Turbogenerators Patents (Class 290/52)
  • Patent number: 8410626
    Abstract: There is provided a power generation plant for obtaining electrical power from a water flow. The power generation plant includes a revolving unit having a water turbine, a directly driven electrical generator having a coaxial configuration with a generator rotor and generator stator, a gondola housing having a housing part to form a cylindrical internal opening where the generator stator is situated, a support element for supporting the revolving unit which is situated coaxially and radially inside the cylindrical internal opening to bear the generator rotor, and a bearing configuration for the running of the support element in the cylindrical internal opening. The electric generator of the power generation plant is situated asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal extension of the cylindrical internal opening in the gondola housing and is also displaced toward the support structure carrying the gondola housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Holstein, Norman Perner
  • Publication number: 20130076038
    Abstract: A platform-like device for generating electricity from moving fluids has two has at least two fluid turbines coupled to one another through a frame. The fluid turbines are adapted to rotate in opposite directions. The fluid turbines also provide buoyancy for the platform so that the platform is self supporting in the water. The fluid turbines preferably have helicoid flights (screw-like threads) mounted to generally prolate casings. The fluid turbines preferably connect to electric generators through belt, chain-drive, or other transmission systems. The platform may additional support a wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Natural Power Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Natural Power Concepts, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8405240
    Abstract: This invention provides an augmented velocity hydraulic power generator comprised of an induced vortex in combination with other fluid velocity enhancement techniques to maximize power output enabling a minimal apparatus size and minimal or no environmental impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Paul R Ganichot
  • Patent number: 8400005
    Abstract: A turbine wheel is rotatable in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from near an inlet side towards an outlet side of the turbine wheel. The turbine wheel may receive the working fluid radially into the inlet side of the turbine wheel and output the working fluid axially from its outlet side. A generator has a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be coupled to the turbine wheel and may rotate at the same speed as the turbine wheel when the turbine wheel rotates. In certain instances, the generator is adjacent the inlet side of the turbine wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David J. Huber, Scott R. Myers
  • Publication number: 20130062883
    Abstract: A boiler system including an electric power generation system having a boiler, a steam turbine for generating electric power by steams which received heat at a boiler, a condenser provided at the downstream thereof for condensing the steams, and a heater for heating condensed water by steams extracted from the steam turbine and, further, a CO2 capture system of sorbing and capturing a CO2 gas in an exhausted gas exhausted from the boiler by using a solid CO2 sorbent, and a chimney of exhausting an exhaust gas in the CO2 capture system after recovery of CO2 or an exhaust gas exhausted from the boiler, in which the temperature of a fluid concerned with the boiler system is increased by using the exhaust gas exhausted from the CO2 capture system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Kaneeda, Hiroki Sato, Kohei Yoshikawa, Shuichi Kanno, Hisayuki Orita
  • Publication number: 20130062882
    Abstract: A power sluice gate system and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system a support structure, and a bracket assembly movably engaged with the support structure is provided. A turbine rotor supported by the movable bracket assembly can be selectively lowered into and raised out of a sluice discharge channel to allow waste water from a retention area to flow across the turbine rotor. A generator may be connected to the turbine rotor for transforming mechanical energy provided by the turbine rotor into electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RENTRICITY INC.
