Abstract:
A radial magnetic bearing may include an annular housing including a radial outer wall disposed between radially outer ends of two annular axial end plates and an isolation sleeve which may include a helical arrangement of a plurality of ferromagnetic wires. The isolation sleeve may be an annular structure extending axially between the two annular axial end plates, and the isolation sleeve and the annular housing may define an isolation cavity therebetween. The radial magnetic bearing may also include an isolation sleeve retainer configured to maintain a position of the isolation sleeve between the two annular axial end plates. The radial magnetic bearing may further include a plurality of laminations disposed adjacent the isolation sleeve and about a shaft of the rotating machine. A gap may be defined between the plurality of laminations and the isolation sleeve.
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for an auxiliary bearing system. The system and method may include a sleeve extending circumferentially about a rotary shaft and coupled thereto. The system and method may also include an axial journal disposed circumferentially about the rotary shaft and adjacent an axial end of the sleeve. The system and method may further include a locking nut coupled to the rotary shaft. The locking nut may be configured to force the axial journal to engage the axial end of the sleeve to at least partially resist axial movement of the axial journal along the rotary shaft. The system and method may further include a gripping assembly disposed circumferentially about the rotary shaft. The gripping assembly may be configured to engage the axial journal to at least partially resist radial movement of the axial journal relative to the rotary shaft.
Abstract:
An expander-generator is disclosed having an expansion device and a generator disposed within a hermetically-sealed housing. The expansion device may be overhung and supported on or otherwise rotate a hollow expansion rotor having a thrust balance seal being arranged at least partially within a chamber defined in the expansion rotor. Partially-expanded working fluid is extracted from an intermediate expansion stage and a first portion of the extracted working fluid is used cool the generator and accompanying radial bearings. A second portion of the extracted working fluid may be introduced into the chamber defined within the expander rotor via a conduit defined in the thrust balance seal chamber. The second portion of extracted working fluid minimizes unequal axial thrust loads on the expander rotor due to the overhung arrangement.
Abstract:
A multi-stage, two-flow, axial flow expander close-coupled to a driven machine, such as a generator. The expander includes one or more expansion stages separated by a series of flow stream dividers that separate each expansion stage into outer and inner expander flowpaths. Working fluid at a first temperature is directed into the outer expander flowpath for expansion, and working fluid at a second, lesser temperature is directed into the inner expander flowpath for expansion. Expansion of the working fluid drives the driven machine.
Abstract:
A coast down bushing having a plurality of grooves formed in the inner radial surface thereof. Each groove is filled with a lubricating insert or plug to reduce the contact friction between a rotating shaft and the bushing during coast down or during a rotor shock event or excursion.
Abstract:
A fluid compression system is disclosed having at least a compressor and a motor (or alternate driver) arranged within a hermetically-sealed housing. The motor rotates a shaft upon which the compressor is disposed, and the shaft is supported within the housing by first and second radial bearings arranged at first and second ends of the shaft, respectively. An intermediate radial bearing is also arranged on the rotatable shaft between the first and second radial bearings. The radial bearings can be active magnetic bearings and controlled by two sets of channels in a bearing control system in order to levitate and control the position of the shaft.
Abstract:
Electronic hydraulic lifter apparatus and methods, with the apparatus including a lifter body and a piston disposed at least partially within the lifter body and configured to translate longitudinally with respect thereto. The apparatus further includes a first fluid reservoir disposed at least partially within the lifter body, the piston, or both and configured to receive an end of the piston, and a smart fluid disposed within the first fluid reservoir and configured to communicate with at least the end of the piston. The apparatus also includes an electrical connection coupled to the first fluid reservoir and operatively communicating with the smart fluid, with the electrical connection being configured to vary a viscoelastic property of the smart fluid by applying a field thereto.
Abstract:
An expander-generator is disclosed. The expander-generator is disposed within a hermetically-sealed housing and includes a high-pressure expander stage and a low-pressure expander stage. A working fluid, such as ammonia, is introduced into the high and low pressure expander stages and expanded therein so as to provide rotational torque to a shaft. A generator, such as a motor, pump, or compressor, may be coupled to a free end of the shaft such that rotation of the shaft will provide useful work for the generator.
Abstract:
A compressed air energy storage system including a compressor adapted to receive a process gas and output a compressed process gas. A heat transfer unit may be coupled to the compressor and adapted to receive the compressed process gas and a heat transfer medium and to output a cooled process gas and a heated heat transfer medium. A compressed gas storage unit may be coupled to the heat transfer unit and adapted to receive and store the cooled process gas. A waste heat recovery unit may be coupled to the heat transfer unit and adapted to receive the heated heat transfer medium.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for processing a process fluid at a remote location, with the apparatus including a pump located at a first location and configured to provide a pressurized working fluid. The apparatus also includes an umbilical coupled to the pump such that the umbilical receives the pressurized working fluid from the pump and transports the pressurized working fluid therefrom. The apparatus further includes a hydraulic turbine disposed at the remote location and coupled to the umbilical such that the hydraulic turbine receives the pressurized working fluid from the umbilical. The apparatus additionally includes one or more shaft energy conversion devices operatively coupled to the hydraulic turbine and disposed at the remote location.