Turbo-compressor-pump

Claim 2

In a turbo-compressor unit of the type operative with a vaporized working fluid and having a turbine and compressor wheel mounted to a mutual rotative shaft that is supported by a first bearing near the turbine wheel and a second bearing near the compressor wheel and where the shaft, turbine wheel, compressor wheel and bearings are mounted within a housing, the improvement which comprises: a first passageway disposed within the housing, and directed to each bearing, said first passageway capable of supplying liquid working fluid past each bearing at a pressure; a first pumping means disposed within the housing between the first bearing and turbine for pressurizing working fluid to a pressure just equal to the pressure of the working fluid past the first bearing from said first passageway, said first pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the turbine and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with said first passageway past the first bearing; a second pumping means disposed within the housing between the second bearing and compressor for pressurizing working fluid to a pressure just equAl to the pressure of the working fluid past the second bearing from said first passageway, said second pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the compressor and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with said first passageway past the second bearing; and a second passageway disposed within the housing and directed from the outlet of said first and second pumping means for channeling working fluid from said first passageway, first and second bearings, and first and second pumping means, said second passageway having a pre-determined restriction for limiting working fluid flow therethrough.

Claim 3

A turbo-compressor unit as set forth in claim 1 and further including: a third pumping means disposed within the housing and mounted to the rotative shaft for pressurizing working fluid to the bearings in response to rotation of the shaft, said third pumping means having a pump inlet and outlet manifolded in series with said first passageway.

Claim 4

A turbo-compressor as set forth in claim 1 and further including: a fourth pumping means disposed within the housing and mounted to the rotative shaft for supplying pressurized working fluid external of the turbo compressor unit, said fourth pumping means having a pump inlet manifolded to said first passageway.

Claim 5

A turbo-compressor as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fourth pumping means comprises: a first stage inducer section including two oppositely spiraled vanes projecting from the shaft at a location between the bearings, said first stage inducer section manifolded to said first passageway; and a second stage impeller mounted to said shaft between the two oppositely spiraled vanes, said second stage impeller including a plurality of vanes projecting generally radially from the shaft.

Claim 6

In a turbo-compressor unit of the type operative with a vaporized working fluid and having a turbine and compressor wheel mounted to a mutual rotative shaft that is supported by a first bearing near the turbine wheel and a second bearing near the compressor wheel, and where all of which are disposed and mounted within a housing, a method of lubricating the bearings with the same working fluid while simultaneously dynamically separating the working fluid between the turbine, compressor and bearings, comprising the steps of: flowing liquified working fluid under pressure past the bearings; balancing the pressure of the liquified working fluid from the first bearing against the discharge pressure of a first pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and disposed between the first bearing and turbine wheel, the first pumping means having a pressure rise capability greater than the pressure of the liquified working fluid flowing from the first bearing; simultaneously balancing the pressure of the liquified working fluid from the second bearing against the discharge pressure of a second pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and disposed between the second bearing and compressor wheel, the second pumping means having a pressure rise capability greater than the pressure of the liquified working fluid flowing from the second bearing; manifolding the inlet of the first pumping means to the turbine, while simultaneously manifolding the inlet of the second pumping means to the compressor; and draining the combined flow of liquified working fluid from the first pumping means and bearing, and the second pumping means and bearing through at least one restriction of pre-determined resistance.

Claim 7

In a turbo-compressor unit of the type operative with a vaporized working fluid and having a turbine and compressor wheel mounted to a mutual rotative shaft that is supported by a first bearing near the turbine wheel and a second bearing near the compressor wheel, and where all of which are disposed and mounted within a housing, a method of lubricating the bearings with the same working fluid while simultaneously dynamically separating the working fluid between the turbine, compressor and bearings, comprising the steps of: flowing liquified working fluid under pressure past the bearings; balancing the pressure of the liquified working fluid from the first bearing against the discharge pressure of a first pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and disposed between the first bearing and turbine wheel, the first pumping means having a pressure rise capability greater than the pressure of the liquified working fluid flowing from the first bearing; simultaneously balancing the pressure of the liquified working fluid from the second bearing against the discharge pressure of a second pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and disposed between the second bearing and compressor wheel, the second pumping means having a pressure rise capability greater than the pressure of the liquified working fluid flowing from the second bearing; manifolding the inlet of the first pumping means to the turbine, while simultaneously manifolding the inlet of the second pumping means to the compressor; and draining the combined flow of liquified working fluid from the first pumping means and bearing, and the second pumping means and bearing through at least one restriction of pre-determined resistance.