    Inventor: Frank Vincent Zammataro
  • Publication number: 20130062889
    Abstract: A variable electrical generator (20) is operable to convert mechanical motion to electrical power. The generator (20) includes at least a stator element (60) and a rotor element (50) including coils (320) and magnets (90). The generator (20) includes a configuration of modules (80) including the coils (320) for generating wavelets (30) in response to the coils (320) interacting magnetically with the magnets (90), and a control arrangement (70) for combining the wavelets (30) for generating a composite synthesized power output (10) from the generator (20). A method of maintaining a variable generator (20) includes steps of: (a) determining operating status of modules (80) of the generator (20); (b) unplugging and replacing one or more defective modules (80) as identified in step (a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: ADAPTIVE GENERATORS AS
    Inventor: Kent Thoresen
  • Patent number: 8395274
    Abstract: A power unit connected to a power distribution bus operates in one of several modes to either store excess electrical energy from the power distribution or supply electrical energy to the power distribution bus to account for a detected demand/need. The power unit includes turbomachinery having components connected via a shaft, a generator connected to convert rotational energy associated with the turbomachinery to electrical energy for distribution on the bus, and a motor connected to convert electrical energy distributed by the bus to motive energy used to accelerate the turbomachinery components. A power controller monitors the voltage on the distribution bus. In response to excess voltage on the distribution bus, the power controller connects the motor to the bus to cause the excess electrical energy to be converted to motive energy that is used to accelerate the turbomachinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nelson, Hayden M. Reeve
  • Patent number: 8395275
    Abstract: A permanent magnet alternator includes a permanent magnet alternator stator attached to a housing. A shaft is rotatable with respect to the housing with a permanent magnet alternator rotor attached to the shaft. The permanent magnet alternator rotor is positioned with respect to the permanent magnet alternator stator so as to generate electricity when the shaft rotates. A cooling fan is also attached to the shaft and is positioned in a gas flow path for flowing air through the gas flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Blewett, Harold W. Hipsky, Gerald P. Dyer
  • Publication number: 20130056982
    Abstract: A gas turbine generator 1 comprising a combustor (2), a turbine (4), a compressor (6), a drive shaft (7) and at least one generator. The turbine (4) is driven by the combustor (6). The drive shaft (7) links the turbine (4) and the compressor (6) along a common rotational drive axis. The at least one electrical generator comprises a rotor and a stator, and the rotational axis of the generator rotor is radially offset from the drive axis. Drive means is provided which connects the generator rotor to the drive shaft (7) such that rotation of the drive shaft (7) causes rotation of the generator rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Gozdawa
  • Publication number: 20130056987
    Abstract: The invention pertains to utilization of high power density microwave energy to reduce organic compounds to carbon and their constituents, primarily in a gaseous state. The process includes, but is not limited to, scrap tires, plastics, asphalt roofing shingles, computer waste, medical waste, municipal solid waste, construction waste, shale oil, and PCB/PAH/HCB-laden materials. The process includes the steps of feeding organic material into a microwave applicator and exposing the material to microwave energy fed from at least two linear polarized sources in non-parallel alignment to each other, and collecting the material. The at least two sources of microwave energy are from a bifurcated waveguide assembly, whose outputs are perpendicular to each other and fed through waveguide of proper impedance, such that the microwave sources are physically and electrically 90° out of phase to each other. The microwave frequency is between 894 and 1000 MHz, preferably approximately 915 MHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: John F. Novak
  • Publication number: 20130049367
    Abstract: For a power generation apparatus to efficiently extract rotational driving force generated by an expander to the exterior of a housing that contains the expander while preventing a working medium from leaking, the power generation apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing that contains a driving unit of the expander within a space enclosed by a partition wall, and a magnetic coupling that is divided between the inside and outside of the housing through the partition wall and that transmits the rotational driving force of the expander to the exterior of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Shigeto ADACHI, Masayoshi MATSUMURA, Yutaka NARUKAWA, Kazuo TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20130049368
    Abstract: Thermal energy can be stored in a fluid-based thermal storage system for later use. The stored thermal energy may be derived from steam generated using insolation in a steam-based solar power system. The thermal storage system can store energy when insolation is generally available. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal energy may be derived from electricity from the electrical grid. For example, the thermal energy can store energy when the electrical grid has excess electricity available for storage. At a later time, the energy stored in the thermal storage system can be released to heat pressurized water or steam in addition to or in place of steam generated by the insolation. For example, the stored thermal energy may be used in preheating the solar power system during startup, in supplementing steam output of the solar power system, or to replace steam generation during low insolation periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BrightSource Industries (ISRAEL) Ltd.
