Moisture Or Liquid Separated From Gaseous Working Fluid E.g., Condensate Removal, Etc.) Patents (Class 415/169.2)
  • Patent number: 11396887
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump with a rotating impeller and a rotating diffuser. The diffuser may be rotated with a controlled speed to broaden the operational range of the pump. Such control may be done independently of the rotational speed of the impeller to tailor pump operation to a particular NPSH, efficiency, fluid flow or related requirement. In one preferred form, the impeller and diffuser are made to counter-rotate relative to one another, while the independent rotational speed of each may be provided by one or more motors, as well as a variable-speed transmission coupled to such motor or motors. Such a pump is optimized for specific speed operating ranges beneath those associated with axial flow pump configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Andreas Dreiss, Rehan Farooqi, Stefano Tosin, Jens Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 11204043
    Abstract: A centrifugal fan includes a water outlet connecting an interior and an exterior of a housing at a position closer to a radially inner side than an impeller such that liquid at a bottom of the housing is able to be discharged quickly, and accumulation of the liquid is avoided, to ensure normal operation of the centrifugal fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhaowu Gu, Atsushi Michishita
  • Patent number: 10989273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power unit, in particular for a hybrid vehicle, comprising a two-cylinder reciprocating piston engine comprising two pistons guided in two cylinders in tandem arrangement, and two counter-rotating crankshafts connected to the pistons by connecting rods, a generator which is rotatable in the same direction as the first crankshaft and in the opposite direction to the second crankshaft, and a balancer shaft which is rotatable in the same direction as the second crankshaft and in the opposite direction to the first crankshaft. The generator is operatively connected directly to the first crankshaft by a first traction mechanism and the balancer shaft is operatively connected directly to the second crankshaft by a second traction mechanism. The balancer shaft and/or the second crankshaft support(s) a flywheel mass element. The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a hybrid vehicle, having such a power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OBRIST TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Obrist, Tsuneo Konno, Oliver Obrist
  • Patent number: 10851803
    Abstract: A multi-stage centrifugal compressor includes: a rotor including a plurality of impellers disposed in a plurality of stages in an axial direction; a plurality of diaphragms each including a guide flow path that guides a fluid discharged radially outward from one of the impellers to an adjacent impeller on the following stage, and a communication hole extended from a bottom portion of the guide flow path; a casing that accommodates the plurality of diaphragms therein; and an axial flow path that connects the plurality of communication holes to each other. The casing includes a drain flow path disposed only between the communication hole that is the closest to a suction nozzle and the communication hole that is the closest to an ejection nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirofumi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 10738789
    Abstract: A turbomachine has a casing where liquid may accumulate; at least one liquid level detector is located inside the casing for automatically detecting liquid accumulated inside the casing during operation of the turbomachine; the liquid level detector may be arranged for detecting one or two or three or four liquid levels inside the casing; the liquid level detector is typically connected to an electronic unit at least for automatically signaling the liquid level. The electronic unit controls at least one valve for automatically discharging the accumulated liquid from the casing; in this way, the status of the turbomachine is not only monitored but also managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE SRL
    Inventors: Giacomo Ragni, Francesco Bongini, Manuele Bigi, Paolo Trallori, Massimiliano Ortiz Neri
  • Patent number: 10697329
    Abstract: A drainage system for a stage of a turbine. The drainage system may include at least one annular recess defined in the inner surface of the casing of the turbine and configured to accumulate liquid therein. An axial slot and a radial slot may be formed in a diaphragm of the turbine, the axial slot extending between the upstream and downstream faces of the diaphragm. The drainage system may further include a tubular member including an axially extending tubular portion disposed in the axial slot and a radially extending tubular portion disposed in the radial slot. The radially extending tubular portion may be sized and configured to fluidly couple the at least one annular recess and the axially extending tubular portion, such that liquid in the at least one annular recess may be drained therefrom and discharged from the stage of the turbine via the axially extending tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Randall W. Moll, Daniel Flurschutz, George M. Lucas
  • Patent number: 10648367
    Abstract: A steam turbine drain structure includes a drain pocket for collecting drain water generated in a steam turbine, and a drain hole communicating with the lower side of the drain pocket. The steam turbine drain structure further includes a drain pan arranged below the exit of the drain hole and configured to collect drain water discharged from the drain hole, and a connection pipe one end of which is connected to the bottom portion of the drain pan and the other end of which is connectable to piping laid outside the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Shiga, Naoto Kubo