Claim 8

The method as set forth in claim 5 and further including the step of: manifolding the liquified working fluid flow from the bearings to the compressor.

Claim 9

The method as set forth in claim 5 and further including the step of: manifolding the liquified working fluid flow from the bearings to the turBine. 8. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the liquified fluid flowing to the bearings is pressurized by a pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft.

Claim 10

A hermetically sealable turbo-compressor-pump for use with a mutual working fluid, comprising; a rotative shaft having first and second end portions; a turbine wheel mounted to and near one end portion of said shaft; a compressor wheel mounted to and near the opposite end portion of said shaft; a first flange extending from said shaft near said turbine wheel, said first flange having oppositely facing first and second faces, the face nearest said turbine wheel defining a pump impeller and the other face defining a thrust surface; a second flange extending from said shaft near said compressor wheel, said second flange having oppositely facing first and second faces, the face nearest said compressor defining a pump impeller and the other face defining a thrust surface; bearing means near the thrust surface of the first and second flanges for supporting said shaft, said bearing means having inside and outside diameters; a housing having a bore that receives said shaft and having retainers for receiving said bearing means; said housing: shrouding said turbine wheel to define a turbine, shrouding said compressor wheel to define a compressor, and shrouding the pump impeller faces of said first and second flanges to define first and second pumping means which individually have a desired pressure rise capability; a third pumping means extending from said shaft and disposed within said housing for pressurizing a portion of working fluid, said third pumping means fluidly communicable with and having a pressure rise capability less than the pressure rise capability of said first and second pumping means, said third pumping means capable of pumping a portion of working fluid to near the inside diameter of said bearing means; a first fluid passageway directed to said third pumping means; and a second and third fluid passageway directed from said first and second pumping means, said second and third passageways having predetermined restriction for limiting flow of working fluid through the bearings.

Claim 11

A hermetically sealable turbo-compressor-pump for use with a mutual working fluid, comprising; a rotative shaft having first and second end portions; a turbine wheel mounted to and near one end portion of said shaft; a compressor wheel mounted to and near the opposite end portion of said shaft; a first flange extending from said shaft near said turbine wheel, said first flange having oppositely facing first and second faces, the face nearest said turbine wheel defining a pump impeller and the other face defining a thrust surface; a second flange extending from said shaft near said compressor wheel, said second flange having oppositely facing first and second faces, the face nearest said compressor defining a pump impeller and the other face defining a thrust surface; bearing means near the thrust surface of the first and second flanges for supporting said shaft, said bearing means having inside and outside diameters; a housing having a bore that receives said shaft and having retainers for receiving said bearing means; said housing: shrouding said turbine wheel to define a turbine, shrouding said compressor wheel to define a compressor, and shrouding the pump impeller faces of said first and second flanges to define first and second pumping means which individually have a desired pressure rise capability; a third pumping means extending from said shaft and disposed within said housing for pressurizing a portion of working fluid, said third pumping means fluidly communicable with and having a pressure rise capability less than the pressure rise capability of said first and second pumping means, said third pumping means capable of pumping a portion of working fluid to near the inside diameter of said bearing means; a first fluid passageway directed to said third pumping means; and a second and third fluid passageway directed from said first and second pumping means, said second and third passageways having predetermined restriction for limiting flow of working fluid through the bearings.

Claim 12

A turbo-compressor-pump as set forth in claim 9 and further including a high speed pump disposed within said housing and mounted to said shaft, said high speed pump comprising: a second stage impeller including a plurality of vanes projecting radially away from said shaft; and a first stage inducer including a first and second oppositely spiraled vanes projecting in a helical manner away from said shaft, said first and second spiraled vanes sandwiching said second stage impeller therebetween.

Claim 13

A turbo-compressor-pump as set forth in claim 9 and further including a fourth passageway that manifolds and connects said second and third passageways with said compressor.

Claim 14

A turbo-compressor as set forth in claim 9 and further including a fourth passageway that manifolds and fluidly connects said second and third passageways with said turbine.

Claim 15

A turbo-compressor as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bearing means are floating slipper bearings capable of pumping in response to rotation of said shaft to define a pressure rise capability, and wherein the combined pressure rise capability of said bearings and said third pumping means is less than the pressure rise capability of said first and second pumping means.

