Showing papers on "Gas compressor published in 1975"

Air conditioner control

Abstract: A control system for a central air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an outdoor condensing unit including a refrigerant compressor, an indoor evaporator unit, an indoor thermostat responsive to the indoor temperature for controlling the air conditioner, and a control system for protecting the air conditioner and indicating to the user certain malfunctions in the air conditioner should they occur. The malfunction indication may be by means of signal lights and a manually operable reset control is provided permitting the user to reset the control system. The malfunction indicator and reset control are disposed adjacent the thermostat for facilitated determination of the system operating condition. The control system includes an improved control position for starting of the compressor motor which is arranged to prevent operation of the system in the event of a low power supply voltage condition. The control system provides a minimum "Off" reset time before permitting the air conditioner to automatically attempt to restart regardless of the condition causing stopping of the air conditioner. The control system further includes a current sensing control which determines the compressor motor current a preselected time after the closing of the compressor motor switch and is arranged to discontinue operation of the compressor motor in the event the current is above a preselected high value. Clock pulses are used to facilitate operation of the current sensing control. Improved accuracy in the timing of the control system is obtained by means of coordinated use of clock pulses and R-C time delays.

Energy storage system

Abstract: A system and apparatus for the storage of energy generated by natural elements. Energy from natural elements such as from the sun, wind, tide, waves, and the like, is converted into potential energy in the form of air under pressure which is stored in a large, subterranean cell. Machines of known types such as windmills are driven by natural elements to operate air compressors. Air compressors pump the air under pressure to the storage cell. Air entering the storage cell displaces water from the cell which returns to a water reservoir as an ocean or a lake. Water locks the air in the storage cell. The stored compressed air is available upon demand to perform a work function as driving an air turbine to operate an electric generator.

Pressurized fuel cell power plant

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant for producing electricity uses pressurized reactants in the cells. The air is compressed by compressor apparatus which is powered by waste energy produced by the power plant in the form of a hot pressurized gaseous medium, such as the exhaust gases from the cathode side of the cells. For example, the compressor apparatus may comprise a compressor and a turbine which are operably connected. The exhaust gases from the cathode side of the cell are delivered into the turbine which drives the compressor for compressing the air delivered to the cells.

Energy conversion system using windmill

Abstract: A system for recovering the energy from atmospheric wind wherein a windmill operates a compressor for compressing air which is stored in one or more tanks. The compressed air is used to drive a prime mover coupled by gear means to an electrical generator or other work-producing apparatus. The prime mover is operated by hydraulic fluid responsive to the application of the compressed air to fluid tanks by valve means responsive to the operation of the prime mover. The compressor has a unique means for lubricating the same. Alternately, the prime mover can be operated by conventional water pressure during periods of little or no wind.

Apparatus for storing and re-utilizing electrical energy produced in an electric power-supply network

Abstract: The output of at least the lowest-pressure turbo-compressor is connected via the intermediate cooler of the compressor group to the input of the turbo-compressor and a throttling means is placed in the conduit between the compressor output and cooler. The looping of the output to the input is effected to diminish the starting and idling power of the compressor group. Charging of the compressed air storage chamber is prevented by a check valve until the pressure of the pressure chamber is exceeded in the compressor group.

Thermodynamic prime mover with heat exchanger

Abstract: The useful life of a gas turbine combustion chamber and especially its flame pipe is increased by an improved cooling arrangement which branches off a small proportion of the air from the compressor upstream of the combustion chamber. The branched off air is directed into the combustion chamber and onto the flame pipe so that it flows in a cooling manner around at least the front end of the flame pipe without initially substantially participating in the combustion.

Compressor control system

Abstract: A positive displacement rotary compressor is in circuit with a closable chamber disposed upstream of the compressor gas inlet and including a conduit operable to be placed in communication with the compressor discharge conduit. A control circuit is operable to sense compressor discharge pressure and at a predetermined pressure condition sequentially operate valves to shut off compressor inlet flow thereby evacuating the chamber and then placing the compressor discharge port in communication with the chamber. The compressor thereby runs unloaded or at idle at a greatly reduced inlet and discharge pressure. The operation of unloading the compressor may be controlled by sensing the chamber vacuum or by the use of time delay devices.