  • Patent number: 10072889
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a liquefaction system. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for condensing a pressurized gaseous working fluid, such as natural gas, using at least one turboexpander in combination with other cooling devices and techniques. In one embodiment, a turboexpander may be used in combination with a heat exchanger using vapor compression refrigeration to condense natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vitali Victor Lissianski, Douglas Carl Hofer, Roger Allen Shisler, Nikolett Sipoecz, Xianyun Bi
  • Patent number: 9920628
    Abstract: A steam turbine with a resonance chamber in the outer annulus opposite a rotating blade row. The resonance chamber provides passive resonance to place the excitation at a frequency away from the natural frequency of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Timothy Stephen Rice
  • Patent number: 9822665
    Abstract: A core for a fan containment includes an intermediate core segment and a plenum for fluid passage defined through the intermediate core segment. The intermediate core segment has an axial inlet side, an axial outlet side opposed to the axial inlet side, a radially inner side, and a radially outer side opposed to the radially inner side. The radially outer side is configured to be operatively connected to a cylindrical outer case and the radially inner side is configured to be operatively connected to at least one arcuate panel to form a liner assembly. The plenum extends through the intermediate core segment proximate the radially outer side for fluid passage between the axial inlet side and the axial outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Steven Clarkson
  • Patent number: 9719526
    Abstract: A vertical gas cooler suitable for use as an intercooler in a multi-stage compressor includes an inlet at its upper portion, a tube bundle, a centrally disposed mist eliminator assembly and a side-draw outlet. Optionally provided is a drain pipe from the mist eliminator assembly to a sump located below the side-draw outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: OXEA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chessley Alan Hungerford, Mark Henry Sprow
  • Patent number: 9162410
    Abstract: A method and device for compressing a gas-phase medium, particularly hydrogen or natural gas, wherein the medium may have a water content up to total saturation with water and wherein the medium is compressed in a single or multiple stages in at least one liquid-filled chamber. The liquid(s) that is/are used are an ionic liquid that is not susceptible to attack by the water contained in the medium to be compressed and/or a liquid with low vapor pressure that is not susceptible to attack by the water contained in the medium to be compressed, and the compressed medium undergoes a water separation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Adler, Sascha Dorner, Georg Siebert, Martin Stehrlein
  • Publication number: 20150125314
    Abstract: A vertical gas cooler suitable for use as an intercooler in a multi-stage compressor includes an inlet at its upper portion, a tube bundle, a centrally disposed mist eliminator assembly and a side-draw outlet. Optionally provided is a drain pipe from the mist eliminator assembly to a sump located below the side-draw outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Chessley Alan Hungerford, Mark Henry Sprow
  • Publication number: 20150104290
    Abstract: A fluid processing device may include a rotatable shaft, a driver configured to drive the rotatable shaft, a separator installed on the rotatable shaft, and a supersonic compressor fluidly communicating with the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Bradford W. Dickson, Harry Allan Kidd
  • Patent number: 8967954
    Abstract: A radial turbomachine includes a radial diffuser channel with a diaphragm, a deflecting channel connecting to the radial diffuser channel downstream thereof, and a return flow channel connecting to the deflecting channel downstream thereof. The main flow direction of the radial diffuser channel runs radially from inside to outside. The main flow direction of the deflecting channel is deflected from radially outward to radially inward. The main flow direction of the return channel runs radially from outside to inside. The diaphragm comprises first, second and third outer surface sections. The first outer surface section has a convex shape for delimiting the deflecting channel. At least one consumption-gas removal channel is provided in the diaphragm so that, if the main flow in the deflecting channel comprises solid or liquid particles, a consumption gas can be discharged therefrom through the consumption-gas removal channel as low-particulate gas of a main flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Jonen, Peter Robens
  • Patent number: 8961102
    Abstract: A system and method for sealing a shaft disposed for rotation within a casing, where two axially-spaced seal rings of an oil film seal extend around the shaft and define a clearance therebetween. Oil is pumped into the clearance from an oil reservoir and a portion of the oil is received in an annular port defined in the casing between an outer labyrinth seal and one of the axially-spaced seal rings. The oil mixes with a process gas to for an oil and gas mixture. A blower is in fluid communication with the annular port and circulates the oil and gas mixture to a trap where the oil is separated from the process gas and a separated process gas is returned back to the annular port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Philippe Auber
  • Publication number: 20150037144
