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 system for installing and extracting a flowing water turbine below the surface of the water includes a flow inducer assembly for improving the conversation of the kinetic energy of a waterway to mechanical energy. The flow inducer assembly includes a nozzle that may be shaped as a cowling and a outlet diffuser. The system 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 high-pressure system and method utilizing an input fluid. The system includes a reactor treating a material to produce an effluent having an energy content, a plurality of stages compressing the input fluid in a stepwise manner providing a high-pressure reactor input stream to the reactor, and a cascading effluent energy recovery system mechanically communicating with the plurality of stages. The cascading effluent energy recovery system imparts a portion of the energy content of the effluent into each of the plurality of stages powering that stage. The method includes receiving an input fluid, compressing the input fluid over a plurality of stages producing the high-pressure stream, providing the high-pressure stream to the reactor, recovering a portion of the energy content of the effluent at each of the plurality of stages, and using each the portion of the energy in compressing the input fluid at a corresponding respective stage.

Abstract: A high-pressure system and method utilizing an input fluid. The system includes a reactor treating a material to produce an effluent having an energy content, a plurality of stages compressing the input fluid in a stepwise manner providing a high-pressure reactor input stream to the reactor, and a cascading effluent energy recovery system mechanically communicating with the plurality of stages. The cascading effluent energy recovery system imparts a portion of the energy content of the effluent into each of the plurality of stages powering that stage. The method includes receiving an input fluid, compressing the input fluid over a plurality of stages producing the high-pressure stream, providing the high-pressure stream to the reactor, recovering a portion of the energy content of the effluent at each of the plurality of stages, and using each the portion of the energy in compressing the input fluid at a corresponding respective stage.

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 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 an 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 that cooperates with the shroud guide to enhance flow through the dynamometer.

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 grid points positioned with respect to an inner boundary and an outer boundary. The method includes receiving from a user information corresponding to a shape to be analyzed using the analytical tool and solving one or more mesh equation for a plurality of point locations, the one or more mesh equations depending on a source Jacobian scaling parameter that is not equal to 2.

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 grid points positioned with respect to an inner boundary and an outer boundary. The method includes receiving from a user information corresponding to a shape to be analyzed using the analytical tool and solving one or more mesh equation for a plurality of point locations, the one or more mesh equations depending on a source decay factor that is inversely proportional to the number of ?-grid lines.

Abstract: A high-pressure system and method utilizing an input fluid. The system includes a reactor treating a material to produce an effluent having an energy content, a plurality of stages compressing the input fluid in a stepwise manner providing a high-pressure reactor input stream to the reactor, and a cascading effluent energy recovery system mechanically communicating with the plurality of stages. The cascading effluent energy recovery system imparts a portion of the energy content of the effluent into each of the plurality of stages powering that stage. The method includes receiving an input fluid, compressing the input fluid over a plurality of stages producing the high-pressure stream, providing the high-pressure stream to the reactor, recovering a portion of the energy content of the effluent at each of the plurality of stages, and using each the portion of the energy in compressing the input fluid at a corresponding respective stage.

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 grid points positioned with respect to an inner boundary and an outer boundary. The method includes receiving from a user information corresponding to a shape to be analyzed using the analytical tool and solving one or more mesh equation for a plurality of point locations, the one or more mesh equations depending on a source Jacobian scaling parameter that is not equal to 2.

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 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 grid points positioned with respect to an inner boundary and an outer boundary. The method includes receiving from a user information corresponding to a shape to be analyzed using the analytical tool and solving one or more mesh equation for a plurality of point locations, the one or more mesh equations depending on a source decay factor that is inversely proportional to the number of ?-grid lines.

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 grid points positioned with respect to an inner boundary and an outer boundary. The system and method include one or more mesh equations having one or more source terms that include: a grid clustering component based on a Jacobian scaling parameter, a source decay parameter, and one or more first point distance parameters, and a cell shape modifying source component based on one or more source parameters selected from the group consisting of a smoothing source parameter, an area source parameter, an orthagonality source parameter, and any combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a system (20) for controlling various fluid flows, e.g., secondary fluid flows including cavitating fluid flows, typically developed along the shroud line and usually in or around a leading edge (21) within a flow channel (22) of a compressor or pump impeller (23) and inducer/impeller (24). System (20) includes a plurality of devices for controlling various flow conditions. In one embodiment, system (20) includes a diffuser device (27) for stabilizing cavitating flows, a bypass device (28) for re-injecting flow upstream, and a flow control device (30) for selectively directing secondary fluid flow to either the diffuser device or the bypass device. In addition, at very high flow rates, bypass device (28) may also serve as a high-flow, forward-bypass device. Devices (27) and (28) form a pathway for secondary fluid flows, including cavitating flows, around a first portion (31) of a housing (32).

