Abstract: An atomization system that includes a flow conduit for flowing a fuel/non-fuel mixture to a downstream object of interest. The flow conduit defining a flow chamber, a downstream end, and an upstream end. An electrolysis system is located in the chamber proximate the upstream conduit end and an atomizer is located in the chamber proximate the downstream conduit end. The fuel/non-fuel mixture being in the liquid phase as it flows through the electrolysis system.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode having a first surface and a second surface, and an anode having a first surface and a second surface, with the anode underlying the cathode so that the first surface of the anode faces the second surface of the cathode. The fuel cell includes an electrolyte sandwiched between the first surface of the anode and the second surface of the cathode and a fuel distributor underlying the anode for directing a flow of fuel over the second surface of the anode. The fuel cell also has an oxidizing agent flow distributor having a plurality of flow path levels, the oxidizing agent flow distributor being adapted for passing an oxidizing agent toward the first surface of the cathode and transferring heat from the first surface of the cathode to the oxidizing agent as the oxidizing agent moves toward the cathode so that the temperature of the oxidizing agent reaching the first surface of the cathode is increased for minimizing thermal stresses upon the fuel cell.

Abstract: An inlet guide vane assembly for a centrifugal compressor includes a guide vane housing having an inlet side for receiving a fluid passing through the compressor at a first flow angle, an outlet side remote from the inlet side and a central axis extending between the inlet and outlet sides of the housing. The assembly has a first set of inlet guide vanes pivotally mounted within the guide vane housing, between the inlet side and the outlet side thereof, for impinging upon the fluid passing through the housing. The assembly includes a second set of inlet guide vanes pivotally mounted within the guide vane housing, between the first set of inlet guide vanes and the outlet side of the housing, for impinging upon the fluid passing through the housing after the fluid has passed through the first set of inlet guide vanes.

Abstract: An hydraulic turbine includes a rotatable turbine runner. The turbine runner has a circumferential inlet for receiving a fluid and an axial outlet for discharging the fluid. The turbine runner also includes a conical-shaped hub rotatable about a central axis, the hub having a diameter that decreases in size from the inlet to the outlet, the conical-shaped hub including a base having a circumference adjacent the inlet and a surface sloping inwardly toward the central axis, the surface including a concave section facing the inlet when viewed in the meridional cross-section. The turbine runner also includes at least two helical turbine blades connected to the conical-shaped hub, each turbine blade having a leading edge adjacent to the inlet, a trailing edge adjacent to the outlet, a blade running length therebetween having a pitch, each turbine blade further including an outer edge, wherein each turbine blade winds at least halfway around the conical-shaped hub.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying high pressure atomizing and purging fluid to the fuel system of a gas turbine engine. The apparatus is comprised of a turbocompressor, multiple flow conduits and associated valves and controls. Alternative versions of the fundamental apparatus may include heat exchangers for heating and cooling the atomizing and purging fluid within the apparatus. The apparatus works with all types of gas turbine engine cycles well known to one skilled in the art. The apparatus includes a first conduit for extracting a small percentage of the fluid compressed by the turbine engine compressor, and the first conduit is further divided into second and third conduits for supplying portions of the small percentage of compressed fluid to the turbocompressor compressor and turbine.

Abstract: A fuel and air mixing apparatus for a combustor and gas turbine generator. A primary portion of the fuel is injected into the mixing air at long distances from the combustor prechamber. The primary portion of the fuel is almost completely mixed with the mixing air. A secondary portion of fuel is injected into the mixing air in the boundary layer at a short distance form the combustor prechamber. This minimally mixed second portion provides some rich portions of fuel-air in the prechamber to improve stability and reduce the chances of blowout.

Abstract: A Brayton cycle air compressor system having two turbinecompressors and a recuperated combustion chamber interconnected. A portion of the hot compressed high pressure air is used as combustion air for the combustion chamber. In addition, a portion of the combustion air is used as the heat source for regenerating the desiccant in the air dryers.

Abstract: A fuel and air mixing apparatus for a combustor and gas turbine generator. A primary portion of the fuel is injected into the mixing air at long distances from the combustor prechamber. The primary portion of the fuel is almost completely mixed with the mixing air. A secondary portion of fuel is injected into the mixing air in the boundary layer at a short distance form the combustor prechamber. This minimally mixed second portion provides some rich portions of fuel-air in the prechamber to improve stability and reduce the chances of blowout.

