US 11,927,193 B2
Multi-stage compressor with turbine section for fuel cell system
Brent Donato, Torrance, CA (US); Jeffrey Allen Lotterman, Moravia (CZ); and Ryoken Matsuzaki, Torrance, CA (US)
Assigned to GARRETT TRANSPORTATION I INC, Torrance, CA (US)
Filed by Garrett Transportation I Inc., Torrance, CA (US)
Filed on May 29, 2018, as Appl. No. 15/991,344.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/585,667, filed on Nov. 14, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0145416 A1, May 16, 2019
Int. Cl. F04D 17/12 (2006.01); F01D 5/04 (2006.01); F02B 37/013 (2006.01); F02B 37/10 (2006.01); F02B 39/10 (2006.01); F02C 3/05 (2006.01); F02C 6/12 (2006.01); F04D 25/02 (2006.01); F04D 25/04 (2006.01); F04D 29/26 (2006.01); H01M 8/04111 (2016.01); F02B 33/34 (2006.01); F02C 3/107 (2006.01); F04D 25/06 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 17/122 (2013.01) [F01D 5/048 (2013.01); F02B 37/013 (2013.01); F02B 37/10 (2013.01); F02B 39/10 (2013.01); F02C 3/05 (2013.01); F02C 6/12 (2013.01); F04D 25/024 (2013.01); F04D 25/045 (2013.01); F04D 29/266 (2013.01); H01M 8/04111 (2013.01); F02B 33/34 (2013.01); F02C 3/107 (2013.01); F04D 17/12 (2013.01); F04D 25/0606 (2013.01); F05D 2220/40 (2013.01); F05D 2220/76 (2013.01); F05D 2240/40 (2013.01); H01M 2250/20 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-stage charging device comprising:
a shaft that is supported for rotation about an axis;
a first compressor wheel and a first compressor housing that cooperate to define a first compressor stage, the first compressor wheel being fixed on the shaft;
a second compressor housing that partly defines a second compressor stage configured to receive a compressed fluid stream from the first compressor stage;
a turbine housing that partly defines a turbine section;
a plural wheel member that is fixed on the shaft, the plural wheel member having a second compressor wheel and a turbine wheel arranged back-to-back and sharing a common outer radial edge, the second compressor wheel supported in the second compressor housing and the turbine wheel supported in the turbine housing;
the plural wheel member being one-piece, unitary, and formed of a thermally conductive material that thermally couples the second compressor stage and the turbine section and defines a thermal path through which the turbine section absorbs heat from the second compressor stage; and
an air bearing system that supports the shaft, the first compressor wheel, and the plural wheel member for rotation as a unit relative to the first compressor housing, the second compressor housing, and the turbine housing, the air bearing system disposed axially between the first compressor wheel and the plural wheel member.