Abstract: A reciprocating compressor is provided. In one embodiment, a reciprocating compressor frame includes a central body and at least two crosshead guides extending from opposite sides of the central body. Additionally, the compressor frame crosshead guide support structures extending outwardly from the central body along a respective crosshead guide. Other embodiments of compression systems, devices, and frames of such systems are also provided.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor is provided with a reciprocating compressor frame which includes a central body and at least two crosshead guides extending from opposite sides of the central body. Additionally, the compressor frame has angled crosshead guide support structures extending outwardly from the central body along a respective crosshead guide.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a barrier with magnetic coupling between opposite sides of the barrier. For example, the system may include a first member with a first magnet that translates along with the first member, and a second member having a second magnet that translates along with the second member. The system also may include the barrier completely isolating the first member from the second member, wherein the first magnet magnetically couples with the second magnet through the barrier to impart translational motion from the first member to the second member.

Abstract: A modular crankshaft features a connection system between modules that features opposed female receptacles. A pin having opposed beveled ends and hydraulic passages with it is inserted into the opposed receptacles. A pair of seals is disposed on the beveled ends and straddles a hydraulic fluid outlet. The crankshaft wall that defines each receptacle is designed to flex in response to applied hydraulic pressure between the seals on the tapered pin portion. A notch at the base of the receptacle in the crankshaft reduces stress concentration and enables the wall defining the crankshaft receptacle to come back when hydraulic pressure through the pin is removed. The opposed crankshaft receptacles are flanged to allow them to be pulled together over the pin. An interference fit results around the pin after the flanges are mated and the hydraulic pressure is removed.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a pulsation dampener for minimizing the adverse effects of pulsation waves in a process fluid generated by a reciprocating compressor. The pulsation dampener may be installed proximate to the source of the pulsation waves and external to a main flow path of the process fluid being compressed within the reciprocating compressor. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the pulsation dampener may be a pulsation dampening valve enclosure configured to at least partially encase a valve assembly of the reciprocating compressor. The pulsation dampening valve enclosure may be filled with a pulsation dampening material, such as a wire mesh material, a viscoelastic material, an elastomeric material, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a modular crankshaft features a connection system between modules that features opposed female receptacles. A pin having opposed beveled ends and hydraulic passages with it is inserted into the opposed receptacles. A pair of seals is disposed on the beveled ends and straddles a hydraulic fluid outlet. The crankshaft wall that defines each receptacle is designed to flex in response to applied hydraulic pressure between the seals on the tapered pin portion. A notch at the base of the receptacle in the crankshaft reduces stress concentration and enables the wall defining the crankshaft receptacle to come back when hydraulic pressure through the pin is removed. The opposed crankshaft receptacles are flanged to allow them to be pulled together over the pin. An interference fit results around the pin after the flanges are mated and the hydraulic pressure is removed.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor is provided. In one embodiment, a reciprocating compressor frame includes a central body and at least two crosshead guides extending from opposite sides of the central body. Additionally, the compressor frame crosshead guide support structures extending outwardly from the central body along a respective crosshead guide. Other embodiments of compression systems, devices, and frames of such systems are also provided.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor is provided. In one embodiment, the reciprocating compressor includes a frame having a central body and a crosshead guide extending from the central body. The compressor may also include a crosshead disposed within the crosshead guide and coupled to a crankshaft disposed within the central body of the frame. Additionally, the compressor may include at least one support structure extending from the crosshead guide to the central body, comprising an oblique support structure formed at an angle with respect to the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the crosshead. Other embodiments of compression systems, devices, and frames of such systems are also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a modular crankshaft features a connection system between modules that features opposed female receptacles. A pin having opposed beveled ends and hydraulic passages with it is inserted into the opposed receptacles. A pair of seals is disposed on the beveled ends and straddles a hydraulic fluid outlet. The crankshaft wall that defines each receptacle is designed to flex in response to applied hydraulic pressure between the seals on the tapered pin portion. A notch at the base of the receptacle in the crankshaft reduces stress concentration and enables the wall defining the crankshaft receptacle to come back when hydraulic pressure through the pin is removed. The opposed crankshaft receptacles are flanged to allow them to be pulled together over the pin. An interference fit results around the pin after the flanges are mated and the hydraulic pressure is removed.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor is provided. In one embodiment, the reciprocating compressor includes a frame having a central body and a crosshead guide extending from the central body. The compressor may also include a crosshead disposed within the crosshead guide and coupled to a crankshaft disposed within the central body of the frame. Additionally, the compressor may include at least one support structure extending from the crosshead guide to the central body, comprising an oblique support structure formed at an angle with respect to the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the crosshead. Other embodiments of compression systems, devices, and frames of such systems are also provided.

