US3734649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Turbopump having cooled shaft
Assignee: AIRCRAFT CORP U
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Filing: 1971-05-24
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A turbopump having an inducer and a two stage centrifugal pump has hydrogen entering an inducer and passing through a first stage impeller and a second stage stage impeller to the exit thereof. A turbine is located on the opposite side of said impellers from the inducer and has an integral shaft extending through the impellers and inducer on which they are mounted. A front radial bearing means is positioned between the inducer and first impeller and a thrust balancer means and rear radial bearing means are positioned between the second impeller and the turbine. An interstage seal extends between the two impellers. Hydrogen is taken from the hydrogen path to operate the axial thrust bearing and to cool the two radial bearings. Further, the hydrogen flow is taken from the inlet to the second stage impeller and directed through the shaft having a tortuous path therethrough to provide a desired cooling action. Dead air spaces are provided adjacent the turbine mounting to aid in the formation of a heat transfer barrier.
Inventors
- 👤 J Sandy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:36
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D13/00; F04D13/02; F04D13/04; F04D29/00; F04D29/58; F04D29/586
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A turbopump including in combination a pump section and a turbine section, said turbine section having a turbine disk for supporting turbine blades, said dIsk having an integral shaft, said pump section having impeller means mounted on said shaft, bearing means supporting said shaft, a dead gas chamber being formed in said shaft adjacent said turbine disk, a passageway extending from said pump section for conveying a pumped fluid through and around the shaft to a point near the dead gas chamber to maintain a proper thermal environment, said bearing means supporting said shaft comprising a front bearing means located adjacent said pump section and a rear bearing means located near said turbine disk, means for directing a pumped fluid through and around said bearing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A turbopump including in combination a pump section and a turbine section, said turbine section having a turbine disk for supporting turbine blades, said dIsk having an integral shaft, said pump section having impeller means mounted on said shaft, bearing means supporting said shaft, a dead gas chamber being formed in said shaft adjacent said turbine disk, a passageway extending from said pump section for conveying a pumped fluid through and around the shaft to a point near the dead gas chamber to maintain a proper thermal environment, said bearing means supporting said shaft comprising a front bearing means located adjacent said pump section and a rear bearing means located near said turbine disk, means for directing a pumped fluid through and around said bearing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A turbopump as set forth in claim 1 wherein a first annular chamber is formed in said shaft at a location radially inwardly from said rear bearing means, said annular chamber forming a part of said passageway, said dead gas chamber being positioned between said first annular chamber and said disk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A turbopump as set forth in claim 2 wherein said passageway has its inlet connected to said pump section, said passageway extending from said inlet to a second point adjacent said rear bearing means, said passageway extending from said second point in the opposite direction to a third point in the mid portion of the shaft, said passageway extending radially inwardly from said third point to an annular passageway within said shaft, said annular passageway directing its cooling fluid to said first annular chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A turbopump as set forth in claim 3 wherein said passageway also extends axially from said third point to a fourth point adjacent said front bearing means, said passageway having an opening for directing its flow of cooling fluid into said pump section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A turbopump as set forth in claim 3 wherein an inducer means is mounted forwardly of said pump section, said inducer means being connected to said shaft, said passageway extending forwardly through said shaft from said annular chamber, said passageway having an opening for directing its flow of cooling fluid into said inducer means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
A turbopump as set forth in claim 2 wherein said shaft has a first passage therein, the end of said shaft fixed to said disk having an enlarged bore intersecting said passage, the end of said bore adjacent said disk having an enlarged cut-out section forming an annular space, a center tube member fixed in said bore, said center tube member having a second passage therein, the outer surface of said center tube adjacent said disk forming a closed annular chamber with said cut-out section, said outer surface of said center tube member also forming an annular passage with said bore, said second passage cooperating with said first passage, openings in said center tube connecting said annular passage with second passage, said annular passage, second passage, openings, and first passage forming part of said passageway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A turbopump as set forth in claim 6 wherein the end of said center tube member under said closed annular chamber has a chamber therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
184 words
A turbopump apparatus including in combination, a supply of cold fluid, a pump section for pumping cold fluid, a supply of hot fluid, a turbine section for receiving a hot fluid; said turbine section having a turbine disk for supporting turbine blades; said disk having an integral shaft; said pump section having impeller means mounted on said shaft; shaft bearing means supporting said shaft; means between said impeller means and turbine disk for maintaining a proper thermal environment, said last named means including: a dead gas chamber formed in said shaft adjacent said turbine disk, a second chamber formed in said shaft adjacent said first dead gas chamber, a first passageway extending from said pump section for conveying the pump cold fluid around the shaft at a point near the first dead gas chamber, a second passageway extending from said pump section for conveying the cold pump fluid through the shaft and through said second chamber adjacent the dead gas chamber, said shaft bearing means including beAring means located near said turbine disk, means for directing the cold pumped fluid through said bearing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
184 words
A turbopump apparatus including in combination, a supply of cold fluid, a pump section for pumping cold fluid, a supply of hot fluid, a turbine section for receiving a hot fluid; said turbine section having a turbine disk for supporting turbine blades; said disk having an integral shaft; said pump section having impeller means mounted on said shaft; shaft bearing means supporting said shaft; means between said impeller means and turbine disk for maintaining a proper thermal environment, said last named means including: a dead gas chamber formed in said shaft adjacent said turbine disk, a second chamber formed in said shaft adjacent said first dead gas chamber, a first passageway extending from said pump section for conveying the pump cold fluid around the shaft at a point near the first dead gas chamber, a second passageway extending from said pump section for conveying the cold pump fluid through the shaft and through said second chamber adjacent the dead gas chamber, said shaft bearing means including beAring means located near said turbine disk, means for directing the cold pumped fluid through said bearing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A turbopump as set forth in claim 8 wherein a third passageway extends from said second chamber to said pump section to return the cold pumped fluid back to the pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A turbopump as set forth in claim 8 wherein said hot fluid reaches temperatures over 1,000*R and the cold fluid in said second chamber encounters temperatures in the order of 100*R.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |