Abstract: Disclosed is a pump having a pump rotor rotatably supported about an axis of rotation in a pump stator. In this respect, the pump rotor is designed and is arranged above a rotor shaft in a shaft bearing such that a lubricating film of a lubricating fluid formed from the pump fluid can be formed in a lubricating ring gap between the rotor shaft and the shaft bearing. In accordance with the invention, a separation device is provided at the rotor shaft by which a predefinable quantity of the ingredient can be separated from the pump fluid by means of a centrifugal force in the operating state for providing the lubricating fluid.

Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing near a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that has a pressure different from the first stage to a step area immediately adjacent to the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.

Abstract: Lubrication method and wind turbine comprising a rotor with a hub supported by a main bearing with two opposite bearing races coaxially spaced by rotatably fitted bearing rollers in a lubrication area which is sealed by oil sealing rings between the bearing races. The lubrication area comprises one or more oil inlets operatively connected to an oil supply, and one or more oil outlets. The vertical distance between the outlet(s) and the lowest point of the lubrication area is 0-0.2 times the inner diameter of the outer bearing race. The inlet (s) and the oil supply are configured to supply an oil flow not exceeding the drain capacity of the one or more outlets.

Abstract: An exemplary multi-piece bearing for a turbocharger includes a cylindrical piece that has a coefficient of thermal expansion, opposing ends and an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between the opposing ends where the outer surface includes one or more lubricant openings; an end piece that has a different coefficient of thermal expansion and a face where the face includes one or more lubricant openings; and lubricant passages formed by the cylindrical piece and the end piece for passage of lubricant between the one or more lubricant openings of the outer surface of the cylindrical piece and the one or more lubricant openings of the face of the end piece. As described herein, such an exemplary multi-piece bearing can, upon selection of coefficients of thermal expansion, help maintain axial clearances between various components during operation of a turbocharger. Other exemplary bearings, arrangements and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes: a cooling air pipe disposed at a downstream side of a rotor main body without contacting with the rotor main body and configured to feed cooling air into a cooling air main passage of the rotor main body; a bearing downstream end shaft seal annularly disposed at an outer circumferential side of the rotor main body and at a downstream side of a bearing which rotatably supports the rotor may body; and a collecting flow passage member having a leaked air collecting flow passage that guides the cooling air, which is leaked from the bearing downstream end shaft seal to the bearing side, into an exhaust flow passage through which a combustion gas passing through a final blade stage flows.

Abstract: The static seal (30) includes a rotary seal body (32) comprising an annular base portion (34) which is drivingly mountable on a rotary component such as a shaft and an annular cantilever portion (40) connected at one end to the base portion (34). The seal (30) 5 further includes a rotary seal face (48) and circumferential weights (44) connected to the cantilever portion (40). The seal is configured to dilate under centrifugal force to provide a running clearance between the rotary seal face and a complementary static seal face with which the rotary seal face is in contact when the rotary seal body (28) is stationary. The rotary seal body is further configured so as to facilitate the breaking up of slurry which may set around the seal when the pump (10) of which the seal forms part is inoperative.

Abstract: A rotor for a camshaft phaser includes a hub part having an oil supply passage, at least one vane radially disposed on the hub part, as well as oil channels extending through the hub part and fluidically connected to the oil supply passage. The manufacture of the rotor is considerably simplified because the rotor is made up of a main body and at least one cover element arranged on an end face of the main body. The oil channels are axially closed by the cover element.

Abstract: A pump for chopping solid material in a liquid stream having a volute housing, a rotating cutter with at least one blade parallel to a rotational axis of the rotating cutter, an impeller arranged at an outer circumference of the rotating cutter, and a stationary cutter having at least one blade parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating cutter. The stationary cutter is concentric with the rotating cutter, and the stationary cutter, the rotating cutter and the impeller are all at least partially housed within the volute housing. Typically, the rotating cutter has a different number of blades than the stationary cutter. Optionally, the pump, further comprises an inspection cover that is removably attached to the pump, and has an opening large enough to remove the stationary cutter and the rotating cutter from the volute housing.

Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing upstream of a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that is subsequent to the first stage to a step area upstream of the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.

Abstract: During engine braking of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas pressure increases and this is used to pressurize the seals between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing so as to prevent oil leakage into the compressor housing. Immediately after engine braking, stored exhaust gas pressure is used to pressurize the seals at the turbine end so as to prevent oil leakage into the turbine housing. In an alternative arrangement the exhaust gas is used to generate a reduced pressure in the bearing housing to increase the pressure gradient across the seals.

Abstract: An air cycle machine includes a shaft formed from end sections attached to a center section. The center section includes a first diameter that is supported on bearings within the air cycle machine and a second diameter that forms a part of an interface with a corresponding end section. The second diameter is less than the first diameter and extends an axial distance from an end of the center section and provides for the weld beam to be directed normal to the interface location such that weld quality and manufacturing efficiencies are improved.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a first zone with a fluid flow at a first pressure, and a second zone with a fluid flow at a second pressure. A sump cavity is provided in fluid communication with the first zone and a sump vent. An eductor system may be provided with a fluid flow path therethrough and in fluid communication with the second zone and the sump vent. The eductor system may be provided with an altitude sensing valve and may also be provided with gage pressure sensing valve. The eductor system may further be provided with a second gage pressure sensing valve and may also be provided with an orifice plate. The gage pressure sensing valves may react to the gage pressure of the second zone.

Abstract: A steam turbine system for use in a power plant includes a steam seal header that collects steam from seals of a high pressure steam turbine and an intermediate pressure steam turbine. The collected steam is provided to seals of a low pressure steam turbine to ensure the seals provide an effective seal for the low pressure steam turbine. Steam from the low pressure steam turbine is also collected in the steam seal header and it is mixed with the steam collected from the high and intermediate pressure seals. The mixed steam is then provided to drive the low pressure steam turbine.

Abstract: A shaft seal includes more than one sealing module, at least one fluid supply and a fluid discharge, and a main seal which is subject to a greatest partial pressure difference. A second main seal is a radial double seal, which includes two gas seals, each gas seal having a rotating sealing surface and a stationary sealing surface, wherein the two sealing surface pairs are located opposite each other in a sealing plan, and wherein the two sealing planes have substantially radial extension to the shaft.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes a compressor, a turbine downstream of the compressor having stators, and a rotor connecting the compressor to the turbine. The rotor includes rotor cavities. A supply plenum containing a process by-product gas and a control valve is connected to at least one of the rotor cavities to supply the process by-product gas to at least one of the rotor cavities. A process for operating a gas turbine having a compressor and a turbine includes connecting the compressor to the turbine by a rotor, creating cavities in the rotor, and injecting a process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities. The process further includes regulating the flow of the process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities according to a pre-programmed parameter.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is described herein, in particular for a motor vehicle. An exhaust-gas side sacrificial sealing ring that serves as a heat shield is replaced by a step formed in a housing and in a hub, the step serving to assume the function of a heat shield instead of the sacrificial sealing ring. This design feature reduces production costs in connection with the outlay for the sacrificial sealing ring.

Abstract: A device for sealing a bearing housing, which holds lubricating oil, from which a rotor supported inside the housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger is guided into a compressor housing, loadable by a mass flow of a charger. The device includes a fixed partition with a wall extension, a sealing disk fastened on a shaft of the rotor, a separating gap arranged between the sealing disk and the wall extension, and a drip device connected to an oil-collecting channel and directs lubricating oil collected in the oil-collecting channel into an oil drain by gravity. The drip device includes a drain-off surface for lubricating oil, which has a large axial distance from a rotating sealing disk which delimits the separating gap. Lubricating oil which can penetrate into the separating gap is guided into an oil drain of the bearing housing without interacting with the sealing disk.

Abstract: A method and a device for counteracting wear from particle bearing drive water in a runner (4) in a water turbine (1), the runner (4) comprising a runner hub (16) and a vane (18), or a runner hub (16), a vane (18) and a runner band (20), the vane (18) being attached to the runner hub (16) in a first attachment area (22) and to the runner band (20) in a second attachment area (24), and where the method comprises: —routing a supply channel (40) for water cleaner than the drive water to at least the first attachment area (22) or the second attachment area (24) and—leading water cleaner than the drive water to flow over at least a portion of the vane (18) surface.

