Abstract: A compressor comprising: a casing; an upstream impeller and a downstream impeller for rotation in the casing; a diaphragm comprised of an internal portion and an external portion; an upstream diffuser fluidly coupled to an outlet of the upstream impeller; a return channel fluidly coupled to the upstream diffuser and to an inlet of the downstream impeller, the return channel has a plurality of return-channel blades connecting the internal and external diaphragm portions; and a downstream diffuser fluidly coupled to an outlet of the downstream impeller is disclosed. A first coolant passage is in the internal diaphragm portion and extends around an inner core, the first coolant passage being in heat-exchange relationship with the upstream diffuser and the return channel. A second coolant passage and third coolant passage are separated by a second inner core in the external diaphragm portion and in a heat-exchange relationship with the return channel and the downstream diffuser.

Abstract: A compressor comprising: a casing; an upstream impeller and a downstream impeller for rotation in the casing; a diaphragm comprised of an internal portion and an external portion; an upstream diffuser fluidly coupled to an outlet of the upstream impeller; a return channel fluidly coupled to the upstream diffuser and to an inlet of the downstream impeller, the return channel has a plurality of return-channel blades connecting the internal and external diaphragm portions; and a downstream diffuser fluidly coupled to an outlet of the downstream impeller is disclosed. A first coolant passage is in the internal diaphragm portion and extends around an inner core, the first coolant passage being in heat-exchange relationship with the upstream diffuser and the return channel. A second coolant passage and third coolant passage are separated by a second inner core in the external diaphragm portion and in a heat-exchange relationship with the return channel and the downstream diffuser.

Abstract: A heat sink has a base plate that has a first central portion, a second central portion, and a periphery, a first plurality of heat pipes embedded in the base plate that are arranged to convey heat away from the first central portion, and a second plurality of the heat pipes embedded in the base plate that are arranged to convey heat away from the second central portion, each of the heat pipes of the first and second pluralities having a hot end for receiving heat flow and a cool end for releasing heat flow. A switch package comprises an inner casing half mounted to a module facing surface of the heat sink base plate, a semiconductor module mounted to the module facing surface of the heat sink within the inner casing half, and an outer casing half that encloses the heat sink.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle device includes a heat exchanger for supplying heat to a working fluid and an expansion device for expanding the working fluid. A valve is disposed between the heat exchanger and the expansion device and a cooling device is reduces a temperature of the working fluid. A pump moves the working fluid through the Rankine cycle device and a sensor is used to sense a pressure of the working fluid. A controller is operable to open the valve based upon the sensed pressure of the working fluid.

Abstract: A heat sink has a base plate that has a first central portion, a second central portion, and a periphery, a first plurality of heat pipes embedded in the base plate that are arranged to convey heat away from the first central portion, and a second plurality of the heat pipes embedded in the base plate that are arranged to convey heat away from the second central portion, each of the heat pipes of the first and second pluralities having a hot end for receiving heat flow and a cool end for releasing heat flow. A switch package comprises an inner casing half mounted to a module facing surface of the heat sink base plate, a semiconductor module mounted to the module facing surface of the heat sink within the inner casing half, and an outer casing half that encloses the heat sink.

Abstract: A system and method improves cold start performance of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plant. The system includes one or more pumps configured to pump condensed fluid from points of natural accumulation of the condensed fluid within an ORC loop back into a corresponding low pressure liquid storage vessel shortly after shutting down the ORC plant to ensure the start-up routine works properly for the next ORC plant start event. One or more of the pumps can also be configured to pump fluid away from the ORC expansion machine(s) at any time prior to starting the ORC if the fluid is in a liquid phase.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle device includes a heat exchanger for supplying heat to a working fluid and an expansion device for expanding the working fluid. A valve is disposed between the heat exchanger and the expansion device and a cooling device is reduces a temperature of the working fluid. A pump moves the working fluid through the Rankine cycle device and a sensor is used to sense a pressure of the working fluid. A controller is operable to open the valve based upon the sensed pressure of the working fluid.

Abstract: A system and method improves cold start performance of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plant. The system includes one or more pumps configured to pump condensed fluid from points of natural accumulation of the condensed fluid within an ORC loop back into a corresponding low pressure liquid storage vessel shortly after shutting down the ORC plant to ensure the start-up routine works properly for the next ORC plant start event. One or more of the pumps can also be configured to pump fluid away from the ORC expansion machine(s) at any time prior to starting the ORC if the fluid is in a liquid phase.