Patents Assigned to Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
  • Patent number: 8578717
    Abstract: A method is described for controlling load variations in a gas turbine. The method comprises reducing the flow of gaseous fuel entering the combustor to a predefined minimum value, if an increase is observed in the rotation regime of said turbine above a predefined maximum value and a total reduction in the load, activating a selective feeding sequence of the burners if the turbine is operating in normal functioning or premixed flame mode, modifying the angulation of the adjustable stator vanes, in order to reduce the speed rate of the compressor, and opening one or more anti-surge valves and one or more overboard bleeds, in order to reduce the air flow at the inlet of the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Tonno, Mariateresa Paci, Michele D'Ercole, Alessandro Russo, Jesse F. Stewart, Ya-Tien Chiu, Marco Ulivi, Antonio Baldassarre
  • Patent number: 8567184
    Abstract: A system for recovering energy in a gas compression plant. The system comprises at least one centrifugal compressor configured to suck the gas, at a certain inlet pressure, from a suction conduit and configured to deliver the gas, at a certain outlet pressure that is greater than an inlet pressure, through a delivery conduit The system also includes at least one gas recirculation system configured to redirect the gas from the delivery conduit to the suction conduit when the gas flow rate entering into the compressor is below a certain limit value. In the portion of the plant arranged downstream of the compressor, at least one turbo-expander and at least one valve are installed in parallel so that they cooperate with each other and are controlled by electronic devices so as to protect the compressor and to produce useful energy during recirculation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Scotti Del Greco, Renato Ferroni, Gabriele Mariotti, Alessandra Barabino
  • Publication number: 20130282307
    Abstract: System and method for automatically determining a final set of tuning/calibration parameters for designing a new turbo-machinery. The method includes inputing an initial set of tuning/calibration parameters; calculating family turbo-machinery quantities based on the initial set of tuning/calibration parameters; comparing the calculated family turbo-machinery quantities with measured quantities and calculating a first error between the calculated family quantities and the measured quantities; calculating a second error between the initial set of tuning/calibration parameters and default values of the turbo-machine variables; forming a modified objective function that includes both the first and second errors; during an iterative process, varying the initial set of tuning/calibration parameters in such a way that the final set of tuning/calibration parameters is found; and storing in a database the final set of tuning/calibration parameters for the family.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Omar Mohamed El Shamy, Nidal Awni Ghizawi, Denis Guillaume Jean Guenard, Vittorio Michelassi, Sivasubramaniyan Sankaran, Clary Susanne Ingeborg Svendotter
  • Patent number: 8523503
    Abstract: A threaded joint includes a flange, a nut and a flexible seal. The flange, the nut and the flexible seal have threads respective inner surfaces, the threads having shapes complementary to threads on an outer surface of a stem. The flange is configured to allow the stem to move by rotation through the flange. The nut and the flexible seal are configured to move by rotation relative to the stem. The flange has a counter bore and the nut has a groove. The flexible seal has a first portion configured to fill the counter bore in the flange, and a second portion configured to fill the groove of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vinh Do, Jeffrey Raynal, Mayur Mansukh
  • Patent number: 8522606
    Abstract: A method for similitude testing of a turbomachine, the method comprising selecting a test gas having a molecular weight between 40 g/gmol and 150 g/gmol, a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 700, and a gas specific heat ratio of between 1 and 1.5; operating the turbomachine using the selected test gas; identifying at least one parameter while operating the turbomachine; establishing at least one test parameter associated with the at least one parameter; and comparing the at least one test parameter with a corresponding at least one specified parameter to determine whether the turbomachine has passed the similitude test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Iannuzzi, Carlo Bacciottini, Giovanni Cecchi
  • Publication number: 20130202405
    Abstract: Coating and method for providing a self-lubricated coating on a substrate. The method includes spraying with an inert gas at least a layer of liquid metal on the substrate; adding a compound to the liquid metal while being sprayed on the substrate; forming a porous layer on the substrate that includes the metal and the compound, where the porous layer has plural pores; heating the porous layer to open the pores; flooding the open pores with a greasing substance such that part of the greasing substance is stored in one or more pores; and cooling the porous layer to close the pores and trap the greasing substance inside the pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Ion Savu
  • Publication number: 20130200839
