US 6,463,740 B1 · Compressor starting torque converter

Abstract

The subject invention involves a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) to enable starting up single-shaft gas turbine driven compressor sets, such as in a liquified natural gas (LNG) plant. The system includes a single-shaft gas turbine with an output shaft coaxially connected to the input shaft of the CSTC's torque converter, in turn whose output shaft drives the process load centrifugal compressor. The CSTC operates as a fluid coupling whereby the gas turbine and the compressor shafts are coupled via the working fluid (oil). Once the process load compressor is up to speed, a lock up device is engaged to mechanically couple the gas turbine directly to the compressor and then the torque converter is drained. The impeller and turbine wheel of the CSTC are undersized with regard to the maximum shaft power requirement of the compressor.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A power transmission system for driving at least one compressor comprising:

a) a driver having a shaft, where one end of the shaft is the driver output shaft;
b) a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) having a pump impeller on an input shaft coaxially connected to the driver output shaft and a turbine wheel on an output shaft positioned coaxially with the pump impeller, and where the CSTC further comprises a lock-up device between the pump impeller and the turbine wheel to lock the impeller and the turbine wheel together;
c) at least one compressor having an input shaft coaxially connected to the CSTC output shaft, said compressor having a maximum shaft power requirement, and d) said lock-up device locking said impeller and turbine wheel together at a shaft power between 25% and 100% of the maximum power requirement of the compressor, where said impeller and turbin wheel are undersized for the maximum shaft power requirement of the at least one compressor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compressor starting torque converter

Life of this patent

Compressor starting torque converter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12