Abstract: A gas compressor a rotor shaft and is arranged such that gas flow to an impeller stage is via a bore in the rotor shaft; and/or impeller stages are arranged in series such that flow into respective stages is in respectively opposed directions. The compressor most effectively functions with the rotor shaft arranged in a substantially upright orientation and beneficially has conical mounting bearing.

Abstract: A turbomachinery electric generator arrangement includes a rotary compressor, a generator having a rotary armature and a stator, a combustion chamber to which compressed gas is directed from the compressor, a rotary turbine to which combustion product is directed from the combustion chamber and a bearing arrangement supporting in rotation the rotary compressor, rotary armature and rotary turbine. Compressed gas for cooling components of the arrangement is directed from the rotary compressor, typically being tapped off from a subsidiary gas output upstream of a primary gas outlet. Bearing thermal shielding and modular construction of components are also features of the arrangement.

Abstract: A gas compressor a rotor shaft and is arranged such that gas flow to an impeller stage is via a bore in the rotor shaft; and/or impeller stages are arranged in series such that flow into respective stages is in respectively opposed directions. The compressor most effectively functions with the rotor shaft arranged in a substantially upright orientation and beneficially has conical mounting bearing.

Abstract: A turbomachinery electric generator arrangement includes a rotary compressor, a generator having a rotary armature and a stator, a combustion chamber to which compressed gas is directed from the compressor, a rotary turbine to which combustion product is directed from the combustion chamber and a bearing arrangement supporting in rotation the rotary compressor, rotary armature and rotary turbine. Compressed gas for cooling components of the arrangement is directed from the rotary compressor, typically being tapped off from a subsidiary gas output upstream of a primary gas outlet. Bearing thermal shielding and modular construction of components are also features of the arrangement.

Abstract: A turbomachinery electric generator arrangement includes a rotary compressor, a generator having a rotary armature and a stator, a combustion chamber to which compressed gas is directed from the compressor, a rotary turbine to which combustion product is directed from the combustion chamber and a bearing arrangement supporting in rotation the rotary compressor, rotary armature and rotary turbine. Compressed gas for cooling components of the arrangement is directed from the rotary compressor, typically being tapped off from a subsidiary gas output upstream of a primary gas outlet. Bearing thermal shielding and modular construction of components are also features of the arrangement.

Abstract: A downhole dynamic compressor comprises an electric motor having a stator 6 with stationary windings and an armature with permanent magnets 7 supported on gas bearings 9, 10 for rotation relative to the stator. The gas bearings 9 and 10 are arranged at the upstream and downstream opposite ends of the motor, respectively. The dynamic compressor has a bladed wheel 12 mounted on an overhanging end of the motor armature 7 that projects beyond the gas bearing 9 at the upstream end of the motor, whereby all the gas bearings of the compressor and the electric motor are arranged on the downstream side of the dynamic compressor.

Abstract: A gas seal assembly comprises a pair of mutually rotatable sealing members A, B, each of which has a face adjacent a gap between the two members. One of the members B is urged in a direction attempting to close the gap h which constitutes a leakage path through the seal assembly. A gas bleed arrangement 7 allows gas from a high pressure side P3 of the seal assembly to bleed into the gap at a position radially spaced between an inner diameter of the members and an outer diameter of the members A,B so as to apply a force tending to separate the members, the force decreasing as the size of the gap increases.

Abstract: A gas turbomachinery electricity generation apparatus includes a gas turbomachinery arrangement having an associated rotary drive take-off, an electricity generating arrangement which includes a first generator stage including a first generator rotor and generator stator arrangement; a second generator stage including a second generator rotor and generator stator arrangement, at least of the first and second generator stage rotors is driven by the rotary drive take-off.

Abstract: A gas lubricated axial thrust bearing for resisting axial forces acting on a machine rotor, comprises at least one pad mounted on a stationary machine surface and axially spaced from a surface of the rotor by a lubricating gas film. The bearing further includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the pad to provide an output signal indicative of the axial load on the bearing.