    Abstract: A steam turbine stationary blade is configured to be a stationary blade structure having a hollow structure. The steam turbine stationary blade is provided with a slit disposed on a stationary blade surface. The pressure of a stationary blade hollow is reduced to suction a liquid film through the slit for removing the liquid film formed on the stationary blade surface. An opening portion of the slit is covered with a sheet in a meshed pattern formed of a fine mesh thereby reducing an accompanied steam amount so as to effectively remove the liquid film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Susumu NAKANO, Koji ISHIBASHI, Kenjiro NARITA, Takeshi KUDO
  • Patent number: 8944746
    Abstract: A turboexpander-compressor system includes an expander configured to expand an incoming gas, a first set of moveable inlet guide vanes configured to control a pressure of the incoming gas, a compressor configured to compress a gas received from the expander, a shaft configured to support and rotate an expander impeller and a compressor impeller, a second set of moveable inlet guide vanes attached to the compressor and configured to control a pressure of the gas input into the compressor, and a controller configured to acquire information about a rotating speed of the shaft, a pressure and a temperature of the incoming gas, a pressure and a temperature of the gas output from the expander, and to control the second set of moveable inlet guide vanes to maximize a ratio between the rotating speed of the shaft and a drop of an enthalpy across the expander, in off-design conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gabriele Mariotti, Alberto Scotti Del Greco, Stefano Ghiraldo
  • Publication number: 20150017034
    Abstract: A pump assembly has at least one electronics receiving space (54; 54; 54?). The electronics receiving space (54; 54; 54?) includes at least one defined ventilation opening (40; 40; 40?). The ventilation opening (40; 40; 40?), at an outer side of the electronics receiving space (54; 54; 54?), runs out into an air duct (41; 41; 46; 46; 48, 48?) which is led along at least one condensation surface (60; 60; 60?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: John B. Jacobsen, Jens Peter Krog
  • Publication number: 20140321975
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind power station (1) for energy generation with an axial-flow, rotating, vortex-generating wind concentrator (2) pivot-mounted on a shaft (3), covered by a ring-shaped outer jacket (4) which on its outside features flow channels distributed over 360° and which is equipped concentrator blades (7) in a circular arrangement between the shaft (3) and the ring-shaped outer jacket (4). To create favourable conditions, it is proposed to include sawtooth-shaped, curved edge-vortex-generating guide profiles (5) producing a downstream vortex coil across the entire cross-section of the ring-shaped outer jacket (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Gudrun WIESER
  • Patent number: 8845281
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor comprises at least one stage suited to separate a liquid phase and a gas phase with the aid of at least one of a hydrophobic, super-hydrophobic, hydrophilic or super-hydrophilic surface layer, wherein the hydrophobic and/or super-hydrophobic surface layer is disposed on at least one of an inlet guide vane, impeller, return channel straight hub, or exiting hub bend; and the hydrophilic and/or super-hydrophilic surface is disposed on at least one of the impeller casing, diffuser casing, exiting casing bend, return channel straight hub, exiting hub bend, collection point, or drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ciro Cerretelli, Kripa Kiran Varanasi, Michael Bernhard Schmitz, Emad Ahmad Obaid Gharaibah, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8814990
    Abstract: A device for separating liquid from gas in a well flow when compressing the well flow comprises a liquid separator having an inlet for the well flow, an outlet for gas and an outlet for liquid. According to the invention separated liquid from the liquid separator is fine-divided in connection with the liquid outlet, and fine-divided liquid is supplied into the gas outlet at a mixing point downstream the liquid separator and upstream a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Aker Subesa AS
    Inventors: Kjeli Olav Stinessen, Geir Inge Olsen
  • Patent number: 8740546
    Abstract: A guide vane of a condensation turbine steam turbine is provided, wherein the guide vane includes a heating resistor. The guide vane includes fiber composite material at least in some regions. The heating resistor may be embodied as a heating wire or as a heating film. A condensation steam turbine having a guide vane as described above is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Ebert, Albert Langkamp, Markus Mantei
  • Patent number: 8714917
    Abstract: A pump having anti-airlock provisions. The pump is comprised of a volute comprised of a volute wall, and an impeller comprising back vanes on a side of the impeller that is proximate to the volute wall, with the back vanes having a length extending radially outwardly along the impeller. A bleed hole is formed in the volute wall in communication with the portion of the volute between the back vanes and the volute wall, and the exterior of the volute, such that the bleed hole is located midway along the length of the back vanes. When the pump is operating with air, liquid, or a combination of air and liquid in the volute, the bleed hole is under positive pressure with respect to the exterior of the volute. The bleed hole may be in communication with the exterior of the volute through a lateral tunnel formed in the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Liberty Pumps Inc.
