Title: Closed cycle heat engine

Abstract

Heat engines employing fluid bearing assemblies hermetically sealed with a closed flowpath for a working fluid are generally disclosed. For example, the heat engine includes a rotating drivetrain and a fluid bearing assembly. The rotating drivetrain includes a compressor section, an expander section, and a heat exchanger. The compressor section and expander section together define at least in part a closed flowpath for the flow of a working fluid. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the closed flowpath for adding heat to the working fluid. The fluid bearing assembly is configured to utilize the working fluid to support the rotating drivetrain. Further, the fluid bearing assembly is hermetically sealed with the closed flowpath.

Inventors:

Ertas, Bugra Han; Hofer, Douglas Carl

Issue Date:

2021-04-20

Research Org.:

General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1823871

Patent Number(s):

10982713

Application Number:

15/933,672

Assignee:

General Electric Technology GmbH (Schenectady, NY)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01D - NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01K - STEAM ENGINE PLANTS

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01D - NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES

F01D25/16 - Arrangement of bearings

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01K - STEAM ENGINE PLANTS

F01K25/103 - {Carbon dioxide
F01K7/32 - the engines using steam of critical or overcritical pressure

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F02 - COMBUSTION ENGINES F02C - GAS-TURBINE PLANTS

F02C1/05 - characterised by the type or source of heat, e.g. using nuclear or solar energy

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03G - SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS

F03G6/064 - {having a gas turbine cycle, i.e. compressor and gas turbine combination}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F05 - INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04 F05D - INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS

F05D2210/10 - Kind or type
F05D2220/30 - in turbines
F05D2240/52 - Axial thrust bearings
F05D2240/53 - Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic bearings

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F16 - ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS F16C - SHAFTS

F16C17/035 - {the segments being integrally formed with, or rigidly fixed to, a support-element}
F16C17/065 - {the segments being integrally formed with, or rigidly fixed to, a support-element}
F16C2360/23 - Gas turbine engines
F16C2362/40 - Ovens or other heatings
F16C32/0614 - {the gas being supplied under pressure, e.g. aerostatic bearings}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/46 - Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling solar thermal engines

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DOE Contract Number:  

EE0007109

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 03/23/2018

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English