Abstract: A first thrust bearing includes a first electromagnet and a first member. A second thrust bearing includes a second electromagnet and a second member. A magnetic force generated by the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet, and dynamic gas pressure generated by the first member and the second member due to rotation of a rotating shaft support an axial load of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A gas turbine rotor includes a first rotor and a second rotor. The first rotor includes a compressor impeller, a turbine wheel, and a shaft. The turbine wheel has a common rotational axis with the compressor impeller. The shaft connects the compressor impeller to the turbine wheel. The second rotor is an electric generator rotor and defines an inner hollow space. The shaft includes an insertable portion disposed in the inner hollow space of the second rotor.

Abstract: A disclosed micro gas turbine system includes a micro gas turbine apparatus and an extracting cycle apparatus. The micro gas turbine apparatus includes a first compressor, a burner, and a first turbine. The first turbine expands a combustion gas generated by the burner. The extracting cycle apparatus includes a second compressor and a second turbine. The second compressor receives a flow of extracted air that is generated by extracting a part of a working fluid discharged from the first compressor. The second turbine expands the working fluid discharged from the second compressor. The working fluid discharged from the second turbine cools down the first turbine.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle according to the disclosure is a turbine nozzle that is used in a radial turbine and includes a ring-shaped hub, a plurality of nozzle vanes that are arranged at equal angular intervals on the hub, and a flow path that is formed between the nozzle vanes. The flow path includes a throat that has a smallest flow path cross-sectional area with respect to a flow direction of working fluid. On a downstream side of the throat with respect to the flow direction, the flow path cross-sectional area increases. Heights of the nozzle vanes on the downstream side of the throat with respect to the flow direction are greater than heights of the nozzle vanes in the throat and gradually increase from an upstream side toward the downstream side with respect to the flow direction.

Abstract: A first thrust bearing includes a first electromagnet and a first member. A second thrust bearing includes a second electromagnet and a second member. A magnetic force generated by the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet, and dynamic gas pressure generated by the first member and the second member due to rotation of a rotating shaft support an axial load of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A gas turbine rotor includes a first rotor and a second rotor. The first rotor includes a compressor impeller, a turbine wheel, and a shaft. The turbine wheel has a common rotational axis with the compressor impellor. The shaft connects the compressor impeller to the turbine wheel. The second rotor is an electric generator rotor and defines an inner hollow space. The shaft includes an insertable portion disposed in the inner hollow space of the second rotor.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle according to the disclosure is a turbine nozzle that is used in a radial turbine and includes a ring-shaped hub, a plurality of nozzle vanes that are arranged at equal angular intervals on the hub, and a flow path that is formed between the nozzle vanes. The flow path includes a throat that has a smallest flow path cross-sectional area with respect to a flow direction of working fluid. On a downstream side of the throat with respect to the flow direction, the flow path cross-sectional area increases. Heights of the nozzle vanes on the downstream side of the throat with respect to the flow direction are greater than heights of the nozzle vanes in the throat and gradually increase from an upstream side toward the downstream side with respect to the flow direction.

Abstract: A disclosed micro gas turbine system includes a micro gas turbine apparatus and an extracting cycle apparatus. The micro gas turbine apparatus includes a first compressor, a burner, and a first turbine. The first turbine expands a combustion gas generated by the burner. The extracting cycle apparatus includes a second compressor and a second turbine. The second compressor receives a flow of extracted air that is generated by extracting a part of a working fluid discharged from the first compressor. The second turbine expands the working fluid discharged from the second compressor. The working fluid discharged from the second turbine cools down the first turbine.

Abstract: A water heater includes a hot water tank 57, a hot water-supplying heat exchanger 52, a water-entering conduit 64, a hot water-issuing conduit 65, entering-water temperature detecting device 67, control device 83 and scale suppressing device 76. The scale suppressing device 76 includes an inlet connection port 77 and an outlet connection port 78 which can be attached to and detached from the water-entering conduit 64. The control device 83 changes an entering-water set temperature T1 at which a heating operation is completed depending upon whether or not the scale suppressing device 76 is mounted. Therefore, a lifetime of a scale inhibitor is increased, and it is possible to reduce maintenance and maintenance costs required when the scale inhibitor is replaced or replenished.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of plates sandwiched between a pair of end plates. Each of the plurality of plates has two passageways defined therein that are not in fluid communication with each other. Alternatively, some of the plurality of plates have a passageway, while some of the remaining plates have another passageway. Two fluids flow through the two passageways in a countercurrent fashion. Because the countercurrent flows are superior in heat transfer efficiency, it is possible to enhance the performance and reduce the size of the plate heat exchangers.