METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING COOLING AND POWER

• US 20100082217A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Coons, Terry L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/100
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 13/06 the air being conditioned pressurising B64D13/02
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2013/0644 including electric motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2013/0674 comprising liquid subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 13/003 with at least two independent shafts, i.e. cross-compound
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 3/113 with variable power transmission between rotors
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/32 Arrangement, mounting, or driving, of auxiliaries
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2240/51 Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

A method for providing cooling and power is provided. The method includes providing a cooling unit that includes a first turbine rotatably coupled to a generator by a first shaft and providing a power unit that includes a second turbine rotatably coupled to a compressor by a second shaft. The method further includes coupling the power unit in flow communication with the cooling unit to form a turbine assembly, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are independently rotatable relative to one another.

Claims

1. A method for providing cooling and power, said method comprising:

providing a cooling unit that includes a first turbine rotatably coupled to a generator by a first shaft;

providing a power unit that includes a second turbine rotatably coupled to a compressor by a second shaft; and

coupling the power unit in flow communication with the cooling unit to form a turbine assembly, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are independently rotatable relative to one another.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising coupling an electrical assembly to the turbine assembly, wherein the electrical assembly includes a system controller electrically coupled to the generator.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein providing a cooling unit and providing a power unit comprise levitating the first shaft and the second shaft via magnetic bearings.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein coupling the power unit in flow communication with the cooling unit comprises coupling the first shaft to the second shaft via a magnetic coupler, wherein the magnetic coupler is selectively actuatable such that the first shaft and the second shaft are rotatable together.

5. A method in accordance with claim 2, further comprising coupling a starter assembly in flow communication between the turbine assembly and a compressed air source, the starter assembly including a combustor.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein coupling a starter assembly in flow communication with the turbine assembly comprises coupling a mass flow device in flow communication with the turbine assembly, the mass flow device configured to regulate a mass flow through the power turbine.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising coupling a cooling assembly in flow communication with the turbine assembly, the cooling assembly including a first air-to-air heat exchanger and a liquid-to-air heat exchanger.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein coupling a cooling assembly in flow communication with the turbine assembly comprises coupling a second air-to-air heat exchanger in flow communication with the first air-to-air heat exchanger and the liquid-to-air heat exchanger.

9. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein coupling a cooling assembly in flow communication with the turbine assembly comprises providing a cooling circuit that extends through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger, at least a portion of the cooling circuit positioned proximate the electrical assembly.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein coupling an electrical assembly to the turbine assembly comprises electrically coupling a resistive heater to the generator such that the resistive heater is positioned along a flowpath of the cooling assembly.

11. A system for providing cooling and power, said system comprising:

a turbine assembly that comprises;

a cooling unit comprising a first turbine rotatably coupled to a generator by a first shaft; and

a power unit comprising a second turbine rotatably coupled to a compressor by a second shaft, said power unit coupled in flow communication with said cooling unit such that said first shaft and said second shaft are independently rotatable relative to one another.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising an electrical assembly that comprises a system controller electrically coupled to said generator.

13. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said turbine assembly further comprises a plurality of magnetic bearings, said first shaft and said second shaft magnetically levitated by said magnetic bearings.

14. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said turbine assembly further comprises a magnetic coupler positioned between said first shaft and said second shaft, said magnetic coupler selectively actuatable to couple said first shaft to said second shaft such that said first shaft and said second shaft are rotatable together.

15. A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a starter assembly coupled in flow communication between said turbine assembly and a compressed air source, said starter assembly comprising a combustor.

16. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said starter assembly further comprises a mass flow device configured to regulate a mass flow through said power turbine.

17. A system in accordance with claim 15, further comprising a cooling assembly coupled in flow communication with said turbine assembly, said cooling assembly comprising a first air-to-air heat exchanger and a liquid-to-air heat exchanger.

18. A system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said cooling assembly further comprises a second air-to-air heat exchanger coupled in flow communication with said first air-to-air heat exchanger and said liquid-to-air heat exchanger.

19. A system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said cooling assembly further comprises a cooling circuit that extends through said liquid-to-air heat exchanger, at least a portion of said cooling circuit positioned proximate said electrical assembly.

20. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein said electrical assembly comprises a resistive heater electrically coupled to said generator, said resistive heater positioned along a flowpath of said cooling assembly.