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US 6,246,138 B1Granted
Microturbine cooling system
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorRobert A. Nims
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microturbine engine core with gas bearings used to support a rotating group is provided, including air flow control devices downstream of the gas bearings to maintain high pressures. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
Claims6
A microturbine engine core, comprising:
- a compressor section including a compressor wheel for compressing intake air and creating a supply of compressed air;
- a turbine section including a turbine wheel for converting energy released from combustion of fuel and air in a combustion section into mechanical energy;
- a generator section including a stator and a rotor, the rotor being rotatably disposed inside the stator;
- a shaft, linking the turbine wheel, the compressor wheel and the rotor, the shaft harnessing mechanical energy extracted by the turbine wheel and thereby causing the compressor wheel to rotate and compress air and also causing the rotor to rotate within the stator;
- one or more thrust bearings, a portion of the compressed air flowing over the thrust bearings, the thrust bearings axially supporting the shaft;
- one or more journal bearings, a portion of the compressed air flowing over the journal bearings, the journal bearings supporting the shaft radially;
- and
- a plurality of air flow control devices, all of the air flow control devices arranged downstream of said thrust bearings and journal bearings.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.