Vibration damped asymmetric rotor carrying liquid ring or rings

Claim 1

In apparatus of the character described, the combination comprising (a) a rotor defining an annular channel to receive liquid that rotates with the rotor about the axis thereof, said channel including first and second sections which are axially spaced apart and intercommunicate via at least one drainage path via which liquid flows from the first channel section to the second channel section, the bottom of the second channel section spaced further from said axis than the bottom of the first channel section; (b) nozzle means to jet fluid including liquid toward the first channel section which collects liquid in a film on the bottom of the first channel section, and (c) means removing liquid from the second channel section so that liquid depth in said film in the first channel section is controlled, and so that liquid depth in the second channel is kept below a selected minimum value, thereby to inhibit surge wave development that otherwise is productive of rotor vibration during such rotor and liquid rotation, the rotor defining a lip at the side of said second section furthest from said first section, the radius of said lip from said axis approximating the radius to the bottom of the first section.