Stall detector for gas turbine engine

Abstract: Stall is detected by monitoring the minimum fuel flow schedule of a gas turbine engine fuel control and another parameter which includes (1) the fuel control acceleration schedule, (2) turbine temperature (inlet or exit) or (3) engine pressure (compressor discharge or burner) and computes these signals so that when both the control fuel metering valve is at its minimum stop position (minimum fuel flow) and one of the following conditions exists, (1) turbine temperature exceeds a predetermined level, (2) the rate of change of pressure exceeds a predetermined negative rate, or (3) the fuel control is on or in proximity to the acceleration schedule, an output will be manifested.

Pressurized fuel cell power plant with single reactant gas stream

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant for producing electricity uses pressurized air and fuel in the cells. The power plant includes an autothermal reactor for processing the fuel and a compressor driven by a turbine for compressing the air used by the fuel cells. Pressurized effluent gases from the cathode side of the cell and pressurized fuel is delivered into the autothermal reactor and from the reactor passes into the anode side of the cells. Effluent gases from the anode side of the cells is delivered into the turbine thereby driving the compressor. A burner is used to increase the temperature of the gases entering the turbine. The burner is run on air and unburned fuel in the effluent gases from the anode side of the cells.

Low noise blades for axial flow compressors

Abstract: A rotor blade configuration is disclosed which greatly reduces noise generated by the low pressure compressor, or fan, of a turbofan engine. The leading edge of the blade is swept forwardly from its hub up to a point of sweep reversal and then swept rearwardly to the tip of the blade. The slope of the curved leading edge line relative to the direction of airflow is gradually decreased from the hub to the tip to maintain the velocity component, of air relative to the blade leading edge, subsonic, while the relative velocity of the air to the blade is above a critical value and supersonic. This substantially eliminates noise producing, standing shock waves along the blade leading edges. Also described are methods for determining the configuration of such blades to obtain these ends with a minimum increase in blade weight and a minimum blade bending and blade attachment stresses.

Gas turbine engine having an improved transition duct support

Abstract: An axial flow gas turbine engine is provided with a plurality of combustion chambers distributed circumferentially about the engine axis and a plurality of transition ducts which carry propulsive gases between the burners and an annular turbine inlet at a bulkhead between the combustion and turbine sections of the engine. Support for the transition ducts at the turbine inlet is provided by an outer support ring fixedly secured to the engine bulkhead and an inner support ring which is held by a plurality of struts from the outer support ring. Flexible sealing means extend between the inner support ring and the bulkhead adjacent the turbine inlet to permit the inner ring to expand or contract radially with the transition ducts and at the same time to prevent compressed air from flowing directly into the turbine section. The outer ring and the flexible sealing means are apertured to permit a limited flow of relatively cool compressor air to enter the turbine along with the propulsive gases and thereby cool the support structure and the inlet guide vanes of the turbine.

Vane assembly for close coupling the compressor turbine and a single stage power turbine of a two-shaped gas turbine

Abstract: A vane assembly is shown for a relatively short annular transition zone directing the discharge of the working fluid from the compressor turbine to a single stage power turbine in a gas turbine engine. The annular transition zone comprises a plurality of individual arcuate segments having a pair of stationary vanes integrally molded to inner and outer shroud members. A variable vane is disposed immediately downstream of each stationary vane for guiding the working fluid into the power turbine at an optimum angle. The variable vanes are manually adjustable from outside the turbine casing through a linkage and support mechanism that maintains a constant clearance between the variable vane and the shroud members and also accommodates variations in dimensional relationships due to temperature variations. Also, provision is made for centering the axis of the variable vanes to a precise position with respect to the stationary vane to accommodate the buildup of assembly tolerances.

Fuel system pneumatic purge apparatus and method

Abstract: A pneumatic purge system retrofittable upon existing gas turbine engines which includes an accumulator for storing pressurized gas at the maximum pressure developed by the compressor of the turbine engine. Upon actuating a solenoid fuel shutoff valve to initiate engine shutdown, stored gas from the accumulator flows into the fuel manifold to purge fuel therefrom into the combustion chamber. Timing of the pneumatic purging sustains the combustion process to burn substantially all the purged fuel.

Pressurized fuel cell power plant with air bypass

Abstract: A power plant for producing electricity uses fuel cells run on pressurized air and pressurized fuel. The air is compressed by compressor apparatus which is driven by waste energy in the form of hot pressurized gases produced in the power plant. In one embodiment the compressor apparatus includes a turbine operably connected to a compressor for driving the same. At part power, in order to maintain the pressure of the air being fed to the cells while reducing the amount of air fed to the cells, a portion of the compressed air is bypassed around the fuel cells, is increased in temperature using an auxiliary burner, and is delivered into the turbine to help drive the compressor. By doing this the mass flow of air through the cells may be reduced without reducing the mass flow of gases into the turbine thereby maintaining the speed of the compressor at part power.

