair of rollers connected to a supporting surface on a roof of the vehicle, a belt having a frictional surface and partially wrapped around the pair of rollers, such that the pair of rollers allow the belt to rotate in response to an air flow generated around the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion, the pair of rollers having a length in an axial direction that is at least as long as a width of the belt, an assembly of the pair of rollers and the belt being at least partially recessed with respect to a top line of the roof, and a reverse flow cover connected to the front end of the roof of the vehicle to block an air back flow generated by the belt when rotating.

The present disclosure relates to a system for improving fluid circulation in a raceway pond. The system comprises at least one mid-wall, which is obliquely disposed within the raceway pond. The mid-wall divides the raceway pond into at least two portions, such that the portions are connected to and in fluid communication with each other. The obliquely disposed mid-wall improves the fluid circulation in the raceway pond.

Described herein are a viscous drag reduction apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a pair of rollers connected to a supporting surface on a roof of the vehicle, a belt having a frictional surface and partially wrapped around the pair of rollers, such that the pair of rollers allow the belt to rotate in response to an air flow generated around the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion, the pair of rollers having a length in an axial direction that is at least as long as a width of the belt, an assembly of the pair of rollers and the belt being at least partially recessed with respect to a top line of the roof, and a reverse flow cover connected to the front end of the roof of the vehicle to block an air back flow generated by the belt when rotating.

Flow conditioners are provided including a face having at a plurality of openings therein and an elongated body coupled to the face, each of the plurality of openings having a corresponding shaft on the elongated body. The flow conditioner is configured to be positioned in a meter such that water flows into the meter through the plurality of openings in the face of the flow conditioner and through the corresponding shafts on the elongated body to condition the flow through the meter. The presence of the flow conditioner in the meter improves a measured flow rate at flow rates less than 1.0 gallon per minute (GPM). Related systems are also provided.

A duct is configured for a vehicle having a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis. The vehicle body includes a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion, a second vehicle body end opposite of the first vehicle body end. The duct has a fully-enclosed structure in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal body axis. The duct also has a first port positioned to receive a portion of the oncoming airflow and a second port positioned to exhaust the portion of the oncoming airflow from the duct. The first and second ports together with the fully-enclosed structure are configured to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body when the vehicle is in motion.

A duct is configured for a vehicle having a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis. The vehicle body includes a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion, a second vehicle body end opposite of the first vehicle body end. The duct has a fully-enclosed structure in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal body axis. The duct also has a first port positioned to receive a portion of the oncoming airflow and a second port positioned to exhaust the portion of the oncoming airflow from the duct. The first and second ports together with the fully-enclosed structure are configured to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body when the vehicle is in motion.

An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction apparatus and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the stationary point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction apparatus includes: a streamlined fairing or wind deflector positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes; a wheel assembly with a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke; a wheel with a tapered spoke having a thin aerodynamic profile near the rim and tapering to a round profile toward the central hub; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.

A method and apparatus for shielding critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces combined with drag forces on the apparatus itself. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a critical primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon.

A vehicle exhaust pipe disposed for gases ejected therefrom to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging directly upon critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces upon the primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surfaces.