Abstract:
An exhaust gas energy recovery system includes a power plant and a volumetric fluid expander. The power plant has an exhaust gas outlet for conveying an exhaust gas stream at a first pressure. The volumetric fluid expander includes a housing and an output shaft. The housing has an inlet and an outlet, and the housing inlet is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas outlet. The volumetric fluid expander generates useful work at the output shaft by expanding the exhaust gas stream to a second pressure lower than the first pressure generally without reducing the volume of the exhaust stream as the exhaust stream moves from the housing inlet to the outlet.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a simplified roots-type blower having an improved sound signature. The roots-type blower includes a rotor bore housing having a molded, one-piece polymeric construction. The rotor bore housing defines a first rotor bore and a second rotor bore. The rotor bore housing also defines a first bearing pocket corresponding to the first rotor bore and a bearing pocket corresponding to the second rotor bore axis. The rotor bore housing further defining a timing gear chamber.
Abstract:
A method for generating mechanical work via a closed-loop Rankine cycle includes heating a working fluid to at least a partial vapor state, generating useful work at a first expansion stage by expanding the working fluid as the working fluid passes through the first expansion stage, generating useful work at a second expansion stage by expanding the working fluid as the working fluid passes through the second expansion stage, generating useful work at a third expansion stage by expanding the working fluid as the working fluid passes through the third expansion stage, and condensing the working fluid to a liquid state.
Abstract:
The invention provides a fuel cell compressor system that comprises a motor, including a motor shaft driven by the motor; a drive housing at least partially surrounding the motor shaft; a first gear set driven by the motor shaft; a carrier torque tube driven by the first gear set; and an impeller. The impeller includes an impeller shaft driven by the second gear set, so that the impeller shaft is configured to rotate at a speed greater than motor speed. Embodiments of the invention may also include a first bearing supporting the carrier torque tube and a second bearing supporting the impeller shaft. Embodiments of the invention may also include a seal system.
Abstract:
A rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor plates mounted to a shaft, and methods of construction for a rotor assembly are disclosed. Each rotor plate in the assembly may be provided with a central opening extending between the first and second sides through which the shaft extends. In one aspect, the rotor plates are provided with a plurality of lobes extending away from the central opening, wherein each of the lobes has a lobe opening extending through the thickness of the plates. In one embodiment, the rotor plates are rotationally stacked to form a helical rotor.
Abstract:
A Rankine cycle system including a Rankine cycle working circuit and a lubrication circuit is disclosed. The Rankine cycle working circuit includes Rankine cycle working fluid that is cycled through a condensing zone, a heating zone and a mechanical energy extraction zone. The mechanical energy extraction zone includes a mechanical expander. The lubrication circuit lubricates the mechanical expander. The lubrication circuit and the Rankine cycle working circuit include a shared segment including a mixture of Rankine cycle working fluid from the Rankine cycle working circuit and lubricant from the lubrication circuit. A separator receives the mixture of Rankine cycle working fluid and lubricant from the shared segment and separates the Rankine cycle working fluid from the lubricant. The separated Rankine cycle working fluid is directed along the Rankine cycle working circuit from the separator to the heating zone and the separated lubricant is directed along the lubrication circuit from the separator to the mechanical expander.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a simplified roots-type blower having an improved sound signature. The roots-type blower includes a rotor bore housing having a molded, one-piece polymeric construction. The rotor bore housing defines a first rotor bore and a second rotor bore. The rotor bore housing also defines a first bearing pocket corresponding to the first rotor bore and a bearing pocket corresponding to the second rotor bore axis. The rotor bore housing further defining a timing gear chamber.
Abstract:
A multi-stage fuel cell centrifugal compressor system comprising a motor, including a shaft, and a compressor connected to the motor. The compressor includes a first stage inlet; first housing fluidly connected to the first stage inlet; and first impeller driven by the shaft for imparting fluid flow through a first stage of the system. The compressor further includes a first stage outlet fluidly connected to the first housing; a second stage inlet; a second housing fluidly connected to the second stage inlet; a second impeller for imparting fluid flow through a second stage; a second stage outlet fluidly connected to the second housing; and a pipe extending between the first stage outlet and the second stage inlet. The pipe fluidly connects the first stage outlet to the second stage inlet, thereby directing at least a portion of fluid from the first stage to the second stage of the system.
Abstract:
The invention provides a fuel cell compressor system that comprises a motor, including a motor shaft driven by the motor; a drive housing at least partially surrounding the motor shaft; a first gear set driven by the motor shaft; a carrier torque tube driven by the first gear set; and an impeller. The impeller includes an impeller shaft driven by the second gear set, so that the impeller shaft is configured to rotate at a speed greater than motor speed. Embodiments of the invention may also be used with a multi-stage compressor that allows, for example, first and second impellers to rotate at different speeds. Embodiments of the invention may also include removal of a gear set driving the carrier torque tube or the impeller shaft, so that the impeller shaft speed is divided between one or more bearings supporting the carrier torque tube and one or more bearings supporting the impeller shaft.
Abstract:
A rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor plates (200) mounted to a shaft (38), and methods of construction for a rotor assembly are disclosed. Each rotor plate (200) in the assembly may be provided with a central opening (212) extending between the first and second sides through which the shaft (38) extends. In one aspect, the rotor plates (200) are provided with a plurality of lobes (202-1,202-2,202-3) extending away from the central opening (212), wherein each of the lobes has a lobe opening (205-1,205-2,205-3) extending through the thickness of the plates. In one embodiment, the rotor plates (200) are rotationally stacked to form a helical rotor.