Integrated fluid power conversion system

• US 7,235,894 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2005
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Hydro Jet Corporation
• Original Assignee: American Hydro Jet Corporation
• Inventors: Roos, Paul W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks; Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/217,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20060043738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 417/423.1
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2011/081 with axial flow, i.e. the axis of rotation being parallel to the flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/083 The generator rotor being mounted as turbine rotor rim
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/264 using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/04 with substantially axial flow throughout rotors, e.g. propeller turbines rotors per se F03B3/126
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/103 the same wheel acting as turbine wheel and as pump wheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

A fluid power conversion apparatus serving fluid pumping and/or power-generation functions, comprising: an impeller having an impeller hub and a periphery; a housing around the impeller; a diffusor having (a) an outer wall attached to the housing, (b) a diffusor hub rotatably supporting the impeller, and (c) at least one stator vane securing the diffusor hub to the outer wall; and a rotating electrical machine having (a) an armature attached to the housing and (b) a rotor attached to the impeller periphery and positioned to form a rotor-armature gap, whereby the impeller and the rotor form an integrated unit with fluid flow through the rotor.

Claims

1. A fluid power conversion apparatus serving fluid pumping and/or power-generation functions, comprising:

an impeller having an impeller hub and a periphery;

a housing around the impeller;

a diffusor having (a) an outer wall attached to the housing, (b) a diffusor hub rotatably supporting the impeller, and (c) at least one stator vane securing the diffusor hub to the outer wall; and

a rotating electrical machine having (a) an armature attached to the housing and (b) a rotor attached to the impeller periphery by a magnetic coupling having inner and outer coupling elements and a sealed barrier therebetween to isolate the electrical machine from fluid being pumped, the rotor being positioned to form a gap between the rotor and the armature,

whereby the impeller and the rotor form an integrated unit with fluid flow through the rotor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotating electrical machine is an electric motor and the apparatus is used as a fluid pump.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a portion of the fluid flows through the gap to cool the motor.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the diffusor hub rotatably supports the impeller with a thrust bearing.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, further including an oil circulating and cooling apparatus and wherein the motor is filled with oil.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 further including an intake duct and a exit nozzle, whereby the apparatus is used for marine propulsion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the exit nozzle is under the water surface and the apparatus is used as an underwater thruster.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the exit nozzle is above the water surface and the apparatus is used as a waterjet.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotating electrical machine is a generator and the apparatus is used as a fluid-driven electrical power generator.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a portion of the fluid flows through the gap to cool the generator.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the diffusor hub rotatably supports the impeller with a thrust bearing.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 further including an oil circulating and cooling apparatus and wherein the generator is filled with oil.