    Inventors: Gabriel KAUFMANN, Leon Afremov, Yona Magen, Binyamin Koretz
  • Patent number: 8384232
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an electric generator having a stator and a rotor. A turbine is coupled to an end of the rotor to rotate at the same speed as the rotor. The turbine may rotate in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from an inlet side to an outlet side of the turbine. The apparatus also includes a housing assembly with an inwardly oriented shroud, which is located at close proximity to the turbine. The proximity of the shroud to the turbine establishes the pressure ratio of the turbine, allowing the system to operate without seals. Magnetic bearings and position sensors are used to maintain the distance between the shroud and the wheel. In certain implementations, the positioning of the turbine can be controlled to optimize machine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Calnetix Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Scott R. Myers, David J. Huber, Lawrence A. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20130043681
    Abstract: A system and method for generating hydroelectric power. More specifically, a system for generating hydroelectric power which transforms the kinetic energy in water, supplied to a consumer via a utility conduit, into electrical energy wherein water pressure is conserved or maintained at a desired water pressure within the device using a compressible gas headspace region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Luis Manuel Rivera
  • Patent number: 8377599
    Abstract: A system that stabilizes or supplements the variable power output from an external energy source by producing power from aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloy produces hydrogen from water, and also releases heat. During this process, the aluminum alloy is oxidized to alumina mixture, which can be recycled in a smelting unit to regenerate the aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy can be easily transported in existing transportation system to different locations. The system produces electricity on-demand using portions of the existing power generation and transportation systems with minimal carbon footprint/emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur Davidson
  • Publication number: 20130038062
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for Hydraulic Transient Energy Generation, based on the principle of hydraulic transients involving conversion of kinetic energy into potential (pressure) energy, which will serve as a reliable, renewable, inexpensive and green source of energy, and provide good environmental benefits (and CO2 credit) by substantially minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. To utilize the potential (pressure) energy developed in the system, the invention makes the transient pressure surge continuous and steady. Rapid response valves with appropriate and compatible instrumentation systems make it possible to periodically and continuously induce pressure surges to maintain high pressure at the outlet of the system. The steady pressure rise at the outlet of the system can be used to drive a turbine for generating electrical power, or for pumping liquid from lower pressure to a higher pressure, wherein it can be used for driving pumps, compressors and the like which require energy input for their operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Samusideen Adewale Salu
  • Publication number: 20130038058
    Abstract: An electrical generator apparatus for generating electrical energy is disclosed. The electrical generator utilizes liquid flow within a tubular member to provide mechanical force to rotate a rotor. The electrical generator includes a rotor comprising an impeller, wherein the rotor is configured to receive liquid flow within an electromagnetic induction armature from the tubular member, a stator configured to generate electrical energy within a plurality of coils utilizing a magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic induction armature when rotated adjacent to the stator, and a bypass tubular member configured to selectively route liquid around the electrical generator to adjust voltage of generated electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: STEVEN DROSS, MICHAEL WIELAND
  • Patent number: 8373295
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power station (10), with turbine shafting (11), that includes a gas turbine (12) and a generator (18) driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and that generates alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of the generator is connected with an electrical grid (21) with given grid frequency. An electronic decoupling apparatus or variable electronic gearbox (27) is arranged between the generator (18) and the grid (21), the decoupling apparatus decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency. Increased service life of the station and reduced emissions are achieved in that, when there are longer-lasting changes in the grid frequency, the mechanical or aerodynamic rotational speed of the gas turbine (12) is kept constant and the output of the gas turbine (12) is adjusted without a delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Thomas Meindl