Claim 16

In a turbo-compressor unit of the type operative with a single vaporized working fluid and having a turbine driving a compressor with a common shaft that is supported a first bearing near the turbine and a second bearing near the compressor and having a common housing, the improvement which comprises: means for flowing a portion of the same working fluid in liquified form under pressure to and past the bearings to lubricate the bearings; Means for restricting the liquified working fluid flowing as a lubricant from the bearings; means for separating within the housing the vaporized working fluid of the turbine and compressor from the fluid flowing past the bearings; and means for directing the liquid working fluid flowing past the bearings to the vaporized working fluid of the turbo-compressor unit; whereby a mutual working fluid is used for lubricating the bearings and in operating the turbine and compressor.

Claim 17

In a turbo-compressor unit of the type operative with a single vaporized working fluid and having a turbine driving a compressor with a common shaft that is supported a first bearing near the turbine and a second bearing near the compressor and having a common housing, the improvement which comprises: means for flowing a portion of the same working fluid in liquified form under pressure to and past the bearings to lubricate the bearings; Means for restricting the liquified working fluid flowing as a lubricant from the bearings; means for separating within the housing the vaporized working fluid of the turbine and compressor from the fluid flowing past the bearings; and means for directing the liquid working fluid flowing past the bearings to the vaporized working fluid of the turbo-compressor unit; whereby a mutual working fluid is used for lubricating the bearings and in operating the turbine and compressor.

Claim 18

A refrigeration system for cooling of the type having a vapor generator containing a working fluid, means for adding heat to the vapor generator to vaporize said liquid, a turbine, means for conducting gas from the vapor generator to the turbine, a compressor driven by the turbine through a mutual shaft, a condenser for receiving and liquifying the vaporized working fluid from the turbine and compressor, expansion means for receiving and controllably decreasing the pressure of the working fluid from the outlet of the condenser, an evaporator for receiving and vaporizing the discharge of liquified working fluid from the expansion means, wherein the improvement comprises: a mutual housing shrouding and mounting the turbine, compressor and mutual shaft; a pump disposed within the housing and mounted to the shaft, said pump receiving liquified working fluid from the condenser and discharging pressurized working fluid into the vapor generator; bearing means operative with liquified working fluid from the condenser for rotatively supporting the shaft, means for channeling a portion of the same working fluid in liquid form to and from the bearing means; means for separating, within the housing, the vaporized working fluid of the turbine and compressor from the liquified working fluid of said pump and bearings; and means for directing the liquid working fluid flowing past the bearings to vaporized working fluid contained within the housing; whereby a hermetically sealed refrigeration system is provided.

Claim 19

A refrigeration system for cooling of the type having a vapor generator containing a working fluid, means for adding heat to the vapor generator to vaporize said liquid, a turbine, means for conducting gas from the vapor generator to the turbine, a compressor driven by the turbine through a mutual shaft, a condenser for receiving and liquifying the vaporized working fluid from the turbine and compressor, expansion means for receiving and controllably decreasing the pressure of the working fluid from the outlet of the condenser, an evaporator for receiving and vaporizing the discharge of liquified working fluid from the expansion means, wherein the improvement comprises: a mutual housing shrouding and mounting the turbine, compressor and mutual shaft; a pump disposed within the housing and mounted to the shaft, said pump receiving liquified working fluid from the condenser and discharging pressurized working fluid into the vapor generator; bearing means operative with liquified working fluid from the condenser for rotatively supporting the shaft, means for channeling a portion of the same working fluid in liquid form to and from the bearing means; means for separating, within the housing, the vaporized working fluid of the turbine and compressor from the liquified working fluid of said pump and bearings; and means for directing the liquid working fluid flowing past the bearings to vaporized working fluid contained within the housing; whereby a hermetically sealed refrigeration system is provided.

Claim 20

In a turbo-compressor unit of the type operative with a single vaporized working fluid and having a turbine driving a compressor with a common shaft that is supported by a first bearing near the turbine and a second bearing near the compressor and having a common housing, the improvement which comprises: means for flowing liquified working fluid under pressure to and past the bearings to lubricate the bearings; means for restricting the liquified working fluid flowing as a lubricant from the bearings; and means for separating within the housing the vaporized working fluid of the turbine and compressor and the fluid flowing past the bearings, said separating means including a first pumping means disposed within the housing between the first bearing and turbine for pressurizing liquified working fluid to a pressure equal to the pressure past the first bearing from said flowing means, said first pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the turbine and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with said restricting means; and a second pumping means disposed within the housing between the second bearing and compressor for pressurizing liquified working fluid to a pressure equal to the pressure past the second bearing from said flowing means, said second pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the compressor and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with said restricting means; whereby a mutual working fluid is used for lubricating the bearings and in operating the turbine and compressor.

