Integrated fluid power conversion system
View Patent ↗A fluid power conversion apparatus serving fluid pumping and/or power-generation functions, comprising: an impeller having an impeller hub and a periphery; a housing around the impeller; a diffusor having (a) an outer wall attached to the housing, (b) a diffusor hub rotatably supporting the impeller, and (c) at least one stator vane securing the diffusor hub to the outer wall; and a rotating electrical machine having (a) an armature attached to the housing and (b) a rotor attached to the impeller periphery and positioned to form a rotor-armature gap, whereby the impeller and the rotor form an integrated unit with fluid flow through the rotor.
1. A fluid power conversion apparatus serving fluid pumping and/or power-generation functions, comprising:
an impeller having an impeller hub and a periphery;
a housing around the impeller;
a diffusor having (a) an outer wall attached to the housing, (b) a diffusor hub rotatably supporting the impeller, and (c) at least one stator vane securing the diffusor hub to the outer wall; and
a rotating electrical machine having (a) an armature attached to the housing and (b) a rotor attached to the impeller periphery by a magnetic coupling having inner and outer coupling elements and a sealed barrier therebetween to isolate the electrical machine from fluid being pumped, the rotor being positioned to form a gap between the rotor and the armature,
whereby the impeller and the rotor form an integrated unit with fluid flow through the rotor.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotating electrical machine is an electric motor and the apparatus is used as a fluid pump.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a portion of the fluid flows through the gap to cool the motor.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the diffusor hub rotatably supports the impeller with a thrust bearing.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 , further including an oil circulating and cooling apparatus and wherein the motor is filled with oil.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 further including an intake duct and a exit nozzle, whereby the apparatus is used for marine propulsion.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the exit nozzle is under the water surface and the apparatus is used as an underwater thruster.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the exit nozzle is above the water surface and the apparatus is used as a waterjet.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotating electrical machine is a generator and the apparatus is used as a fluid-driven electrical power generator.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a portion of the fluid flows through the gap to cool the generator.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the diffusor hub rotatably supports the impeller with a thrust bearing.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 further including an oil circulating and cooling apparatus and wherein the generator is filled with oil.