Abstract: A gas turbine having a rotor which includes a turbine rotor, a shaft and a compressor rotor, the turbine rotor having at least one rotor disk and a rotor cone leading from the or a rotor disk to the shaft, the downstream end of the shaft being rotatably supported in a bearing having a bearing chamber, the interior space of the shaft being designed as a flow channel for bearing-chamber sealing air, and the space surrounding the rotor cone upstream of the same being designed as a flow space for cooling air is disclosed. In the region of the rotor connection, the shaft exhibits an expanded portion, at whose upstream end, openings are provided to allow cooling air to enter, and, at whose downstream end, openings are provided to allow cooling air to exit into the space between the bearing chamber and the rotor cone, a wall separating the streams of the cooling air and of the sealing air in the shaft interior from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining separation of two journal foil bearing assemblies, where each journal foil bearing assembly comprises one or more foils with lugs formed thereon for insertion into axial grooves of a bore, the means comprising a pin for insertion into each groove so that an edge of the lug that is inserted into the groove abuts the pin and is prevented from axially drifting along the bore. The pin provides a broad area along the lug edge so that the lug edge does not cut into the pin.

Abstract: A mid-turbine frame buffer system for a gas turbine engine includes a mid-turbine frame that supports a shaft by a bearing. An air compartment and a bearing compartment are arranged radially inward of the mid-turbine frame. The bearing compartment is arranged within the air compartment and includes first and second contact seals arranged on either side of the bearing. The air compartment includes multiple air seals. A high pressure compressor is fluidly connected to the air compartment and is configured to provide high pressure air to the air compartment. A method of providing pressurized air to a buffer system includes sealing a bearing compartment with contact seals, surrounding the bearing compartment with an air compartment, and supplying high pressure air to the air compartment.

Abstract: A method for lubricating a rolling element bearing by an ultra low viscosity volatile fluid comprises injecting a liquefied fluid flow into the bearing, lubricating rolling contacts between the rings and the rolling elements of the bearing by the liquefied fluid, providing a flow restriction for the liquefied fluid so as to maintain at least part of the fluid at a pressure which is above the evaporation pressure which is defined by evaporation of the fluid at the temperature or temperatures which prevail(s) in the bearing.

Abstract: A turbocharger oil discharge assembly (301, 501, 701, 901) can have a thrust collar (324, 524, 724, 924) with a first radially outwardly extending wall and a second radially outwardly extending wall to define a first annular channel. The first radially outwardly extending wall can have an annular flange that at least in part defines a second annular channel. The assembly can also have a thrust bearing (340, 540, 740, 940) having a radially inner end received in the first annular channel, and an insert (400, 600, 800, 1000). An oil collection chamber (440, 640, 840, 1040) can be defined at least in part by a drainage channel of the insert (400, 600, 800, 1000), the annular flange of the thrust collar (324, 524, 724, 924) and the thrust bearing (340, 540, 740, 940).

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well environment. A submersible pumping system having a submersible pump incorporates features that manage thrust loads resulting from rotating impellers. The thrust reducing features cooperate with the action of the impellers in one or more pump stages to reduce forces otherwise acting on certain pump related components.

Abstract: A card seal with an annular arrangement of plates that form the card seal, where the plates are rotated at an angle around a longitudinal axis of the plates so that the gaps between adjacent plates are not parallel to the rotational axis of the rotor shaft, and where an annular disk is rotatably secured to the rotor shaft and located adjacent to card seal on the low pressure side, or on the high pressure side or even on both sides such that rotation of the annular disk pumps fluid into or draws fluid out from the plate gaps to decrease or eliminate any differential pressure across the card seal. Thus, card seal leakage is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a nacelle, a plurality of pipes and a drains assembly, the drains assembly including a drains mast that extends through the nacelle and provides an outlet for the pipes. The engine is characterised in that drains assembly has a connection block defining internal passages and is arranged to connect between the pipes and the drains mast. The connection block also has lateral connections to the pipes enabling the nacelle to have a lower profile; thereby reducing aerodynamic drag.

