Abstract:
A butterfly bypass valve includes a housing defining a bypass flow passage with a pivotable throttle plate therein. An outer edge of the throttle plate in a closed position is in sealing engagement with a sealing portion of the housing such that the throttle plate restricts fluid flow through the bypass flow passage. The throttle plate is pivotable to an open position to allow fluid flow through the bypass flow passage. A port in the housing allows a portion of fluid passing through the bypass flow passage to be removed when the throttle plate is pivoted to the open position. A predetermined amount of pivoting of the throttle plate toward the open position can occur so as to allow flow through the port, while maintaining the edge of the throttle plate in substantially sealing engagement with the sealing portion so as to substantially prevent flow through the bypass passage.
Abstract:
Electrical systems and devices with substrate interconnections having reduced parasitic inductance are provided. A first substrate includes one or more capacitors and plurality of connection interfaces, wherein a first subset of connection interfaces electrically connected to a first reference voltage are interleaved with a second subset of connection interfaces electrically connected to a different reference voltage. A second substrate includes a third subset of connection interfaces are electrically connected to a first terminal of a first switching element and the first subset of connection interfaces and a fourth subset of connection interfaces electrically connected to a second terminal of a second switching element and the second subset of connection interfaces, and the third subset and the fourth subset are also interleaved.
Abstract:
An electric motor-driven compressor includes a housing assembly comprising a motor housing and a compressor housing mounted thereto. The compressor housing contains a centrifugal compressor wheel that is mounted on a shaft of the motor rotor and also defines an air inlet that leads air into the compressor wheel, and a volute that collects the compressed air. Air bearings rotatably support the shaft. Cooling air passages are defined in the housing assembly for supplying cooling air to the air bearings. A diffuser between the exit of the compressor wheel and the volute serves to diffuse the compressed air. The compressor includes a heat shield formed separately from the compressor housing and the motor housing and disposed between them. The heat shield defines one wall of the diffuser and also cooperates with the housing assembly to define part of the cooling air passages for the cooling air supplied to the bearings.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for regulating fuel cell backpressure or humidity in conjunction with a flow control assembly that recovers energy resulting from the regulation. An exemplary vehicle system includes a fuel cell stack, a flow control valve to regulate a fluid flow exiting the fuel cell stack, and a flow control assembly parallel to the flow control valve to generate electrical energy in response to a bypass portion of the fluid flow that bypasses the flow control valve based on an orientation of the flow control valve with respect to the fluid flow.
Abstract:
Turbine assemblies, loss recovery systems, and related fabrication methods are provided for managing temperatures associated with an electrical generator. One exemplary turbine assembly suitable for use in a loss recovery system includes a wheel configured to rotate in response to a portion of a fluid flow bypassing a flow control valve, a generator including a stator assembly disposed about a rotor coupled to the wheel to rotate in response to rotation of the wheel, a conductive structure in contact with the stator assembly, and an insulating structure radially encompassing the conductive structure and the generator. The conductive structure accesses at least a portion of the fluid flow bypassing the flow control valve and impacting the wheel, thereby providing thermal coupling between the stator assembly and the bypass fluid flow to transfer heat from the stator assembly to the bypass fluid flow via the conductive structure.
Abstract:
An electric motor-driven compressor having an electrical terminal block assembly and corresponding method of assembly are provided. The electrical terminal block assembly includes a base plate that has a staging feature for receiving a lug end of a motor stator cable prior to connection of the motor stator cable with a terminal bar of the terminal block assembly. In this way, once the terminal block assembly is lowered into the enclosure and the motor stator cable is no longer visible to the user, a stator cable fastener may be passed through a stator cable mounting hole in the terminal bar to engage the stator cable lug that is being held in the proper position by the staging feature of the base plate. Upon rotation of the stator cable fastener, the stator cable lug may be drawn into conductive engagement with the terminal bar.
Abstract:
An air bearing assembly is provided that includes a bearing sleeve that has two slots side-by-side having rectangular profiles for engaging the ends of first and second bearing foils for supporting a shaft of a dual-stage compressor. The first rectangular-profile slot, which may be made using a broaching process, is designed to receive first ends of the first bearing foil and the second bearing foil. The second rectangular-profile slot, which may also be made using a broaching process, is designed to receive a second end of the second bearing foil. This dual-slot design replaces the complex “L” shaped single slot design of conventional bearing sleeves, allowing for high-volume, low-cost manufacturing of the bearing sleeves. The dual-slot design also provides for robust engagement of the bearing foils with the bearing sleeves, while allowing easy assembly and installation of the air bearing assemblies.
Abstract:
Turbine assemblies, loss recovery systems, and related fabrication methods are provided for managing temperatures associated with an electrical generator. One exemplary turbine assembly suitable for use in a loss recovery system includes a wheel configured to rotate in response to a portion of a fluid flow bypassing a flow control valve, a generator including a stator assembly disposed about a rotor coupled to the wheel to rotate in response to rotation of the wheel, a conductive structure in contact with the stator assembly, and an insulating structure radially encompassing the conductive structure and the generator. The conductive structure accesses at least a portion of the fluid flow bypassing the flow control valve and impacting the wheel, thereby providing thermal coupling between the stator assembly and the bypass fluid flow to transfer heat from the stator assembly to the bypass fluid flow via the conductive structure.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for managing excess electrical energy generated by a throttle loss recovery system. One exemplary system includes a flow control assembly to generate electrical energy in response to a portion of a fluid flow bypassing a flow control valve, an electrical system coupled to the flow control assembly to receive the electrical energy, and a control module coupled to the electrical system. The electrical system includes an energy storage element and an electrical load. The control module detects an excess energy condition based at least in part on a characteristic of the electrical system, and in response, operates the electrical system to dissipate at least a portion of the electrical energy generated by the flow control assembly using the electrical load.
Abstract:
An electric motor-driven compressor having an electrical terminal block assembly and corresponding method of assembly are provided. The electrical terminal block assembly includes a base plate that has a staging feature for receiving a lug end of a motor stator cable prior to connection of the motor stator cable with a terminal bar of the terminal block assembly. In this way, once the terminal block assembly is lowered into the enclosure and the motor stator cable is no longer visible to the user, a stator cable fastener may be passed through a stator cable mounting hole in the terminal bar to engage the stator cable lug that is being held in the proper position by the staging feature of the base plate. Upon rotation of the stator cable fastener, the stator cable lug may be drawn into conductive engagement with the terminal bar.