    Inventors: Donald M. Pohler, Matthew S. Heinsler
  • Patent number: 8690519
    Abstract: The present application provides for a wet gas compressor system. The wet gas compressor system may include a wet gas compressor with an inlet section. A variable cross-section nozzle may be positioned about the inlet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christian Aalburg, Alexander Simpson, Vittorio Michelassi, Ismail Sezal
  • Patent number: 8657569
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a nacelle and a breather duct. The breather duct provides communication between a component of the engine within the nacelle and the exterior of the nacelle and opens at an exhaust port on the external surface of the nacelle. There is at least one clean air outlet bounding the exhaust port and arranged to expel, in use, a vortical flow of clean air to form an aerodynamic barrier between the external surface of the nacelle and a flow of breather air expelled from the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. J. Sheaf, Zahid M. Hussain
  • Patent number: 8613591
    Abstract: A fan case for a gas turbine engine is provided to prevent water from pooling and freezing inside the fan case when the gas turbine is not in operation, and potentially prevent the engine from starting and/or cause engine damage. The fan case is therefore adapted to provide a drainage system allowing water to freely escape the fan case without compromising the structural integrity of the fan case. The fan case comprises: a hollow body; an abradable liner disposed inside the hollow body; a flange on the hollow body defining a surface for mating to a forward part of the engine; and, a first radial slot extending across the mating surface of the hollow body. The abradable liner has an inside surface for circumscribing the fan blades wherein the first radial slot is in a free-draining relation with the inside surface of the abradable liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Barry Barnett
  • Patent number: 8568090
    Abstract: A system for removing moisture from a steam/water mixture engaging a stationary component of a steam turbine. The system includes an airfoil located within a flow path of a steam turbine. The airfoil is configured for removing moisture from a steam/water mixture traveling in the flow path. To this end, the airfoil includes a cavity in flow communication with the steam path through at least one inlet and outlet opening, near the leading and trailing edge of the airfoil, respectively. Moisture and steam are extracted from the surface through the inlet openings, the steam and water are separated in the cavity, the separated water flows towards the bottom end, and the dry steam flows through the outlet opening and returns to the steam path. The dry steam blowing out of the trailing edge reduces the size of secondary droplets, and thereby prevents erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tao Guo, Jonathon E. Slepski, Kenneth M. Koza
  • Publication number: 20130243565
    Abstract: A steam turbine includes an inner casing that at least partially defines the steam flow path, a passage for extending through the inner casing to at least partially define a moisture flow path out of the steam flow path, and a seal operably connected to the passage. The seal has a first position associated with a first set of operating conditions within the steam flow path and a second position associated with a second set of operating conditions within the steam flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter John Murphy
  • Publication number: 20130121812
    Abstract: The present application provides a wet gas compression system for a wet gas flow having a number of liquid droplets therein. The wet gas compression system may include a pipe, a compressor in communication with the pipe, and a thermoacoustic resonator in communication with the pipe so as to break up the liquid droplets in the wet gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christian Vogel, Vittorio Michelassi, Renè de Nazelle
  • Patent number: 8408869
    Abstract: A pedestal for a fan assembly includes a telescopic duct for conveying an air flow to an outlet of the fan assembly. The duct includes an outer tubular member having a first stop member, an inner tubular member located at least partially within and slidable relative to the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member having a second stop member for engaging the first stop member to inhibit withdrawal of the inner tubular member from the outer tubular member, and a mainspring rotatably mounted on the second stop member, the mainspring having a free end retained by the first stop member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Blair Hugh Hutton, Adriano Niro, Alexander Stuart Knox, Ian John Brough
  • Patent number: 8277176
    Abstract: A turbomachine exhaust case having an annular groove perforated with an orifice in which there is mounted a drain, which is formed by a tubular cylindrical body, for discharging liquids retained in this groove is disclosed. The drain includes a skirt, formed at one end of the cylindrical body, for fastening the drain by crimping in the orifice in the groove of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Nicolas Pommier, Christian Rene Schnell
  • Patent number: 8262347
