US 12,320,265 B2
Integrated hermetically sealed turboexpander-generator with overhung turbomachine
Francesco Cangioli, Florence (IT); Davide Biliotti, Florence (IT); Massimiliano Ortiz Neri, Florence (IT); Giuseppe Sassanelli, Florence (IT); and Vittorio Michelassi, Florence (IT)
Assigned to Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie—S.R.L., Florence (IT)
Appl. No. 17/907,184
Filed by NUOVO PIGNONE TECNOLOGIE—S.R.L., Florence (IT)
PCT Filed Mar. 19, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/025110
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 23, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/197664, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 7, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 102020000006727 (IT), filed on Mar. 31, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0117632 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. F01D 25/24 (2006.01); F01D 15/10 (2006.01); F02C 6/18 (2006.01); F02C 7/06 (2006.01); H02K 7/09 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC F01D 25/24 (2013.01) [F01D 15/10 (2013.01); F02C 6/18 (2013.01); F02C 7/06 (2013.01); H02K 7/09 (2013.01); H02K 7/1823 (2013.01); F05D 2220/76 (2013.01); F05D 2240/51 (2013.01); F05D 2240/55 (2013.01); F05D 2260/211 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermodynamic system comprising:
a gas turbine engine comprising an air compressor, a combustion chamber coupled to the air compressor, a high-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure turbine; and
a waste heat source adapted to transfer heat to a working fluid processed through an integrated turboexpander-generator, the integrated turboexpander-generator comprising:
a hermetically sealed casing, the hermetically sealed casing enclosing,
a reheated turboexpander;
a fluid pressurizing turbomachine;
an electric generator; and
a shaft line comprising a first shaft, a second shaft, a magnetic joint coupling the first shaft to the second shaft, and active magnetic bearings supporting the first shaft and the second shaft,
wherein the reheated turboexpander, the fluid pressurizing turbomachine, and the electric generator are arranged on the shaft line in the hermetically sealed casing,
wherein the reheated turboexpander is arranged between the active magnetic bearings,
wherein the fluid pressurizing turbomachine comprises a first compressor and a second compressor fluidly coupled in sequence and arranged a first end of the shaft line and at a second end of the shaft line, respectively,
wherein the electric generator and the reheated turboexpander are arranged between the first compressor section and the second compressor, and
wherein the integrated turboexpander-generator is adapted to convert part of the waste heat into electrical power.