Abstract: A fluid movement system that includes an impeller having a blade with a leading edge blade tip angle determined as a function of an increase in mass flow rate due to reinjection of flow from a flow stability device located proximate to the leading edge tip of the blade. In an exemplary method, the leading edge blade tip angle can be determined based on selecting a blade incidence level based on a mass flow gain versus flow coefficient curve. Blade leading edge tip angles determined in accordance with a method of the present invention are typically greater than blade leading edge tip angles determined using traditional methods. The greater blade leading edge tip angles can lead to more robust blades designs.

Abstract: A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.

Abstract: A turbocompressor for use with a process fluid and including an axial expansion turbine for expanding the process fluid and a centrifugal compressor for compressing the process fluid. The turbine and compressor share a common shaft, all of which can be housed by a common housing that encloses sealed spaces. The axial expansion turbine has a rotor located between two main bearings, and the centrifugal compressor includes an impeller mounted to one end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the main bearings are lubricated by a portion of the process fluid so that the only fluid in the sealed spaces is the process fluid. The turbocompressor can be used in a power-cycle system that includes a heat source and, optionally, an electrical generator.

Abstract: An axial-flow turbine assembly that includes one or more features for enhancing the efficiency of the turbine's operation. In one embodiment, the turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor having blades that adjust their pitch angle in direct response to working fluid pressure on the blades themselves or other part(s) of the rotor. In other embodiments, the turbine assembly is deployable in an application, such as an oscillating water column system, in which the flow of working fluid varies over time, for example, as pressure driving the flow changes. In a first of these embodiments, the turbine assembly includes a valve that allows the pressure to build so that the flow is optimized for the turbine's operating parameters. In a second of these embodiments, one or more variable-admission nozzle and shutter assemblies are provided to control the flow through the turbine to optimize the flow relative to the turbine's operating parameters.

Abstract: Turbomachines having close-coupling flow guides (CCFGs) that are designed and configured to closely-couple flow fields of adjacent bladed elements. In some embodiments, the CCFGs may be located in regions extending between the adjacent bladed elements, described herein as coupling avoidance zones, where conventional turbomachine design would suggest no structure should be added. In yet other embodiments, CCFGs are located upstream and/or downstream of rows of blades coupled to the bladed elements, including overlapping one of more of the rows of blades, to improve flow coupling and machine performance. Methods of designing turbomachines to incorporate CCFGs are also provided.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flow meter (EMFM) accurately measures both the complete flow rate and the dynamically fluctuating flow rate of a fluid by applying a unipolar DC voltage to excitation coils for a predetermined period of time, measuring the electric potential at a pair of electrodes, determining a complete flow rate and independently measuring the dynamic flow rate during the “on” cycle of the DC excitation, and correcting the measurements for errors resulting from galvanic drift and other effects on the electric potential. The EMFM can also correct for effects from the excitation circuit induced during operation of the EMFM.

Abstract: Integrated gas turbine combustion engine and ion transport membrane system comprising a gas turbine combustion engine including a compressor with a compressed oxygen-containing gas outlet; a combustor comprising an outer shell, a combustion zone in flow communication with the compressed oxygen-containing gas outlet, and a dilution zone in flow communication with the combustion zone and having one or more dilution gas inlets; and a gas expander. The system includes an ion transport membrane oxygen recovery system with an ion transport membrane module that includes a feed zone, a permeate zone, a feed inlet to the feed zone in flow communication with the compressed oxygen-containing gas outlet of the compressor, a feed zone outlet, and a permeate withdrawal outlet from the permeate zone. The feed zone outlet of the membrane module is in flow communication with any of the one or more dilution gas inlets of the combustor dilution zone.

