Abstract: A system for conditioning a gas. The system includes a compressor for compressing and heating the gas into a hot gas; an airflow device generating an airflow; and a heat exchanger receiving in a first flow path the hot gas and in a second flow path the airflow. Heat is transferred from the hot gas to the airflow to generate a cool gas and hot airflow, and moisture condenses within the cool gas. A moisture separator separates condensed moisture from the cool gas to generate a saturated gas. A reheater receives in one flow path the saturated gas from the moisture separator and in another flow path the hot airflow from the heat exchanger. Heat is transferred in the reheater from the hot airflow to the saturated gas to generate a superheated gas having a temperature above the saturation temperature of the gas.

Abstract: A method of removing siloxanes from a gas that contains siloxanes and water, the method comprising: (a) expanding the gas to cool the gas and freeze at least some of the water in the gas; and (b) removing the siloxanes and frozen water from the expanded and cooled gas. The method may also include compressing the gas prior to expanding it. The step of expanding the gas may include expanding it through a turbine. The method may also include using an energy input mechanism to drive one or both of the compressor or turbine. The ice and siloxanes may be removed from the gas with a cyclonic separator.

Abstract: A fuel-conditioning skid for an engine. The fuel-conditioning skid includes an inlet that is connectable to a source to receive a flow of fuel containing undesirable compounds. An outlet is connectable to the engine to deliver a flow of fuel that is substantially free of undesirable compounds. An inlet cleaner is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to remove a portion of the undesirable compounds. A compressor is in fluid communication with the inlet cleaner to receive the flow of fuel at a first pressure and discharge the flow of fuel at a second pressure. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure. A purifier is in fluid communication with the inlet cleaner to receive the flow of fuel. The purifier is operable to remove substantially all of the remaining undesirable compounds from the flow of fuel.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly comprises a power turbine constructed of a nickel alloy; a gear shaft constructed of a low-carbon carburized gear material; and a transition portion between and welded to each of the power turbine and gear shaft. The nickel alloy may be welded to the transition portion by inertia welding, and the low-carbon carburized gear material may be welded to the transition portion by electron beam welding, for example. The power transfer assembly may be used in a microturbine engine, for example, to transfer rotation of a power turbine to an electric generator.

Abstract: A radial flow turbine including a rotor having a plurality of vanes defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path therebetween. A shroud is positioned to cover at least a portion of the flow path and a housing is positioned to at least partially support the rotor for rotation about a rotational axis. The housing at least partially defines a chamber for the receipt of a flow of products of combustion. A plurality of nozzle guide vane assemblies are positioned to provide fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet. Each of the plurality of nozzle guide vane assemblies is positioned adjacent another nozzle guide vane assembly to at least partially define one of a plurality of converging flow paths. Each nozzle guide vane assembly includes a guide vane positioned between the shroud and the housing and including an aperture therethrough. A bolt engages with the shroud and extends through the aperture to sandwich the guide vane between the shroud and the housing.

Abstract: A fuel booster operable to compress a combustible fuel, the fuel booster comprising a compressor housing a compress rotor, and a seal assembly coupled to the compressor housing. The seal assembly and the compressor housing cooperate to at least partially define a hermetically sealed compressor chamber. A motor housing is coupled to the seal assembly. The motor housing and seal assembly cooperate to at least partially define a motor chamber that is sealed from the compressor chamber to prevent fluid flow therebetween. The fuel booster also includes a motor having a motor rotor and a motor stator. The motor rotor and the compressor rotor are contained within the compressor chamber. The motor rotor includes a cylindrical surface. The motor stator substantially surrounds the cylindrical surface and is contained within the motor chamber.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly comprises a power turbine constructed of a nickel alloy; a gear shaft constructed of a low-carbon carburized gear material; and a transition portion between and welded to each of the power turbine and gear shaft. The nickel alloy may be welded to the transition portion by inertia welding, and the low-carbon carburized gear material may be welded to the transition portion by electron beam welding, for example. The power transfer assembly may be used in a microturbine engine, for example, to transfer rotation of a power turbine to an electric generator.

Abstract: An outdoor microturbine engine assembly includes a microturbine engine supported by a base and enclosed by an enclosure. The base defines a reservoir for the collection of rain water and any oil that may leak from the engine into the reservoir. The oil will naturally float on the water in the reservoir. A drain pipe communicates with the bottom of the reservoir and drains water from the bottom of reservoir while maintaining the oil in the reservoir.

Abstract: A microturbine engine comprising a turbine including a first housing and a turbine rotor. The engine also includes a generator having a second housing and a generator rotor. The generator rotor is supported for low-speed rotation by a low-speed bearing. The engine also includes a gearbox having a third housing connected to the first housing and the second housing, a pinion gear, and a low-speed gear connected to the generator rotor and at least partially supported by the low-speed bearing. A shaft is connected to the turbine rotor and the pinion gear and a first high-speed bearing and a second high-speed bearing are positioned to support the turbine rotor and the shaft for high-speed rotation.

Abstract: A fuel booster operable to compress a combustible fuel, the fuel booster comprising a compressor housing, a compressor rotor, and a seal assembly coupled to the compressor housing. The seal assembly and the compressor housing cooperate to at least partially define a hermetically sealed compressor chamber. A motor housing is coupled to the seal assembly. The motor housing and seal assembly cooperate to at least partially define a motor chamber that is sealed from the compressor chamber to prevent fluid flow therebetween. The fuel booster also includes a motor having a motor rotor and a motor stator. The motor rotor and the compressor rotor are contained within the compressor chamber. The motor rotor includes a cylindrical surface. The motor stator substantially surrounds the cylindrical surface and is contained within the motor chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchange cell for a recuperator includes top and bottom plates sandwiching a matrix finned member and a pair of header finned members. The top and bottom plates each include a pair of manifold openings, and the header finned members each include a curved free edge following the curvature of an associated manifold opening. The header finned member includes a high fin density portion along the free edge and a low fin density portion communicating with the high fin density portion. The dual fin density header finned member thus provides increased structural strength along the free edge and provides a low pressure drop through the low fin density portion.

