Abstract: An ultra-high power density wind turbine system for producing energy from a wind including a structure having a shape adapted to produce a positive wind pressure on a high-pressure portion of a surface that faces into the wind and to produce a vacuum on two low pressure portions of its surface and one or more shrouded wind turbine systems mounted in the structure and comprising turbine stator vanes, turbine rotor blades and a turbine discharge duct adapted to channel turbine exhaust to exit the structure at the two low-pressure portions of the structure surface. In preferred embodiments the structure is a vertical tower that is generally cylindrical and the turbine is a horizontal axis axial flow shrouded wind turbine.

Abstract: An ultra-high power density wind turbine system for producing energy from a wind including a structure having a shape adapted to produce a positive wind pressure on a high-pressure portion of a surface that faces into the wind and to produce a vacuum on two low pressure portions of its surface and one or more shrouded wind turbine systems mounted in the structure and comprising turbine stator vanes, turbine rotor blades and a turbine discharge duct adapted to channel turbine exhaust to exit the structure at the two low-pressure portions of the structure surface. In preferred embodiments the structure is a vertical tower that is generally cylindrical and the turbine is a horizontal axis axial flow shrouded wind turbine.

Abstract: A hydraulic turbine drive with a multi-material turbine wheel. The turbine wheel is mounted on a shaft defining a shaft material. The blades and a portion of the turbine wheel are comprised of a high strength thermoplastic material having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially higher than the thermal expansion coefficient of the shaft material. The thermoplastic portion of the wheel is radially at least partially contained in a first containing wheel having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of the plastic material and lower than that of the shaft. The first containing wheel may also be radially contained in one or more additional containing wheels each having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of the first containing wheel. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the drive wheels for supercharger systems for internal combustion systems. In a particular preferred embodiment the drive wheel is a part of a single shaft hybrid supercharger system.

Abstract: An exhaust power recovery system for internal combustion engines. The engine exhaust gases drive a gas turbine that in turn drives a hydraulic turbine pump pressurizing a hydraulic fluid which then in turn is the driving source for a hydraulic motor which transmits power to the engine shaft. In a preferred embodiment for a turbocharged engine, the hydraulic fluid is also used as the drive fluid in a hydraulic supercharger system that provides additional supercharging at low engine speeds to supplement the exhaust driven turbocharging system. In this embodiment the pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the supercharger hydraulic turbine is provided by a pump driven by the engine shaft. A hydraulic fluid control system is provided to match compressed air flow with engine needs. In this preferred embodiment more than enough energy is recovered from the exhaust gasses by the exhaust power recovery system to operate the hydraulic supercharger system.

Abstract: An exhaust power recovery system for internal combustion engines. The engine exhaust gases drive a gas turbine that in turn drives a hydraulic turbine pump pressurizing a hydraulic fluid which then in turn is the driving source for a hydraulic motor which transmits power to the engine shaft. In a preferred embodiment the engine exhaust gases drive a gas turbine with pivotable stator vanes that in turn drives a hydraulic pump pressurizing hydraulic fluid which than in turn is the driving source for a hydraulic motor which transmits power to the engine shaft. The pivotable stator vanes function as an efficient variable nozzle providing precise gas turbine control and improved exhaust energy utilization over a wide range of engine operating conditions. Various embodiments of the present invention make it applicable to a wide range of engines.

Abstract: An exhaust power recovery system for internal combustion engines. The engine exhaust gases drive a gas turbine that in turn drives a hydraulic turbine pump pressurizing a hydraulic fluid which then in turn is the driving source for a hydraulic motor which transmits power to the engine shaft. In a preferred embodiment for a turbocharged engine, the hydraulic fluid is also used as the drive fluid in a hydraulic supercharger system that provides additional supercharging at low engine speeds to supplement the exhaust driven turbocharging system. In this embodiment the pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the supercharger hydraulic turbine is provided by a pump driven by the engine shaft. A hydraulic fluid control system is provided to match compressed air flow with engine needs. In this preferred embodiment more than enough energy is recovered from the exhaust gasses by the exhaust power recovery system to operate the hydraulic supercharger system.