  • Publication number: 20130033041
    Abstract: We have invented multiple methods of fluid displacement that enable a device to become buoyant at depth. It is accomplished by utilizing a fluid with a greater gravity or pressure, whether naturally occuring or mechanically generated. The first fluid is directed by a valve to displace a lighter fluid from a chamber or container into a second fluid body, with the result that a device at depth within the second fluid body becomes positively buoyant. The positively buoyant device can be utilized for example in energy production, item retrieval at depth or moving an object from the surface to a specific depth and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: David Gregory Booher, Wojciech Polanski
  • Patent number: 8368242
    Abstract: A submersible power generation plant includes a water turbine standing freely on a support structure in an ambient flow; an electric generator which is driven at least indirectly by the water turbine; at least one generator component of the electric generator is enclosed by at least one corrosion protection element which seals against ambient water, with cavities within the corrosion protection element each being filled with a heat-conductive medium; at least one pass-through duct being provided for dissipating waste heat from the electric generator, which the pass-through duct conducts the ambient water and leads through the corrosion protection element without entering into any material exchange with a region encapsulated by the corrosion protection element, and a growth protection system arranged on a flow input of the pass-through duct on an upstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Voith Hydro Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Holstein, Norman Perner
  • Publication number: 20130026760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating organic waste and producing solid fuel or compost from the treated organic waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haeng Seog Lee, Eun Min Cho, Han Jun Lee
  • Publication number: 20130025041
    Abstract: A generator includes: an upper housing and a lower housing; a water inlet and a water outlet provided in the upper housing; an impeller rotatably fixed inside the upper housing; a magnet provided in the lower housing, connected to a rotating shaft of the impeller, and rotated integrally with the impeller; and a bobbin positioned outside the magnet. A bearing through which the rotating shaft passes and a communication hole connecting a space for housing the impeller to a space for housing the magnet are disposed in an intermediate surface between the space for housing the impeller and the space for housing the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: WOONGJIN COWAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Man-Uk Park, Sung-Worl Jin, Young-Sang Yun, Ji-Hye Jeong, In-Seok Seo, Ki-Chul Kim, Joung-Ho Son
  • Patent number: 8364378
    Abstract: A method of operation of an electric turbocompounding system for a reciprocating engine comprises the steps of retrieving from the engine ECU data pertaining to engine condition, retrieving from a set of turbine efficiency data an optimum turbogenerator speed at the engine condition, setting a desired turbogenerator set speed based on the engine condition and on a speed at which turbine efficiency is deemed to be optimum, measuring an output voltage of the turbogenerator, comparing the measured voltage with a pre-determined voltage range and where the measured voltage falls outside of the pre-determined voltage range, adjusting the turbogenerator set speed to reduce or increase the output voltage to within the pre-determined voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bowman Power Group Limited
    Inventors: Tjerk Michiel De Graaff, Jonathon McGuire, Stephen Henry Hill, John Anthony Lyons
  • Publication number: 20130020805
    Abstract: The invention is a game that allows true worldwide participation through the use of social media tools and devices. The object or mission of the game is to answer a set number of questions to generate a key that opens a vault unveiling a prize. The first team to successfully answer all the questions and generate the key that opens the vault wins the competition. For a person to play the game teams are formed by registered players and only teams are recognized in the competition. Each question is supplied a set of clues that help lead to the correct answer. While all answers and key characters and numbers are typed in at the web site, all questions, clues, and key characters and numbers are delivered only to preselected social media channels, not at the web site adding to the challenge and fun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: JOEL PRIMITIVO SANCHEZ CAMPOS