Abstract: An oil recovery device is disclosed. The oil recovery device includes two bearing supports mounted on an inter-turbine casing, a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the bearing supports, a low-pressure turbine journal mounted rotating with respect to the inter-turbine casing, a fixed ferrule, and an oil passage provided in the low-pressure turbine journal making it possible to discharge the oil inside the fixed ferrule. The ferrule is preferentially widened from the end at which the oil is discharged.

Abstract: A pump system for lubricating a bearing in a gear system includes an auxiliary pump connected to the gear system. The auxiliary pump is fluidically connected to the bearing through an auxiliary supply passage and to a reservoir through an auxiliary scavenge passage. An auxiliary valve is fluidically connected to the auxiliary supply passage for transferring liquid from the auxiliary pump to the bearing when a pressure in the auxiliary supply passage downstream of the auxiliary valve is less than a particular threshold and for transferring liquid from the auxiliary pump to the reservoir when the pressure in the auxiliary supply passage downstream of the auxiliary valve is greater than the particular threshold. A method for circulating liquid is also included.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a shaft, an annular fluid collection cavity, and a bearing. The shaft is rotatable around an axially extending shaft centerline. The annular fluid collection cavity is formed by an axial panel extending between a forward radial panel and an aft radial panel. The aft radial panel includes a plurality of fluid apertures, each fluid aperture having a center disposed at a first radius from the shaft centerline. The bearing includes an inner race having a shaft mounting surface and a plurality of axially extending race fluid passages. The shaft mounting surface is engaged with an exterior surface of the shaft, and is disposed at a second radius from the shaft centerline, wherein the second radius is less than the first radius. At least some of the axially extending race fluid passages are fluidly connected with at least some of the fluid apertures in the aft radial panel.

Abstract: A steam turbine with a shaft seal is provided. The shaft seal steam barrier is supplied with a slight excess pressure. In order to avoid complex additional devices necessary for liquefying the water vapor once again, a condensation chamber, which is sealed from the surrounding air as well as from the steam barrier chamber with brush seals, is provided between the steam barrier chamber and the surrounding air. The condensation chamber is constructed in such a manner that the heat, developing in the interior thereof, is discharged to the outside.

Abstract: A bearing and seal assembly for supporting and sealing a terminating outboard end of an impeller shaft in a centrifugal pump such as a between-bearings pump includes only one seal but provides advantages typical of a dual-seal assembly, including barrier fluid protection against seal damage caused by abrasive slurries, and protection against leaking of toxic process fluid to atmosphere. A bearing housing sealed to the pump's pressure casing encloses the seal, bearing, and terminating impeller shaft end. Leakage of process fluid past the seal is prevented by a lubricating, pressurized, cooled barrier fluid which is circulated through the bearing housing by an external pump and/or by an internal, shaft-driven impeller. Because the impeller shaft terminates within the bearing housing and does not penetrate to atmosphere, the barrier fluid is contained within the bearing housing and a second seal is not required.

Abstract: A cold air buffer supply tube for a gas turbine engine includes a tube body having a first tube end and a second tube end. A fitting is secured to the first tube end, and a metering cap is secured to the tube second end. The metering cap includes a cap body having a peripheral wall with a plurality of holes to direct flow from an air supply into a bearing compartment for the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is disclosed. The centrifugal compressor comprises a first duct configured to receive a process gas, an impeller connected to the first duct and configured to compress the process gas, wherein the impeller has an outer surface, a first seal comprising, a first plurality of swirl brakes configured to have a tooth shape to reduce the inlet seal swirl of a flow of the process gas at an entrance to the first seal, wherein each swirl brake is disposed at a leading edge of the first seal and is configured to have a gap between the first plurality of swirl brakes and the outer surface of the impeller seal. A seal including a plurality of swirl brakes for reducing an inlet swirl and a method of manufacturing such a seal are disclosed.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotational assembly includes a first seal, a second seal and a crossover support. The crossover support includes a first geometry that interacts with the first seal and a second, different geometry that interacts with the second seal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for carrying out vapor-phase lubrication of a component, such as a bearing for example. The method and apparatus can be applied to a turbine engine. The method includes the step of directing a first stream of fluid containing atomized lubricant to the component at a first velocity. The system provides a first fluid injection system configured to perform the first step. The method also includes the step of directing a second stream of fluid at a second velocity less than the first velocity to the component. The second stream is for controlling a temperature of the component. The system provides a second fluid injection system configured to perform the second step. Both of the directing steps are carried out concurrently.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a pump including a pump chamber, a shaft at least partially positioned in the pump chamber, an impeller coupled to the shaft, and a seal coupled to the shaft. The pump also includes a wet seal chamber. The wet seal chamber can include a separator with a disc and a resilient member. The disc includes one or more slots through which fluid pressure from the pump chamber is transferred to the resilient member. The wet seal chamber substantially prevents fluid from contacting the seal in order to prolong a life of the seal.

