US 12,473,874 B2
Dual compression-expansion pumps and related methods
David Raju Yamarthi, Bengaluru (IN); Rodrigo Rodriguez Erdmenger, Garching (DE); Maysaa Rizk, Garching (DE); Adam Joseph Wangler, Evendale, OH (US); and Ismail Hakki Sezal, Garching (DE)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Evendale, OH (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Jan. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/149,570.
Claims priority of application No. 202211065969 (IN), filed on Nov. 17, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0167433 A1, May 23, 2024
Int. Cl. F02K 3/00 (2006.01); F02C 7/141 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 3/00 (2013.01) [F02C 7/141 (2013.01); F05D 2220/323 (2013.01); F05D 2240/50 (2013.01); F05D 2240/60 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid pump comprising:
a shaft;
a motor coupled to the shaft, the motor to drive a rotation of the shaft;
a compressor coupled to a first end of the shaft;
a turbine coupled to a second end of the shaft opposite the first end;
a housing including a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the first outlet fluidly coupled to the second inlet, the second outlet fluidly coupled to the third inlet, wherein the housing is defined by a compressor casing, a motor casing, and a turbine casing, the compressor casing including the first inlet and the first outlet, the turbine casing including the second inlet and the second outlet, the motor casing including the third inlet; and
foil bearings to support the shaft on opposite sides of the motor, wherein a fluid that enters the fluid pump via the third inlet is positioned between the foil bearings and the shaft, and wherein the fluid flows into at least one of the compressor casing or the turbine casing in response to flowing between the foil bearings and the shaft.