Thrust control system for fluid handling rotary apparatus
US5248239A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2360/42
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thrust control system for fluid handling rotary machines, such as turbo expanders equipped with a magnetic thrust bearing, includes a magnetic thrust control circuit for providing a thrust signal which is a measure of the magnitude and direction of the thrust force on the thrust bearing. The rotor and stator of the machine have generally axially opposed thrust areas separated by a thrust cavity. Valves are connected between the thrust cavity and high and low pressure fluid sources. A controller, responsive to the thrust signal, controls the valves to selectively conduct fluid between the cavity and the high and low pressure sources to increase or decrease the fluid pressure in the cavity to minimize variations of the thrust force from a preset value which could be zero, for example.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.