Abstract: A hybrid supercharger system for internal combustion engines. A hydraulic turbine drive driven by hydraulic fluid is mounted on the same shaft with an exhaust driven turbine, with both turbines driving a compressor providing compressed air to the engine. Engine oil is utilized to lubricate at least one bearing located on the exhaust portion of the shaft and the hydraulic drive fluid is used to lubricate at least one bearing on the hydraulic turbine portion of the shaft. In a preferred embodiment four bearings are provided, two of which are lubricated by engine oil and two of which are lubricated with hydraulic turbine drive fluid.

Abstract: A control system for an hydraulic supercharger system. The control system is specially adapted to control a supercharger system comprising: (A) an hydraulic pump; (B) a supercharger comprising: an hydraulic turbine drive and a compressor driven by the hydraulic turbine drive; (C) a main hydraulic piping means providing a hydraulic circulation loop for hydraulic fluid to flow from said pump, to drive said hydraulic turbine drive, and back to said pump; and (D) a supercharger bypass system comprising a controlled bypass valve and a piping means to permit a portion of said hydraulic fluid to bypass said supercharger turbine drive. The control system includes a solenoid arranged to close and partially or fully open the controlled bypass valve. The solenoid may be controlled by a pressure switch connected to sense hydraulic pressure and to apply a voltage to said solenoid to open or close said valve upon said hydraulic pressure reaching a predetermined value.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic supercharger system. The control system is specially adapted to control a supercharger system comprising: (A) an hydraulic pump; (B) a supercharger comprising: an hydraulic turbine drive and a compressor driven by said hydraulic turbine drive; (C) a main hydraulic piping means providing an hydraulic circulation loop for hydraulic fluid to flow from said pump, to drive said hydraulic turbine drive, and back to said pump; and (D) a supercharger bypass system comprising a controlled bypass valve and a piping means to permit a portion of said hydraulic fluid to bypass said supercharger turbine drive. The control system includes a bypass control valve arranged to close and partially or fully open the controlled bypass valve. The bypass control valve may be an hydraulic valve controlled by the pressure of the compressed air intake to the engine.

Abstract: A supercharger system in which an hydraulic driven supercharger shares an hydraulic power system with at least one other hydraulic driven device. The system includes a very high speed radial inflow hydraulic turbine drive driving a compressor for supplying compressed air to an internal combustion engine. Pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving a supercharger hydraulic turbine is provided by a first pump driven by the engine shaft. A second pump provides a higher pressure hydraulic fluid flow for driving at least one other device, such as a power steering device. In a preferred embodiment, when the hydraulic turbine is not needed at high engine speed because sufficient air is provided by a turbosupercharger, a bypass valve is opened by a controller to unload the hydraulic pump and then the controller causes a clutch to decouple the supercharger hydraulic pump from the engine shaft.

Abstract: An hydropneumatic supercharger system for charging air into an internal combustion engine. An hydropneumatic supercharger is driven by an hydraulic turbine and an air turbine. The supercharger compressor provides supercharger air to a turbocharger. The turbocharger is driven by exhaust gasses from the engine and the turbocharger compressor provides compressed air to the engine and also provides compressed air to drive the supercharger air turbine.

Abstract: An electro pneumatic supercharger system for charging air into an internal combustion engine. An electropneumatic supercharger is driven by an electric motor and an air turbine. The supercharger compressor provides supercharger air to a turbocharger. The turbocharger is driven by exhaust gasses from the engine and the turbocharger compressor provides compressed air to the engine and also provides compressed air to drive the supercharger air turbine. In a preferred embodiment, when excess turbocharger power is available, the electric motor may be driven by compressed air from the turbocharger to charge a battery.

