Abstract: A turboexpander associated with a rotary compressor by means of a rotor shaft connecting the two. A bearing housing includes magnetic radial and thrust bearings which control the placement and dynamics of the shaft within the housing. A control passageway extends from the inlet of the compressor to the gas cavity behind the compressor rotor. This passage is controlled by a valve and in turn by the magnetic bearing controller to augment the operation of the active magnetic thrust bearings.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for the annular inlet of a radial inflow turbine employing a rotatably mounted adjusting ring as one side of the annular inlet with cams and biased slots controlling primary vanes located within the inlet. A clamping ring which is capable of moving axially is located inwardly of the adjusting ring. A bearing piston ring is mounted to the clamping ring and supports the adjusting ring. The bearing ring also provides some sealing capabilities. A sealing ring between the clamping ring and the housing accommodates some small axial movement of the clamping ring and seals against substantial pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the nozzle itself. Pins extend across the annular inlet to pivotally mount the primary vanes.

Abstract: A closed-loop system that dissipates energy from an expander and does not contaminate the expander. The noncontaminating energy dissipator has a closed-loop conduit that is connected to a compressor, a pressure reduction valve and a heat exchanger. A brake gas circulates in the closed-loop conduit from the compressor to the pressure reduction device, then to the heat exchanger and finally back to the compressor, where the process repeats. The use of an inert brake gas prevents interactions between the brake gas and a hazardous process fluid from forming an explosive mixture. The closed-loop conduit has an outlet so that the brake gas can be used for purposes other than circulating through the closed-loop. A make-up conduit and another control valve can be added to the noncontaminating energy dissipator so that brake gas that is lost through seals or other parts of the system can be readily replaced.