Abstract: The present invention is a system (20) for controlling various fluid flows, e.g., secondary fluid flows including cavitating fluid flows, typically developed along the shroud line and usually in or around a leading edge (21) within a flow channel (22) of a compressor or pump impeller (23) and inducer/impeller (24). System (20) includes a plurality of devices for controlling various flow conditions. In one embodiment, system (20) includes a diffuser device (27) for stabilizing cavitating flows, a bypass device (28) for re-injecting flow upstream, and a flow control device (30) for selectively directing secondary fluid flow to either the diffuser device or the bypass device. In addition, at very high flow rates, bypass device (28) may also serve as a high-flow, forward-bypass device. Devices (27) and (28) form a pathway for secondary fluid flows, including cavitating flows, around a first portion (31) of a housing (32).

Abstract: A turbomachinery seal (20) attached to annular member (30) which surrounds and rotatably engages a shaft (34). The seal is capable of sealing pressure differentials between a high pressure region (24) and a low pressure region (26) well in excess of 300 psi at relatively low leakage rates. One embodiment (120) of the seal includes a plurality of confronting plates (128) arranged so as to form an annular structure. Another embodiment (220) includes a plurality of bristle packs (252), each positioned between annular plates (256) having an axial taper (278) adjacent radially inner ends (274). In another embodiment (320) bristles 334′ and 334″ extend in axial positive and negative directions so as to create an interleaved bristle structure. In yet another embodiment (720), a plurality of elongate members (450) are embedded within bristles (434). A turbomachine (550) includes seals 520′ and 520″ of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a device (100) for at least partially stabilizing an unstable fluid flow within a flow channel (103) by capturing at least a portion of the unstable fluid within a vaneless diffuser having a diffuser slot (104). The present invention also includes maintaining and harnessing a substantial portion of the energy contained in the fluid as it flows through the diffuser in order to utilize the fluid to improve the condition of the flow field. An example of a beneficial use includes discharging the diffuser effluent into the flow at other points critical to instability, hence reducing the overall instability of the flow channel.

Abstract: The present invention is a device (100) for at least partially stabilizing an unstable fluid flow within a flow channel (103) by capturing at least a portion of the unstable fluid within a vaneless diffuser having a diffuser slot (104). The present invention also includes maintaining and harnessing a substantial portion of the energy contained in the fluid as it flows through the diffuser in order to utilize the fluid to improve the condition of the flow field. An example of a beneficial use includes discharging the diffuser effluent into the flow at other points critical to instability, hence reducing the overall instability of the flow channel.

Abstract: A turbine engine (20) having bypass and core passages (30 and 40), a high pressure compressor (80) for compressing air in the core passage and an intercooler (120, 220) for cooling core air (42) in the core passage prior to discharge by the high pressure compressor. The intercooler includes a plurality of heat exchange elements (140) positioned in the bypass passage through which all or a portion of the core air is transported. Heat in the core air is transferred via the heat exchange elements to the relatively cool bypass air, thereby cooling the core air and heating the bypass air. The turbine engine may have a counterflow intercooler (120), a radial flow intercooler 220 or an intercooler of other configuration. The turbine engine may have a high pressure compressor with two sections (82 and 86), with core air transported to and from the intercooler between sections, or a single section high pressure compressor, with core air transported to and from the intercooler upstream of the high pressure compressor.

Abstract: A turbomachine has a set of vanes in the airfoil cascade of its diffuser system. A first portion of the vanes are "rogue" vanes. A second portion of the vanes are "remaining" vanes. For a given flow through the vane set, the angle of incidence of the rogue vanes differs from the angle of incidence of the remaining normal vanes. The remaining vanes may be free-floating or positionable. The rogue vanes can be fixed or scheduled to dominate flow through the diffuser system, thereby improving efficiency of operation. Optionally, additional "intermediate" vanes can be disposed between the "rogue" vanes and the "remaining" vanes. In a centrifugal pump or compressor, the "rogue" vanes are positioned such that a preponderance of the flow will proceed through the impeller, subsequently through the rogue vanes, and then smoothly into the volute so that flow will pass smoothly through the system with minimum frictional effects and maximum pressure recovery.