Power system
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsJames Callas, Cody Renshaw, Brian Howson, Kevin Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power system includes a rotary compressor. The power system may also include one or more power sources drivingly connected to the rotary compressor, the one or more power sources not including a turbine. Additionally, the power system may include a turbine, the turbine being free to rotate independently of the rotary compressor. The power system may also include power-system controls operable to cause the rotary compressor to generate a gas flow by causing the one or more power sources to rotate the rotary compressor. Additionally, the power system may be operable to direct at least a portion of the gas flow generated by the rotary compressor through the turbine to rotate the turbine.
Claims13
A power system, comprising:
- a rotary compressor;
- one or more power sources drivingly connected to the rotary compressor, the one or more power sources not including a turbine;
- a turbine, the turbine being free to rotate independently of the rotary compressor;
- power-system controls operable to cause the rotary compressor to generate a gas flow by causing the one or more power sources to rotate the rotary compressor;
- and
- the power system being operable to direct at least a portion of the gas flow generated by the rotary compressor through the turbine to rotate the turbine.
A method of operating a power system having a rotary compressor and a turbine, the turbine being free to rotate independently of the rotary compressor, the method including:
- selectively generating a gas flow with the rotary compressor by rotating the rotary compressor with one or more power sources, the one or more power sources including one or more power sources that are not turbines;
- controlling the rotation speed of the rotary compressor exclusively with the one or more power sources that are not turbines;
- and
- directing at least a portion of the gas flow generated with the rotary compressor through the turbine to rotate the turbine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.