Abstract: Systems related to concentrated solar combination heating and power generation; solar heating; industrial heat driven power generation; thermal storage systems and heat exchanger and power generation systems therefore, including any of the above with optional supplemental fuel production, and associated methods, are generally described.

Abstract: A metallic-ceramic joint for a turbo-compressor spool is disclosed. A temperature-limited joint is moved from outside the bearings to between the bearings and near the center of the shaft joining the turbine and compressor. This placement can lower the temperature at and around the joint and reduces the sharp gradient (and associated thermal stress) naturally occurring between the turbine rotor and the cooler joint. The bearing closest to the compressor can be an oil bearing and the bearing closest to the turbine an air bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an oil bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an air bearing. Moving the metallic-ceramic joint between the bearings can provide sufficient isolation to enable the all-air bearing solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for heat exchange. Embodiments of the present invention include a method and apparatus for heat exchange employing a unit cell using interior and exterior fins, the interior fins disposed within a flattened envelope structure. In one particular embodiment, the heat exchanger is directed for use as a gas engine recuperator.

Abstract: A metallic-ceramic joint for a turbo-compressor spool is disclosed. A temperature-limited joint is moved from outside the bearings to between the bearings and near the center of the shaft joining the turbine and compressor. This placement can lower the temperature at and around the joint and reduces the sharp gradient (and associated thermal stress) naturally occurring between the turbine rotor and the cooler joint. The bearing closest to the compressor can be an oil bearing and the bearing closest to the turbine an air bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an oil bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an air bearing. Moving the metallic-ceramic joint between the bearings can provide sufficient isolation to enable the all-air bearing solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which are directed generally to gas turbine engine systems and specifically to a method utilizing a heat pipe or pipes associated with a thermal oxidizer for preheating a fuel-air mixture. This preheating of a fuel-air mixture allows a substantial reduction in size a thermal oxidizer used as a combustor so that it can be used with all fuels, especially natural gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a multi-spool gas turbine engine with a variable area turbine nozzle and a motor/alternator device on the highest pressure turbo-compressor spool for starting the gas turbine and power extraction during engine operation. During power down of the engine, the variable area turbine nozzle may be used in conjunction with power extraction to maintain a near constant combustor outlet temperature while controlling turbine inlet temperatures on the turbines downstream of the highest pressure turbine and controlling spool speed on the highest pressure turbine.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a highly efficient gas turbine engine architecture utilizing multiple stages of intercooling and reheat, ceramic technology, turbocharger technology and high pressure combustion. The approach includes utilizing a conventional dry low NOx combustor for the main combustor and thermal reactors for the reheat apparatuses. In a first configuration, there are three separate turbo-compressor spools and a free power turbine spool. In a second configuration, there are three separate turbo-compressor spools but no free power spool. In a third configuration, all the compressors and turbines are on a single shaft. Each of these configurations can include two stages of intercooling, two stages of reheat and a recuperator to preheat the working fluid before it enters the main combustor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for directing flow to a combustor embedded in a recuperator while shielding the recuperator from radiative heat transfer from the combustor. The radiation heat shield also serves as a structural component to center the combustor within the recuperator core cavity and to allow motion between the combustor and recuperator as temperatures vary. The disclosure is illustrated by the example a gas turbine engine comprising three turbomachinery spools, an intercooler, a recuperator and a combustor. Thermal efficiency of such an engine can be increased by raising the high pressure turbine inlet temperature. It is a specific goal of the present disclosure to reduce radiative heating of a recuperator by a combustor which is housed substantially inside the recuperator.

Abstract: A heat exchange device of a type for affecting an exchange of heat between a first and second fluid is characterized by a plurality of heat exchange cells in a stacked arrangement and defining first, second and third manifolds. In certain aspects, an apparatus and method for reinforcing the heat exchange device against pressure loads while accommodating thermal expansion of the outlet manifold are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a multi-spool gas turbine power plant which utilizes motor/generator devices on two or more spools for starting the gas turbine and for power extraction after starting. Methods are disclosed for controlling engine responsiveness under changing load and/or ambient air conditions; providing a momentary power boost when required; providing some engine braking when needed; providing over-speed protection for the free power turbine when load is rapidly lowered or disconnected; charging an energy storage system; and restoring the compressors and/or turbines toward their operating lines when surge or choking limits are approached.

