Abstract: A gas lift valve assembly includes a housing and a check valve. The housing defines an inlet port and an outlet port, and includes an inner casing having a radial outer surface and a radial inner surface at least partially defining a main flow passage. The check valve includes a sealing mechanism disposed around the radial outer surface of the inner casing, and a valve member including an outwardly extending sealing segment. The valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position in which the sealing segment sealingly engages the sealing mechanism.

Abstract: A gas lift valve assembly includes a housing, a check valve, and a fluid flow barrier. The housing defines an inlet port, an outlet port, and a main flow passage providing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The main flow passage has an upstream end and a downstream end. The check valve includes a sealing element disposed at the downstream end of the main flow passage, and a valve member configured to sealingly engage the sealing element. The valve member is movable between an open position in which fluid flow is permitted in a downstream direction, and a closed position in which the valve member inhibits fluid flow in an upstream direction. The fluid flow barrier is disposed within the main flow passage, and is configured to direct fluid flow away from the sealing element when the valve member is in the open position.

Abstract: An aspirating face seal for use with a rotary machine includes a rotating seal ring including a radially outer surface that includes an oblique portion. A stationary seal ring is coupled proximate the rotating seal ring such that a first gap is defined therebetween. The stationary seal ring is movable along a centerline axis of the rotary machine between an open position and a sealed position, and includes an extension member that extends across the first gap. An auxiliary seal includes at least one seal tooth that includes a seal tooth tip. The at least one seal tooth extends radially inward from the extension member such that a second gap is defined between the seal tooth tip and the oblique portion.

Abstract: An electric machine is presented. The electric machine includes a hollow rotor; and a stator disposed within the hollow rotor, the stator defining a flow channel. The hollow rotor includes a first end portion defining a fluid inlet, a second end portion defining a fluid outlet; the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet, and the flow channel of the stator being configured to allow passage of a fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the flow channel; and wherein the hollow rotor is characterized by a largest cross-sectional area of hollow rotor, and wherein the flow channel is characterized by a smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel, wherein the smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel is at least about 25% of the largest cross-sectional area of the hollow rotor. An electric fluid pump and a power generation system are also presented.

Abstract: An electric machine is presented. The electric machine includes a hollow rotor; and a stator disposed within the hollow rotor, the stator defining a flow channel. The hollow rotor includes a first end portion defining a fluid inlet, a second end portion defining a fluid outlet; the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet, and the flow channel of the stator being configured to allow passage of a fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the flow channel; and wherein the hollow rotor is characterized by a largest cross-sectional area of hollow rotor, and wherein the flow channel is characterized by a smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel, wherein the smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel is at least about 25% of the largest cross-sectional area of the hollow rotor. An electric fluid pump and a power generation system are also presented.

Abstract: An actuation system to control clearance in a turbomachine including a shaft bearing including at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing. The axially displaceable thrust bearing configured to axially displace a rotating component relative to a stationary component to control the clearance therebetween. The system further including a plurality of actuators coupled to the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing and configured to actuate the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing to control the clearance. The plurality of actuators is configured to deactivate a diametrically opposed actuator in the event of an actuator failure to maintain zero moment. In a topography network, each diametrically opposed actuator pair is coupled to a single control line. In an alternate topography network, alternating actuators are coupled to a single control line. In addition, a method of actuating a thrust bearing to control clearance in a turbomachine is disclosed.

Abstract: A method implemented using at least one processor includes receiving a plurality of measured operational parameters of a turbo machine having a rotor and a stator. The plurality of measured operational parameters includes a plurality of real-time operational parameters and a plurality of stored operational parameters. The method further includes generating a finite element model of the turbo machine and generating a plurality of snapshots based on the finite element model and the plurality of stored operational parameters. The method further includes generating a reduced order model based on the plurality of snapshots. The method also includes determining an estimated clearance between the rotor and the stator during operation of the turbo machine, based on the reduced order model and the plurality of real-time operational parameters.

Abstract: An aspirating face seal for use with a rotary machine includes a rotating seal ring including a radially outer surface that includes an oblique portion. A stationary seal ring is coupled proximate the rotating seal ring such that a first gap is defined therebetween. The stationary seal ring is movable along a centerline axis of the rotary machine between an open position and a sealed position, and includes an extension member that extends across the first gap. An auxiliary seal includes at least one seal tooth that includes a seal tooth tip. The at least one seal tooth extends radially inward from the extension member such that a second gap is defined between the seal tooth tip and the oblique portion.