    Abstract: A torsional mode damping controller system connected to a converter that drives a drive train including an electrical machine and a non-electrical machine. The controller system includes an input interface configured to receive measured data related to variables of the converter or the drive train and a controller connected to the input interface. The controller is configured to calculate at least one dynamic torque component along a section of a shaft of the drive train based on the measured data from the input interface, generate control data for a rectifier of the converter for damping a torsional oscillation in the shaft of the drive train based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and send the control data to the rectifier for modulating an active power exchanged between the converter and the electrical machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Simon Herbert Schramm, Christof Martin Sihler, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Paola Rotondo
  • Publication number: 20130162186
    Abstract: A torsional mode damping controller system is connected to a converter that drives an electrical machine mechanically connected to a train. The controller system includes an input interface configured to receive measured data related to variables of the converter or the electrical machine, and a controller connected to the input interface. The controller calculates at least one dynamic torque component along a section of a shaft of the train based on the data from the input interface, generates control data for the converter for damping a torsional oscillation in the mechanical drive train based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and sends the control data to the converter for modulating an active power exchanged between the converter and the electrical machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Simon Herbert Schramm, Johannes Huber, Christof Martin Sihler, Sergio De Franciscis
  • Publication number: 20130160641
    Abstract: A valve assembly in a reciprocating compressor used in oil and gas industry is provided. The valve assembly comprises an actuator configured to a valve actuating motion and a valve. The valve has a valve seat comprises an inlet port configured to allow a fluid to flow through the valve seat, a counter-seat comprising an outlet port configured to allow the fluid to flow through the counter-seat, and a valve closing member attached to the counter-seat and configured to cover the inlet port when the counter-seat is in a closed position. The counter-seat is configured to receive the valve actuating motion and to move between the closed position and an open position in which the valve closing member does not cover the inlet port thereby selectively allowing the fluid to flow on a flow path which comprises the inlet port and the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
  • Publication number: 20130156553
    Abstract: A seal for a turbo machine is provided. The seal includes a plurality of honeycomb cells, at least one circumferential groove within the plurality of honeycomb cells, and at least one swirl brake within the at least one groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Nuovo Pignone S.P.A.
  • Publication number: 20130156611
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for constructively utilizing pressure pulses to enhance the volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor are provided. An apparatus includes a gas circulation device and a controller. The gas circulation device provides a path through which the gas circulates between a reciprocating compressor and a volume bottle buffering the reciprocating compressor from an installation. The gas circulation device is configured to have a resonance frequency substantially equal to a frequency of the performing compression cycles in the reciprocating compressor. The controller is configured to control timing of switching a valve located between the reciprocating compressor and the gas circulation device in order to constructively use pressure pulsations occurring in the gas circulation device, to enhance the volumetric efficiency of the reciprocating compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A
    Inventor: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A
  • Publication number: 20130152357
    Abstract: A system for testing a compressor is provided. The system comprises one or more compressors connected together in series to a test compressor wherein an output of the test compressor is connected to an input of a first compressor in the series, forming an overall loop, one or more process fluid coolers in the overall loop, one or more orifices in the overall loop, a control valve in the overall loop, and a first plurality of sensors configured adjacent to a process fluid input of the test compressor and a second plurality of sensors configured adjacent to a process fluid output of the test compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A
    Inventor: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A
  • Publication number: 20130152576
    Abstract: A closed cycle system for waste heat recovery is provided. The system comprises: a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from an external heat source to a working fluid; an expander fluidly connected to an outlet of the heat exchanger and configured to expand the working fluid and produce mechanical energy; a recuperator fluidly connected to an outlet of the expander and configured to remove heat from the working fluid; a condensing unit fluidly connected to an outlet of the recuperator and configured to condense the working fluid; and a pump fluidly connected to an outlet of the condensing unit and configured to pump the condensed working fluid back to the recuperator, wherein the recuperator is fluidly connected to the heat exchanger such that the working fluid follows a closed path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
