Abstract: A gas turbine which is capable of operating in more than one pressure mode. The gas turbine, which may include a single fixed spool, multiple fixed spools, or a combination of fixed spool(s) and a free turbine, can operate in a positive pressure mode, a transatmospheric mode, or a subatmospheric mode. Valving is provided to control the particular pressure mode of operation in response to system requirements and to switch between pressure modes as required. The gas turbine is particularly useful with a catalytic combustor where the gas turbine can be started in a mode where the catalytic combustor, and its associated preheater, is at or below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A gas turbine which is capable of operating in more than one pressure mode. The gas turbine, which may include a single fixed spool, multiple fixed spools, or a combination of fixed spool(s) and a free turbine, can operate in a positive pressure mode, a transatmospheric mode, or a subatmospheric mode. Valving is provided to control the particular pressure mode of operation in response to system requirements and to switch between pressure modes as required.

Abstract: The liquid fuel injector includes continuous air assist with both the liquid fuel injector tube and the surrounding air assist tube constrained or reduced in diameter at the discharge ends thereof. The associated gas turbine engine compressor provides combustion air to the combustor and also air for continuous air assist with a separate air pump. The air assist air may be cooled in a heat exchanger either before or after the separate air pump. The liquid fuel injector may be mounted within an annular air blast tube and directed tangentially at the inner wall of the combustor. A solenoid valve controlled purge line, together with solenoid valves in the liquid fuel and air assist lines can be utilized to purge any liquid fuel in the liquid fuel injector and manifold upon shutdown of the combustor. The liquid fuel injector can also be insulated and liquid fuel can be used to cool the fuel injector.

Abstract: A command and control system and method for multiple turbogenerators in a grid parallel system includes a master controller to start, sequence, coordinate power commands, and provide fault handling to each of the individual turbogenerators and the specific control modes. A bi-directional power meter, that measures the load consumption (or production when a turbogenerator system is installed) in a building or application, may also be utilized. This power meter can provide a reference or setpoint to the master controller for controlling the individual turbogenerators.

Abstract: A compliant foil fluid film bearing having individual fluid film foils formed as arcuate segments by an inner circumferential slot, an outer circumferential slot and a transverse therebetween. The transverse slot may be radial, slightly displaced from radial or tapered with one radial edge.

Abstract: A compound shalt coupling having a flexible disk shaft, with two flexible disks or diaphragms, and a tie bolt shaft connecting two rigid or stiff shafts. One flexible disk diaphragm of the flexible disk shaft is coupled with an interference fit to the first stiff shaft, while the other flexible disk diaphragm of the flexible disk shaft is coupled with an interference fit to the tie bolt shaft which removably mounts the second stiff shaft. A quill shaft connects the two flexible disk diaphragms of the flexible disk shaft. The first stiff shaft can be a hollow sleeve with a magnet mounted therein and the second stiff shaft or power head shaft may include a compressor wheel, a bearing rotor, and a turbine wheel removably mounted on the tie bolt shaft.

Abstract: A turbogenerator/motor controller with a microprocessor-based control system having a synchronous condenser, line commutated inverter, and a battery coupled to the turbogenerator/motor controller. When a load transient occurs, the gas turbine engine and the synchronous condenser, which draws its power from the line commutated inverter and battery, provide the power required to successfully meet the transient until the gas turbine engine controls respond by commanding the gas turbine engine to a higher speed, producing more power out of the turbogenerator. In the event of a sudden reduction in load, an auxiliary load device temporarily draws load until the gas turbine engine controls can respond and reduce the output power of the turbogenerator.

Abstract: The liquid fuel injector includes continuous air assist with both the liquid fuel injector tube and the surrounding air assist tube constrained or reduced in diameter at the discharge ends thereof. The associated gas turbine engine compressor provides combustion air to the combustor and also air for continuous air assist with a separate air pump. The air assist air may be cooled in a heat exchanger either before or after the separate air pump. The liquid fuel injector may be mounted within an annular air blast tube and directed tangentially at the inner wall of the combustor. A solenoid valve controlled purge line, together with solenoid valves in the liquid fuel and air assist lines can be utilized to purge any liquid fuel in the liquid fuel injector and manifold upon shutdown of the combustor. The liquid fuel injector can also be insulated and liquid fuel can be used to cool the fuel injector.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel compression and control system is disclosed which utilizes a helical flow compressor/turbine integrated with a permanent magnet motor/generator and driven by a torque controlling inverter to compress or expand gaseous fuels, precisely control fuel pressure and flow, and precisely control the operations (speed, combustion temperature and output power) of a gaseous fuel fired turbogenerator.