Abstract: A solar receiver for conversion of solar radiation to thermal energy includes an enclosure defining a cavity and having an aperture for receiving an influx of concentrated solar radiation. A heat exchanger is received within the cavity for transferring heat out of the solar receiver. The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange cells arranged in polygonal array within the cavity. Each heat exchange cell comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a heat exchange matrix interposed within a first volume defined between a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from the first plate. The inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the first volume and the first plate, second plate, and heat exchange matrix are monolithically bonded as a unit. The first plate receives concentrated solar radiation and the heat exchange media defines a pathway for a fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a gas turbine power plant with a variable area turbine nozzle and an integrated motor/alternator device for starting the gas turbine and power extraction after starting.

Abstract: A heat exchange device of a type for affecting an exchange of heat between a first and second fluid is characterized by a plurality of heat exchange cells in a stacked arrangement and defining first, second and third manifolds. In certain aspects, an apparatus and method for reinforcing the heat exchange device against pressure loads while accommodating thermal expansion of the outlet manifold are provided.

Abstract: A heat exchange cell for a recuperator includes top and bottom plates sandwiching a matrix finned member and a pair of header finned members. The top and bottom plates each include a pair of manifold openings, and the header finned members each include a curved free edge following the curvature of an associated manifold opening. The header finned member includes a high fin density portion along the free edge and a low fin density portion communicating with the high fin density portion. The dual fin density header finned member thus provides increased structural strength along the free edge and provides a low pressure drop through the low fin density portion.

Abstract: A recuperator support includes a first pivot mount that defines a first pivot axis and a floating pivot mount that defines a floating pivot axis. The recuperator is coupled to the pivot mounts and pivotal about the pivot axes. The floating pivot mount accommodates thermal growth of the recuperator. The first pivot mount may be mounted to a frame such that the first pivot axis is fixed with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A cogenerating recuperated microturbine includes a recuperator, an air compressor and a combustor. The combustor burns a fuel along with the compressed air received from the recuperator to create products of combustion. A turbine generator operates in response to expansion of the products of combustion to generate electricity. The products of combustion then flow through the recuperator to preheat the compressed air. The products of combustion then flow out of the recuperator as an exhaust flow. A heat exchanger is movable into and out of the exhaust flow to selectively heat a fluid in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is actuated by a piston-cylinder type actuator that operates under the influence of compressed air selectively bled from the air compressor. The actuator may be a single-acting cylinder used in conjunction with a biasing spring, or may be a double-acting cylinder.

Abstract: A microturbine system includes a compressor, a recuperator assembly, a combustor, a turbine, and a generator. The recuperator assembly includes a core that preheats compressed air provided by the compressor with exhaust gas from the turbine. The preheated compressed air is mixed with a fuel and burned in the combustor. The products of combustion are used to drive the turbine, which in turn drives the compressor and generator. The recuperator core is surrounded by a recuperator housing that is intimate with the recuperator core such that the recuperator housing assumes substantially the same temperature as the recuperator core. The recuperator housing is constructed of materials that have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially equal to that of the recuperator core, and that have thicknesses substantially equal to the thickness of the recuperator core materials. A superstructure supports the recuperator core and resists expansion of the core in a stackwise direction.

Abstract: A microturbine system includes a compressor, a recuperator assembly, a combustor, a turbine, and a generator. The recuperator assembly includes a core that preheats compressed air provided by the compressor with exhaust gas from the turbine. The preheated compressed air is mixed with a fuel and burned in the combustor. The products of combustion are used to drive the turbine, which in turn drives the compressor and generator. The recuperator core is surrounded by a recuperator housing that is intimate with the recuperator core such that the recuperator housing assumes substantially the same temperature as the recuperator core. The recuperator housing is constructed of materials that have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially equal to that of the recuperator core, and that have thicknesses substantially equal to the thickness of the recuperator core materials. A superstructure supports the recuperator core and resists expansion of the core in a stackwise direction.

Abstract: A cogenerating recuperated microturbine includes a recuperator, an air compressor and a combustor. The combustor burns a fuel along with the compressed air received from the recuperator to create products of combustion. A turbine generator operates in response to expansion of the products of combustion to generate electricity. The products of combustion then flow through the recuperator to preheat the compressed air. The products of combustion then flow out of the recuperator as an exhaust flow. A heat exchanger is movable into and out of the exhaust flow to selectively heat a fluid in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is actuated by a piston-cylinder type actuator that operates under the influence of compressed air selectively bled from the air compressor. The actuator may be a single-acting cylinder used in conjunction with a biasing spring, or may be a double-acting cylinder.

Abstract: A plate-fin heat exchanger includes a stacked array of cells. Each cell includes top and bottom sheets defining manifolds and header finned members disposed between the top and bottom sheets. The top and bottom sheets include substantially planar portions, diverging portions angled with respect to the planar portions, and divergence edges defined between the planar and diverging portions. The header finned member extends beyond the divergence edges of the top and bottom sheets and is supported in cantilevered fashion within the manifold.