Claim 21

In a turbo-compressor unit of the type operative with a single vaporized working fluid and having a turbine driving a compressor with a common shaft that is supported by a first bearing near the turbine and a second bearing near the compressor and having a common housing, the improvement which comprises: means for flowing liquified working fluid under pressure to and past the bearings to lubricate the bearings; means for restricting the liquified working fluid flowing as a lubricant from the bearings; and means for separating within the housing the vaporized working fluid of the turbine and compressor and the fluid flowing past the bearings, said separating means including a first pumping means disposed within the housing between the first bearing and turbine for pressurizing liquified working fluid to a pressure equal to the pressure past the first bearing from said flowing means, said first pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the turbine and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with said restricting means; and a second pumping means disposed within the housing between the second bearing and compressor for pressurizing liquified working fluid to a pressure equal to the pressure past the second bearing from said flowing means, said second pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the compressor and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with said restricting means; whereby a mutual working fluid is used for lubricating the bearings and in operating the turbine and compressor.

Claim 22

A refrigeration system for cooling of the type having a vapor generator containing a working fluid, means for adding heat to the vapor generator to vaporize said liquid, a turbine, means for conducting gas from the vapor generator to the turbine, a compressor driven by the turbine through a mutual shaft, a condenser for receiving and liquifying the vaporized working fluid from the turbine and compressor, expansion means for receiving and controllably decreasing the pressure of the working fluid from the outlet of the condenser, an evaporator for receiving and vaporizing the discharge of liquified working fluid from the expansion means, wherein the improvement comprises: a mutual housing shrouding and mounting the turbine compressor and mutual shaft; a pump disposed within the housing and mounted to the shaft, said pump receiving liquified working fluid from the condenser and discharging pressurized working fluid into the vapor generator; bearing means operative with liquified working fluid from the condenser for rotatively supporting the shaft, said bearing means including a first bearing located near the turbine and a second bearing located near the compressor; means for channeling liquified working fluid to and from the bearing means; means for separating, within the housing, the vaporized working fluid of the turbine and compressor from the liquified working fluid of said pump and said bearings, said separating means including: means for restricting flow of liquified working fluid from; a first pumping means disposed within the housing between the first bearing and turbine for pressurizing liquified working fluid to a pressure equal to the liquified working fluid at the first bearing, said first pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the turbine and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with the channeling means of the bearing; and a second pumping means disposed within the housing between the second bearing and compressor for pressurizing liquified working fluid to a pressure equal to the liquified working fluid at the second bearing, said second pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the compressor and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with the channeling means of the bearing; whereby a hermetically sealed refrigeration system is provided.

Claim 23

A refrigeration system for cooling of the type having a vapor generator containing a working fluid, means for adding heat to the vapor generator to vaporize said liquid, a turbine, means for conducting gas from the vapor generator to the turbine, a compressor driven by the turbine through a mutual shaft, a condenser for receiving and liquifying the vaporized working fluid from the turbine and compressor, expansion means for receiving and controllably decreasing the pressure of the working fluid from the outlet of the condenser, an evaporator for receiving and vaporizing the discharge of liquified working fluid from the expansion means, wherein the improvement comprises: a mutual housing shrouding and mounting the turbine compressor and mutual shaft; a pump disposed within the housing and mounted to the shaft, said pump receiving liquified working fluid from the condenser and discharging pressurized working fluid into the vapor generator; bearing means operative with liquified working fluid from the condenser for rotatively supporting the shaft, said bearing means including a first bearing located near the turbine and a second bearing located near the compressor; means for channeling liquified working fluid to and from the bearing means; means for separating, within the housing, the vaporized working fluid of the turbine and compressor from the liquified working fluid of said pump and said bearings, said separating means including: means for restricting flow of liquified working fluid from; a first pumping means disposed within the housing between the first bearing and turbine for pressurizing liquified working fluid to a pressure equal to the liquified working fluid at the first bearing, said first pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the turbine and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with the channeling means of the bearing; and a second pumping means disposed within the housing between the second bearing and compressor for pressurizing liquified working fluid to a pressure equal to the liquified working fluid at the second bearing, said second pumping means responsive to rotation of the shaft and having a pump inlet and outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly communicable with the compressor and the pump outlet being fluidly communicable with the channeling means of the bearing; whereby a hermetically sealed refrigeration system is provided.