Abstract: The invention is an in-line torque meter for use with an absorption dynamometer in which the twist of a rotating shaft that transmits torque from an engine to an air dynamometer is measured by a single sensor on the adjacent stationary structure. The torque shaft is supported at the dynamometer end by a splined attachment to the shaft of the dynamometer and at the engine end in a pair of preloaded angular contact ball bearings. Torque from the engine causes the shaft to twist. Attached to and rotating with the shaft are two sleeves with projecting teeth, one sleeve attached at each end of the torque shaft. The projecting teeth are interleaved and are located so that both sets of teeth can be sensed by an adjacent single sensor. When the shaft is twisted by the applied torque, the teeth on the two sleeves are angularly displaced with respect to each other. This angular displacement is measured as a phase shift in the signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A fuel and air mixing apparatus for a combustor and gas turbine generator. A primary portion of the fuel is injected into the mixing air at long distances from the combustor prechamber. The primary portion of the fuel is almost completely mixed with the mixing air. A secondary portion of fuel is injected into the mixing air in the boundary layer at a short distance form the combustor prechamber. This minimally mixed second portion provides some rich portions of fuel-air in the prechamber to improve stability and reduce the chances of blowout.

Abstract: The invention is an in-line torque meter for use with an absorption dynamometer in which the twist of a rotating shaft that transmits torque from an engine to an air dynamometer is measured by a single sensor on the adjacent stationary structure. The torque shaft is supported at the dynamometer end by a splined attachment to the shaft of the dynamometer and at the engine end in a pair of preloaded angular contact ball bearings. Torque from the engine causes the shaft to twist. Attached to and rotating with the shaft are two sleeves with projecting teeth, one sleeve attached at each end of the torque shaft. The projecting teeth are interleaved and are located so that both sets of teeth can be sensed by an adjacent single sensor. When the shaft is twisted by the applied torque, the teeth on the two sleeves are angularly displaced with respect to each other. This angular displacement is measured as a phase shift in the signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining machining instructions for flank milling of a workpiece which reduces the undercut by analyzing the cutter orientation at a plurality of orientations to determine an orientation which results in a minimum undercut, smooths the machining instructions by analyzing the movement of the cutter and the workpiece in spherical coordinates and improves machinability by analyzing for near-axial conditions and selecting a modified cutter orientation for such near-axial conditions using a multi-criteria weighting factor.

Abstract: An inlet air cooling system for natural gas compression. The system provides both inlet air refrigeration for the internal combustion engine and additional natural gas compression. Also provided is a leakage control system for any natural gas or hydrocarbon leakage from the combined cycle system. The leakage is collected and introduced into a low pressure portion of the engine air intake system where it is burned along with the normal engine fuel. An alternate embodiment uses the compressed natural gas to drive an expansion turbine which provides additional power to the inlet air turbocharger.

Abstract: The invention is an in-line torque meter for use with an absorption dynamometer in which the twist of a rotating shaft that transmits torque from an engine to an air dynamometer is measured by a single sensor on the adjacent stationary structure. The torque shaft is supported at the dynamometer end by a splined attachment to the shaft of the dynamometer and at the engine end in a pair of preloaded angular contact ball bearings. Torque from the engine causes the shaft to twist. Attached to and rotating with the shaft are two sleeves with projecting teeth, one sleeve attached at each end of the torque shaft. The projecting teeth are interleaved and are located so that both sets of teeth can be sensed by an adjacent single sensor. When the shaft is twisted by the applied torque, the teeth on the two sleeves are angularly displaced with respect to each other. This angular displacement is measured as a phase shift in the signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A two stage free piston pneumatically operated air compressor having an integral and coaxial power piston, first stage piston and second stage piston. The discharge of the compressor first stage is the inlet for the compressor second stage. A piston-type throttling valve is used to control the speed of the reciprocating piston. The piston-type throttling valve is responsive to the pressure drop across a fixed orifice.

Abstract: A flow measuring or flow metering device having a dynamically variable inner diameter. The flow device uses electrorheological fluid to support an inner flexible membrane. The quantity of electrorheological fluid is varied to change the inner diameter of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the pressure pulse amplitudes in the discharge piping of a screw compressor. A stub pipe is added to the compressor discharge piping. By tuning the stub pipe dimensions, the reflected pulse from the stub pipe is combined with the reflected pulse from the discharge piping so that the pulse arriving back at the discharge of the compressor is out of phase with the compressor discharge pulse, reducing the pulse amplitude in the pipe.

Abstract: An inlet air cooling system for natural gas compression. The system provides both inlet air refrigeration for the internal combustion engine and additional natural gas compression. Also provided is a leakage control system for any natural gas or hydrocarbon leakage from the combined cycle system. The leakage is collected and introduced into a low pressure portion of the engine air intake system where it is burned along with the normal engine fuel.

Abstract: A centrifugal impeller includes a hub formed about an axis of rotation with a plurality of substantially radially extending blades affixed to the hub, each blade having a suction surface, and a pressure surface formed on the adjacent blade facing the suction surface. The blades have a height being measured in a radial direction from the hub. A portion of the hub, having a hub configuration, extends between the pressure surface and the suction surface. An imaginary plane extending in a direction normal to the axis of rotation is used to define a cross-sectional view of the impeller. A first and a second concentric circle are formed in the plane with the center of the concentric circles being the axis of rotation. The first circle passes through a point on the hub located closest to the axis of rotation. The second circle has a radius greater than the first circle by an amount equal to five percent of the blade height, wherein a portion of the hub extends outside of the second circle.