  • Publication number: 20130020810
    Abstract: The invention provides processes and apparatuses for safely, rapidly, cost-effectively producing superheated steam. These processes and apparatuses involves producing clean low-cost electricity by the long rigid power arms generator thereby operating electric-arc furnaces side by side, melting steel repeatedly and tungsten steam pipes bedded in molten steel to produce superheated steam, this method of producing steam will replace nuclear, coal and other fossil fuel method of producing steam on the steam producing side of the equation without dismantling the entire nuclear or coal fired power plants, by merely discarding the nuclear side or the coal side of the either plant altogether. The use the ocean water to produce superheated steam for turbines and the distillation will produce clean drinking water, excess power from the generator through an electrolysis process will produce oxygen for the electric-arc furnace to increase temperature for steam and hydrogen gas stored as energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Arvind A. Daya
  • Publication number: 20130014430
    Abstract: A method for generating electric power and for producing gasoline from methanol, includes the steps of: synthesizing gasoline by reacting methanol under a catalyst; recovering heat generated from the gasoline synthetic reaction of methanol by cooling the reaction with coolant to vaporize the coolant; and generating electric power by using the coolant vapor produced in the heat recovery. The power generation step may include generating electric power with a plurality of steam turbines in series, e.g., a high-pressure turbine, a medium-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki IIJIMA
  • Publication number: 20130015663
    Abstract: Systems and devices for controlling power generation are provided. For example, such a system may include an electrical generator controller. The controller may include a filter component, a frequency response schedule component, and a rate limiter component. The filter component may receive a power grid frequency signal and output the frequency signal when the frequency signal is outside a frequency band. The frequency response schedule component may determine an ultimate target power contribution using the filtered frequency signal, the ultimate target power contribution representing an ultimate amount of power contribution that the electrical generator should provide in a primary frequency response. The rate limiter component may determine an immediate target power contribution signal that varies over time and approaches the ultimate target power contribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mario Joao Kumula, Roman Freidl
  • Publication number: 20130009400
    Abstract: A rotor for a radial flow turbine has an impulse chamber (51) having an inlet defined in a circumferential surface of the rotor and a reaction chamber (62) having an outlet defined in the circumferential surface of the rotor. The impulse chamber is in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, and the reaction chamber outlet is axially displaced from the impulse chamber inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
    Inventor: John D. PICKARD
  • Publication number: 20130009399
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vacuum tube configured to produce heat during operation. A boiler is configured to hold a fluid used to cool at least a portion of the vacuum tube during operation, wherein the fluid, when used to cool at least the portion of the vacuum tube, produces vapor. A turbine is configured to receive at least a first portion of the vapor produced when the fluid is used to cool at least the portion of the vacuum tube, wherein the turbine, when at least the first portion of the vapor produced when the fluid is used to cool at least the portion of the vacuum tube is received, is further configured to convert into electrical energy at least the first portion of the vapor produced when the fluid is used to cool at least the portion of the vacuum tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin L. BROWN
  • Publication number: 20130009398
    Abstract: A system of efficiently and safely generating and storing energy from the weight and motion of a moving vehicle across a roadway. It is a object of the present invention to transform energy in the form of pressure, weight, or movement, for example, produced by moving vehicles into air pressure, store it, and subsequently convert the energy into the type of usable energy typically desired by cities, municipalities or private entities. In an embodiment, pressurized air is utilized. In another embodiment, magnetoelectric energy is utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Ladan Behnia, Alireza Yazdanshenas
  • Patent number: 8350400
