Abstract: A multi-stage compressor assembly is disclosed. Each of the stages of the compressor assembly has rows of blades arranged to rotate in counter-opposite directions, and this is effective to produce relatively high specific work, and high flow-capacity in a compact footprint at moderate blade tip speeds. In one non-limiting application, the compressor assembly can be utilized to compress a gas having a low-molecular weight and density, such as hydrogen.

Abstract: A rotary engine comprised of a pair of counterrotating rotors within a non-rotating outer housing. Each of the rotors is coupled to a common power shaft, one directly and the other through a reversing gear arrangement. Both are driven by the hyper-expansion of combustion gases in a repeating combustion cycle. Each has a generally circular, nearly frictionless working surface perpendicular to the power shaft axis. Each rotor surface defines chambers which rotate past each other. Within such chambers, compressed air and fuel are introduced, mixed, ignited, allowed to hyper-expand (and thus cause the rotation) and exhausted. The power shaft may be connected to a conventional clutch, torque converter, gearbox, differential, alternator or a similar system.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes a shaft defining an axis, an impeller mounted to the shaft for rotation about the axis, and a diffuser section including a first wall, a second wall, and an opening defined between the first wall and the second wall. The opening of the diffuser section is arranged in fluid communication with the impeller. The first wall is rotatable about the axis and rotation of the first wall about the axis is mechanically driven.

Abstract: A rotary engine comprised of a pair of counterrotating rotors within a non-rotating outer housing. Each of the rotors is coupled to a common power shaft, one directly and the other through a reversing gear arrangement. Both are driven by the hyper-expansion of combustion gases in a repeating combustion cycle. Each has a generally circular, nearly frictionless working surface perpendicular to the power shaft axis. Each rotor surface defines chambers which rotate past each other. Within such chambers, compressed air and fuel are introduced, mixed, ignited, allowed to hyper-expand (and thus cause the rotation) and exhausted. The power shaft may be connected to a conventional clutch, torque converter, gearbox, differential, alternator or a similar system.

Abstract: A technique facilitates movement of fluids with reduced component loading by utilizing opposed axial forces. The system for moving fluid may be in the form of a gas compressor, liquid pump, or other device able to pump or otherwise move fluid from one location to another. According to an embodiment, the system includes rotor sections which are combined with pumping features. The rotor sections are disposed radially between corresponding inner and outer stator sections which may be powered to cause relative rotation of inner and outer rotor sections in opposite directions. The rotors and corresponding pumping features are configured to move fluid in opposed axial directions toward an outlet section so as to balance axial forces and thus reduce component loading, e.g. thrust bearing loading.

Abstract: A rotor machine includes a rotor which includes a recessed portion, a stator blade which includes a stator blade body and a shroud, and a fin. The recessed portion includes a recessed portion radial wall surface which extends in a radial direction, and the recessed portion radial wall surface includes a first wall surface which extends radially outward, a second wall surface which extends further radially outward than the first wall surface, and a protrusion surface which protrudes toward an upstream side in the axis direction from the first wall surface. The shroud includes a shroud radial wall surface facing a downstream side in the axis direction of the recessed portion radial wall surface, and a shroud groove portion is formed in the shroud.

Abstract: A gear with an oil distribution system includes a first area at least approximately rotationally symmetrical with, in its radially inner area, an opening. Via the opening, oil is introduced from a second area into the first area during operation. Downstream of the opening with respect to the second area, the first area includes a collecting area extending in the radial and circumferential directions of the first area. An acceleration appliance for the oil, connected to the first area, is provided in the collecting area so a substantially radial flow direction in the direction of a radially outer area of the collecting area is applied to the oil that is present in the collecting area when the first area rotates. An area of the engine provided downstream of an outlet opening is in or can be brought into operative connection with the main oil supply circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel supersonic compressors comprising novel supersonic compressor rotors. The supersonic compressor rotors are designed to operate at very high rotational speed wherein the velocity of the gas entering the supersonic compressor rotor is greater than the local speed of sound in the gas, hence the descriptor “supersonic”. The new supersonic compressors comprise at least one supersonic compressor rotor defining an inner cylindrical cavity and an outer rotor rim and at least one radial flow channel allowing fluid communication between the inner cylindrical cavity and the outer rotor rim, said radial flow channel comprising a supersonic compression ramp. The novel supersonic compressor rotors are expected to enhance the performance of supersonic compressors comprising them, and to provide for greater design versatility in systems comprising such novel supersonic compressors.