Abstract: Turbomachines having close-coupling flow guides (CCFGs) that are designed and configured to closely-couple flow fields of adjacent bladed elements. In some embodiments, the CCFGs may be located in regions extending between the adjacent bladed elements, described herein as coupling avoidance zones, where conventional turbomachine design would suggest no structure should be added. In yet other embodiments, CCFGs are located upstream and/or downstream of rows of blades coupled to the bladed elements, including overlapping one of more of the rows of blades, to improve flow coupling and machine performance. Methods of designing turbomachines to incorporate CCFGs are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for designing and manufacturing flank millable components. In one embodiment, devices, systems, and methods for designing a flank millable component are provided, in which a user is notified when a component geometry option is selected that will result in the component not being flank millable. In another embodiment, the user is prevented from selecting a geometry option that would result in the component not being flank millable. In yet another embodiment, devices, systems, and methods are provided for manufacturing a component with a flank milling process, in which optimized machine instructions are determined that minimize milling machine motion.

Abstract: A turbine that allows for the conversion of the kinetic energy of waterway to mechanical power for use in an energy accepting apparatus is described. The turbine has complimentary components that improve the power efficiency of the turbine. The turbine may include a blade shroud and a plurality of blades that are connected to the blade shroud. On the external surface of the blade shroud, a drive mechanism and/or a brake mechanism may be disposed. An inlet nozzle and outlet diffuser may be used in combination with the turbine. The turbine may be useful in a number of settings, including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, dams, ocean currents, or tidal areas that have continuous or semi-continuous water flow rates and windy environments.

Abstract: A turbomachine that includes a radial-flow impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the performance of machinery in which the turbomachine is used. For example, when the turbomachine is used in a dynamometer, the features enhance the useful shaft horsepower range of the dynamometer. One of the features is a variable-restriction intake that allows for adjusting flow rate to the impeller. Other features include a unique impeller shroud and a shroud guide each movable relative to the impeller. Yet another feature is an exhaust diffuser that facilitates an increase in the range of shaft power and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The turbomachine can also include a unique impeller blade configuration that cooperates with the adjustable intake and the exhaust diffuser to enhance flow through the turbomachine.

Abstract: An axial-flow turbine assembly that includes one or more features for enhancing the efficiency of the turbine's operation. In one embodiment, the turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor having blades that adjust their pitch angle in direct response to working fluid pressure on the blades themselves or other part(s) of the rotor. In other embodiments, the turbine assembly is deployable in an application, such as an oscillating water column system, in which the flow of working fluid varies over time, for example, as pressure driving the flow changes. In a first of these embodiments, the turbine assembly includes a valve that allows the pressure to build so that the flow is optimized for the turbine's operating parameters. In a second of these embodiments, one or more variable-admission nozzle and shutter assemblies are provided to control the flow through the turbine to optimize the flow relative to the turbine's operating parameters.

Abstract: A fluid movement system that includes an impeller having a blade with a leading edge blade tip angle determined as a function of an increase in mass flow rate due to reinjection of flow from a flow stability device located proximate to the leading edge tip of the blade. In an exemplary method, the leading edge blade tip angle can be determined based on selecting a blade incidence level based on a mass flow gain versus flow coefficient curve. Blade leading edge tip angles determined in accordance with a method of the present invention are typically greater than blade leading edge tip angles determined using traditional methods. The greater blade leading edge tip angles can lead to more robust blades designs.

Abstract: A turbomachine that includes a radial-flow impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the performance of machinery in which the turbomachine is used. For example, when the turbomachine is used in a dynamometer, the features enhance the useful shaft horsepower range of the dynamometer. One of the features is a variable-restriction intake that allows for adjusting flow rate to the impeller. Other features include a unique impeller shroud and a shroud guide each movable relative to the impeller. Yet another feature is an exhaust diffuser that facilitates an increase in the range of shaft power and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The turbomachine can also include a unique impeller blade configuration that cooperates with the adjustable intake and the exhaust diffuser to enhance flow through the turbomachine.