Abstract: The liquid fuel injector includes continuous air assist with both the liquid fuel injector tube and the surrounding air assist tube constrained or reduced in diameter at the discharge ends thereof. The associated gas turbine engine compressor provides combustion air to the combustor and also air for continuous air assist with a separate air pump. The air assist air may be cooled in a heat exchanger either before or after the separate air pump. The liquid fuel injector may be mounted within an annular air blast tube and directed tangentially at the inner wall of the combustor.A solenoid valve controlled purge line, together with solenoid valves in the liquid fuel and air assist lines can be utilized to purge any liquid fuel in the liquid fuel injector and manifold upon shutdown of the combustor. The liquid fuel injector can also be insulated and liquid fuel can be used to cool the fuel injector.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine light-off system and method in which the gas turbine engine is operated at a fixed speed to provide a substantially constant supply of combustion air for light-off and the fuel flow is ramped up to achieve the correct fuel-to-air ratio for light-off.

Abstract: A permanent magnet generator having a winding split into two equal windings with each of the two windings connected to a separate three phase rectifier block of a pulse width modulated inverter The pulse width modulated inverter includes three (3) IGBT channels across the voltage bus with the neutral created between the separate three phase rectifier blocks.

Abstract: A compound shaft coupling having a flexible disk shaft, with two flexible disks or diaphragms, and a tie bolt shaft connecting two rigid or stiff shafts. One flexible disk diaphragm of the flexible disk shaft is coupled with an interference fit to the first stiff shaft, while the other flexible disk diaphragm of the flexible disk shaft is coupled with an interference fit to the tie bolt shaft which removably mounts the second stiff shaft. A quill shaft connects the two flexible disk diaphragms of the flexible disk shaft. The first stiff shaft can be a hollow sleeve with a magnet mounted therein and the second stiff shaft or power head shaft may include a compressor wheel, a bearing rotor, and a turbine wheel removably mounted on the tie bolt shaft.

Abstract: A turbogenerator/motor controller with a microprocessor based inverter having multiple modes of operation with an energy storage and discharge system including an ancillary electric storage device, such as a battery, connected to the generator controller through control electronics. Electrical energy can flow from the ancillary electric storage device to the turbogenerator controller during start up and increasing load and vice versa during self-sustained operation of the turbogenerator. When utility power is unavailable, the ancillary electric storage device can provide the power required to start the turbogenerator. When a load transient occurs, the gas turbine engine and the ancillary electric storage device provide the power required to successfully meet the transient.

Abstract: A turbogenerator/motor control system having a plurality of proportional integral control loops including a fuel command control loop and a current command control loop. The exhaust gas temperature of the gas turbine of the turbogenerator/motor is maintained at a constant value with stability is achieved by varying the sampling times of the different proportional integral controls within the control loops.

Abstract: A controller for a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor having a pulse width modulated inverter and a rectifier bridge. The pulse width modulated inverter includes a positive section magnetic winding and a separate equal negative section magnetic winding, and the inverter has a positive section connected to the positive section magnetic winding of the pulse width modulated inverter and a negative section connected to the separate negative section magnetic winding of the pulse width modulated inverter.

Abstract: A low emissions combustion system for a gas turbine engine, including a generally annular combustor with a plurality of tangential fuel injectors to introduce a fuel/air mixture. The annular combustor includes a skirt shaped flow control baffle from the inner liner and air dilution holes in the inner liner underneath the flow control baffle and also in the cylindrical outer liner. The fuel injectors extend through the recuperator housing and into the combustor through an angled tube and then through a tangential guide in the cylindrical outer liner of the combustor housing. The fuel injectors generally comprise an elongated injector tube with the outer end including a coupler having at least one fuel inlet tube. Compressed combustion air is provided to the interior of the elongated injector tube from either holes or slits therein which receive compressed air from the angled tube around the fuel injector which is open to the space between the recuperator housing and the combustor.

Abstract: The liquid fuel injector includes continuous air assist with both the liquid fuel injector tube and the surrounding air assist tube constrained or reduced in diameter at the discharge ends thereof The associated gas turbine engine compressor provides combustion air to the combustor and also air for continuous air assist with a separate air pump. The air assist air may be cooled in a heat exchanger either before or after the separate air pump. The liquid fuel injector may be mounted within an annular air blast tube and directed tangentially at the inner wall of the combustor. A solenoid valve controlled purge line, together with solenoid valves in the liquid fuel and air assist lines can be utilized to purge any liquid fuel in the liquid fuel injector and manifold upon shutdown of the combustor. The liquid fuel injector can also be insulated and liquid fuel can be used to cool the fuel injector.

Abstract: A compound shaft coupling having a flexible disk shaft, with two flexible disks or diaphragms, and a tie bolt shaft connecting two rigid or stiff shafts. One flexible disk diaphragm of the flexible disk shaft is coupled with an interference fit to the first stiff shaft, while the other flexible disk diaphragm of the flexible disk shaft is coupled with an interference fit to the tie bolt shaft which removably mounts the second stiff shaft. A quill shaft connects the two flexible disk diaphragms of the flexible disk shaft. The first stiff shaft can be a hollow sleeve with a magnet mounted therein and the second stiff shaft or power head shaft may include a compressor wheel, a bearing rotor, and a turbine wheel removably mounted on the tie bolt shaft.