Abstract: A power generation unit comprising a turbine for extracting energy from a vaporous power fluid and including means for directing the power fluid generally downward therethrough, a tubine wheel wherein the flow of the power fluid past the turbine wheel causes rotation thereof, and a vapor discharge port substantially directly below and at least substantially coextensive with the horizontal cross section of the vapor flow path as the vapor flows past the turbine wheel. The unit further comprises power means for generating power, means for transmitting energy extracted from the power fluid by the turbine to the power means to generate the power, and a condenser located below the turbine for condensing the vaporous power fluid and including a vapor inlet port substantially coextensive with the vapor discharge port of the turbine.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a casing having a rotor mounted therein. The casing includes an assembly with provisions for admitting a cooling medium. The assembly comprises a first member having opposed front and rear spaced, radially extending walls. A baffle member extends radially within a chamber defined by said spaced walls. The baffle member includes a plurality of equally spaced circumferential openings defining a fluid flow path for cooling medium injected into said chamber. If the fluid is in a saturated state prior to its injection into the chamber, the fluid is expanded into a superheated state at the chamber entrance. The fluid is directed by the baffle member to the outer diameter of the chamber, then radially inward through the flow path. The fluid exits from the first member through a circular gap having the top surface thereof defined by the lower inner surface of the rear wall of the first member.

Abstract: A power producing system includes a source of geothermally heated fluid having inorganic salts dissolved therein. The fluid is directed through a first direct contact heat exchanger in heat transfer relation with a working fluid of a type insoluble in a liquid including inorganic salts. The vaporous working fluid thus produced is expanded through a prime mover and then directed through a second direct contact heat exchanger. The vaporous fluid is condensed in said second direct contact heat exchanger by passing in heat transfer relation with a relatively cold heat exchange medium comprising a liquid brine solution. The condensed working fluid is thereafter returned to the first direct contact heat exchanger for repeated reuse in the cycle. Inorganic salts are mixed with either the geothermal heated fluid or the relatively cold heat exchange medium to maintain the percentage by weight of inorganic salt in each of the fluids above a predetermined value to prevent the working fluid from being absorbed therein.

Abstract: Geothermally heated fluid is supplied to a nozzle of the first stage of a hydraulic turbine. The water constituent of the geothermally heated fluid is directed by the nozzle against the wheel of the hydraulic turbine to cause the wheel to rotate. A first generator is coupled to the wheel whereby rotation of the wheel results in the generation of electricity. A portion of the geothermally heated fluid passing through the nozzle flashes to a vapor phase. The vapor is delivered to the first stage of a vapor driven turbine. The vapor passes through the wheel of the turbine which results in rotation thereof. A second generator is coupled to the wheel of the vapor driven turbine whereby rotation of the wheel results in additional generation of electricity.