Abstract: A refrigeration system that includes at least one semi-closed air-refrigerated chamber and an air-cycle refrigeration loop for drawing air from the refrigerated chamber(s), cools the air, and returns the now-cooled air to the refrigerated chamber(s). The refrigeration loop includes various compression, expansion and heat transfer stages for cooling the air drawn from the refrigerated chamber(s). The air within the refrigerated chamber and air infiltrating into the refrigerated chamber(s) will typically contain moisture. A positive-pressure cyclone separator located between a final expansion stage and the refrigerated chamber(s) removes snow created in the final expansion stage due to moisture in the air drawn from the refrigerated chamber(s).

Abstract: A turbocompressor for use with a process fluid and including an axial expansion turbine for expanding the process fluid and a centrifugal compressor for compressing the process fluid. The turbine and compressor share a common shaft, all of which can be housed by a common housing that encloses sealed spaces. The axial expansion turbine has a rotor located between two main bearings, and the centrifugal compressor includes an impeller mounted to one end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the main bearings are lubricated by a portion of the process fluid so that the only fluid in the sealed spaces is the process fluid. The turbocompressor can be used in a power-cycle system that includes a heat source and, optionally, an electrical generator.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating a computation mesh for use with an analytical tool, the computation mesh having a plurality of ?-grid lines and ?-grid lines intersecting at mesh points positioned with respect to an inner boundary and an outer boundary. The system and method includes receiving information corresponding to a shape to be analyzed, ?-grid line mesh parameter value corresponding to a desired number of ?-grid lines for the computation mesh, and an ?-grid line mesh parameter value corresponding to a desired number of ?-grid lines for the computation mesh, and generating the computation mesh from one or more mesh equations without the need for receiving additional information from a user. In one example, the solving of the one or more mesh equations includes an outer boundary distance parameter that is a function of an inner boundary distance parameter and one of a natural log of the ?-grid line mesh parameter value and a square root of the ?-grid line mesh parameter value.

Abstract: A fluid-type absorption dynamometer that includes a rotary impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the shaft-horsepower range for which the dynamometer can be used. One of these features is a variable restriction intake that allows a user to adjust the flow of fluid to the impeller. Other features are a unique impeller shroud and shroud guide that are each movable relative to the impeller to allow a user to adjust flow characteristics at the exhaust and blade regions of the impeller. Yet another feature is a set of exhaust baffles that facilitate an increase in the range of shaft power ratings of the device and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The dynamometer also includes impeller blades having a unique configuration.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas compression systems that each include a multistage centrifugal compressor in which each stage has an inlet-to-outlet pressure rise ratio of about 1.20 or greater. In one embodiment, the multistage compressor includes six high-speed centrifugal compressors driven at a speed of about 60,000 rpm. The compressor has an output of more than 200,000 kg/day at a pressure of more than 1,000 psig. The compressors for the compression stages are distributed on both sides of a common gear-box, which has gearing that allows axial thrusts from the compressors to be handled effectively. Each stage's compressor has a unique impeller, which is secured to a support shaft using a tension-rod-based attachment system. In another embodiment, the multistage compressor is driven by a combustion turbine and one or more intercoolers are provided between compression stages. Each intercooler is cooled by coolant from an absorption chiller utilizing exhaust gas from the combustion turbine.

Abstract: Integrated gas turbine combustion engine and ion transport membrane system comprising a gas turbine combustion engine including a compressor with a compressed oxygen-containing gas outlet; a combustor comprising an outer shell, a combustion zone in flow communication with the compressed oxygen-containing gas outlet, and a dilution zone in flow communication with the combustion zone and having one or more dilution gas inlets; and a gas expander. The system includes an ion transport membrane oxygen recovery system with an ion transport membrane module that includes a feed zone, a permeate zone, a feed inlet to the feed zone in flow communication with the compressed oxygen-containing gas outlet of the compressor, a feed zone outlet, and a permeate withdrawal outlet from the permeate zone. The feed zone outlet of the membrane module is in flow communication with any of the one or more dilution gas inlets of the combustor dilution zone.