Hydraulic energy recovery device

A hydraulic pressure booster comprising:

• a housing having a pump portion, a shaft support portion and a turbine portion, said pump portion having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, said turbine portion having a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet and an turbine impeller cavity;
• a rotor having a shaft, an pump impeller and a turbine impeller, said shaft defining a longitudinal axis of said housing, said turbine impeller having a shroud and an open turbine impeller eye;
• a center bearing positioned between said housing and said shaft, said center bearing rotatably coupling said shaft to said housinge whereby upon rotation of said rotor a thrust force along said longitudinal axis is generated;
• and
• a thrust load reducer within said turbine portion generating a counterforce opposite said trust force, said thrust load reducer comprises a bleed hole in said turbine impeller, said bleed hole comprising fluidically coupling said turbine impeller eye and an area adjacent said center bearing through said shroud.

A hydraulic pressure booster comprising:

• a housing having a pump portion, a shaft support portion and a turbine portion, said pump portion having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, said turbine portion having a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet;
• a rotor having a shaft, an pump impeller and a turbine impeller, said shaft defining a longitudinal axis of said housing;
• a center bearing positioned between said housing and said shaft, said center bearing rotatably coupling said shaft to said housing, whereby upon rotation of said rotor a thrust force alone said longitudinal axis is generated;
• and
• a first seal and a second seal, said first seal, second seal, said center bearing and said housing defining an annular space therebetween, said first seal having a notch therein;
• said annular space has a first pressure substantially the same as a pump pressure.

A hydraulic pressure booster comprising:

• a housing having a pump portion, a shaft support portion and a turbine portion, said pump portion having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, said turbine portion having a turbine inlet, a turbine outlet and a singular turbine volute;
• a rotor having a shaft, an pump impeller and a turbine impeller, said shaft defining a longitudinal axis of said housing;
• a center bearing positioned between said housing and said shaft, said center bearing rotatably coupling said shaft to said housing, whereby upon rotation of said rotor a thrust force along said longitudinal axis is generated;
• and
• said turbine portion comprises a primary nozzle passage and a secondary nozzle passage in fluid communication with said turbine volute, said turbine portion comprises a valve for selectably opening said secondary nozzle passage to increase fluid flow to said turbine volute.

A hydraulic pressure booster comprising:

• a housing having a pump portion, a shaft support portion and a turbine portion, said pump portion having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, said turbine portion having turbine inlet and a turbine outlet;
• a rotor having a shaft, an pump impeller and a turbine impeller, said shaft defining a longitudinal axis of said housing;
• a center bearing positioned between said housing and said shaft, said center bearing rotatably coupling said shaft to said housing, whereby upon rotation of said rotor a thrust force along said longatudinal axis is generated;
• and
• wherein said pump portion comprises a unitary diffuser and wear ring.

A hydraulic pressure booster comprising:

• a housing having a pump portion, a shaft support portion and a turbine portion, said pump portion having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, said turbine portion having a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet;
• a unitary rotor having a shaft, an pump impeller and a turbine impeller, said shaft defining longitudinal axis of said housing;
• a center bearing having a first piece and a second piece positioned between said housing and said shaft, said center bearing rotatably coupling said shaft to said housing;
• a first seal;
• a second seal spaced apart from said first seal, said first seal and said second seal positioned between said housing and said center bearing, said first seal, said second seal, said bearing and said housing defining an annular space, said first seal having a notch to fluidically couple said annular space to said pump;
• said annular space has a first pressure substantially the same as a pump pressure to provide a radially inward force on said first piece and said second piece during operation of said pump.