Turbomachinery having self-articulating blades, shutter valve, partial-admission shutters, and/or variable pitch inlet nozzles
US8974184B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An axial-flow turbine assembly that includes one or more features for enhancing the efficiency of the turbine's operation. In one embodiment, the turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor having blades that adjust their pitch angle in direct response to working fluid pressure on the blades themselves or other part(s) of the rotor. In other embodiments, the turbine assembly is deployable in an application, such as an oscillating water column system, in which the flow of working fluid varies over time, for example, as pressure driving the flow changes. In a first of these embodiments, the turbine assembly includes a valve that allows the pressure to build so that the flow is optimized for the turbine's operating parameters. In a second of these embodiments, one or more variable-admission nozzle and shutter assemblies are provided to control the flow through the turbine to optimize the flow relative to the turbine's operating parameters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.