Windmill having thermal and electric power output

Abstract: A windmill having thermal and electric power output and including windmill blades rotatably mounted and connected to a speed increaser mechanism of gears and shafts and a centrifugal compressor connected to the windmill thru the speed increaser to be driven by virtue of the wind applied to the blades of the windmill itself A directional control is connected to the windmill head to have the windmill blades face into the wind, as desired The compressor is connected to an insulated heat storage tank which contains storage material, such as brick, and the compressor discharge velocity and pressure difference are converted to heat, and the compressor fluid is returned to the compressor thru a screen which protects the compressor, and there is a flow control which automatically compensates for changes in density of the circulated air or compressor fluid Also, a gas turbine generator can be connected with the compressor to be driven thereby, and electric elements could be connected with the generator for producing electricity Two other embodiments show an impeller type of air brake and a valve and a heat-sensitive control, for generating heat or power

Turbulence and Unsteadiness Measurements Downstream of a Moving Blade Row

Abstract: Turbulence and unsteadiness levels downstream of an axial-flow compressor rotor have been measured using an ensemble-averaging technique. Free-stream turbulence levels are lowest near the compressor design-point, and increase with decreasing flow coefficient as the compressor nears the stalled condition. The unsteady stator incidence angles have been found to have a peak-to-peak variation of between 12 deg and 15 deg for all flow coefficients tested. These observations have been confirmed qualitatively by hot-wire-anemometer spectral measurements.

Wind powered fluid compressor

Abstract: A wind machine comprising a fixed or controlled pitch blade assembly to drive a variable displacement or variable clearance fluid compressor. Means which may be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical interconnect the blade assembly and the compressor to vary the fluid displacement or clearance volume of the compressor as a function of the drag or lift forces of the wind on the blade assembly.

Integrated high capacity compressor

Abstract: A compressor motor has a flywheel connected directly to a motor shaft which drives two opposed pistons that are simultaneously compressed so that the bearing loads are balanced. A double inlet blower is connected to said shaft and has one inlet for drawing cooling air through a crankcase for cooling the connecting rod bearings. A second inlet draws air through a vent formed in a shroud member. The blower discharges the air from both inlets into the shroud member which then directs the air to the cylinder sleeves and heads for cooling purposes. The cylinder, piston skirts and piston rings are self-lubricated by containing a fluorocarbon thereby substantially reducing the heat generating friction between said members.

Air conditioning system having super-saturation for reduced driving requirement

Abstract: An air conditioning unit having a driven rotor with a plurality of vanes and including a compressor portion and an expander portion, each having inlet and outlet ports, with a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port. A non-condensing gas such as air is fed into the compressor inlet port, compressed, accompanied by a rise in temperature, cooled by the heat exchanger, and expanded back to substantially its initial pressure for discharge in the cold state at the expander outlet port, a non-condensing gas being defined as any gas which does not condense at the pressures and temperatures encountered in the unit. In accordance with the main feature of the present invention, means are provided for spraying into the non-condensing gas at the compressor inlet port an excess of finely divided droplets of a condensible additive fluid, having a high heat of vaporization, to super-saturate the gas, the droplets evaporating due to the temperature achieved in compression thereby absorbing heat of vaporization. This results in a reduction in temperature of the gas at the compressor outlet port thereby reducing the work required to compress the gas and consequently the work required to drive the rotor. As the compressed gas is cooled in the heat exchanger, the excess additive fluid condenses, is collected in a sump, and recirculated back to the compressor inlet port. The gas leaving the heat exchanger, still saturated with fluid, is cooled in the expander resulting in further condensation in the expander releasing heat of vaporization and increasing the work of expansion further reducing the network required to drive the rotor. In one embodiment of the invention the system is open and air is used as gas, with water as the additive. In such embodiment the cold air is discharged into the cooled space via an outlet assembly which serves as a second heat exchanger. In a second embodiment a second heat exchanger provides a closed connection between the expander outlet port and the condenser inlet port to form a loop sealed against escape of gas. When the system is closed, the gas and additive fluid may take forms other than water and may include a lubricant for the vanes of the rotor.

Vapor distillation apparatus with two disparate compressors

Abstract: A vapor compression distillation system utilizing a two stage vapor compressor comprising a rotary positive displacement first stage compressor backed by a second stage liquid ring compressor.

