Abstract: A lubrication system for an aerial vehicle, the lubrication system including: a lubrication oil (LO) tank configured to operate at a first internal pressure; and an intake chamber (IC) configured to operate at a second internal pressure greater than the first internal pressure, the IC including an ingress port configured to receive LO from a sump of an equipment of the aerial vehicle; an overflow port in fluid communication with the LO tank; and a supply port in fluid communication with the sump and configured to supply LO to the sump.

Abstract: A lubrication system for an aerial vehicle, the lubrication system including: a lubrication oil (LO) tank configured to operate at a first internal pressure; and an intake chamber (IC) configured to operate at a second internal pressure greater than the first internal pressure, the IC including an ingress port configured to receive LO from a sump of an equipment of the aerial vehicle; an overflow port in fluid communication with the LO tank; and a supply port in fluid communication with the sump and configured to supply LO to the sump.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing an internal environment of a turbomachine includes a first chamber connectable in fluid communication with a high pressure environment of a turbomachine so that a working fluid can flow from the high pressure environment to the first chamber; and a second chamber in fluid communication with a lubrication circuit so that a lubricant can flow from the lubrication circuit to the second chamber. The first and second chambers are arranged in fluid communication with each other so that the working fluid can flow from the first to the second chamber. A return line for the working fluid is in fluid communication with the first chamber and connectable in fluid communication with a low pressure environment of the turbomachine so that the working fluid can flow from the first chamber to the low pressure environment. A pressure regulating device is included along the return line and is configured to provide a predetermined pressure drop.

Abstract: A connection arrangement comprising a shaft having an axial through hole, a tie rod located inside the axial through hole, an impeller comprising a solid hub, a plurality of blades, and an integral stub protruding axially from the solid hub; at an end of the tie rod there is an integral body having a shape radially protruding from the tie rod; the stub has a cavity for receiving the body and an axial hole for inserting the body into the cavity; the stub axial hole has a shape corresponding to the shape of the body; the cavity is so sized and shaped as to allow rotation of the body inside the cavity and trapping of the body in the cavity once rotated; the shaft and the impeller are coupled together by a coupling.

Abstract: A turboexpander and driven turbomachine system comprising a turboexpander configured for expanding a first fluid and comprising an expander stage with one expander impeller; a first set of moveable inlet guide vanes at the inlet of the expander stage; a driven turbomachine configured for processing a second fluid and comprising a turbomachine impeller; a second set of moveable inlet guide vanes at the inlet of the turbomachine impeller; a mechanical transmission between the turboexpander and the driven turbomachine; and a controller connected to the second set of moveable inlet guide vanes and configured for controlling the second set of moveable inlet guide vanes for adjusting the rotary speed of the driven turbomachine and said turboexpander.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing an internal environment of a turbomachine includes a first chamber connectable in fluid communication with a high pressure environment of a turbomachine so that a working fluid can flow from the high pressure environment to the first chamber; and a second chamber in fluid communication with a lubrication circuit so that a lubricant can flow from the lubrication circuit to the second chamber. The first and second chambers are arranged in fluid communication with each other so that the working fluid can flow from the first to the second chamber. A return line for the working fluid is in fluid communication with the first chamber and connectable in fluid communication with a low pressure environment of the turbomachine so that the working fluid can flow from the first chamber to the low pressure environment. A pressure regulating device is included along the return line and is configured to provide a predetermined pressure drop.

Abstract: A connection arrangement comprising a shaft having an axial through hole, a tie rod located inside the axial through hole, an impeller comprising a solid hub, a plurality of blades, and an integral stub protruding axially from the solid hub; at an end of the tie rod there is an integral body having a shape radially protruding from the tie rod; the stub has a cavity for receiving the body and an axial hole for inserting the body into the cavity; the stub axial hole has a shape corresponding to the shape of the body; the cavity is so sized and shaped as to allow rotation of the body inside the cavity and trapping of the body in the cavity once rotated; the shaft and the impeller are coupled together by a coupling.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes an expander; a central region having a first end attached to the expander; a compressor attached to a second end of the central region; an electrical device provided inside the central region; and an electrical connection including a first part and a second part, the first part being configured to be removably attached directly to the second part. The first part is configured to be removably attached to an external surface of an external casing of the central region, and the second part is configured to be fixedly attached to a bundle.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes a rotor assembly with a shaft and a plurality of impellers, bearings located at ends of the shaft and configured to support the rotor assembly, a sealing mechanism disposed between the rotor assembly and the bearings, and a gas bearing disposed between the plurality of impellers for supporting the shaft and receiving a working gas from an impeller downstream from a location of the gas bearing.

Abstract: A turboexpander and driven turbomachine system comprising a turboexpander configured for expanding a first fluid and comprising an expander stage with one expander impeller; a first set of moveable inlet guide vanes at the inlet of the expander stage; a driven turbomachine configured for processing a second fluid and comprising a turbomachine impeller; a second set of moveable inlet guide vanes at the inlet of the turbomachine impeller; a mechanical transmission between the turboexpander and the driven turbomachine; and a controller connected to the second set of moveable inlet guide vanes and configured for controlling the second set of moveable inlet guide vanes for adjusting the rotary speed of the driven turbomachine and said turboexpander.