Abstract: A compliant plate seal manufacturing method is provided. The method includes assembling a plurality of compliant plates and a plurality of spacer shims into a weld fixture, thereby forming a leaf pack having a front and rear end and sides and a curvature, welding the sides of the leaf pack to hook plates on the weld fixture, removing a portion of the weld fixture, removing a portion of the hook plates and applying a radial flow plate to the leaf pack.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly for turbomachinery having a rotor can include a stationary seal component, a floating seal component coupled to the stationary seal component and circumferentially angled bristles arranged in a bristle pack, disposed in the floating seal component and extended axially with respect to the rotor.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly configured for use in a downhole pumping system includes a number of electrically conductive components that are insulated from fluids, mechanical abrasion, electrical current and electrical grounds using an advanced polyimide film. Preferred polyimide films include poly(4,4?-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide) and biphenyl-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BPDA) type polyimide films. Magnet wire, stator laminates, stator coil end turns, motor leads and power cables can all be insulated with the selected polyimide film.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly configured for use in a downhole pumping system includes a number of electrically conductive components that are insulated from fluids, mechanical abrasion, electrical current and electrical grounds using an advanced polyimide film. Preferred polyimide films include poly(4,4?-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide) and biphenyl-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BPDA) type polyimide films. Magnet wire, stator laminates, stator coil end turns, motor leads and power cables can all be insulated with the selected polyimide film.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a turbomachine includes a seal ring rotatable between a first position and a second position and having a plurality of tunnels. Also included is a back ring located adjacent the seal ring and having a plurality of apertures that align with more of the plurality of tunnels of the seal ring when at the second position than at the first position. Further included is a retention piece operably connecting the seal ring and the back ring.

Abstract: A turbomachine for use with a high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid is provided. The turbomachine includes a rotatable shaft and a casing enclosing the rotatable shaft, which defines at least a first and second compartment fluidly coupled together. The first compartment at least partially encloses one of a compressor and an expander. The second compartment at least partially encloses a generator. Attached to opposite ends of the rotatable shaft is a compressor for compressing the working fluid and an expansion turbine for expanding the working fluid. A motor-generator is attached to the rotatable shaft between the compressor and expansion turbine. The turbomachine includes at least one sealing system positioned between the first and second compartments that includes a number of seals for regulating the flow rate of the working fluid between the first and second compartments and for suppressing the heat and pressure transfer between the first and second compartments.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal design, an actuation control clearance strategy, and a method of operating a turbomachine. The labyrinth seal design including a plurality of features configured to open and close radial clearances in response to relative axial movement between a stationary component and a rotating component. The actuation control clearance strategy and method of operating a turbomachine effective to achieve relative motion between a rotating component and a stationary component of the turbomachine using active elements. Axial displacement of the rotating component relative to the stationary component provides an adjustment in a radial clearance at one or more sealing locations between the rotating component and the stationary component to suit a given operating condition of the turbomachine.

Abstract: An electric machine is presented. The electric machine includes a hollow rotor; and a stator disposed within the hollow rotor, the stator defining a flow channel. The hollow rotor includes a first end portion defining a fluid inlet, a second end portion defining a fluid outlet; the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet, and the flow channel of the stator being configured to allow passage of a fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the flow channel; and wherein the hollow rotor is characterized by a largest cross-sectional area of hollow rotor, and wherein the flow channel is characterized by a smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel, wherein the smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel is at least about 25% of the largest cross-sectional area of the hollow rotor. An electric fluid pump and a power generation system are also presented.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a turbomachine includes a seal ring rotatable between a first position and a second position and having a plurality of tunnels. Also included is a back ring located adjacent the seal ring and having a plurality of apertures that align with more of the plurality of tunnels of the seal ring when at the second position than at the first position. Further included is a retention piece operably connecting the seal ring and the back ring.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides electric motors and related systems comprising (a) a motor housing; and (b) a hollow rotor configured to rotate within and be driven by a stator contained within the motor housing; wherein the motor housing is characterized by a largest cross-sectional area of the motor housing, and wherein the hollow rotor defines a flow channel characterized by a smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel, wherein the smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel is at least 25% of the largest cross-sectional area of the motor housing, and wherein the hollow rotor has a first end portion defining a fluid inlet, and a second end portion defining a fluid outlet; the fluid inlet, the flow channel and the fluid outlet being configured to allow passage of a fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the flow channel.

Abstract: A pressure balance seal includes a sealing surface facing an inward radial direction, and a stator interface comprising at least one surface interfacing with a stator. The pressure balance seal further includes a friction reducing feature. The friction reducing feature includes a cavity on the sealing surface. The cavity is configured to receive a fluid such that a normal force acting on the pressure balance seal is counterbalanced by a force generated by a pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a turbomachine includes a plurality of compliant plate members attached to an interior surface of a stationary housing. The compliant plate members define a sealing ring between the stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the compliant plate members comprises at least one slot therein. The seal assembly further includes at least one arcuate static ring attached to the interior surface of the stationary housing and extending radially into the at least one slot in the compliant plate members. Each of the at least one static ring extends circumferentially through and between a plurality of the compliant plate members. Finally, the seal assembly includes a vibration damper disposed adjacent to or provided on the plurality of compliant plate members. The vibration damper is configured to dampen vibration of the plurality of compliant plate members.