Abstract: A multi-stage turbine (16) is designed as an induction turbine with vapour induction in at least one intermediary stage. It is more particularly conceived as a radial-outward-flow type multi-stage turbine, with an axial main vapour inlet port (82) and an annular secondary vapour inlet port (84), which is arranged in the turbine (16) so as to annularly induce, in an intermediary stage of said turbine, a secondary vapour stream into an already partially expanded radial main vapour stream. The annular secondary vapour inlet port (84) comprises as a ring-zone (92) with through holes (94), which radially surrounds said axial main vapour inlet port (82) in a first turbine housing part (80). The axial vapour inlet port comprises a first tubular vapour inlet connection (82).

Abstract: Disclosed are an impeller of a suction-enforced type, and a fan-motor for a vacuum cleaner having the same. The fan-motor having the impeller of the suction-enforced type includes: a motor housing; a motor installed in the motor housing; an impeller casing coupled to the upper portion of the motor housing; the impeller of the suction-enforced type installed in the impeller casing and connected to a rotation shaft of the motor; and a guide vane installed at the lower portion of the impeller of the suction-enforced type, for guiding the air sucked into the impeller casing to the motor side. As a result, suction efficiency of the impeller is improved, and thus efficiency of the fan-motor for the vacuum cleaner is improved.

Abstract: A turbine generator system, having: a rotatable base; and a plurality of rotor vanes extending from the rotatable base, wherein each of the rotor vanes have helical tapered inner and outer surfaces, and wherein each of the rotor vanes is curved to catch flow perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable base and to direct the flow into a vortical flow between the inner surfaces of the rotor vanes.

Abstract: A water wheel assembly is disclosed and comprises a water wheel including a plate having a rotation axis and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced receivers, each including a first slit defined through the plate, proximal to the axis, and a second slit defined through the plate, distal to the axis. A vane is provided for each receiver and includes: a body hinged to the plate for movement between a lowered position, flush therewith, and a raised position, angularly extending therefrom; and a pair of flaps extending from the body to: project through respective slits and beyond the plate when the body is lowered; and define, in combination with the body and the plate, a scoop, when the body is raised. The plate is mounted in a flow of water with its axis normal thereto and such that the plate is free to rotate about the axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vacuum pumps and a method for creating and maintaining a high vacuum. A vacuum pump includes a regenerative section and a turbo-molecular section. A common first rotor carries forward-rotating elements of both the regenerative section and the turbo-molecular section. Additionally, a second rotor carries counter-rotating elements of the turbo-molecular section. A first drive rotates the first rotor in a forward rotational direction while a second drive rotates the second rotor in a counter-rotational direction. The drives may be controlled to drive the common first rotor on start-up, and to later drive the second rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of a multiphase fluid, comprising a rotatable shaft having a fluid flow path coaxial with the shaft. A fixed guide member surrounds the shaft and comprises annular plural helical channels for imparting centrifugal forces to the fluid to concentrate heavier fluid into an outer annular flow path around an inner flow path for lighter fluid. An impeller is supported on and driven by the shaft. The flow in the outer flow path is diverted, so as to divert the flow of the fluid of greater specific gravity into an annular channel member having an impeller. A stationary scoop extracts fluid from the channel member. The impeller comprises generally radially outwardly extending disks receiving fluid flowing on the inner flow path between them. Guide vanes are carried by the disks for guiding the fluid radially outwardly. A discharge chamber in the form of a volute is provided for the lighter fluid on the inner flow path issuing from between the disks.

Abstract: A pump or compressor module for undersea use has a housing having a pump or compressor unit received therein. The pump or compressor unit has first and second impeller assemblies. The first and second impeller assemblies are driven in opposed directions about a common axis. The drive has first and second electric motors having respective drive shafts drivingly connected to the first and second impeller assemblies respectively. First and second motor casings contain the first and second motors respectively, the motor casings being within the housing. There is a seal compartment in each of the motor casings and a drive shaft seal within each of seal compartments. Barrier fluid is supplied to each of the seal compartments at a higher pressure than to the rest of the motor casing.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor (10/110) or a centripetal turbine (76) having coaxially aligned, relatively rotatable rotors (12,112,212/14,114,214) mounting a plurality of blades (30,32,34,36,38/130/230) having variable radial extension from a central axis (15). The blades closer to the center of rotation of the rotors are operated at high speeds so to maximize their gas treating effect while rotating the larger diameter blades (40,42,44/132,232) at lower speeds commensurate with their stress capabilities.

Abstract: A steam turbine comprising a housing in which there are at least two rotors turning on a common axis in the same direction but at different speeds. The rotors are connected by gearing preferably located externally of the housing. In the preferred form, the faster rotating rotor is driven by steam from a first steam nozzle or nozzles. The adjacent slower rotating rotor is driven by steam from a second steam nozzle or nozzles. Specially arranged vanes on the slower rotor and fixed vanes on the housing enable the expanding steam to react between the first and second rotors and the second rotor and the housing to obtain the desired power output from the steam.In a modification, the second rotor has ports therethrough which extend diagonally backward and outward from the interior side of the second rotor to the exterior side so that some of the steam from the first steam nozzle if of higher pressure can pass through the diagonal ports to engage the fixed vanes on the housing.