Abstract: A bearing damping system for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices, an evacuated energy storage system including such a bearing damping system for damping vibrations produced by the rotating shaft and conducting heat from bearings and/or bearing assemblies; and a method for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices. The bearing damping system includes one or more flexible bearing dampers in combination with one or more heat transferring rosettes. The heat transferring rosettes comprise a flexible thermally conductive member that transfers heat by conduction from the bearings, bearing assemblies and/or heat generating devices to a remote heat sink.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the flow through a compressor with a valve assembly comprising a rotating body having an outer surface. The rotating body is disposed within a valve cavity in the compressor. A non-contacting seal operates to limit the flow of fluid between the outer surface of the rotating body and the valve cavity. An aperture is disposed through the rotating body. A drive assembly rotates the rotating body such that the aperture intermittently allows fluid to bypass the non-contacting seal as the rotating body is rotated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assembling a piston assembly that comprises a piston comprising a head end flange and a crank end flange and a rod having a head end shoulder and a crank end shoulder. The head end shoulder of the rod contacts the head end flange of the piston and the crank end shoulder of the rod contacts the crank end flange of the piston. A nut engages the rod such that the head end flange of the piston is disposed between the nut and the head end shoulder of said rod. A collar engages the piston such that the crank end shoulder of the rod is disposed between the collar and the crank end flange of the piston.

Abstract: Featured is a heat transferring device being configured and arranged so that at least some of the heat energy being generated by a heat producing device, such as the a bearing assembly of a flywheel energy storage system, is communicated directly from the locus of the device directly to a heat sink structure remote from the locus of the device. The heat-transferring device includes one or more flexible thermally conductive members, one end of each being thermally coupled to the heat generating device and the other end of each being thermally coupled to the heat sink. The flexible member also is configured and arranged so as to allow relative motion between the heat generating device and the heat sink in or about one or more directions or axes. The heat-transferring device further includes first and second conductive members that are each configured and arranged to thermally couple each flexible member end to one of the heat producing device and the heat sink.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bearing damping system for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices, an evacuated energy storage system including such a bearing damping system for damping vibrations produced by the rotating shaft and conducting heat from bearings and/or bearing assemblies; and a method for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices. In one aspect of the present invention, the system includes one or more flexible bearing dampers in combination with one or more heat transferring rosettes. The flexible, e.g., elastomeric, bearing dampers minimize the rigid body critical velocity, which further minimizes the amplitude of the vibrations so that relatively high damping energy is required. The heat transferring rosettes comprises a flexible thermally conductive member that transfers heat by conduction from the bearings, bearing assemblies and/or heat generating devices to a remote heat sink.

Abstract: Featured is a heat transferring device being configured and arranged so that at least some of the heat energy being generated by a heat producing device, such as the a bearing assembly of a flywheel energy storage system, is communicated directly from the locus of the device directly to a heat sink structure remote from the locus of the device. The heat-transferring device includes one or more flexible thermally conductive members, one end of each being thermally coupled to the heat generating device and the other end of each being thermally coupled to the heat sink. The flexible member also is configured and arranged so as to allow relative motion between the heat generating device and the heat sink in or about one or more directions or axes. The heat-transferring device further includes first and second conductive members that are each configured and arranged to thermally couple each flexible member end to one of the heat producing device and the heat sink.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluid-free mesh bearing damper, e.g., for a flywheel energy storage device. The disclosed mesh bearing damper is uniquely suitable for use in combination with flywheel assemblies, which typically are evacuated by one or more pumps to create a vacuum to substantially minimize energy loss due to air friction, because, among others, the disclosed bearing damper does not use fluids, e.g., pressurized oil, that may affect deleteriously the operation of the pumps. Moreover, the disclosed bearing damper damps vibrations, i.e., reduces the amplitude of the vibrations, induced by the rotating shaft, deflection of the shaft, and/or by the misalignment, or eccentricity, of the shaft; substantially lowers the load on the bearings, which enhances the life of the bearings and facilitates magnetic levitation; and transfers heat away from the bearings, which, further, enhances the life of the bearings. The disclosed bearing damper comprises at least one, e.g.