    Abstract: A fluid catchment system for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine has a nacelle mounted to a tower. The fluid catchment system includes at least one fluid accumulator in fluid communication with the interior of the nacelle and configured to receive fluid exiting from the nacelle. The fluid accumulator is configured to be positioned at least partially beneath the nacelle and to be attached to at least one of the tower and the nacelle. An oil absorbent material may be retained by the fluid accumulator. A fluid collector may be provided to collect fluid from the fluid accumulator. A fluid catchment system having a fluid accumulator located on a wind turbine blade is also provided. Further, a wind turbine including a fluid catchment system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Frontier Pro Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Wallace, Mark Dawson
  • Publication number: 20120204568
    Abstract: The present application provides a turbine inlet air system. The turbine inlet air system may include a small droplet coalescer, a moisture eliminator positioned about the small droplet coalescer, and a filter downstream of the small droplet coalescer and the moisture eliminator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Etienne Rene Jarrier
  • Publication number: 20120201660
    Abstract: The present application provides for a wet gas compressor system. The wet gas compressor system may include a wet gas compressor with an inlet section. A variable cross-section nozzle may be positioned about the inlet section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christian Aalburg, Alexander Simpson, Vittorio Michelassi, Ismail Sezal
  • Publication number: 20120195740
    Abstract: A drain discharge equipment of a compressor having a separator for separating drain discharged from the compressor to compressed air and liquid drain, which is disposed on some part of a drain capture pipe connected between stages and/or to an outlet of the compressor to compress air with a liquid sprayed, and discharging the liquid drain separated by the separator to outside the compressor through a discharge pipe system, characterized in that the separator is provided with a device for intermittently discharging the liquid drain separated by the separator to the discharge pipe system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro KARISHUKU
  • Publication number: 20120077104
    Abstract: An air compressor as a fluid compressor includes: a suction port and a delivery port provided at upper and lower portions, respectively, of a pump chamber; a suction passage in communication with the inside of the pump chamber via the suction port; a delivery passage in communication with the inside of the pump chamber via the delivery port (88); and a driving rotor and a driven rotor provided in the pump chamber. At least a part of the suction passage is located below the suction port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Katano, Daisuke Masaki
  • Patent number: 8105022
    Abstract: A vane configuration for a steam dryer according to an example embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of primary vanes arranged in a radial pattern around (and spaced apart from) a center line. Each of the plurality of primary vanes may be a primary corrugated sheet having alternating primary ridges and primary furrows. As a result, adjacent primary vanes may define a winding flow path, the flow path having an entrance and an exit relative to the center line. The cross-sectional area of the flow path may decrease, increase, or remain constant from the entrance to the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Khaled M. Ewida, Michael S. Defilippis, James P. Carneal
  • Patent number: 8079805
    Abstract: A separator is for a turbomachine, preferably a compressor including a casing, a primary compressor shaft with an impeller disposed within the casing, and a drive shaft connectable with the compressor shaft. The separator includes a coupler having a central axis and being configured to connect the drive shaft with the compressor shaft such that the rotation of the driver shaft rotates the coupler and connected compressor shaft. A separation surface extends circumferentially about the axis so as to at least partially define a flow passage for a fluid stream, the separation surface being disposed either generally within or generally about the coupler. The separation surface is connected with the coupler such that rotation of at least one of the two shafts rotates the separation surface generally about the axis so that liquid within the fluid stream contacting the separation surface is separated from the fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8079808
    Abstract: A compressor assembly has a fluid inlet positioned to facilitate the passage of a fluid. The compressor assembly includes a compressor housing defining a compressor inlet and an impeller rotatably supported at least partially within the compressor housing. The impeller includes an inducer portion. A fluid treatment member is disposed adjacent the compressor housing and between the compressor inlet and the inducer portion and an inlet vane assembly I disposed adjacent the compressor inlet and includes a plurality of vanes. Each of the vanes is movable between a first position and a second position to control the quantity of fluid that passes to the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Renato A. Sconfietti
  • Patent number: 8075245
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an exemplary method for operating a compressor system, wherein the method may include cooling a process gas containing water vapor to a first temperature. The water vapor may form a condensate at the first temperature, and cooling the process gas may produce residual heat. At least a portion of the condensate is removed from the process gas, wherein any portion of the condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The remaining condensate may be heated to a second temperature with the residual heat, wherein the remaining condensate in the process gas evaporates at the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, David C. Seib
  • Publication number: 20110138768
