Abstract: A machine includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotational axis, an outer casing having an inner bore, and an inner casing disposed within the inner bore and surrounding a portion of the rotor, the inner casing including a first joint interface. A head member is disposed within the inner bore and includes a first joint interface that engages a second joint interface to form a joint therebetween. A compliant element is formed as part of the first joint interface and arranged to allow for movement of the second joint interface along the rotational axis in response to the thermal expansion of the inner casing.

Abstract: Improved coupling joints configured to interconnect and transmit torque between adjacent impeller bodies in a turbomachine are provided. A plurality of impeller bodies is stacked on a tie bolt. A respective coupling joint is defined by features in adjacent impeller bodies to couple to one another the adjacent impeller bodies. The coupling joint involves a pair of corresponding axially engaging faces and a pair of corresponding radially engaging faces that define a coupling pilot fit. A torque transmitting arrangement is interposed between the axially engaging faces and radially engaging face. The pair of axially engaging faces in operation defines a compressed joint effective to form a seal between the pair of axially engaging faces to inhibit leakage of a process fluid being processed in the compressor section of the turbomachine. This allows elimination of separate seal arrangements, such as otherwise could involve sleeves with O-rings, etc.

Abstract: Improved coupling joints configured to interconnect and transmit torque between adjacent impeller bodies in a turbomachine are provided. A plurality of impeller bodies is stacked on a tie bolt. A respective coupling joint is defined by features in adjacent impeller bodies to couple to one another the adjacent impeller bodies. The coupling joint involves a pair of corresponding axially engaging faces and a pair of corresponding radially engaging faces that define a coupling pilot fit. A torque transmitting arrangement is interposed between the axially engaging faces and radially engaging face. The pair of axially engaging faces in operation defines a compressed joint effective to form a seal between the pair of axially engaging faces to inhibit leakage of a process fluid being processed in the compressor section of the turbomachine. This allows elimination of separate seal arrangements, such as otherwise could involve sleeves with O-rings, etc.

Abstract: A compressor rotor for turbomachinery, such as a centrifugal compressor, is provided. Disclosed embodiments include a tie bolt and a rotor shaft that cooperates with the tie bolt to define a chamber therebetween. A seal assembly is positioned to separate the chamber from a first space and a leak detector in fluid communication with the first space and operable to generate a signal indicative of leakage of a fluid from the chamber to the first space.

Abstract: A compressor rotor for turbomachinery, such as a centrifugal compressor, is provided. Disclosed embodiments include a tie bolt and a rotor shaft that cooperates with the tie bolt to define a chamber therebetween. A seal assembly is positioned to separate the chamber from a first space and a leak detector in fluid communication with the first space and operable to generate a signal indicative of leakage of a fluid from the chamber to the first space.

Abstract: Compressor rotor structure and methodology for harmonizing compressor aerodynamics and rotordynamics are provided. Disclosed embodiments benefit from a compressor design effective for improving rotordynamics (e.g., stiffer rotor structure) without reducing a usable aerodynamics range of the compressor. This design may involve variation of the rotor structure along the rotor axis to locate respective surfaces defined by respective inlets of the one or more impellers at a varying distance relative to the rotor axis based on respective ratios selected for the configuration of the impeller bodies. This arrangement may be effective for improving rotordynamics while satisfactorily meeting the respective varying aerodynamics requirements at the various compression stages by the impeller bodies.

Abstract: Compressor rotor structure for turbomachinery, such as a compressor, is provided. Disclosed embodiments can benefit from sealing sleeves that may be arranged to inhibit passage onto respective hirth couplings of process fluid being processed by the compressor. The sealing sleeves may be affixed to adjoining structures (e.g., adjoining impeller bodies) by way of a slip fit connection to one of the adjoining structures and an interference fit connection with respect to the other adjoining structure, which is conducive to a user-friendly assembly of the sealing sleeves with the adjoining structures.

Abstract: Compressor rotor structure and methodology for harmonizing compressor aerodynamics and rotordynamics are provided. Disclosed embodiments benefit from a compressor design effective for improving rotordynamics (e.g., stiffer rotor structure) without reducing a usable aerodynamics range of the compressor. This design may involve variation of the rotor structure along the rotor axis to locate respective surfaces defined by respective inlets of the one or more impellers at a varying distance relative to the rotor axis based on respective ratios selected for the configuration of the impeller bodies. This arrangement may be effective for improving rotordynamics while satisfactorily meeting the respective varying aerodynamics requirements at the various compression stages by the impeller bodies.

Abstract: Compressor rotor structure for turbomachinery, such as a compressor, is provided. Disclosed embodiments can benefit from sealing sleeves that may be arranged to inhibit passage onto respective hirth couplings of process fluid being processed by the compressor. The sealing sleeves may be affixed to adjoining structures (e.g., adjoining impeller bodies) by way of a slip fit connection to one of the adjoining structures and an interference fit connection with respect to the other adjoining structure, which is conducive to a user-friendly assembly of the sealing sleeves with the adjoining structures.