Abstract: Herein described is a system for injecting and extracting gas for a fluid rotating machine of the type comprising at least one stator case, one first stage which receives the gas flowing into the machine, one final stage, downstream of which the gas is discharged from the machine, and one or more intermediate stages arranged between the first stage and the final stage. Each stage is made up of a single centrifugal rotor and a fixed ducting, associated to such centrifugal rotor and made on the single stator case. The system comprises at least one first worm screw for extracting gas from the machine and at least one second worm screw for injecting gas into the machine. Both worm screws for extracting gas and for injecting gas are operatively connected to at least one stage of the machine.

Abstract: A turboexpander-compressor system includes an expander configured to expand an incoming gas, a first set of moveable inlet guide vanes configured to control a pressure of the incoming gas, a compressor configured to compress a gas received from the expander, a shaft configured to support and rotate an expander impeller and a compressor impeller, a second set of moveable inlet guide vanes attached to the compressor and configured to control a pressure of the gas input into the compressor, and a controller configured to acquire information about a rotating speed of the shaft, a pressure and a temperature of the incoming gas, a pressure and a temperature of the gas output from the expander, and to control the second set of moveable inlet guide vanes to maximize a ratio between the rotating speed of the shaft and a drop of an enthalpy across the expander, in off-design conditions.

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.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes a rotor assembly with a shaft and a plurality of impellers, bearings located at ends of the shaft and configured to support the rotor assembly, a sealing mechanism disposed between the rotor assembly and the bearings, and a gas bearing disposed between the plurality of impellers for supporting the shaft and receiving a working gas from an impeller downstream from a location of the gas bearing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically balancing axial loads in centrifugal compressors to reduce residual axial loads on the bearings used therein are described. A sensor or probe detects a parameter associated with the axial load acting on the bearing. Based on the detected parameter, the pressure in a balance chamber is controlled to adjust the compensating axial force generated by a balance drum.

Abstract: Method and nozzle adjustment mechanism for adjusting a flow of a fluid. The nozzle adjustment mechanism includes a fixed ring; at least a vane connected to the fixed ring by a pivot pin and configured to rotate with the pivot pin; an adjusting ring rotatably connected to the fixed ring and configured to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the nozzle adjustment mechanism; and a connection mechanism connecting the at least a vane to the adjusting ring and configured to move the at least a vane when the adjusting ring is rotated, the connection mechanism including a lever component and a link component connected to each other. The lever component is connected to the at least a vane and the link component is connected to the adjusting ring.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes an expander; a central region having a first end attached to the expander; a compressor attached to a second end of the central region; an electrical device provided inside the central region; and an electrical connection including a first part and a second part, the first part being configured to be removably attached directly to the second part. The first part is configured to be removably attached to an external surface of an external casing of the central region, and the second part is configured to be fixedly attached to a bundle.

Abstract: A turboexpander-compressor system includes an expander configured to expand an incoming gas, a first set of moveable inlet guide vanes configured to control a pressure of the incoming gas, a compressor configured to compress a gas received from the expander, a shaft configured to support and rotate an expander impeller and a compressor impeller, a second set of moveable inlet guide vanes attached to the compressor and configured to control a pressure of the gas input into the compressor, and a controller configured to acquire information about a rotating speed of the shaft, a pressure and a temperature of the incoming gas, a pressure and a temperature of the gas output from the expander, and to control the second set of moveable inlet guide vanes to maximize a ratio between the rotating speed of the shaft and a drop of an enthalpy across the expander, in off-design conditions.

Abstract: Herein described is a system for injecting and extracting gas for a fluid rotating machine of the type comprising at least one stator case, one first stage which receives the gas flowing into the machine, one final stage, downstream of which the gas is discharged from the machine, and one or more intermediate stages arranged between the first stage and the final stage. Each stage is made up of a single centrifugal rotor and a fixed ducting, associated to such centrifugal rotor and made on the single stator case. The system comprises at least one first worm screw for extracting gas from the machine and at least one second worm screw for injecting gas into the machine. Both worm screws for extracting gas and for injecting gas are operatively connected to at least one stage of the machine.

Abstract: Systems include using a turboexpander in power generation systems. The system includes: a turboexpander to include an expander section, a pump section and a motor-generator section which are mechanically linked via a shaft. The expander section is fluidly connected to an outlet side of a heat exchanger and configured to receive a vapor stream of a fluid, to rotate the shaft and to generate an expanded vapor stream of the fluid. The pump section is fluidly connected to an outlet side of a condenser and configured to receive a liquid stream of the fluid, to pressurize the liquid stream of the fluid and to circulate the fluid in the power generation system. The motor-generator section is configured to output an electrical current.