Power turbine flywheel assembly for a dual shaft turbine engine

• US 5,584,174 A
• Filed: 10/31/1995
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Stephan, Craig H., Bates, Bradford, Belaire, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casaregola, Louis J.
• Application Number:
  US08/551,262
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 60/39.161, 60/39.163, 60/39.75, 415/87, 415/93, 415/95, 415/101, 415/102, 415/103, 416/184, 416/199
• US Class Current: 60/791
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/02 Adaptations for driving vehicles, e.g. locomotives
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 3/02 characterised by having one fluid flow in one axial direction and another fluid flow in the opposite direction
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/14 Gas-turbine plants having means for storing energy, e.g. for meeting peak loads
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/20 Adaptations of gas-turbine plants for driving vehicles

Abstract

A power turbine/flywheel assembly for use in a dual shaft turbine engine having a compressor and a gasifier coupled to a first shaft. The assembly includes a second shaft that is uncoupled from the first shaft and is allowed to rotate independently of the first shaft. First and second power turbine blades are attached concentrically about and are directly coupled to the second shaft. A flywheel is directly attached concentrically about the second shaft. The flywheel is positioned between the first and second turbine blades. The first and second power turbine blades and the flywheel rotate as a unit about the second shaft.

Claims

1. A power turbine/flywheel assembly for a dual shaft turbine engine having a compressor and a gasifier coupled to a first shaft, said assembly comprising:

a second shaft uncoupled from said first shaft;

first and second power turbine blades attached concentrically about and directly coupled to said second shaft; and

a flywheel attached concentrically about and directly coupled to said second shall, said flywheel being positioned between said first and second turbine blades, whereby said first and second power turbine blades and said flywheel rotate as a unit about said second shaft.

2. The power turbine/flywheel assembly of claim 1, and further comprising a first Y-shaped diverter receiving exhaust gases from said gasifier, said first diverter having first and second flow paths directing said exhaust gases to each of said first and second turbine blades, said exhaust gases causing said first and second turbine blades to rotate.

3. The power turbine/flywheel assembly of claim 1, and further comprising a second Y-shaped diverter, said second diverter having first and second flow paths receiving said exhaust gases from said first and second turbine blades and combining said exhaust gases into a combined flow path.

4. The power turbine/flywheel assembly of claim 1, and further comprising a housing receiving said first and second turbine blades, said second shaft and said flywheel, said housing having two or more apertures receiving exhaust gases from said first and second flow paths of said first diverter.

5. The power turbine/flywheel assembly of claim 4, and further comprising a manifold attached to said second flow path of said second diverter.

6. The power turbine/flywheel assembly of claim 4, wherein said flywheel has a radial surface and said housing has in interior radial portion closely conforming to said flywheel radial surface.

7. The power turbine/flywheel assembly of claim 6, wherein the distance between said flywheel radial surface and said housing interior radial portion is approximately 1 centimeter or less.

8. The power turbine/flywheel assembly of claim 1, and further comprising first and second end plates between said flywheel and said first and second turbine blades, said first and second end plates secure said first and second turbine blades to axial surfaces of said flywheel.

9. A power turbine/flywheel assembly for a dual shaft turbine engine having a compressor and a gasifier coupled to a first shaft, said assembly comprising:

a second shaft uncoupled from said first shaft;

first and second power turbine blades attached concentrically about and directly coupled to said second shaft;

a flywheel having a radial surface and an axial surface and attached concentrically about and directly coupled to said second shaft, said flywheel being positioned between said first and second turbine blades, and said first and second power turbine blades and said flywheel rotate as a unit about said second shaft;

a first Y-shaped diverter receiving exhaust gases from said gasifier and having first and second flow paths directing said exhaust gases to each of said first and second turbine blades, said exhaust gases causing said first and second turbine blades to rotate;

a second Y-shaped diverter having first and second flow paths receiving said exhaust gases from said first and second turbine blades and combining said exhaust gases into a combined flow path; and

a housing receiving said first and second turbine blades, said second shaft and said flywheel, said housing having two or more apertures receiving exhaust gases from said first and second flow paths of said first diverter, and said housing has in interior radial portion closely conforming to said flywheel radial surface.

10. A liquid fueled dual shaft turbine engine comprising:

a compressor;

a gasifier;

a first shaft coupled to said compressor and gasifier;

a second shaft uncoupled from said first shaft;

first and second power turbine blades attached concentrically about and directly coupled to said second shaft;

a flywheel having a radial surface and an axial surface and attached concentrically about and directly coupled to said second shaft, said flywheel being positioned between said first and second turbine blades, and said first and second power turbine blades and said flywheel rotate as a unit about said second shaft;

a first Y-shaped diverter receiving exhaust gases from said gasifier and having first and second flow paths directing said exhaust gases to each of said first and second turbine blades, said exhaust gases causing said first and second turbine blades to rotate;

a second Y-shaped diverter having first and second flow paths receiving said exhaust gases from said first and second turbine blades and combining said exhaust gases into a combined flow path; and

a housing receiving said first and second turbine blades, said second shaft and said flywheel, said housing having two or more apertures receiving exhaust gases from said first and second flow paths of said first diverter, and said housing has in interior radial portion closely conforming to said flywheel radial surface.