Abstract: A force balanced seal for use with a rotor in the turbomachine has a member in opposed facing disposition to the rotor with a face dam portion of the member having a surface parallel with the sealing surface of the rotor, a groove in the member facing the rotor and bounding the face dam surface, an air bearing surface in the member facing the sealing surface of the rotor, a second passageway through the member from the air bearing surface to a radially outwardly facing surface of the member and a first passageway through the member from the groove to a member surface facing oppositely from the air bearing surface. An operating clearance between the seal and rotor is maintained by a closing force, exerted through a plurality of springs, and an opposing opening force created by pressurized air venting through the second passageway to the first passageway.

Abstract: A lubrication scavenge system is disclosed herein. The lubrication scavenge system includes a sump housing substantially encircling a structure disposed for rotation about an axis. The sump housing has an inwardly-facing surface extending at least partially about the axis in a spiral path. The spiral path increases in radial distance from the axis in the direction of rotation of the structure, in a plane perpendicular to the axis. The spiral path extends 360°.

Abstract: A turbocharger thrust bearing assembly, which maintains a constant relationship between the thrust faces, for example by use of gimbal or spherical segment geometry. Spherical geometry, while more difficult to manufacture than that of a flat thrust bearing, provides a more constant relationship between the thrust pads and thrust washers than is possible with a typical flat thrust bearing. As a consequence of this more constant relationship the thrust bearing operates with less oil flow, which ultimately may reduce vehicle emissions.

Abstract: A hydraulic servo drive device for driving a slide mechanism of a variable geometry turbocharger includes a servo piston connected to a driveshaft of the slide mechanism and a pilot spool that is accommodated in a center hole of the servo piton and slides by pilot pressure. A first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber to and from which pressure oil flows are provided in a housing. The servo piston separately includes a pressure port for introducing pressure oil from an outside, a first piston port for intercommunicating the center hole and the first hydraulic chamber, a second piston port for intercommunicating the center hole and the second hydraulic chamber, and a return port for exiting pressure oil.

Abstract: Pump (1) comprising a rotary shaft (30), a bearing housing (80) that is fixed relative to the rotary shaft, at least one rolling bearing (70) the inner ring (71) of which is connected to the said rotary shaft and the outer ring (76) of which is able to slide in this housing along the axis of rotation of the rotary shaft. The bearing housing (80) comprises a shoulder (81) situated on one side of this bearing and able rigidly to prevent translational movement of the outer ring (76) along the axis of rotation, and a deformable elastic device (100) fixed to the housing on the other side of the bearing (70) so that the bearing lies between the shoulder and the elastic device.

Abstract: A steam turbine has a stationary section, a turbine rotor, nozzle diaphragms, a steam passage section, a nozzle box and a sealing. The stationary section includes a casing. The turbine rotor includes moving blade stages. Each of the moving blade stages has turbine moving blades. Each of the nozzle diaphragms has turbine nozzles. The moving blade portions and the turbine nozzle portions constitute the steam passage. The nozzle box is held by the stationary section and arranged at an upstream side of the steam passage coaxially with the turbine rotor. The sealing divides a space between the turbine rotor and the casing into a first space provided at an inner side and a second space provided at an outer side of the nozzle box.

