Patent US4792278A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4792278A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Turbocooler with multistage turbine wheel
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1987-08-14
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Granted: 1988-12-20
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Expires: 2007-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A turbocooler includes a multistage turbine wheel for simultaneous and independent interaction with multiple gas streams to reduce the temperature levels of the gas streams. The turbine wheel includes at least two turbine stages designed to discharge the respective gas streams at different temperature levels, wherein the warmer gas stream is interposed between the colder gas stream and a turbocooler load. The warmer gas stream thus provides a thermal barrier isolating the colder gas stream from turbocooler heat sources thereby permitting increased temperature reduction of the colder gas stream for use, for example, in cryocooler applications. The multistage turbine wheel further facilitates bearing lift-off, for example, in a foil bearing machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Terence P. Emerson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:58
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D15/00; F01D15/10; F01D15/005; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S415/00; Y10S415/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A turbocooler, comprising: a multistage turbine wheel having at least first and second sets of turbine vanes formed hereon; an output shaft rotatable with said turbine wheel; a load driven by said output shaft; means for supplying a first gas stream into driving interaction with said first set of vanes to rotatably drive said turbine wheel and to reduce the temperature of said first gas stream; and means for supplying a second gas stream into driving relation with said turbine wheel and to reduce the temperature of said second gas stream, said multistage turbine wheel comprising an elongated hollow and generally cylindrical hub, a set of radial flow vanes formed generally at one end of said hub to define said first set of vanes, and a set of axial flow vanes formed about the exterior of said hub in axially spaced relation to said radial flow vanes, said axial flow vanes defining said second set of vanes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A turbocooler, comprising: a multistage turbine wheel having at least first and second sets of turbine vanes formed hereon; an output shaft rotatable with said turbine wheel; a load driven by said output shaft; means for supplying a first gas stream into driving interaction with said first set of vanes to rotatably drive said turbine wheel and to reduce the temperature of said first gas stream; and means for supplying a second gas stream into driving relation with said turbine wheel and to reduce the temperature of said second gas stream, said multistage turbine wheel comprising an elongated hollow and generally cylindrical hub, a set of radial flow vanes formed generally at one end of said hub to define said first set of vanes, and a set of axial flow vanes formed about the exterior of said hub in axially spaced relation to said radial flow vanes, said axial flow vanes defining said second set of vanes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The turbocooler of claim 1 wherein said first and second gas streams interact with said turbine wheel to drive turbine wheel in the same rotational direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The turbocooler of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying said first and second gas streams supplies said gas streams for simultaneously driving said turbine wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The turbocooler of claim 1 further including foil bearing means for rotatably supporting said output shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The turbocooler of claim 1 wherein said second set of vanes reduces the temperature of said second gas stream to a temperature level colder than the temperature to which the first gas stream is reduced by said first set of vanes, said means for supplying said first gas stream being generally axially interposed between said load and said means for supplying said second gas stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The turbocooler of claim 1 further including seal means on said hub axially between said radial flow vanes and said axial flow vanes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
The turbocooler of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying said first gas stream comprises housing means defining an annular chamber for supplying said first gas stream to said radial flow vanes and for further defining an axial flow conduit for discharge of said first gas stream from said hub, said means for supplying said second gas stream comprising housing means defining an annular chamber for supplying said second gas stream to said axial flow vanes and further defining an annular discharge chamber for discharge of said second gas stream from said axial flow vanes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The turbocooler of claim 1 wherein said axial flow vanes include a circumferential tip shroud.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The turbocooler of claim 1 wherein said load comprises an alternator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
A turbocooler, comprising: a multistage turbine wheel having first and second sets of vanes formed thereon; a turbine housing; and means for rotatably supporting said turbine wheel within said turbine housing; said housing including means for independently and simultaneously circulating first and second gas streams respectively into driving relation with said first and second sets of vanes for rotatably driving said turbine wheel in the same rotational direction and for expanding said first and second gas streams to reduce the temperature levels thereof, said multistage turbine wheel comprising an elongated hollow and generally cylindrical hub, a set of radial flow vanes formed generally at one end of said hub to define said first set of vanes, and a set of axial flow vanes formed about the exterior of said hub in axially spaced relation to said radial flow vanes, said axial flow vanes defining said second set of vanes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
A turbocooler, comprising: a multistage turbine wheel having first and second sets of vanes formed thereon; a turbine housing; and means for rotatably supporting said turbine wheel within said turbine housing; said housing including means for independently and simultaneously circulating first and second gas streams respectively into driving relation with said first and second sets of vanes for rotatably driving said turbine wheel in the same rotational direction and for expanding said first and second gas streams to reduce the temperature levels thereof, said multistage turbine wheel comprising an elongated hollow and generally cylindrical hub, a set of radial flow vanes formed generally at one end of said hub to define said first set of vanes, and a set of axial flow vanes formed about the exterior of said hub in axially spaced relation to said radial flow vanes, said axial flow vanes defining said second set of vanes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The turbocooler of claim 10 further including a load driven by said turbine wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The turbocooler of claim 11 wherein said second set of vanes reduces the temperature of said second gas stream to a temperature level colder than the temperature to which the first gas stream is reduced by said first set of vanes, said first set of vanes being interposed axially between said second set of vanes and said load.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The turbocooler of claim 10 wherein said rotatable support means comprises an output shaft, and foil bearing means for rotatably supporting said output shaft.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-20 | 1992-06-20 | 1992-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-20 | 1996-06-20 | 1996-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-20 | 2000-06-20 | 2000-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |