In modern turbomachinery, the performance and reliability is often limited by shaft vibrations induced by fluid film forces and moments of (i) plain or (ii) profiled annular seals. Therefore, these narrow annuli are mainly responsible for the overall system behaviour, i.e. safe operation and maintenance intervals. However, many studies focus only on the characteristics from the forces due to the translational motion, although the influence of the rotordynamic tilt and moment coefficients is well known. Therefore, these additional coefficients are much less researched. Especially, for profiled seals, the availability of reliable experimental data for validation purpose is rare. To overcome this fact, a test rig is operated at the Chair of Fluid Systems at the Technische Universität Darmstadt. The generic experiments presented here investigate the force and moment characteristic of plain, symmetrically profiled and non-symmetrically profiled annular seals within the relevant parameter range for turbulent flows in pumps. The investigations focus on the influence of the annulus length as well as the pressure difference across the annulus.

The paper presents a model of the sealing process in kinematic pairs of hydraulic cylinders with elastic seals and an analytical form of this model based on the results obtained by the author. The prepared model distinguishes rheological parameters, allowing one to determine the criteria of a correct course of the sealing process and to forecast the operating time for the seals. Exemplary test results and their analysis are presented, too. It results from the analysis that leakage efficiency through the seal is dependent on the sealing pressure determined by the parameter 8, and it is unstable in relation to this parameter. Basing on this fact, the author determined conditions of hydrodynamic convection of the sealing and elaborated an analytical model of the sealing process including roughness of the piston rod surface as well as the seal flexibility.

Moulting southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina (L.), were counted in 17 discrete wallows at Walker Bay on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands between 2 January and 16 February 1994. Daily weather conditions were also recorded. It was also found that, although there were no overall correlations between wind scale, air temperature, sunshine, precipitation, sea roughness and cloud cover with seal numbers, there were conditions on specific days that affected the movements of seals between wallows. Most notably, it was found that numbers of seals decreased when they were exposed to winds, and that they often sought out more sheltered sites nearby.

Twelve mineral elements and total ash were examined in regard to the possible use as the estimators of digestibility of natural food in Antarctic seals. Four of them: phosphorus, calcium, copper and zinc have proved to give most reliable results. The estimated total dry mass and organic matter digestibilities of fish food in Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli (Lesson)) averaged 82 and 91%, while the corresponding values for krill eaten by crabeaters (Lobodon carcinophagus (Hombron and Jaequinot)) and leopard seals (Hydrourga leptonyx (Blainville)) reached approximately 87 and 91%, respectively.

In the collection of Silesian kwartniks of the National Museum in Wrocław there is a unique, unidentified example of type Fbg 1109. Previous attempts to attribute this coin to the Duchies of Wrocław or Świdnica were based on unclear premises. Re-analysis of the coin dies allows for the presentation of a new attribution proposal.

This study describes the seasonal and annual changes in the diet of non-breeding male Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) through the analysis of faeces collected on shore during four summer seasons (1993/94-1996/97) in the area of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, South Shetlands). Krill was the most frequent prey, found in 88.3% of the 473 samples. Fish was present in 84.7% of the samples, cephalopods and penguins in 12.5% each. Of the 3832 isolated otoliths, 3737 were identified as belonging to 17 fish species. The most numerous species were: Gymnoscopelus nicholsi, Electrona antarctica , Chionodraco rastrospinosus, Pleuragramma antarcticum, and Notolepis coatsi. In January, almost exclusively, were taken pelagic Myctophidae constituting up to 90% of the total consumed fish biomass. However, in February and March, the number of bentho-pelagic Channichthyidae and Nototheniidae as well as pelagic Paralepididae increased significantly, up to 45% of the biomass. In April the biomass of Myctophidae increased again. The frequency of squid and penguin occurrence was similar and low, but considering the greater individual body mass of penguins, their role as a food item may be much greater. In March and April, penguins could be as important prey item as fish. The amount of krill in the diet of Antarctic fur seals declined with a concomitant decrease in the mature krill availability. This appears to have been compensated by an increased frequency of the fur seal to eat fish and penguins.

The aim of this paper was to test currently available on the market products for sealing anodic oxide coatings as well as to test the use of other alternative substances improving the sealing process. The ability to seal in 10 different solutions and the quality of the seal has been tested. The influence of the applied preparations on corrosion resistance and resistance to strongly alkaline environment was also investigated.

Based on the results obtained, satisfactory results were archived for the sample sealed in a IMN-OML (Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals in Gliwice, Light Metals Division) solution sealant and in solution of nickel acetate in a medium-temperature process. Sealing by means of nickel acetate solutions is economically justified, and its use allows the process temperature to be lowered. When it comes to resistance to alkalis, samples sealed in IMN-OML sealant are the best. Commercial solutions have also achieved positive results in all tests.

Jan Walter of Chojnice (*about 1445, †1512), initially a vicar, and then a parson of St. Peter and Paul’s Church, as well as a secretary of Gdansk City Council, is one of the best known figures associated with the old book culture in Gdansk. The article describes one of the aspects of his bibliophilia: book covers marked with supralibros. It first discusses works by local bookbinders made for Walter, and then analyses a supralibros in the form of a miniature oval featuring the mark of a bibliophile (the head of a Negro) against the background of the European and local tradition of marking books in late Middle Ages. As a result, it is demonstrated that six from among the Gdansk citizen’s books we currently know, which contain the mark, were provided with it secondarily. This is mainly indicated by the non-typical locations of the supralibros – each one is in a way “squeezed in” between the regularly spaced elements of the blind embossing adornment of the covers.

Southern elephant male seals (Mirounga leonina Linnaeus, 1758) were studied at King George Island (62°14´S, 58°40´W) from September to December 1999. The first males came ashore at the beginning of September. Twenty-five adults were immobilized, hot iron branded, and measured. Thirteen out of the 25 marked males spent an average of 66 (+/-8) days on land. Early arrival was positively correlated with the time spent ashore (r = 0.88, P < 0.05). Nine harems were formed in the study area. At the maximum haul-out of females (28 October) mean harem size was 32ą42 females (range 3–107). During the course of harem development, 10 changes in male harem dominance were observed. These changes were more frequent during the early (1–20 October, n = 6) than during the mid (21 October – 10 November, n = 2) and late (11–29 November, n = 2) periods of harem development. Overall, there were 14 dominant males; five of these in two different harems and nine in one harem. Of the 25 marked males, 44% were resighted in the following breeding or moulting season, and 16% seemed to improve their potential breeding success.

A population survey of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina Linnaeus, 1758) was conducted at Nelson Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, during the 2001 breeding season. Two breeding sites were identified, one of which had not been previously reported. The largest breeding site was located at Duthoit Point, with a total of 128 females, 111 pups and 7 weanlings distributed in 6 harems along 3 km of coast. The new breeding group was observed at Harmony Point, where 3 females with their pups were found. This is the first report on southern elephant seal numbers during the breeding period for the Nelson Island coast.

The cephalopod diet of the gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua and the Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella was comparatively analyzed at Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands. A total of 125 stomach samples were collected by the water off-loading method from gentoo penguins during the autumns of 1993, 1995 and 1996, and 39 fur seal scats were collected from mid March to April 1988. Cephalopods preyed upon by gentoo penguins were represented by 1974 beaks (1628 lower, 346 upper) which occurred in 50.4% of the samples. Lower beaks identified belonged exclusively to the squid Psychroteuthis glacialis. The mean lower rostral length (LRL) of these beaks was 1.1 mm (range 0.4– 1.8 mm). From the Antarctic fur seal scats 103 beaks (41 lower, 62 upper) were removed from 60.6% of scats which contained prey remains. The cephalopod species identified were Slosarczykovia circumantarctica and P. glacialis which constituted 78.8% and 21.1% in terms of numbers, respectively. The mean lower rostral length for S. circumantarctica was 2.7 mm (range 2.0–3.5 mm), while that of P. glacialis was 1.6 mm (range 1.0–2.5 mm). The foraging behaviour of the two top predators was analyzed and discussed according to the composition and size of their cephalopod prey.

This article discusses the use of small lead seals (seal tags) in early medieval Poland for commercial and customs control in the context of an economic crisis. The introduction of sealing goods by the Piasts is explained by its cultural transfer from Rus’. Polish commercial lead seals were in use synchronously with Hohlpfennigs from the middle of the 13th to the middle of the 14th century. Their design systematically reflected signs and symbols on bracteates and differed significantly from other small seals of Drohiczyn type from Rus’. The extraordinary number of small lead seals found at Drohiczyn possibly reflects a short- -term relocation of trade routes caused by military conflicts.

