Magnetically coupled expander pump with axial flow path

Abstract

A magnetically coupled expander-pump assembly includes an outer expansion turbine that rotates around an inner fluid pump. A coaxial-type magnetic coupling couples the expansion turbine to the fluid pump. An inner portion of the magnetic coupling is coupled to a shaft that drives the fluid pump. An outer portion of the magnetic coupling is driven by the expansion turbine, which rotates circumferentially around the inner fluid pump. The expansion turbine is driven by a driving working fluid stream. The expansion turbine drives the fluid pump to pump a driven fluid stream through the magnetic coupling. In this manner, flow directions of both driving and driven fluid streams remain separate and coaxial, thereby facilitating a reduction in an overall diameter of the expander-pump assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.