Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a housing and an axially extending shaft journaled to the housing by two axially spaced apart bearings. The bearings are located along the shaft so as to define an overhung shaft portion. A rotating component such as a turbine wheel or compressor wheel is mounted on the overhung shaft portion and is concentric about the centerline (50) of the engine. An annular shroud (40) that is part of the housing is disposed about the rotating component, the annular shroud (40) being concentric about a centerline (60) radially offset from the engine (50).

Abstract: A microturbine power system and of a method of operating same comprising automatically detecting fouling of a recuperator and then cleaning the recuperator.

Abstract: Devices and methods for liquid fuel reverse purge on shutdown of turbines are provided. The device and method may utilize a liquid fuel reverse purge control system that includes an induction motor associated with a pump, together with fuel system solenoid valves, an electronic control unit and associated software logic. The device and method may alternative utilize a liquid fuel valve manifold including an assembly for mechanical reverse purging of liquid fuel from the atomizer fuel manifold and supply lines thereto, optionally together with an assembly for controlling the flow of the reverse-purged fuel through a re-circulation circuit used to preheat fuel prior to system start-up under cold conditions.

Abstract: An automated system and method for preventing flame-outs in turbine power generating systems comprising: establishing a minimum fuel schedule for a turbine; detecting occurrence of a flame-out of the turbine; and automatically increasing the minimum fuel schedule for the turbine.

Abstract: Control logic and a method for controlling turbine speed. In an embodiment, the inventive control logic controls turbine speed of turbine generators operating in a stand-alone mode and/or a grid mode.

Abstract: A load site voltage regulation control system. The load site receives electrical power from a utility over transmission lines. The load site also receives electrical power from a local generator unit operating with an inverter. The local generator unit and inverter are coupled to the load by an EMI filter and a transformer. Voltage at the load is controlled by adjusting the inverter voltage using an inverter voltage command. The inverter voltage command is based on load voltage, inverter voltage, EMI filter voltage, utility supplied current, and inverter current. In one embodiment, the inverter voltage is adjusted to minimize utility supplied reactive and real power and to actively dampen EMI filter voltage, with the inverter voltage command being developed though a multi-loop PPI control system.

Abstract: A rotating group for a microturbine power generation system includes an electrical generator rotor, a turbine and a compressor intermediate the generator and the turbine. The turbine, compressor and electrical generator rotor are secured together by a tieshaft. The tieshaft is prestressed such that faces of the turbine, electrical generator rotor and compressor maintain contact during high-speed, high-temperature operation of the system.

Abstract: A power generation system includes multiple generators that are operated in parallel. An inverter of one of the generators is always operated in voltage mode. Inverters of the other generators are switched between voltage and current modes.