The mine seals in coal mines with a good impact resistance and air tightness are mainly used to isolate abandoned mining areas from active workings. For one thing, it can prevent the leakage of harmful gases, such as toxic gas from abandoned areas. For another, once an underground mine explosion happens, it can effectively block the spread of the explosion between the abandoned mining areas and the active workings. Hence, it is of great significance to study the explosion-proof performance and mechanical properties of the mine seals. First of all, the effect of slotting on the stability of the seals in coal mines under explosion load was explored in this study. By numerical simulations, the mechanical response characteristics of the seals with or without cutting a slot under the explosion load were compared in detail. The results show that slotting improved the stress concentration at the contact surface of surrounding rock by transferring partial impact received by mine seals to the surrounding rocks, thus, to achieve the effect of buffering explosion impact. Besides, such effect will be enhanced with increasing cutting depth into rock, and will stabilize when the depth is 20 cm. On this basis, the mechanical properties and damage of the seals constructed by different materials (standard brick and #C40 concrete) under the explosion load were compared. It was found that once a slot was set, the maximum deformation of the concrete seal was reduced, while the maximum deformation of the brick seal increased. Since the non-deformability of the concrete seal is obviously stronger than that of the brick seal, with the impact resistance stronger than that of the brick seal, the concrete seal is more suitable for slotting. Moreover, the damage of the seals in underground coal mines under the strata ground pressure was studied; the results of which show that the damage state under the ground pressure can be divided into 3 levels, i.e. no damage, minor damage and rapid development of damage. Meanwhile, it was found that the prestressed structure formed by the ground pressure at the level of no damage can enhance the protective effect of the seals in coal mines. However, when the ground pressure was further developed, the seal itself was destroyed and the protective effect was lost. In addition, the influence of roof to floor moving convergence, a deformation parameter of the roadway, on the seals was also investigated. The results show that the ground pressure and roof-to-floor convergence act on the seals in coal mines in the same way, thus roof to floor moving convergence can replace the ground pressure to analyze other related mechanical properties of the seals in coal mines in the future researches.

A film stress measurement system applicable for hyperbaric environment was developed to characterize stress evolution in a physical simulation test of a gas-solid coupling geological disaster. It consists of flexible film pressure sensors, a signal conversion module, and a highly-integrated acquisition box which can perform synchronous and rapid acquisition of 1 kHz test data. Meanwhile, we adopted a feasible sealing technology and protection method to improve the survival rate of the sensors and the success rate of the test, which can ensure the accuracy of the test results. The stress measurement system performed well in a large-scale simulation test of coal and gas outburst that reproduced the outburst in the laboratory. The stress evolution of surrounding rock in front of the heading is completely recorded in a successful simulation of the outburst which is consistent with the previous empirical and theoretical analysis. The experiment verifies the feasibility of the stress measurement system as well as the sealing technology, laying a foundation for the physical simulation test of gas-solid coupled geological disasters.

State-of-the-art analyses for the rotordynamic assessment of pumps and specific requirements for the simulation tools are described. Examples are a horizontal multistage pump with two fluid film bearings in atmospheric pressure, a horizontal submerged multistage pump with many bearings, and a submerged vertical single-stage pump with water-lubricated bearings. The rotor of the horizontal pump on two bearings is statically overdetermined by the seals and the static bearing forces depend on the deflection in the seals and the bearings. The nonlinear force-displacement relation in the bearings is considered in this paper. The stability of pumps is assessed by Campbell diagrams considering linear seal and bearing properties. Cylindrical bearings can have a destabilizing effect in the case of low loads as in the examples of the submerged pumps. For the pump with many bearings, the influence of the bearing ambient pressure and the bearing specific load on the stability is analyzed. For the vertical pump, the limit cycle, i.e. the vibration level of stabilization, is determined with a nonlinear analysis. All examples have a practical background from engineering work, although they do not exactly correspond to real cases. Analyses were performed with the rotordynamic software MADYN 2000.

This paper discusses the individual book ownership marks used in the Gdańsk Library from the end of the 16th to the beginning of the 21st century. In the first two centuries of existence of the Library of the Council of the City of Gdańsk, three subsequent copperplate bookplates were used as ownership marks. Established in the beginning of the 19th century, the City Library in Gdańsk marked its collections with seals with eight (six pre-war and two post-war) different patterns changed over time; they were imprinted using ink. The founding of the Gdańsk Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences in the mid-20th century resulted in the use of a further seven different seals.
Today, bookplates are no longer used to mark the collections of the Gdańsk Library. However, these ownership marks continue to be made to mark special occasions; some of them are described in this paper.

The paper presents a concept of a new turbine engine with the use of rotating isochoric combustion chambers. In contrast to previously analyzed authors’ engine concepts, here rotating combustion chambers were used as a valve timing system. As a result, several practical challenges could be overcome. An effective ceramic sealing system could be applied to the rotating combustion chambers. It can assure full tightness regardless of thermal conditions and related deformations. The segment sealing elements working with ceramic counter-surface can work as self-alignment because of the centrifugal force acting on them. The isochoric combustion process, gas expansion, and moment generation were analyzed using the CFD tool (computational fluid dynamics). The investigated engine concept is characterized by big energy efficiency and simple construction. Finally, further improvements in engine performance are discussed.

Many academic works fundamental to Polish numismatics, from the earliest time to the modern period, were published in the second half of the 19th century. The subject of the present article is an analysis of the illustration–related aspects of those works as well as some other minor publications. The author describes the most commonly used graphic techniques (across–the–end–grain wood engraving, lithography, copper engraving, etching), mentions the prominent engravers and graphic artists, and presents a number of ateliers/workshops which carried out commissions connected with numismatics. The objective of the text is to identify and describe certain characteristic regularities as well as some special features relating to the field of numismatic printmaking.