Abstract: A gas seal assembly comprises a pair of mutually rotatable sealing members A, B, each of which has a face adjacent a gap between the two members. One of the members B is urged in a direction attempting to close the gap h which constitutes a leakage path through the seal assembly. A gas bleed arrangement 7 allows gas from a high pressure side P3 of the seal assembly to bleed into the gap at a position radially spaced between an inner diameter of the members and an outer diameter of the members A,B so as to apply a force tending to separate the members, the force decreasing as the size of the gap increases.

Abstract: A gas lubricated axial thrust bearing for resisting axial forces acting on a machine rotor, comprises at least one pad mounted on a stationary machine surface and axially spaced from a surface of the rotor by a lubricating gas film. The bearing further includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the pad to provide an output signal indicative of the axial load on the bearing.

Abstract: A gas turbomachinery electricity generation apparatus includes a gas turbomachinery arrangement having an associated rotary drive take-off, an electricity generating arrangement which includes a first generator stage including a first generator rotor and generator stator arrangement; a second generator stage including a second generator rotor and generator stator arrangement, at least of the first and second generator stage rotors is driven by the rotary drive take-off.

Abstract: A tilting pad journal bearing (2) comprises a bearing shell (4) having a substantially cylindrical inner surface and at least three bearing pads (5, 6, 7) extending around the inner surface of the bearing shell in a substantially circumferential direction. Each of the pads (5, 6, 7) is arranged for pivotal movement relative to the bearing shell (4) by a substantially spherically-extending surface (8, 9, 10) on the pad engaging a mating substantially spherically-extending surface (11, 12, 13) associated with the bearing shell. At least one of the substantially spherically-extending surfaces (11) associated with the shell (4) is provided on a member (14) so mounted in or on the bearing shell as to be capable of radial movement relative to the shell and a spring is provided for urging the member radially inwards.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (2) comprises an outer shell (3) providing a pair of coaxial annular surfaces (4a, 5a) spaced apart-and facing inwardly towards each other, and an inner shell (7) within the outer shell, the inner shell providing a pair of coaxial annular surfaces (8a, 9a), each of which faces outwardly towards one of the inwardly-facing annular surfaces of the outer shell and is arranged substantially coaxially with, and adjacent to, its associated inwardly-facing annular surface. The inner shell (7) is capable of movement relative to the outer shell (3) in an axial direction and by inclination to the outer shell. Each of the said inwardly-facing annular surfaces (4a, 5a) and/or its associated outwardly-facing annular surface (8a, 9a) has one or more channels (13, 14) arranged to extend around the surface. The bearing assembly (2) also comprises means (17-21) for supplying a fluid from a high pressure source to each of the said channels (13, 14) through flow resistance means (15, 16).

Abstract: Gas turbomachinery electricity generation apparatus includes a gas turbomachinery arrangement having an associated rotary drive take-off, an electricity generating arrangement which includes a first generator stage including a first generator rotor and generator stator arrangement; a second generator stage including a second generator rotor and generator stator arrangement, at least one of the first and second generator stage rotors is driven by the rotary drive take-off.

Abstract: A composite shaft comprising at least two axial segments of dissimilar materials, the segments being held together by a central tie-bar, wherein a segment of material least subject to radial expansion is provided with a coaxial male member extending axially from its end, and the cooperating segment subject to greater radial expansion is provided with a female skirt shrunk onto the male member in the assembly of the shaft and also being provided with an annular upstand, at or towards its peripheral edge and directed towards the cooperating segment, the upstand being held by the compressive force of the tie-bar always in full annular contact with its cooperating segment. The male member is of smallest practicable diameter and the upstand is of largest practicable diameter.

Abstract: An oil free high speed gas compressor driven by a high frequently electric motor with a soft magnetic armature which holds permanent magnets arranged peripherally and a centrifugal impeller overhung at one or at each end of the shaft of the armature of the motor, wherein the temperature of the armature is held within the characteristic temperature of its permanent magnets by a flow of cooling liquid through a central bore in the armature or by a flow of cooling liquid through a central drilling through a tie-bolt in thermal contact with a bore in the armature.