# US 11,898,451 B2 · Compact axial turbine for high density working fluid

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- Number: US 11,898,451 B2
- Document ID: US11898451B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/430,390
- Filed: 2020-03-05
- Published: 2022-05-12
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-03-06
- Assignees: Industrom Power LLC
- Applicants: Industrom Power LLC; Paul Angel
- Inventors: Paul Angel; Joseph Harris
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898451B2

## CPC

- F01D 15/12: Combinations with mechanical gearing (driven by multiple engines F01D13/00)
- F04D 25/045: {the pump wheel carrying the fluid driving means, e.g. turbine blades}
- F01D 5/027: {Arrangements for balancing (for balancing rotating bodies in general F16F15/32; for compensating imbalance G01M1/36)}
- F01D 5/06: Rotors for more than one axial stage, e.g. of drum or multiple disc type; Details thereof, e.g. shafts, shaft connections {(F01D5/022, F01D5/023 take precedence)}
- F01D 5/066: {Connecting means for joining rotor-discs or rotor-elements together, e.g. by a central bolt, by clamps}
- F01D 5/10: Anti- vibration means {(specially adapted for radial flow machines or engines F01D5/04)}
- F01D 5/34: Rotor-blade aggregates of unitary construction {, e.g. formed of sheet laminae; (discs formed of sheet laminae F01D5/028; ceramic materials F01D5/284, composite materials F01D5/282)}
- F01D 15/10: Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
- F01D 25/265: {Vertically split casings; Clamping arrangements therefor}
- F02C 1/04: the working fluid being heated indirectly {(in a fluidised-bed combustor F02C3/205)}
- F02C 1/105: {construction; details}
- F04D 25/163: {driven by a common gearing arrangement}
- F05D 2210/13: mixed, e.g. two-phase fluid
- F05D 2220/76: an electrical generator
- F05D 2230/61: using limited numbers of standard modules which can be adapted by machining
- F05D 2240/61: Hollow
- F05D 2260/36: by a form fit connection, e.g. by interlocking
- F05D 2260/4031: as in toothed gearing
- Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
- F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D)
- F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02)
- F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00)
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A compact axial turbine configured to operate with high density working fluid is described. The turbine comprises an axial majority cantilevered turbomachinery shaft. Rotor assemblies and nozzle spacers communicate torque through turbine shaft splines, allowing them to be slid off the shaft for quick replacement in the field. The compact axial turbine houses turbomachinery within a separable inner casing encircled by a cartridge sleeve, thereby forming a cartridge which can itself be removed as a single component.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A compact axial turbine comprising:
two or more rotor assemblies comprising a plurality of torque carrying splines;
a turbomachinery shaft comprising an output shaft and a torque carrier tube;
wherein the output shaft comprises a plurality of torque carrying splines, wherein torque carrier tube comprises a plurality of torque carrying splines, and wherein at least a portion of the torque carrying splines of the output shaft are meshed with at least a portion of the torque carrying splines of the torque carrier tube; and
wherein at least a portion of the torque carrying splines of the torque carrier tube are meshed with the torque carrying splines of the two or more rotor assemblies.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The turbine of claim 1, wherein an axial majority of the turbomachinery shaft is cantilevered.

### Claim 3

A compact axial turbine comprising:
two or more rotor assemblies comprising a plurality of torque carrying splines;
a turbomachinery shaft, wherein the turbomachinery shaft comprises a plurality of torque carrying splines configured to mesh with the torque carrying splines of the two or more rotor assemblies;
a nozzle spacer;
wherein the nozzle spacer comprises a plurality of torque carrying splines configured to mesh with the torque carrying splines of the turbomachinery shaft.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The turbine of claim 1, further comprising:
an outer casing having and inner and outer diameter;
wherein the inner diameter of the outer casing at its largest part is 14 inches or less.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The turbine of claim 1, wherein the two or more rotor assemblies comprise integrally bladed rotors.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The turbine of claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of torque carrying splines of the output shaft include torque carrying splines disposed on a radially inward or outward surface of the output shaft;
the plurality of torque carrying splines of the torque carrier tube include torque carrying splines disposed on a radially inward or outward surface of the torque carrier tube;
wherein the at least a portion of torque carrying splines of the output shaft are meshed with the at least a portion of the torque carrying splines of the torque carrier tube, such that torque is conveyable between the output shaft and the torque carrier tube.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The turbine of claim 1, wherein the torque carrier tube is axially bolted to the output shaft.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The turbine of claim 1, wherein the turbine is configured to operate with working fluid having critical temperatures between 15 degrees Celsius and 150 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The turbine of claim 1, wherein the turbine is configured to operate with working fluid that is supercritical carbon dioxide.

### Claim 10

A compact axial turbine comprising:
turbomachinery disposed in an inner casing, wherein the inner casing is separable along a longitudinal axis of the turbine into two or more segments;
a turbine cartridge sleeve surrounding an axial majority of said inner casing, wherein said turbine cartridge sleeve holds together the two or more segments of the inner casing; and
a torque carrier tube, wherein an axial majority of said torque carrier tube is cantilevered.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The turbine of claim 10, further comprising:
an output shaft, wherein said cantilevered torque carrier tube is bolted to the output shaft with a single bolt.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The turbine of claim 10, further comprising:
a rotor assembly, wherein the rotor assembly comprises integrally bladed rotors.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The turbine of claim 10, wherein the turbine is configured to operate with working fluid having critical temperatures between 15 degrees Celsius and 150 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The turbine of claim 10, wherein the turbine is configured to operate with working fluid that is supercritical carbon dioxide.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The turbine of claim 10, further comprising:
an outer casing having and inner and outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the outer casing at its largest part is 18 inches or less.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The turbine of claim 10, further comprising:
a flange attached to the torque carrier tube, wherein the flange comprises a plurality of balance weight attachment receptacles.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The turbine of claim 16, further comprising:
a vibration sensor.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The turbine of claim 11, further comprising:
a rotor assembly, wherein the rotor assembly is axially restrained by the output shaft.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The turbine of claim 1, wherein an axial majority of said torque carrier tube is cantilevered.

### Claim 20 (depends on 3)

The turbine of claim 3, wherein the nozzle spacer is positioned on the turbomachinery shaft between two of the two or more rotor assemblies.