Abstract: The invention recites a power turbine assembly including a turbine rotor and a plurality of turbine blades mounted to said rotor and adapted to rotate said rotor in response to a flow of hot gas over said blades. A support structure having a journal bearing and at least one other bearing supports said rotor for rotation, said journal bearing having a proximal end and a distal end with respect to said turbine blades. A supply of lubricant communicates with said journal bearing to provide lubricant between said rotor and an inner surface of said journal bearing, said lubricant damping rotational frequencies of said rotor and creating a temperature gradient from greater than about 1000° F. at said blades to less than about 350° F. at said distal end.

Abstract: A fuel-conditioning skid for an engine. The fuel-conditioning skid includes an inlet that is connectable to a source to receive a flow of fuel containing undesirable compounds. An outlet is connectable to the engine to deliver a flow of fuel that is substantially free of undesirable compounds. An inlet cleaner is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to remove a portion of the undesirable compounds. A compressor is in fluid communication with the inlet cleaner to receive the flow of fuel at a first pressure and discharge the flow of fuel at a second pressure. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure. A purifier is in fluid communication with the inlet cleaner to receive the flow of fuel. The purifier is operable to remove substantially all of the remaining undesirable compounds from the flow of fuel.

Abstract: A wide-angle diffuser for a combustion turbine system having a turbine provides multiple expanding flow paths for the turbine exhaust. Each flow path is arranged to have the ideal diffusion angle for the given flow thus allowing for complete and efficient expansion of the turbine exhaust with a shorter length diffuser. An inner tube having an ideal diffusion angle is surrounded by a plurality of frustoconical tubes having larger opening angles producing a plurality of interstitial flow paths.

Abstract: A recuperator support includes a first pivot mount that defines a first pivot axis and a floating pivot mount that defines a floating pivot axis. The recuperator is coupled to the pivot mounts and pivotal about the pivot axes. The floating pivot mount accommodates thermal growth of the recuperator. The first pivot mount may be mounted to a frame such that the first pivot axis is fixed with respect to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the recuperator of a microturbine system in a vertical position above a turbine. The apparatus including a plurality of spring supports supporting the recuperator while simultaneously allowing thermal expansion of the turbine with a minimum amount of force being applied thereto. Thermal expansion of the turbine causes it to lift the recuperator while simultaneously decompressing the springs an amount equal to the amount of thermal expansion experienced by the turbine.

Abstract: A cogenerating recuperated microturbine includes a recuperator, an air compressor and a combustor. The combustor burns a fuel along with the compressed air received from the recuperator to create products of combustion. A turbine generator operates in response to expansion of the products of combustion to generate electricity. The products of combustion then flow through the recuperator to preheat the compressed air. The products of combustion then flow out of the recuperator as an exhaust flow. A heat exchanger is movable into and out of the exhaust flow to selectively heat a fluid in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is actuated by a piston-cylinder type actuator that operates under the influence of compressed air selectively bled from the air compressor. The actuator may be a single-acting cylinder used in conjunction with a biasing spring, or may be a double-acting cylinder.

Abstract: A microturbine system includes a compressor, a recuperator assembly, a combustor, a turbine, and a generator. The recuperator assembly includes a core that preheats compressed air provided by the compressor with exhaust gas from the turbine. The preheated compressed air is mixed with a fuel and burned in the combustor. The products of combustion are used to drive the turbine, which in turn drives the compressor and generator. The recuperator core is surrounded by a recuperator housing that is intimate with the recuperator core such that the recuperator housing assumes substantially the same temperature as the recuperator core. The recuperator housing is constructed of materials that have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially equal to that of the recuperator core, and that have thicknesses substantially equal to the thickness of the recuperator core materials. A superstructure supports the recuperator core and resists expansion of the core in a stackwise direction.

Abstract: A cogenerating recuperated microturbine includes a recuperator, an air compressor and a combustor. The combustor burns a fuel along with the compressed air received from the recuperator to create products of combustion. A turbine generator operates in response to expansion of the products of combustion to generate electricity. The products of combustion then flow through the recuperator to preheat the compressed air. The products of combustion then flow out of the recuperator as an exhaust flow. A heat exchanger is movable into and out of the exhaust flow to selectively heat a fluid in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is actuated by a piston-cylinder type actuator that operates under the influence of compressed air selectively bled from the air compressor. The actuator may be a single-acting cylinder used in conjunction with a biasing spring, or may be a double-acting cylinder.

Abstract: A microturbine system includes a compressor, a recuperator assembly, a combustor, a turbine, and a generator. The recuperator assembly includes a core that preheats compressed air provided by the compressor with exhaust gas from the turbine. The preheated compressed air is mixed with a fuel and burned in the combustor. The products of combustion are used to drive the turbine, which in turn drives the compressor and generator. The recuperator core is surrounded by a recuperator housing that is intimate with the recuperator core such that the recuperator housing assumes substantially the same temperature as the recuperator core. The recuperator housing is constructed of materials that have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially equal to that of the recuperator core, and that have thicknesses substantially equal to the thickness of the recuperator core materials. A superstructure supports the recuperator core and resists expansion of the core in a stackwise direction.