Abstract: A free-vortex combustor is disclosed that generates vortices which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel or fuel and air through a fuel-injector which atomizes the fuel. A first air swirler couples to the fuel-injector with a prechamber wall abutting the first swirler. A second swirler abuts a downstream end of the prechamber wall. And, a main chamber abuts the second swirler. Each of the first and second swirlers have features that cause the flow to create a vortex in the prechamber and main chamber, respectively. The features creating the swirl are blades or angled orifices. The vortex causes a pressure depression along the centerline and causes backflow along the centerline that improves mixing and improves cooling.

Abstract: An annular combustor is disclosed in which free-vortices are generated which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel and air through a plurality of fuel injectors which atomizes the fuel and promote individual vortices emanating from each injector. The combustor includes an annular prechamber, an annular main chamber, and an annular dilution zone. A first swirler is provided on the inner side of the annular prechamber and a second swirler on the outer side of the annular prechamber, the swirlers causing flow to rotate in mutually opposite directions to intensify the vortices imposed by the injectors. The vortices cause a pressure depression to promote some backflow that enhance mixing to: promote complete combustion, produce low emissions, and provide cooling.

Abstract: An annular combustor is disclosed in which free-vortices are generated which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel and air through a plurality of fuel injectors which atomizes the fuel and promote individual vortices emanating from each injector. The combustor includes an annular prechamber, an annular main chamber, and an annular dilution zone. A first swirler is provided on the inner side of the annular prechamber and a second swirler on the outer side of the annular prechamber, the swirlers causing flow to rotate in mutually opposite directions to intensify the vortices imposed by the injectors. The vortices cause a pressure depression to promote some backflow that enhance mixing to: promote complete combustion, produce low emissions, and provide cooling.

Abstract: A free-vortex combustor is disclosed that generates vortices which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel or fuel and air through a fuel injector which atomizes the fuel. A first air swirler couples to the fuel injector with a prechamber wall abutting the first swirler. A second swirler abuts a downstream end of the prechamber wall. And, a main chamber abuts the second swirler. Each of the first and second swirlers have features that cause the flow to create a vortex in the prechamber and main chamber, respectively. The features creating the swirl are blades or angled orifices. The vortex causes a pressure depression along the centerline and causes backflow along the centerline that improves mixing and improves cooling.

Abstract: A portable green power system is disclosed that is capable of generating electric power based on green technologies (i.e., environmentally friendly) of high performance, low emissions, and low noise. The portable power system consists of three key design features including a free-floating shaft, an electric motor assisted airblast injector and four concentric channel flows. The engine is partitioned into separate channels or passages for the compressed air, hot gases, recuperation, and the engine case and are organized into four concentric channels for portable design and easy maintenance considerations. The concentric channel design also facilitates fully developed flow in each channel for reduction of vibration and noise. The four concentric channels include turbine concentric channel, compressor concentric channel, recuperator concentric channel and engine case concentric channel. Two-way bypass rings are used for cross flows among these concentric channel flows.

Abstract: An electric motor assisted airblast injector design for gas turbines is disclosed. The electric motor assisted airblast injector assembly consists of an airblast injector, a high speed electric motor and a compressor. The electric motor assisted airblast injector is designed to improve engine light-off and starting reliability without using a fuel staging system to incorporate pressure injectors. A high speed motor is activated during starting to drive a compressor for locally producing pressurized air without sacrificing combustor performance. The pressurized air exiting the air swirler with high velocity penetrates perpendicularly into the fuel spray cone obtained by orifices in the fuel swirler. The amount of pressurized air through the compressor is controlled by motor speed to match fuel starting schedule and produce fuel/air mixture within flammability limits. After engine starting, the high speed motor may cut off as sufficient air pressure differential is available across the combustor.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing system for gas turbine engines is disclosed. The hybrid bearing system comprises ball/roller bearings and air bearings. For horizontal applications, compressed air injected into the air bearing provides a lift force such that enables the rotating shaft for the turbine to float freely. The compressed air is also employed to cool the ball/roller bearings. Hence, given the reduced friction on the ball/roller bearings due to the free-floating shaft, as well as the air cooling of the ball/roller bearings, typical lubrication systems are not necessary. For vertical applications, the compressed air provides cooling to the ball/roller bearings which renders the need for conventional lubrication systems unnecessary.

Abstract: An electric motor assisted airblast injector design for gas turbines is disclosed. The electric motor assisted airblast injector assembly consists of an airblast injector, a high speed electric motor and a compressor. The electric motor assisted airblast injector is designed to improve engine light-off and starting reliability without using a fuel staging system to incorporate pressure injectors. A high speed motor is activated during starting to drive a compressor for locally producing pressurized air without sacrificing combustor performance. The pressurized air exiting the air swirler with high velocity penetrates perpendicularly into the fuel spray cone obtained by orifices in the fuel swirler. The amount of pressurized air through the compressor is controlled by motor speed to match fuel starting schedule and produce fuel/air mixture within flammability limits. After engine starting, the high speed motor may cut off as sufficient air pressure differential is available across the combustor.

Abstract: A portable green power system is disclosed that is capable of generating electric power based on green technologies (i.e., environmentally friendly) of high performance, low emissions, and low noise. The portable power system consists of three key design features including a free-floating shaft, an electric motor assisted airblast injector and four concentric channel flows. The engine is partitioned into separate channels or passages for the compressed air, hot gases, recuperation, and the engine case and are organized into four concentric channels for portable design and easy maintenance considerations. The concentric channel design also facilitates fully developed flow in each channel for reduction of vibration and noise. The four concentric channels include turbine concentric channel, compressor concentric channel, recuperator concentric channel and engine case concentric channel. Two-way bypass rings are used for cross flows among these concentric channel flows.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing system for gas turbine engines is disclosed. The hybrid bearing system comprises ball/roller bearings and air bearings. For horizontal applications, compressed air injected into the air bearing provides a lift force such that enables the rotating shaft for the turbine to float freely. The compressed air is also employed to cool the ball/roller bearings. Hence, given the reduced friction on the ball/roller bearings due to the free-floating shaft, as well as the air cooling of the ball/roller bearings, typical lubrication systems are not necessary. For vertical applications, the compressed air provides cooling to the ball/roller bearings which renders the need for conventional lubrication systems unnecessary.

Abstract: An electric motor assisted airblast injector design for gas turbines is disclosed. The electric motor assisted airblast injector assembly consists of an airblast injector, a high speed electric motor and a compressor. The electric motor assisted airblast injector is designed to improve engine light-off and starting reliability without using a fuel staging system to incorporate pressure injectors. A high speed motor is activated during starting to drive a compressor for locally producing pressurized air without sacrificing combustor performance. The pressurized air exiting the air swirler with high velocity penetrates perpendicularly into the fuel spray cone obtained by orifices in the fuel swirler. The amount of pressurized air through the compressor is controlled by motor speed to match fuel starting schedule and produce fuel/air mixture within flammability limits. After engine starting, the high speed motor may cut off as sufficient air pressure differential is available across the combustor.