Abstract: An oil control device inhibits the flow of oil along a shaft (8) rotating about an axis. The oil control device comprises an annular body (19) for rotation with said shaft (8) and includes a first face (30) extending generally radially from said axis. A second radially outer circumferential surface (40) is provided, extending generally axially. An oil slinging groove (32) extends into said body (19) and has a mouth (37) defined between a first circumferentially extending rim (38) and a second circumferentially extending rim (39). The second rim (39) is spaced both radially and axially from the first rim (38). The groove (32) is defined at least in part by a wall (34) which meets the first rim (38) at an acute angle to a radial plane. The groove (32) is also defined at least in part by a wall (35) which meets the second rim (39) at an acute angle to the direction of the axis.

Abstract: An assembly for a turbocharger includes a shaft with an axial extension and a shaft-side groove portion, the shaft-side groove portion defined at least in part by a radial height; a turbine wheel with a counter bore and a turbine wheel-side groove portion, the turbine wheel-side groove portion defined at least in part by a radial height; and, upon receipt of the axial extension of the shaft by the counter bore of the turbine wheel, a groove formed by the shaft-side groove portion and the turbine wheel-side groove portion, the groove configured to seat a seal component. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oil-sealing arrangement for cooling fan includes a fan housing provided with a central hollow pipe having a hollow bearing fitted therein in a clearance fit relation, and the bearing having a front end formed into a forward tapered projection; and a blade carrier including a fitting cylinder with a rearward tapered projection. When the fitting cylinder is extended into the hollow pipe on the fan housing, the rearward tapered projection and the forward tapered projection together define a seeped oil chamber between them. When the cooling fan operates, lubricating oil seeped out of the hollow pipe along the bearing is recovered in the seeped oil chamber and flows back to the hollow pipe via the clearance between the bearing and the hollow pipe without being centrifugally thrown out of the cooling fan, allowing the cooling fan to have extended usable life.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an information system adapted to focus a plurality of audio messages to a plurality of different locations. As a consumer passes a display, their attention is attracted based on the series of messages. Further, a consumer can obtain more and different information as they change their position. Exemplary embodiments may also display a different image to the consumer depending on the position of the consumer relative to the display. Further embodiments may utilize touch-screen technology to allow a user to select an icon from the screen and obtain further information either through additional messages, video, or both.

Abstract: A standard for supporting a bearing for a rotating shaft of a machine including a plurality of casings having different gas pressures greater than atmospheric pressure includes a sealed chamber for fluidly coupling to an end packing of a first casing and a second casing of the machine, the sealed chamber having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The pressure in the sealed chamber reduces the leakage from the casing making more pressurized gas available for producing work in the machine.

Abstract: A fan includes an impeller and a motor for driving the impeller to rotate. The motor includes a bushing and a rotating shaft penetrating through the bushing. The bushing includes a tube and at least one base connected with one end of the tube. An inner diameter of the tube is smaller than an inner diameter of the base so that the mechanism design variability is enhanced and the efficiency of the fan and the motor is enhanced by effectively utilizing an inner space of the bushing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water lubricated line shaft bearing assembly, comprising an outer annular steel shell and an inner layer made of low friction material attached to the outer shell, the inner layer having a non-uniform thickness which is formed with wall portions of increased thickness defining a plurality of shaft engaging portions and with wall portions of reduced thickness defining a plurality of lubricant passages. The shaft engaging portions are capable of being journalled on a line shaft adapted to drive a downhole geothermal production pump and the steel shell is engageable with an inner wall of a lubrication tube vertically extending through a water column through which pumped geothermal fluid is delivered, lubrication water bled from the pumped geothermal fluid being used to supply lubrication water through the lubricant passages.

Abstract: A turbocompressor for use with a process fluid and including an axial expansion turbine for expanding the process fluid and a centrifugal compressor for compressing the process fluid. The turbine and compressor share a common shaft, all of which can be housed by a common housing that encloses sealed spaces. The axial expansion turbine has a rotor located between two main bearings, and the centrifugal compressor includes an impeller mounted to one end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the main bearings are lubricated by a portion of the process fluid so that the only fluid in the sealed spaces is the process fluid. The turbocompressor can be used in a power-cycle system that includes a heat source and, optionally, an electrical generator.