  • Publication number: 20130149102
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving a load is provided. The apparatus comprises a multiple-shaft gas turbine comprising a high pressure compressor and a high pressure turbine drivingly connected to one another by a first gas turbine shaft and a low pressure compressor and a power turbine drivingly connected to one another by a second gas turbine shaft extending coaxial with the first gas turbine shaft, the high pressure compressor and the high pressure turbine. The apparatus also comprises a load coupling drivingly connecting the power turbine to the load and a dual-speed turning gear with an output shaft drivingly engageable to and disengageable from the load, the dual-speed turning gear comprising a low speed turning motor and a high speed turning motor, wherein the low speed turning motor and the high speed turning motor are configured to selectively drive the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
  • Publication number: 20130149442
    Abstract: A system for component surface physical property enhancement is provided. The system comprises a component configured to receive a coating, and a mirror component configured to be removable, wherein the mirror component comprises at least one coated surface coated with the coating, and wherein the at least one coated surface substantially mirrors at least one surface of the component, wherein the coating is configured to enhance a surface physical property of the at least one surface of the component, and wherein the coating is transferred by hot isostatic pressing from the mirror component to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
  • Publication number: 20130149106
    Abstract: A stator blade ring comprising a plurality of stator blade modules defining an annular chamber is provided. The plurality of stator blade modules comprises an elongated blade portion comprising a first and a second blade shell portion, a longitudinal passageway, and at least one opening extending through at least one of the first and the second blade shell portion to the longitudinal passageway, an inner portion brazed to a first longitudinal end of the elongated blade portion, wherein the inner portion comprises a through hole forming a portion of the annular chamber, and an inner passageway extending from the through hole to the longitudinal passageway, and an outer portion brazed to a second longitudinal end of the elongated blade portion and engaged to a steam turbine, the outer portion comprising an outer passageway open to a surface of the steam turbine and the longitudinal passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A
    Inventor: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A
  • Publication number: 20130139516
    Abstract: A gas turbine is provided. The gas turbine comprises a compressor, a power turbine, a load coupling connecting the gas turbine to a load, a gas turbine package comprising a turbomachinery compartment housing the gas turbine, a load-coupling guard at least partly surrounding the load coupling, a cooling air circulation system for circulating cooling air in the turbomachinery compartment, and a cooling air channeling configured to circulate a cooling air flow from the cooling air circulation system in the load-coupling guard sufficient to remove heat from the load coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A
    Inventor: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A
  • Publication number: 20130139509
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide compression system is disclosed. The system comprises at as a first corner stage and a second compressor stage arranged in at least one inter-stage heat exchanger arranged to receive a compressed gas containing carbon dioxide flowing from the first compressor stage into the second compressor stage and to remove waste heat from the compressed gas, and an energy conversion unit, wherein at least part of the waste heat is recovered and transformed into mechanical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
  • Publication number: 20130142641
    Abstract: A turbo machine is provided. The turbo machine comprises a turbo stator having a shroud, a turbo rotor having an impeller within the shroud, a brush seal between the impeller and the shroud, and at least one vane extending from the shroud toward the impeller upstream of the brush seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
  • Publication number: 20130142617
    Abstract: A method for detecting rotating stall in a compressor is disclosed herein. The method comprises measuring radial vibration of the rotor relative to the stator and generating a vibration measurement signal, calculating a frequency spectrum of the vibration measurement signal, identifying a plurality of frequency bandwidths of the frequency spectrum, neglecting one first frequency bandwidth of the plurality of frequency bandwidths if the rotation frequency of the rotor falls within the first frequency bandwidth, neglecting at least one second frequency bandwidth of the plurality of frequency bandwidths if the rotation frequency of the rotor falls below the second frequency bandwidth, determining the maximum magnitude of the spectrum in each of the non-neglected frequency bandwidths, and comparing each determined maximum magnitude and a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Nuovo Pignone S.P.A.