    Abstract: The ribbon drive generation apparatus is comprised of a ribbon-like curved shape, composed either of metal or other suitable material, attached to a containment tube, peripheral rings, shaft, or porous central tube, with the complete apparatus being contained in a tube having a constant diameter for the length of the tube. The ribbon can be peripherally mounted to the containment tube and optionally to a central porous tube. In this form the containment tube rotates and can form part of a rotor for a generator apparatus. The optional central porous tube can also be used as a bearing surface or, if attached to the inside edge of the ribbon, a power take-off shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: HydroCoil Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Rosefsky
  • Patent number: 8350398
    Abstract: An open-rotor gas turbine engine comprising a starter/generator, a first spool and a second spool, the second spool is of a lower pressure than the first spool; wherein the starter/generator is connected to the first and second spools via first and second clutches respectively. The method of operating the open-rotor engine comprises the step of supplying power to the starter/generator to drive the first spool via the first clutch to start the engine and, once the engine is self-propelling, a step of driving the starter/generator from the second spool via the second clutch to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventor: David C. Butt
  • Patent number: 8350399
    Abstract: A microturbine system provided with a first and a second blade wheel, at least one nozzle for spouting a pressure medium onto the first blade wheel for driving this wheel, wherein the first blade wheel is configured for transferring pressure medium received from the nozzle to the second blade wheel for driving the second blade wheel, the arrangement being such that the first and second blade wheel are rotatable in opposite directions under the influence of the pressure medium, and a first and second electricity generator, respectively, coupled to the first and second blade wheel, respectively. Also included is the method for generating electricity using the microturbine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bepart B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Post
  • Publication number: 20130001948
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a compression unit which compresses a gas, a storage which stores the compressed gas output from the compression unit, a first expansion unit which generates first power and outputs a first exhaust gas, a heating unit which heats at least the stored gas output from the storage, a second expansion unit which generates second power and outputs a second exhaust gas, a first regenerator which performs a first heat exchange between the second exhaust gas and the stored gas output from the storage, to generate a first heat exchange gas used to generate the first power and a first regenerator gas, and a second regenerator which performs a second heat exchange between the first exhaust gas and the first regenerator gas to generate a second heat exchange gas used to generate the second power after heated at the heating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chan-Sun LIM, Myeong-Hyo KIM, Jong-Sub SHIN, Young-Chang SHON, Jeong-Hun LEE
  • Publication number: 20120326444
    Abstract: A hydropower generating system includes a pump, a container data center, and a hydropower generating module. The container data center includes a number of cooling pipes. Each of the cooling pipes includes a water intake and a water outlet. The water outlet is connected to the pump. The pump is for pumping water from a source to the cooling pipes. The water flows along the pipes to dissipate the heat generated by the container data center. The hydropower generating module includes a turbine and a generator. The turbine is arranged under the water outlet. The hydropower generating module is electrically connected to the pump. The water flowing out from the water outlets is able to turn the turbine, causing the turbine to drive the generator to generate electrical power, the generated electrical power is supplied to the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YAO-TING CHANG
  • Publication number: 20120326443
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for the process optimization of a working fluid stream and energy recovery therefrom. A turbine in the working fluid stream is coupled to a variable speed generator for forming a turbine-generator pair. One controls the turbine speed for affecting the fluid stream for achieving a process objective including controlling fluid process conditions, power generation or both. One can select to achieve a primary process objective with optimization of power generation being secondary. The objectives can be controlled using a base lookup table of turbine performance. Further, actual performance can be gathered for adapting an updated lookup table for better control and optimization. Additional turbine-generator pairs can be arranged in series or parallel for flexible operation and control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: GENALTA POWER, INC.