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Sam D. Draper, Douglas S. Byrd, Carl G. Schott, Rahul J. Chillar, Amit S. Toprani
  • Publication number: 20110131981
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Sam D. Draper, Douglas S. Byrd, Carl G. Schott, Rahul J. Chillar, Amit S. Toprani
  • Patent number: 7934903
    Abstract: Fluid release apparatus (26) for the release of fluid from the interior of a rotating and/or pressurized body (16;18;102;104), the apparatus comprising a core member (28) having a chamber wall (44) disposed thereabout so as to define an open chamber (30) about said core member. The apparatus further comprises a chamber closure (48) mounted about said core member (28), said closure being resiliently deformable between an at rest state in which the closure contacts the chamber wall (44) and an actuated state in which the closure is spaced there-from, wherein the chamber has an aperture (32;35;55) for receiving liquid phase fluid from the interior of said rotating body. Upon build up of sufficient liquid in said chamber (30) the closure (48) moves to said actuated state so as to release liquid from the interior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Christopher J. Durling
  • Patent number: 7921646
    Abstract: A turbocharger is disclosed that includes a compressor, a turbine connected to the compressor by a mechanical shaft, and a fluidic drain valve in flow communication with an air bleed port of the compressor and an exhaust plenum to drain water accumulated inside the turbocharger such that water accumulated in the exhaust plenum is drained during shutdown when no air from the bleed port flows through the fluidic drain valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Anthony Holmes Furman, Peter Galie, Lukas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100329853
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a moisture removal system for a steam turbine including at least one perforated ring in an outer casing enclosing a stage of the steam turbine. The ring is configured to allow moisture to pass therethrough out of a steam path of the steam turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tao Guo, Xiaoyue Liu, Jonathon Edward Slepski
  • Publication number: 20100290896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressor unit, in particular, for submarine application, comprising an electric motor. The transported medium for compression, in particular, natural gas for transport, not only frequently contains various aggressive chemical compounds but is also carrier of various condensates which hinder compression and in particular lead to increased wear of the compressor. On assembly aggressive sea water can also enter the compressor unit. The invention provides a solution to the above, wherein the rotation axis is arranged vertically during operation and the housing comprises a drain at the lower axial end. The invention further relates to an assembly method for a compressor unit, in which the compressor unit is filed above water with an incompressible fluid, transported to a submarine operating position, connectors are connected to the inlet and the outlet and the fluid removed from the compressor unit through the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Gerrit Lenderink, Theo Nijhuis
  • Publication number: 20100221095
    Abstract: A steam turbine is disclosed which includes a casing containing a plurality of expansion stages, each including stator and rotor airfoils. Downstream of the stator airfoils of one or more expansion stages, the casing includes a slot arranged to receive moisture that concentrates on an end wall of the stator airfoils and discharge it to the outside. Each end wall has a side portion facing the slot having a variable radial obstruction in a tangential direction, in order to define with the slot a passage through which the moisture may pass that is smaller or closed at the suction side and larger at the pressure side of the stator blades, to at least partially prevent the dry steam from entering the slot at the suction side of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Sergey KOSTYUCHENKO, Benjamin Megerle, Thomas Mokulys, Said Havakechian
  • Patent number: 7785069
    Abstract: The ventilation unit has an electric motor, the output shaft of which is fitted with a fan having a cup-shaped central body and a number of blades. The central body is defined by a base wall, and by an annular wall from whose outer face the blades extend. And the main characteristic of the present inventive subject matter lies in through windows being formed in the annular wall of the central body to channel out, in use, any condensate formed inside the central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Spal Automotive S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alessandro Spaggiari
  • Patent number: 7731480
    Abstract: A power turbine is provided in the form of a set of plates that cooperate to form a housing, with a set of spaced apart disks mounted on a shaft within the housing. Some of the plates and disks cooperate to allow gas or steam to be injected to provide a driving force on the shaft, while others of the disks and plates cooperate to form one or more integral pumps. The pumps are used to pull cooling liquid or water into the housing, and to cool the driving disks. In this way, the steam that drives the disks is condensed while still in the housing, with a water level maintained on the driving disks. In operation, the steam directly acts on the disks toward the outer circumference of the disks, but more toward the center of the disk, the steam transfers its energy to the water, and the water transfers the energy to the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Benjamin J Cooper