Generating energy from fluid expansion
AssigneeCalnetix, Inc.
InventorScott R. Myers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments of a fluid expansion system include a turbine generator apparatus in which the driven member is arranged on the outlet side of the turbine wheel. In such circumstances, the fluid output from the turbine wheel can flow towards the driven member, for example, to provide heat dissipation to some components of the turbine generator apparatus (e.g., generator electronics or the like). This arrangement of the turbine wheel relative to the driven member also permits the use of bearing supports on both the input side and the outlet side of the turbine wheel.
Claims21
An apparatus comprising:
- a turbine wheel rotatable in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from proximate an inlet side to an outlet side of the turbine wheel, the turbine wheel configured to receive the working fluid flowing radially into the inlet side of the turbine wheel and output the working fluid flowing axially from the outlet side of the turbine wheel;
- a generator having a stator and a rotor, the rotor coupled to the turbine wheel so as to rotate when the turbine wheel rotates, the generator adjacent the outlet side of the turbine wheel;
- and
- a conduit to direct the working fluid exiting to the outlet side of the turbine wheel to cool at least one of the rotor or the stator.
A turbine generator apparatus, comprising:
- a turbine wheel that is rotatable in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from proximate an inlet side to an outlet side of the turbine wheel, the turbine wheel configured to receive the working fluid flowing radially into the inlet side of the turbine wheel and output the working fluid flowing axially from the outlet side of the turbine wheel;
- a permanent magnet device coupled to the turbine wheel so as to rotate when the turbine wheel rotates, wherein the permanent magnet device is arranged on the outlet side of the turbine wheel;
- an electric generator device in which the permanent magnet is rotatable, the electric generator device creating heat when the permanent magnet rotates, wherein at least a portion of the working fluid exiting to the outlet side of the turbine wheel is directed toward the electric generator device to dissipate heat from the electric generator device;
- and
- first and second bearing supports coupled to the turbine wheel, the first bearing support being arranged on the outlet side of the turbine wheel and the second bearing support being arranged on an input side of the turbine wheel opposite the outlet side, wherein the turbine wheel is supported in a non-cantilever manner between the first and second bearing supports.
A method comprising:
- receiving a fluid into a radial inlet of a turbine wheel;
- rotating a rotor of a generator using a turbine wheel;
- outputting the fluid from an axial outlet of the turbine wheel, where the axial outlet of the turbine wheel is oriented towards and adjacent the generator;
- and
- cooling at least one of the rotor or a stator of the generator with a flow of fluid exiting the axial outlet of the turbine wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.