Abstract: A steam turbine having side by side rotors within the turbine housing, one rotor fixed to the turbine shaft and the other rotor free to rotate on the turbine shaft. The fixed rotor has a single set of vanes, the freely rotatable rotor has two sets of vanes, one set being adjacent the vanes of the fixed rotor and the other set adjacent a fourth set of vanes integral with the housing. One steam nozzle delivers steam against the vanes on the fixed rotor and a second steam nozzle delivers steam against the set of vanes on the second rotor that are adjacent the fixed vanes on the housing. The steam pressure is controlled so that steam from the nozzles will drive the fixed rotor and shaft at a selected speed which may be faster or slower than the speed of the freely rotatable rotor. The freely rotatable rotor may include reversely directed apertures permitting steam from the first nozzle to flow outwardly to act against the fixed vanes on the housing.

Abstract: A system for obtaining and regulating energy from the air or sea and river currents includes a cyclone converter formed by three concentric rotating bodies, either on shafts or cylindrical rails or the like. Fixed rollers or other electromagnetic systems permit the rotation of the group around an imaginary or actual geometrical shaft. The outside body is self-orientating with its main components and deflectors on rotating components or a base sliding rail. The intermediate concentric body or turbine is formed by rings and vanes and a system of rollers or electro-magnetic supports which are inside or outside the turbine. The inside body or diffuser rotates concentrically in a reverse direction to the turbine and has vanes of opposite complementary angles.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating heat and vaporizing of liquids, and for providing cooling by using a continuous flow centrifuge to compress a gas with accompanying temperature increase and removing heat to another fluid from said gas in compressed state; said gas then being passed from the first rotor via nozzles mounted on said first rotor in backward direction thus reducing the absolute tangential velocity of said gaseous fluid; said gaseous fluid being then passed to a second rotor for which the rotor tip speed may be nearly the same as the velocity of said entering gaseous fluid. After said gaseous fluid enters the second rotor, it is then passed inward within said second rotor and discharged near said second rotor center. Work is supplied to said first rotor normally, and recovered in said second rotor. The gaseous fluid may be air, carbon dioxide, or some other fluid. The fluid receiving said heat may be water, ammonia, or some other fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of power in a turbine, wherein a gaseous working fluid is passed within a rotor to compress the working fluid and then the fluid is accelerated and then decelerated to generate said power. Heat is added to the working fluid usually before said deceleration, and heat is usually removed from the working fluid after said deceleration. The turbine also is provided with regeneration means where heat is exchanged between streams of the working fluid within the rotor. The working fluid may be sealed within the rotor or be supplied from external sources. The turbine can also be used for heat transfer work with the reversal of rotation, if desired.

Abstract: A fluid drive composed of three coaxial cylindrical members mounted coaxially within a cylindrical housing. The outer of the three coaxial members is fixedly secured to an output shaft and the inner of the three coaxial members is fixedly secured to an input shaft. The intermediate cylindrical member has vanes for fluid interaction with vanes on the inner and outer cylinders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing and expanding a fluid by passing said fluid through a rotating continuous flow centrifuge wherein said fluid is pressurized by centrifugal action on said fluid by said centrifuge rotor. Said rotor is provided with passageways for said fluid with vanes placed therewithin assuring that the fluid will rotate with said rotor. After compression, said fluid is passed in compressed state through nozzles near the periphery of said rotor with said nozzles oriented to discharge said fluid backward thus reducing the absolute tangential velocity of said fluid. After passing said nozzles, said fluid is passed through inward extending passageways to exit near the rotor center. Cooling is provided for said fluid during said compression, and heating is provided during expansion in said inward extending passages. As an alternate, two rotors may be employed, wherein said fluid is passed to a second rotor for said expansion and for deceleration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing fluid by passing said fluid through a rotating continuous flow centrifuge wherein said fluid is pressurized by centrifugal action on said fluid by said centrifuge rotor. Said rotor is provided with passageways for said fluid with vanes placed therewithin for assuring that the fluid will rotate with said rotor. After compressing occurs, said fluid is passed in compressed state to a second rotor wherein energy contained in said fluid is converted to work, with said fluid being passed within fluid passageways in said second rotor inwardly to an exit at center, with vanes ensuring that said fluid second rotor will rotate with said fluid for receiving the work associated with deceleration of said fluid. Cooling may be provided during compression of said fluid by circulating a coolant in heat exchange relationship with said fluid. Nozzles may be provided near the first rotor periphery for decelerating said first fluid.