    Inventors: GINTER Vince, O'NEILL Chris, ILLINGWORTH Graham
  • Publication number: 20120319403
    Abstract: A turbine rotor is provided and includes a rotor plate, wherein the rotor plate is substantially circular in shape and includes a rotor plate surface having a rotor plate center and a rotor plate periphery. The turbine rotor further includes a plurality of rotor blades, wherein the plurality of rotor blades are associated with the rotor plate to be located proximate the rotor plate periphery and to extend out of and away from the rotor plate surface, wherein the rotor plate is configured to be attached to a turbine shaft that rotates about a shaft axis, such that when the turbine shaft rotates about the shaft axis, the rotor plate rotates about the shaft axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: George A. Fosdick
  • Publication number: 20120319405
    Abstract: A deep ocean current power plant comprises a current generator group, a floating midway platform, a generator anchorage system, a midway platform anchorage system, and at least one power transmission-and-distribution cable. The constructing procedure of the deep ocean current power plant comprises following steps of sea-cast anchoring and cable-numbering; platform assembling and undersea anchoring; current generator group anchoring; and testing and correcting a stability of whole structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Falin Chen, Si-Chen Lee, Shyi-Min Lu
  • Publication number: 20120313375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centripetally acting type of water turbine which uses low-head and low-speed water flow and which comprises a rotational force generating device having an inner and an outer centripetal canister rotatably supported by means of a stand and a securing shaft either vertically or to left and right in a straight line, and having a plurality of blades fixedly joined in a radiating fashion between the inner and outer centripetal canisters, and in which the combined shape of the inner and outer centripetal canisters and neighbouring individual blades is constituted as a lower surface which inclines such that water or steam flows at an incline downwardly and, as it does so, the rotational radius progressively reduces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Kil Bong Song
  • Publication number: 20120306205
    Abstract: Inventive systems (e.g., turbines) for harnessing hydroelectric energy are described. The turbines, includes: (1) a central longitudinal shaft configured to mount and to rotate on a central axis perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow; (2) a plurality of arcing blades coupled with the shaft, the blades extending radially outwardly from the shaft, and the blades including an airfoil cross-section along a substantial length of the blades; and (3) a hydrodynamic cap covering a location where the arcing blades couple with the shaft such that in an operating state of the turbine, presence of the hydrodynamic cap reduces an amount of bypass area, which is area outside a region that is swept by the arcing blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Lucid Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Rydell Cosby, Timothy P. Braun, Roderic Alan Schlabach, Igor Palley, Jacob J. Brenneman, Joshua T. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120306208
    Abstract: A system and method for generating power, comprises providing a fuel stream and an oxygen stream to a magnetohydrodynamic generator so as to generate electric power and a first exhaust stream comprising CO2 and water; and providing the first exhaust stream to an expansion generator so as to generate electric power and a second exhaust stream comprising CO2 and water at a lower temperature and pressure than the first exhaust steam. The system and method may include the step of separating air upstream of the magnetohydrodynamic generator so as to generate the oxygen stream and may include the step of condensing the second exhaust stream so as to generate water and a wet CO2 stream. The wet CO2 stream may be condensed so as to generate water and a dry CO2 stream, which may be stored underground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Mikus
  • Publication number: 20120306207
    Abstract: Two-stage exhaust apparatus for a reciprocating internal combustion engine having one or more cylinders each with at least one piston and at least one exhaust port, the apparatus including a first-stage jet port in each cylinder, the jet port configured to open to release high-pressure exhaust gas to a high-pressure motor prior to exhaust-port opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HOTCHKISS SUPER DELTIC LTD.
    Inventor: Justin Gudgeon
  • Publication number: 20120306206
    Abstract: A turbine-driven alternator (i.e., a turbomachine) suitable for generating electrical power from process gas waste energy. In particular suitable for very high density process gases such as super critical CO2, R134a, R245fa, etc. The turboalternator comprises two separate machines, specifically, a turbine device and an alternator device operatively connected together by a coupling shaft. The rotating shaft assemblies for each machines on the turbine side and the alternator side are supported by hydrodynamic foil gas bearings. The foil gas bearings use process gas at the turbine side, enabling high-pressure operation (˜3000 psia) and thrust load balancing. At the alternator side, cooling fluid is used in the foil gas bearings, enabling high-speed (˜40,000 rpm), low-windage, oil-free operation with closed-loop shaft cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: R&D Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Giridhari L. Agrawal, Charles W. Buckley, Ali Shakil, Andrew Hamilton Coward
  • Publication number: 20120299311
    Abstract: A system for producing power using an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) includes a turbine, a generator, an evaporator, an electric heater, an inverter system and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) voltage regulator. The turbine is coupled to the generator for producing electric power. The evaporator is upstream of the turbine and the electric heater is upstream of the evaporator. The evaporator provides a vaporized organic fluid to the turbine. The electric heater heats the organic fluid prior to the evaporator. The inverter system is coupled to the generator. The inverter system transfers electric power from the generator to a load. The ORC voltage regulator is coupled to the inverter system and to the electric heater and it diverts excess electrical power from the inverter system to the electric heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce P. Biederman, Frederick J. Cogswell, Ulf J. Jonsson, Robert K. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20120299302
    Abstract: The invention constitutes a process and system to generate electricity from the conversion of CO2 over carbon-containing raw material. It comprises steps of gasification of the raw material containing carbon by means of a gaseous flow essentially containing CO2, wherein the oxidation of the gaseous flow obtained after the gasification by oxygen holders and the oxidation of deactivated oxygen holders as obtained. The process allows to give value to the global energy as generated by the set of these steps to feed an electricity generating system, such as a turboalternator. The invention also corresponds to a system to perform such a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: SEE - SOLUÇÕES, ENERGIA E MEIO AMBIENTE LTDA.