Screw compressor control means

Abstract: Volume control valve for a screw compressor located in a cylindrical bore parallel to and spaced from the working space. The bore and the working space communicate through a number of axially distributed channels which are selectively closed by an adjustable valve member disposed in the bore.

Pressurized fuel cell power plant with steam flow through the cells

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant for producing electricity uses pressurized air and fuel in the cells. The air is compressed by compressor apparatus powered by waste energy in the form of hot pressurized gases including hot pressurized steam produced by the power plant. In one embodiment the compressor apparatus includes a turbine operably connected to a compressor, and hot pressurized gases produced by the power plant flow into the turbine thereby driving the compressor. The steam is generated by heat from the fuel cells, passes through the fuel cells adjacent the cathode electrode thereof, and is delivered into the turbine along with the other gases.

Turbomachine plant comprising coupled gas turbine, synchronous electrical machine and compressor units having optional operating modes

Abstract: A turbomachine plant comprises a gas turbine, a synchronous electrical machine operable as a motor or generator, and a compressor all mounted on the same shafting and adapted to be coupled together for two optional operating modes In a first operating mode, the gas turbine serves to drive the synchronous electrical machine for generation of electrical power and the compressor is not utilized In the second operating mode, the synchronous electrical machine operating as a motor serves to drive the compressor for gas compression and the gas turbine is not utilized When in the first operating mode the compressor is not disconnected by conventional clutch means from the gas turbine-synchronous electrical machine group but rather always remains connected to that group and is arranged by suitable valving so as to rotate in a vacuum type of operation with a power loss which is slight in relation to the gas turbine If desired a permanent type of coupling can also be provided in the shafting between the gas turbine and synchronous electrical machine units in lieu of a disengageable clutch

Method of improving refrigerating capacity and coefficient of performance in a refrigerating system, and a refrigerating system for carrying out said method

Abstract: In a refrigerating system containing an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor and a closed vessel which receives condensed refrigerant from the condenser. The vessel has outlets connected to the compressor and to the evaporator. Communication between the vessel and the compressor is established for a regulated period to lower the pressure in the vessel, causing the refrigerant therein to boil. During most of this period, communication between the evaporator and the compressor is closed and thereafter is opened.

Turbo-fluid device

Abstract: A turbo-fluid device in the form of a package, in which a heat exchanger used as a cooler for a turbo-compressor, desiccator, or turbo-refrigerator; or a heater for a turbo-generator is formed in an annular form, while there are housed in the interior of the annular heat exchanger an electric motor or generator, transmission, compressor and/or turbine, oil feed device and other accessories, thereby decreasing sound level and reducing the size and the weight of the device.

Lubricating and oil seal system for a high speed compressor

Abstract: A high speed centrifugal compressor is closely directly coupled to the power turbine of a two-shaft gas turbine having a gas generator section separate from its power turbine. Through the direct close coupling and center-line mounting of the gas turbine exhaust casing for free and uniform heat expansion, alignment between stationary and rotating parts of the power turbine and compressor is maintained free from mechanical problems. Bearings and oil seals are fed by an integrated lubrication and a sealing oil system utilizing a compact oil distribution manifold assembly incorporating a quick filter change structure. The gas turbine-compressor finds particularly useful application in areas where high power, compact, relatively maintenance-free units are required, as, for example, on offshore platforms in the natural gas industry.

Diffuser-burner casing for a gas turbine engine

Abstract: A diffuser-burner casing in the combustion section of an axial flow gas turbine engine transmits axial engine loads between the compressor section and the turbine section and serves as a housing for the combustion chamber assemblies and as a bearing support for the shaft or shafts extending between the compressor and turbine sections. The casing has outer, intermediate and inner ring portions structurally interconnected for limited flexure under the influence of thermal gradients and stresses. The outer ring portion is connected to the intermediate ring portion by means of a frustoconical wall portion which defines the forward part of an annular plenum in which the combustion chamber assemblies are located. The intermediate ring portion and the inner ring portion are interconnected by means of a plurality of circumaxially spaced struts, and form the diffuser for the compressor which discharges into the annular plenum containing the combustion chamber assemblies. A removable plenum cover connects with the outer ring portion and the inner surface of the cover defines an outer wall of the plenum chamber. The plenum cover also connects at its rearward end with a turbine casing and is retractable over the turbine casing in order to permit the combustion chamber assemblies to be installed or removed.