Dual turbine direct drive pump

Abstract

A pump system and method of operating the same may utilize two relatively smaller turbines that are attached to and used to power a single pump. The two turbines are releasably coupled to the pump via respective one-way clutches, thereby enabling the use of one or both turbines at a time to power the pump. At low loads (e.g., low pump outputs), only one turbine operates to power the pump, and at higher loads (e.g., high pump outputs), both turbines operate to power the pump. By using two smaller turbines instead of one large turbine, the range-ability of the turbine power at the most efficient operating ranges is increased. This improves the fuel efficiency of the pump system. In addition, the dual turbine driven pump system provides increased reliability by preventing the loss of all power to the pump in the event of a turbine malfunction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.