Turbomachines with decoupled collectors
AssigneeConcepts NREC, LLC
InventorsKevin Fairman, Song Xue
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Turbomachines such as air dynamometers are disclosed that include a radial outflow compressor and gas collector. In some examples, the gas collector is designed as a separate component that is coupled to the machine, such as coupled to a frame. In some examples, the collector and frame are intentionally spaced and coupled at discrete points to minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween. Aspects of the present disclosure also include turbomachines that include at least one impeller bypass flow path for the direct transfer of air between ambient and a location in the collector downstream of the impeller blades. In some examples, such flowpath(s) may allow for the inflow of external ambient air into the collector.
Claims19
A turbomachine, comprising:
- an impeller having a plurality of blades, the impeller rotatably supported by a frame;
- a collector including at least one sidewall that includes an opening, where the collector is coupled to the frame and fluidly coupled to the impeller to collect air discharged by the impeller;
- and
- at least one shroud coupled to the frame and moveably disposed in the opening of the collector, wherein the turbomachine includes an angular inlet that is partially defined by the at least one shroud, the at least one shroud configured to move in a first direction to control a seize of the annular inlet;
- wherein the collector is mechanically decoupled form the impeller by being supported by the frame independently of the impeller and the at least one shroud to thereby minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy between the collector and the impeller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.