Abstract: A very high speed radial inflow hydraulic turbine drive. Inflow nozzles drilled in a nozzle body intersect a circular nozzle body exit surface, the centerline of each nozzle forming an angle of between 8 and 25 degrees with the tangent of the exit circle at the point of intersection. The turbine wheel of the drive is small. Its diameter measured at the tips of the blades is less than 2 inches. In a preferred embodiment, built and tested by Applicant, the wheel is only 0.80 inch diameter. This embodiment was tested with a turbine hydraulic fluid pressure drop of 700 psi and flow of 19.5 GPM. The 0.8 inch turbine produced 5.9 HP at 62,000 RPM driving the compressor portion of a TO4B-V turbocharger. The compressed air flow was measured at 11.3 pounds per minute (161.4 inlet CFM) at a pressure ratio of 1.41. During the test the acceleration of the supercharger was measured from idle to 62,000 RPM in about 1/2 second.

Abstract: A compressed air turbine driven fan having an axial blade fan impeller driven by a partial admission radial inflow air turbine, with both the fan blades and the turbine blades mounted on the hub rim of a single fan-turbine wheel. The turbine exhaust is discharged into a cavity surrounding the shaft of the fan-turbine wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a sound surpressing muffler made of plates having air passage offset from each other is provided with the cavity. Turbine exhaust air exists through the passages to mix with the fan flow.

Abstract: A very simple system to automatically control the flow of irrigation water. The stem of a water shutoff valve is controlled by a balance beam having two arms extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve stem. The angle between the two arms is about 135 degrees. At the end of the second arm is a water bucket. At the end of the first arm is a counter weight. When the first arm is horizontal, the water bucket is elevated and the valve is open. The water bucket collects a small portion of the irrigation water flow. When the bucket is substantially full, the second arm moves to a horizontal position, the counterweight is elevated and the valve is closed.

Abstract: An inlet guide vane assembly for a pump or a compressor having rotary blades. The guide vanes are pivotably disposed so that a portion of the vanes can be inserted into or withdrawn from the inlet passageway of the pump or the compressor by pivoting the guide vanes about a pivot axes. A control is provided for controlling the degree of pivot.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a core submerged in a pool of liquid. Under normal conditions, coolant flows through the core without intermixing with the liquid in the pool. In the event of failure of the primary coolant circulation system, liquid from the pool flows through openings in the primary circulation system so as to cool the core by natural convection. Flow through the openings during normal operating conditions may be controlled regardless of the flow rate.

Abstract: A bearing system includes backup bearings for supporting a rotating shaft upon failure of primary bearings. In the preferred embodiment, the backup bearings are rolling element bearings having their rolling elements disposed out of contact with their associated respective inner races during normal functioning of the primary bearings. Displacement detection sensors are provided for detecting displacement of the shaft upon failure of the primary bearings. Upon detection of the failure of the primary bearings, the rolling elements and inner races of the backup bearings are brought into mutual contact by axial displacement of the shaft.

Abstract: A shaft seal system is disclosed for isolating two regions of different fluid mediums through which a rotatable shaft extends. The seal system includes a seal housing through which the shaft extends and which defines an annular land and an annular labyrinth both of which face on the shaft so that each establishes a corresponding fluid sealing annulus. A collection cavity is formed in communication with the annular sealing spaces, and fluids compatible with the fluids in each of the two regions to be isolated are introduced, respectively, into the annular sealing spaces and collected in the collection cavity from which the fluid mixture is removed and passed to a separator which separates the fluids and returns them to their respective annular sealing spaces in a recycling manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the isolated fluid mediums comprise a liquid region and a gas region.

Abstract: A system for producing process heat which employs a high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactor and is adapted to provide process heat at temperatures higher than the reactor core temperature. The system includes a closed secondary loop having a working fluid heated to a first temperature by the coolant of the reactor core in an intermediate heat exchanger, and has a heat pump connected in the secondary loop which increases the temperature of the working fluid to a temperature above the core coolant temperature. Steam in an independent closed nuclear steam supply circuit is heated directly by the core coolant in a steam generator and provides steam for make-up driving power to the heat pump in the secondary loop. The steam supply circuit also supplies additional steam to generate electric power and process steam. The size of the intermediate heat exchanger is minimized to enable maximum utilization of the steam supply circuit.