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.
Claims23
A turbomachine, comprising:
- a frame;
- an impeller having a hub, a plurality of blades and first and second shafts extending from opposed sides of the hub, the impeller rotatably supported by the frame by first and second bearings coupled to the first and second shafts;
- a collector coupled to the frame and fluidly coupled to the impeller to collect air discharged by the impeller;
- and
- first and second shrouds located on opposed sides of the impeller blades, wherein the first and second shrouds are coupled to the frame, operably coupled to the plurality of impeller blades, and moveable in a first direction to control a volume of air transferred from the impeller to the collector;
- wherein the collector is supported by the frame independently of the impeller to mechanically decouple the collector from the impeller and minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween.
A turbomachine, comprising:
- a frame;
- an impeller having a plurality of blades and first and second shafts extending from opposed sides of the impeller, the impeller rotatably supported by the frame by first and second bearings coupled to the first and second shafts;
- a collector coupled to the frame and fluidly coupled to the impeller to collect air discharged by the impeller;
- and
- first and second annular inlets located on first and second opposed sides of the turbomachine, wherein the first and second annular inlets are substantially the same size and designed and configured as working fluid passageways for drawing ambient air into the turbomachine;
- wherein the first and second shafts are located in the first and second annular inlets;
- wherein the collector is supported by the frame independently of the impeller to mechanically decouple the collector from the impeller and minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.