Abstract: A support assembly and method for supporting an internal assembly in a casing of a turbomachine are provided. The support assembly may include a support member that may be slidably disposed in a recess formed in the internal assembly and configured to engage an inner surface of the casing. A biasing member may be disposed in a pocket extending radially inward from the recess. The biasing member may at least partially extend into the recess and may be configured to apply a biasing force to the support member disposed therein.

Abstract: A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The balance piston seal assembly may also include a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with the balance piston seal and configured to heat and thermally expand the balance piston seal and thereby increase a radial length of the radial clearance.

Abstract: A compressor may include a casing defining a discharge cavity and a seal cavity. A rotary shaft may be disposed in the casing, and a shaft seal assembly may be disposed in the seal cavity and about the rotary shaft. An impeller may be coupled with and configured to be driven by the rotary shaft. A balance piston may be integral with the impeller and may define the discharge cavity and the seal cavity. A balance piston seal may be disposed about the balance piston such that the balance piston seal and the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The radial clearance may be configured to provide fluid communication from the impeller to the discharge cavity. A heat shield may be disposed in the discharge cavity, and may be configured to prevent the conduction of heat from the discharge cavity to the seal cavity via the casing.

Abstract: A fluid compression system is disclosed having a hermetically-sealed housing with at least a motor and a compressor arranged therein. The motor may drive both the compressor and a blower device coupled to the housing or otherwise arranged within the housing and configured to circulate a cooling gas throughout the housing and thereby cool the motor and accompanying radial bearings. The blower device circulates the cooling gas through a closed-loop circuit which may include a heat exchanger and gas conditioning skid. Buffer seals may be used to seal the shaft on both sides of the compressor so as to prevent the migration of liquid and solid contaminants into the closed-loop cooling circuit.

Abstract: A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal, a stationary support, and a gripping assembly disposed between the balance piston seal and the stationary support. The balance piston seal may be configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The stationary support may be configured to be coupled or integral with a casing of the compressor. The gripping assembly may be configured to secure the balance piston seal with the stationary support and to maintain concentricity between the balance piston seal and the balance piston during thermal radial expansion of the balance piston seal relative to the balance piston.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid pressurization of a motor compartment and cooling system during a shutdown, a surge, and/or other situations in which the suction pressure significantly varies. A motor/compressor arrangement includes a seal gas system fluidly communicating with the motor compartment via a motor pressurization line, with the outlet of the compressor, and with a shaft seal. A motor pressurization valve is coupled to the motor pressurization line and a controller is configured to open the motor pressurization valve at start-up of the motor-compressor to supply seal gas to the motor compartment and to pressurize the motor compartment when a difference between the seal gas supply pressure and the suction pressure is indicative of the seal gas supply pressure being insufficient.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid pressurization of a motor compartment and cooling system during a shutdown, a surge, and/or other situations in which the suction pressure significantly varies. A motor/compressor arrangement includes a seal gas system fluidly communicating with the motor compartment via a motor pressurization line, with the outlet of the compressor, and with a shaft seal. A motor pressurization valve is coupled to the motor pressurization line and a controller is configured to open the motor pressurization valve at start-up of the motor-compressor to supply seal gas to the motor compartment and to pressurize the motor compartment when a difference between the seal gas supply pressure and the suction pressure is indicative of the seal gas supply pressure being insufficient.

Abstract: A support assembly and method for supporting an internal assembly in a casing of a turbomachine are provided. The support assembly may include a support member that may be slidably disposed in a recess formed in the internal assembly and configured to engage an inner surface of the casing. A biasing member may be disposed in a pocket extending radially inward from the recess. The biasing member may at least partially extend into the recess and may be configured to apply a biasing force to the support member disposed therein.

Abstract: A support assembly and method for supporting an internal assembly in a casing of a turbomachine are provided. The support assembly may include a support member that may be slidably disposed in a recess formed in the internal assembly and configured to engage an inner surface of the casing. A biasing member may be disposed in a pocket extending radially inward from the recess. The biasing member may at least partially extend into the recess and may be configured to apply a biasing force to the support member disposed therein.

Abstract: A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The balance piston seal assembly may also include a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with the balance piston seal and configured to heat and thermally expand the balance piston seal and thereby increase a radial length of the radial clearance.

Abstract: A compressor may include a casing defining a discharge cavity and a seal cavity. A rotary shaft may be disposed in the casing, and a shaft seal assembly may be disposed in the seal cavity and about the rotary shaft. An impeller may be coupled with and configured to be driven by the rotary shaft. A balance piston may be integral with the impeller and may define the discharge cavity and the seal cavity. A balance piston seal may be disposed about the balance piston such that the balance piston seal and the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The radial clearance may be configured to provide fluid communication from the impeller to the discharge cavity. A heat shield may be disposed in the discharge cavity, and may be configured to prevent the conduction of heat from the discharge cavity to the seal cavity via the casing.