    Inventors: Raymond François Guyomarc'h, Ammar Bensakhria
  • Publication number: 20120298180
    Abstract: A solar canopy system includes support towers and an upper canopy suspended therefrom, the upper canopy forming a catenary shape. A method of generating electricity includes deploying mirrors upon a canopy that forms a catenary shape, to focus sunlight on a Dewar tube containing a heat transfer fluid, utilizing heat from the sunlight collected within the heat transfer fluid to generate steam, and generating the electricity with a turbine powered by the steam. A method of generating electricity includes deploying first and second photovoltaic cell grids upon a canopy that forms a catenary shape, the second grid being movable relative to the first grid. The method also includes positioning the second grid with respect to the first grid so as to maximize light collection and electricity generation during daylight hours, and repositioning the grids so as to maximize transparency of the canopy during nighttime hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Carlorattiassociati Srl
    Inventors: Carlo F. Ratti, James Francis Vanzo
  • Publication number: 20120299301
    Abstract: Infinitely variable motion control (IVMC) provides motion control without any requirement for changing gears or use of a clutch. A spur gear transgear, defined as a system having an input, an output and a control, a variable pitch cam having an eccentric inner and outer cam assembly and a driver may be used to form a speed converter. The speed converter is used in various forms to provide an infinitely variable transmission, a differential, embodiments of wind and river turbines and pumps/compressors. In one embodiment, the speed converter drives first and second directional control assemblies to provide a vehicle with zero turn radius. A variable torque converter may be used in various embodiments to control torque from a minimum to a maximum by controlling movement of a rotor along a shaft in relation to a stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Kyung Soo Han
  • Publication number: 20120299558
    Abstract: A submerged ram air turbine generating system adapted for use in a pod mounted to the wing of an aircraft comprises a submerged inlet extending substantially entirely around the outer surface of the pod housing, a stator in the form of adjustable or fixed inlet guide vanes which direct an air stream to a hybrid ram air turbine having alternating turbine blades and splitters, and, a number of adjustable exhaust panels which are movable with respect to one or more exhaust openings in the pod housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: John F. Justak, Cyrille Doux, Stephen Martyr
  • Publication number: 20120299300
    Abstract: A turbine generator system is operable to provide electric power to an electric network connected thereto, and includes a turbine generator apparatus and an output module. The turbine generator apparatus includes a turbine rotor provided with a plurality of blades and rotatable to output a mechanical torque, and a generator coupled to the turbine rotor and to be driven by the mechanical torque to generate driving electric power having a system frequency. The output module is electrically connected to the turbine generator apparatus for converting the driving electric power into output electric power to be provided to the electric network. The generator includes a mechanical filter that is operable, when the turbine generator system has a fault, to resonate in a specified frequency that is based on the system frequency to make the blades of the turbine rotor less sensitive to electromagnetic torque disturbance attributed to the fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: I SHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jong-Ian Tsai, Ching-Tai Chiang, Rong-Ching Wu, Chen-Sen Ouyang