US 9,540,998 B2 · Integral gas turbine, flywheel, generator, and method for hybrid operation thereof

Abstract

A power plant incorporating attributes of a gas turbine engine, flywheel, and electrical generator (hereafter turbine/flywheel or TF) in a single compact unit, having a compressor arrayed with magnets which weight the periphery of the TF. Intermittent combustion periods accelerate the TF to a first rotational velocity, then combustion ceases, and the inlet/outlet of the TF are sealed, causing it to self-evacuate. Conductive coils surround the TF. Magnetic flux between the magnets and coils acts as a motor/generator, electrically powering a load, and absorbing electrical power therefrom via regenerative braking; power out decelerating the TF (now a flywheel), power in accelerating it. A pressure accumulator accepts the TF exhaust, and is pressurized by the combustion periods. Between combustion periods, exhaust in the accumulator expands in a small pump/motor that drives a generator, routing electricity to the TF to raise its rotational velocity.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A method for operating a land vehicle or airplane vehicle, said land vehicle or airplane vehicle comprising a prime mover, an accumulation device, an expansion device, an electrical system, and having a vehicle velocity, the method comprising:

directing gases from the prime mover to the accumulation device while combusting a fuel;
directing said gases or part of said gases from said accumulation device to said expansion device;
directing electrical energy from said expansion device to said prime mover;
wherein said prime mover has associated therewith a rate of rotation of an element of said prime mover and wherein said rate of rotation of said element of said prime mover increases while not combusting fuel due to said directing of electrical energy, and
wherein said rate of rotation of said element of said prime mover is further increased by said electrical system in response to a decrease in said vehicle velocity by regeneratively capturing a braking energy created by said decrease in said vehicle velocity.

2 more elements

An engine of a machine, said engine comprising:

at least one compression stage;
at least one turbine stage;
a combustor;
an electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic output drive connected to a physical load within or on said machine, wherein said engine is also within or on said machine and wherein said engine is spatially separate from and different from said physical load;
a pump in fluid communication with said at least one compression stage and said at least one turbine stage via said combustor for evacuating said at least one compression stage and said at least one turbine stage through said combustor;
electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic means for accelerating said at least one of said at least one compression stage and said at least one turbine stage;
wherein said electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic means for accelerating said at least one of said at least one compression stage and said at least one turbine stage is spatially separate from and different from said electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic output drive.

4 more elements

An engine comprising:

a gas inlet;
a gas outlet;
at least one gas compression stage;
at least one turbine stage;
a flow path leading from said gas inlet to said gas outlet through said at least one gas compression stage or said at least one turbine stage;
wherein at least one of said at least one gas compression stage and said at least one turbine stage comprises:
a plurality of vanes that affect gaseous flow through the engine;
and
a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnetic or electromagnetic elements within or on the at least one gas compression stage or said at least one turbine stage and an electrical control to selectively drive said at least one gas compression stage or said at least one turbine stage using the plurality of circumferentially spaced magnetic or electromagnetic elements;
wherein said engine communicates electrically with a driven mechanical load in receipt of an electrical force transmitted from at least one of said plurality of circumferentially spaced magnetic elements or electromagnetic elements;
wherein said driven mechanical load includes a system for converting said electrical force and at least one of a traction wheel and a tire and a regenerative brake;
and
a pump in fluid communication with said at least one compression stage and said at least one turbine stage via said combustor for evacuating said at least one compression stage and said at least one turbine stage through said combustor.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Integral gas turbine, flywheel, generator, and method for hybrid operation thereof

Life of this patent

Integral gas turbine, flywheel, generator, and method for hybrid operation thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35