APPARATUS FOR RECIRCULATING A FLUID WITHIN A TURBOMACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A turbomachine for use with a high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid comprising:
- a rotatable shaft defining an axis of rotation, said rotatable shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion;
a casing enclosing said rotatable shaft, said casing defining at least a first compartment at least partially enclosing one of a compressor apparatus and an expander apparatus, and a second compartment in flow communication with said first compartment and at least partially enclosing a generator apparatus;
a compressor coupled to the first end portion of said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, said compressor configured to compress the working fluid;
an expansion turbine coupled to the second end portion of said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, said expansion turbine configured to expand the working fluid;
a motor-generator coupled to said rotatable shaft between the first end portion and a second end portion; and
at least one sealing system positioned between said first compartment and said second compartment, said sealing system comprising a plurality of seals for regulating a predetermined flow rate of the working fluid between said first compartment containing the working fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature, and said second compartment containing the working fluid at a second pressure and a second temperature, wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A turbomachine for use with a high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid is provided. The turbomachine includes a rotatable shaft and a casing enclosing the rotatable shaft, which defines at least a first and second compartment fluidly coupled together. The first compartment at least partially encloses one of a compressor and an expander. The second compartment at least partially encloses a generator. Attached to opposite ends of the rotatable shaft is a compressor for compressing the working fluid and an expansion turbine for expanding the working fluid. A motor-generator is attached to the rotatable shaft between the compressor and expansion turbine. The turbomachine includes at least one sealing system positioned between the first and second compartments that includes a number of seals for regulating the flow rate of the working fluid between the first and second compartments and for suppressing the heat and pressure transfer between the first and second compartments.
44 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A turbomachine for use with a high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid comprising:
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a rotatable shaft defining an axis of rotation, said rotatable shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion; a casing enclosing said rotatable shaft, said casing defining at least a first compartment at least partially enclosing one of a compressor apparatus and an expander apparatus, and a second compartment in flow communication with said first compartment and at least partially enclosing a generator apparatus; a compressor coupled to the first end portion of said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, said compressor configured to compress the working fluid; an expansion turbine coupled to the second end portion of said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, said expansion turbine configured to expand the working fluid; a motor-generator coupled to said rotatable shaft between the first end portion and a second end portion; and at least one sealing system positioned between said first compartment and said second compartment, said sealing system comprising a plurality of seals for regulating a predetermined flow rate of the working fluid between said first compartment containing the working fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature, and said second compartment containing the working fluid at a second pressure and a second temperature, wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sealing system for a turbomachine that includes a first compartment containing a working fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature, and a second compartment coupled in flow communication with said first compartment, the second compartment containing the working fluid at a second pressure and a second temperature, said sealing system comprising:
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a first sealing device extending about a rotatable shaft and at least partially defining the first compartment;
said first sealing device configured to maintain a temperature gradient across said first sealing device; anda second sealing device extending about the rotatable shaft and at least partially defining the second compartment;
said second sealing device configured to induce a pressure gradient across said second sealing device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of recirculating a high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid within a turbomachine that includes a casing enclosing a rotatable shaft, said method comprising:
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pressurizing a first compartment with a working fluid at a first temperature and a first pressure; rotating the rotatable shaft; regulating a predetermined flow rate of the working fluid from the first compartment to a second compartment; decreasing the first temperature and the first pressure to a second temperature and a second pressure, including; suppressing heat and mass transfer from the first compartment to the second compartment with a first sealing device at least partially defining the first compartment and configured to maintain a temperature gradient across the first sealing device; and generating a decrease in pressure from the first compartment to the second compartment with a second sealing device at least partially defining the second compartment and configured to induce a pressure gradient across the second sealing device; and pressurizing the second compartment with the working fluid at the second temperature and the second pressure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification