Abstract: A turbine and method of operating a turbine includes a housing having an inlet, a volute and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the volute through a primary fluid path and a secondary fluid path. The turbine further includes an impeller rotatably coupled to the housing and a hydraulically actuated valve assembly disposed within the secondary fluid path selectively communicating fluid from the inlet to the volute. The turbine includes a hydraulic actuator coupled to the valve assembly moving the valve assembly from a first position communicating fluid from the inlet into the volute to a second position blocking flow from the inlet to the volute.

Abstract: A turbine and method of operating the same a turbine includes a housing having a volute, an inlet and an outlet an impeller rotatable coupled to the housing, a first shroud disposed within the housing comprising a plurality of nozzle vanes and a second shroud disposed within the housing adjacent to the first shroud so that a nozzle area is formed between the first shroud and the second shroud, said nozzle area having a variable width. The second shroud is movable relative to the first shroud to vary the width so that fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is variable.

Abstract: A fluid machine in communication with a thrust bearing fluid source includes a housing having a bearing portion receiving fluid from the fluid source. A bearing chamber is formed in the bearing portion. An extension of a rotor is positioned within the bearing chamber so that a first pocket is disposed adjacent to a first side of the extension and a second pocket is disposed adjacent to a second side of the extension. An extension lateral side is adjacent to the bearing chamber lateral side. The extension comprises a first channel extending from a first half of the extension lateral side to the first pocket. The extension comprises a second channel extending from a second half of the extension lateral side opposite the first channel to the second pocket. The bearing chamber receives fluid from the bearing channel which is communicated to the first and second channels and the pockets.

Abstract: A fluid machine has a housing and a rotating portion that rotates relative to and is at least partially disposed within the housing. The housing is coupled to a seal assembly comprising a plurality of seal channels having a plurality of seal rings. Each of the plurality of seal channels comprises a respective one of the plurality of seal rings.

Abstract: A throttle housing having an inlet end and an outlet end includes a shuttle housing disposed within the throttle housing. The shuttle housing has a first end cap at a first end and an orifice array therethrough. The shuttle housing comprises a shuttle housing therein. The shuttle has an opened position and a closed position relative to the shuttle housing. The shuttle defines a varying control volume between the end cap, the shuttle and the shuttle housing. The control inlet fluidically communicates a control fluid to the control volume to control the position of the shuttle in the shuttle housing.

Abstract: A turbine and method of operating the same includes a housing having a volute and an outlet and an impeller rotatable coupled to the housing. The turbine includes a nozzle ring having a plurality of primary nozzles and a plurality of secondary nozzles. The plurality of primary nozzles and the plurality of secondary nozzles direct fluid toward the impeller. An auxiliary valve assembly selectively communicates fluid from the volute to the plurality of secondary nozzles. An actuator is coupled to the valve auxiliary assembly moving the auxiliary valve assembly from a first position communicating fluid from the volute into the secondary nozzles to a second position blocking flow of fluid to the secondary nozzles.

Abstract: A turbine and method of operating a turbine includes a housing having an inlet, a volute and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the volute through a primary fluid path and a secondary fluid path. The turbine further includes an impeller rotatably coupled to the housing and a hydraulically actuated valve assembly disposed within the secondary fluid path selectively communicating fluid from the inlet to the volute. The turbine includes a hydraulic actuator coupled to the valve assembly moving the valve assembly from a first position communicating fluid from the inlet into the volute to a second position blocking flow from the inlet to the volute.

Abstract: A turbine and method of operating the same a turbine includes a housing having a volute, an inlet and an outlet an impeller rotatable coupled to the housing, a first shroud disposed within the housing comprising a plurality of nozzle vanes and a second shroud disposed within the housing adjacent to the first shroud so that a nozzle area is formed between the first shroud and the second shroud, said nozzle area having a variable width. The second shroud is movable relative to the first shroud to vary the width so that fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is variable.

Abstract: A fluid machine in communication with a thrust bearing fluid source includes a housing having a bearing portion receiving fluid from the fluid source. A bearing chamber is formed in the bearing portion. An extension of a rotor is positioned within the bearing chamber so that a first pocket is disposed adjacent to a first side of the extension and a second pocket is disposed adjacent to a second side of the extension. An extension lateral side is adjacent to the bearing chamber lateral side. The extension comprises a first channel extending from a first half of the extension lateral side to the first pocket. The extension comprises a second channel extending from a second half of the extension lateral side opposite the first channel to the second pocket. The bearing chamber receives fluid from the bearing channel which is communicated to the first and second channels and the pockets.

Abstract: A throttle housing having an inlet end and an outlet end includes a shuttle housing disposed within the throttle housing. The shuttle housing has a first end cap at a first end and an orifice array therethrough. The shuttle housing comprises a shuttle housing therein. The shuttle has an opened position and a closed position relative to the shuttle housing. The shuttle defines a varying control volume between the end cap, the shuttle and the shuttle housing. The control inlet fluidically communicates a control fluid to the control volume to control the position of the shuttle in the shuttle housing.

Abstract: A fluid machine has a housing and a rotating portion that rotates relative to and is at least partially disposed within the housing. The housing is coupled to a seal assembly comprising a plurality of seal channels having a plurality of seal rings. Each of the plurality of seal channels comprises a respective one of the plurality of seal rings.